The Harvard independent insider's guide to prep schools /

373.73'025 Preparatory schools U.S. Directories / High schools U.S. Directories [CIP] 86-33121 Two hundred prep schools are described in a project sponsored by the Harvard Independent. Schools featured were to have ``an interesting program of study worth the attention of a prospective student or parent,'' at least 175 students, and two or more alumni attending Harvard College. (Most of the annotations were written by Harvard students.) Places where there are many prep schools are emphasized (Boston, New York City, District of Columbia, and Connecticut). Thus this is not an attempt to define the top 200 schools. Entries are arranged alphabetically by state and then name. Each two- to three-page description begins with a boxed summary indicating key facts such as type of school, tuition, dress code, enrollment size, scholarship money, mean SAT scores, popular courses and activities, college placements, and colleges most desired by students. The text deals with ambience, facilities, values, curricula (including advanced placement), extracurricular activities, athletics, libraries, competitiveness, grading, college placements, faculty and their relationships with students, and school rules and regulations. The Insider's Guide concludes with chapters comparing big boarding schools, girls' boarding schools, Boston preps, New York preps, New York selective public schools, and medium-sized boarding preps. Preceding the body of the work are a list of contributors, an introduction aimed at young readers, a description of the choice of schools and the information-gathering process, notes on statistical data, and tables (e.g., mean SAT scores, largest schools, most challenging schools). The tone is upbeat schools generally are described favorably, although there is criticism (e.g., ``barely adequate library,'' ``weak curricular areas,'' ``overly homogeneous student body''). Although the selection process is skewed and the coverage of prep schools correspondingly incomplete (e.g., Illinois is represented only by St. Ignatius and the University of Chicago Lab School; 16 states have no schools listed), this provides useful information for those it does cover. While it will not replace the four more comprehensive guides already in many libraries (e.g., those by Porter Sargent, Peterson's), reading the descriptions here could help potential preppy parents and students become more aware of what to look for and what questions to ask in choosing a school. This book should be considered for purchase in public libraries where prep school is an option and the collection of school directories is strong, especially in the geographic areas emphasized.

To be included among the 200 evaluated here, a school had to have an interesting program, a student body of at least 175, and at least two alumni enrolled at Harvard. Schools located in major metropolitan or popular boarding areas (Connecticut, Massachusetts) are emphasized. A few selective public schools (Stuyvesant, Bronx Science) were included. In the reviews Harvard undergraduates present their views of their alma mater's image, ambience, strengths and weaknesses, rules of conduct, and activities. Statistics and corroborative information obtained from school officials are included. Entries are arranged by state, then by name. No indexes. Useful for libraries serving students who will attend prep schools. Shirley L. Hopkinson, Library and Information Science Div., California State Univ., San Jose (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.