Bolles School (transfer, buyer, public school)

[asjnbbsft]

Hi there. My child currently attends Bolles for high school. The academics have been strong and quite demanding. Additionally, we have been very pleased with the education and extracurricular activities (athletics, clubs, etc.) that the school offers. Interestingly, in our experience, the "culture" is quite diverse. Sure materialism exists (as it does in all schools, even the public schools here in Jacksonville), but the diversity among the student population is very broad. The best thing about Bolles is that our child has been exposed to other students from different countries with different customs, languages, etc. We have been extremely pleased with our decision to send our child to Bolles.....It has been a great experience for our family.

[kwilli]

I'm not sure why you are "former" Bolles parent. Did your children graduate, leave a "better" school or what?

My son is a Bolles three sport athlete, honor student and is continually required to be involved in some community service. The school is very strict the advisors never fail to call if your child misses homework or does not do well on a test.

The parents are wonderful. The boarding school kids are always invited to family activities. Generosity abounds from those have a little more than others. Parent participation is awsome! Go to any event and the parents will be there in full force. There are very few place where your child could be in such a position to network for life!

Check the college placement for the seniors every year and you will be impressed. Less than $18,000.00 per year is a small price for what is available to upgrade your childs future! Its no wonder that there are generally 300+ applicant for 40 spots in the 7th grade.

Originally Posted by rtt

As a former Bolles parent, I wouldn't recommend it. Academically its quite good, but the culture leaves alot to be desired. My kids were learning that the most important thing is how big your house, car and mother's diamond is. There is VERY little supervision and alot goes on that's inappropriate. The kids have little discipline at home and none at school. It doesn't make for a great school culture. There's no service requirement for a good reason. They think they're above it all.

[floridagal123]

If you got the money than go for it. It would also depend on the type of child that you have. My friend pulled her son from that school and put him in St. Johns County schools. Be prepared for the clicky wana bees. She is very happy with the choice she made. I personally think that the kids have alot of money and are a little spoiled. Not all, but some. It makes it tough for the average kid to compete with.

[rtt]

I pulled my kid out. The positive poster MUST be talking about a different school! Kids do community service, sure, but its not required. They just need it for the Bright Futures. There are so many unhappy parents that there's an ad-hoc group that met this summer in parents' homes figuring out how to get the school back on track. As I said, academically it was very good.

[David in JAX]

Originally Posted by kwilli

Its no wonder that there are generally 300+ applicant for 40 spots in the 7th grade.

I don't have kids and don't really know how all of this works. But, I do have a question. With 300+ applicants and 40 spots, how do they choose which students to accept? Is there a standardized test that is taken? Is it based on grades? Teacher recommendations? Family legacy? First come first serve?

[rtt]

David, the head of school likes to quote that application figure, but the fact is that if it were true, the calibre of student at Bolles would be alot higher than it is. Bolles is tracked, and there are quite a few kids there who could care less about getting a good education. Bolles is more than happy to make room for these kids because of their generous parental donations. Bolles does look at transcripts, too, of course. There are many bright, engaged students there as well like Kwillli's and they get exposed to a very strong academic program.

[kwilli]

David

The Bolles as well as Episcopal applicants are required to take the Independent Schools Entrance Exam test. (It requires most of the day) Letters of recommedation from the childs previous school (all teachers and principal). There is also a formal interview where the child is required to sit before the admissions board. Siblings do have preference.

I'm still not sure why the one parent is so unhappy with Bolles. Also I am amazed that there is another group of x Bolles parents that the would be willing to work to improve the school if they found such great alternatives for free.

I must admire a parent who would pull their child from a school they did not like especially if they had to finish the tuition payments as contracted.

Just remember you always get what you pay for!
I pay school taxes and tuition! You are welcome!

Originally Posted by riveree

Thanks for the feedback RTT. That's been the feeling I get of Bolles from the outside, it's good to hear from someone who's seen it from the inside.

[Ryde41]

We didn't have a good experience at the Bolles School. (chest pains from just mentioning that school.) Go to Episcopal.

[twoshadetod]

Hate to bump an old thread but I wanted to give my opinion. I would have to agree that it does seem like the type of place where "how big your house is" or "what kind of car you drive" is very important to them.

I have a relative that went there, and he is spoiled and was "undisiplined" at home.

But the bottom line is he'll be able to do anything he wants to in life. It's sad but that's the way the world is. I like to think of myself as a good person but if I had the choice myself I rather live as a snob/upperclass. If you don't want a class system become a communist, then you can be an equal.

[Ryde41]

I said we had a bad experience. It had nothing to do with class but I hear that's an issue there too. Yep.