Education in Southern NH (Manchester, Concord: house, middle schools, colleges)

[lisa g]

Having just read about Amherst's Souhegan HS, and its controversial philosophies which have risen from their Coalition for Essential Schools membership, I'm wondering whether other other So. NH public school systems are far behind. In Hollis, in just a few months it's been blatantly obvious that the curriculum (largely 'writing across the disciplines' only without enough motivation) is not suited for gifted or high achievers(trust me we're not the only family observing this), with an emphasis on choices during the school day in the upper elementary school, enabling students to spend substantial time at the enrichment class of their choice...ugh. Enrichment is good, but...

While Hollis schools have been extaordinarily highly rated, I suspect they are going the controversial route. We've been told the curriculum, etc. are new this year, and change frequently anyway. I can't help but suspect these changes are in preparation for future CES membership. I could see where a town like Hollis might consider it to be too radical to become full fledged members, but may embrace and utilize some CES methodology toward that eventual goal.

Hopefully I'm not sounding paranoid, we chose Hollis for its schools, figuring the higher RE taxes would be worthwhile if the schools were as good as their reputation. And they are for kids with special needs, btw, excellent. But the special need of giftedness is really ignored(thankfully we teach at home to fill the gap, but expect consistency). We're at the point where we're considering private school and figuring, at least the town is very very nice! Honestly, we LOVE everything else about Hollis.

Also, hopefully I'm not sounding as if I'm school bashing. To be objective, it's simply my personal opinion, which really can't be factually applied to all. We like more structure, more traditional school (and believe me, this is not so traditional imo). We're independent thinkers, not hippies.

Any similar observations/objective personal opinions would be greatly appreciated, about any So. NH public schools. Also, private school recommendations are welcome!

[AngelaK]

HI there.....

I have worked at Souhegan High School, as well as other public high schools. I also spent 6 years at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, NH, a private independent boarding/day school. I have also done special education advocacy and work with schools around the state currently.

If you are looking for a truly academically challenging, more traditional type of school, and you have the money, you should probably look towards schools like St. Paul's in Concord or Phillip's Exeter, and other private schools. These schools offer highly challenging evironments, with some of the best and brightest from around the country and the world.

I liked Souhegan...if your child is a strong student, can take the AP level courses, etc, they will basically do well at any of the "better" high schools in NH. Often times, with public schools "you get out of it what you put into it". All the extracurricular things you can do...such as Academic decathalon, Latin classes, chess clubs, debate clubs, athletics, music, band etc. give you an enriching experience.

Other private/semi private options exist, such as Bishop Guertin High School, Pinkerton Academy, etc.

My biggest peice of advice is to not jump to conclusions about schools based on the media and some disgruntled parents. Look for input from the parents of successful kids who have gone on to good colleges and careers and see what they think. Why were they successful? My educated guess is that school plays only one part of that success--parent involvement and investment is probably most important. And it sounds like you already have that going for you!!

[NH2008]

Lisa G,

We're thinking of moving to Hollis this summer and we're basing that largely on the school system. Can you give me more insight into the changes you're seeing? Aren't there a lot of APs for gifted kids? How did you find the elementary and middle schools?

I did notice that our realtor had sent her kids to parochial high school and the seller of the house we liked had sent her kids to the Derryfield School

Please wait...

which made me wonder if the high school wasn't as good as its reputation.

St Paul's and PEA are obviously the most prestigious schools in the state, but Derryfield is a lot closer!

[WinterWonder]

We cannot afford private schools. And we do prefer the "traditional" type high school, with structured learning, formality and excellent college preparation.

Can anyone offer suggestions / opinions. for some "traditional" public high schools in Southern NH (Concord area on down) that have excellent reputations and fit the criteria above?

[lisa g]

Angela, Thanks for your reply. I'm trying not to jump to conclusions. The fact that my kids are happy in public school in Hollis is a huge plus, which I'm not taking for granted. It's just a very different experience than our past school experiences in California, both public and private. Thanks also for the recommendations.

NH2008, I don't know much about the Hollis HS, although my somewhat agnostic neighbor wishes she'd sent her son to a local parochial HS instead, which is worrisome to me. People have told me there are drugs there, and while most people say "there are drugs in all HSs" it's not ok with me. My kids are in the upper elementary, which I find somewhat untraditional and am not completely pleased with although my kids are very happy there. I should temper this by repeating that the right school fit is an individual matter...don't want to write negatively about Hollis schools when they work so well for so many people, and recognize that we just don't fit the mold

Having previously driven my kids 30 minutes each way to private school, I'm not really interested in driving as far as Manchester, but will probably look into options closer to home, just to have options if we really can't tolerate it.

WinterWonder, I, too, prefer structured learning, formality, and excellent college prep. The effort to fill the gap at home is draining because of the inconsistency with school.
I have heard that the Milford HS is better than the Hollis HS, but in what ways I don't know. I'm beginning to wonder whether a traditional public school environment for kids exists anymore.

[buck naked]

I'm beginning to wonder whether a traditional public school environment for kids exists anymore.


No Child Left Behind created a different environment. Unfortunately, I don't think it's better. HS drop outs are at all time record levels. Some schools prefer it that way. They score higher on the tests, if the kids that can't cut it drop out.

[southernjewishgal]

I don't know anything about the NH education system but this has been a good read. I plan on homeschooling so I need to start looking into homeschool rules and regulations in NH.

[buck naked]

I highly recommend home schooling, especially at the high school age.