The two things that make going to a boarding school really great are what happens in the classroom and . . . you guessed it . . . what happens outside the classroom.

For starters, boarding schools like George School are able to attract really passionate, well-rounded teachers, faculty, and students. Working together they make for a dynamic learning atmosphere. In fact, it seems a bit of chicken and egg but perhaps classes are so motivating and exciting because the people in them are so motivated and excited.

Also, the classes are quite challenging; academic rigor is something most boarding schools pride themselves on, and George School is no exception. Research suggests that you'll probably take more advanced classes, do more homework, participate in more extra-curricular activities, and just generally be more prepared for college than you would in almost any other academic setting.

But while the scholarly parts are fantastic, it’s often outside the biology lab or the art studio where boarding schools shine most. Living in a diverse but tightly-knit, academic community inspires you in a way that is hard to duplicate at your local day school. Independence and a sense of responsibility develop, perhaps not easily, but quickly and organically when you're at a place like George School.

And living on campus means you're enveloped by the values of the school all day, every day. At George School, that means traditional Quaker values—things like kindness, inclusiveness, integrity, and simplicity. Soaking these in daily won't make you a Quaker but it will make you a strong, self-possessed, nice person who is well prepared for adulthood, career, and life.