thevine Philip’s Education Partners
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Spring 2015
ing 21st Centur y Education
First: Joseph Spence and friends listen in on a tour at Concord Academy. Second: Ms. Shamair Todman, Director of Placement with Titilayo Odedele, Class of 2011 at Milton Academy. Third: Junius Williams, Class of 2011, speaking to students at Phillip’s Academy Andover about his acceptance to Harvard University. Fourth: Philip’s Academy students asking questions on a tour at Harvard University
The Road to Boarding School By Joseph Spence, 8th Grade The placement process for 8th graders applying to secondary schools has been overwhelming this fall and winter, but at the same time, it has been an exciting experience. Prior to the application process, I spent quite some time narrowing down the list of schools I hoped to attend with Ms. Todman, director of placement, and my family. My list came down to Mercersburg, St. Andrew’s, and Concord Academy, to name a few. The process started off slowly with the completion of the application. All was right with my world as I handed the application to my mother and thought my part was over. Boy, was I wrong! First came the nerve wracking interviews that made the tension so thick only a steak
knife could cut through it. I knew these interviews would be the first impression I made to schools. Sweaty palms, weak knees, and heavy arms would best describe my physical state before every interview. Once these sessions were over, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief that I had survived, and perhaps even succeeded. I was one step closer to boarding school! In addition to handwritten applications, I also had to schedule school visits that caused me to miss classes. Thankfully, Philip’s Academy stepped in and arranged both Skype and phone interviews for me as well as scheduled the standardized tests I’d need to take to complete my applications. It was a relief to know that I could depend on the school to offer such support and guidance.
So here I find myself in March…it’s decision time and in coming days I’ll receive acceptance letters (I hope) or possibly The-Letter-Which-Shall-Not-BeNamed, a rejection (I hope not)! This is the most agonizing part of the placement process: the wait! Whatever happens, I know that the overwhelming obstacles I faced during the placement process will be worth it, especially if I open that big manila envelope to find an acceptance letter. I look forward to holding such a letter from Mercersburg, St. Andrews, Concord and other amazing schools. Post Publication Update: Stay tuned to our Facebook page for news of Joseph’s acceptances!
Philip’s Education Partners • 342 Central Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103 • 973.624.1164 • http://www.philipsed.org