But, some parents do in fact do both. Take a look at the guy putting down Prep School in this thread. Anyone that thinks even a below average NE Prep School doesn't provide a premium academic experience over a high end high school doesn't know much about Prep School.

"...even a below average NE Prep School doesn't provide a premium academic experience over a high end high school doesn't know much about Prep School." Now I am laughing my behind off. Tons of kids at high priced prep schools end-up and colleges ranked 50th and below. Have you had kids go off to college yet? You will be very, very surprised. Kool-aide drinking prep parents beleive the hype that all of the kids end-up at top 20 schools. Good luck with that.

Kool Aid has no 'e' at the end...

Signed Prep School Grad

^ A gem.

So, what you are saying is, out of over 2,500 accredited colleges and universities in the U.S., only the top 50 colleges ranked by what, a magazine, count?

Anyone that chooses to attend #51 is an underachiever? It would still put them in the top 2% of accredited colleges and universities.

Culture, cost, proximity, infrastructure, courses of study, campus size, housing options, religious affiliations, diversity on campus, opportunities to study abroad, financial aid options...none of these things matter?

If you HAD gone to Prep School you would have learned the importance of critical thinking and self-expression.

I didn't (way too poor growing up) but my kid does, and based on the positive impact I've seen it have, I recognize how much of an advantage in life it really provides. I can only wish I had had the opportunity. I said it before, anyone that doesn't wish that for their kids really doesn't know much about Prep School.

I think maybe you've traded your hockey warm-up suit for a college sweatshirt. Guess what? It's the same principle. OK for the kids, ridiculous for an adult unless you went there, too.

Oh, and how do most Americans know of a college? Whether their football or basketball team is on TV a lot.

Come on man. You don't really believe what you just wrote, do you? Maybe you live in Florida?

Just like hockey, a kid either has it or he doesn't in the classroom. There are plenty of people sending their kids to prep school that will end up at a college that they would have gotten into from their public school. There is no magic brain dust being handed out at the prep schools, unless you want to count the car sticker.

I live in (and pay taxes to support) a town with a top 10 (MA) public school system. My kid earns honors at his Prep School. I'm sure he would do the same at the public HS. I can say unequivocally that he would not be capable of the same level of critical thinking, self-expression, peer interaction and leadership. There are things you are required to do to perform well in a class of 8 that you can't in a class of 30.

I remember when we were first contacted by who became our family advisor. We met with him, and my son sat down with his list of questions. The agent said "I love working with Prep School kids. They're always so well prepared." Now, why would he say that if there weren't a measure of difference? Doesn't mean he was smarter, he just knew a different way from the environment he was in.

To say "a kid either has it or he doesn't" means, again, you don't understand Prep School. Every year, top students come in from public programs. Good public programs. They almost universally struggle at first. They know how to learn, they "have it." But, it's a different way of learning, and it takes time for them to learn in a different way.

That's why they call it a Prep school.

So pay $50K/year for prep school instead? Is that your alternative to this poster's proposal?

But Shamwow’s work...

I don’t give a crap about this thread but don’t knock Shamwow’s as they rock....btw a kid that went to Meffa High I vented them...