Figure 1.--.
|
Figure 1.--. |
The prep school children are organized into forms on the basis of their age and academic abilities. Usually the forms run from 1 through 6, although this varies somewhat from school to school. Many also have pre-preps which deal with the younger children before they actually begin prep school work. For most chldren in the pre-prep, entry in the prep school is virtually automatic. And because the staff is already working with the child, the approriate time can be determined. Not all prep schools have pre-preps Schools have varying entry requirements. Most want the children to have basic reading and math schools. A few schools have entrance examinations. The children are also organized into houses which are particularly important aspect of boarding school life. Another important aspect of the organization of the school are prefects. Some schools have special names for these older children who are given responsibility to help enforce the school rules.
The prep school children are organized into forms on the basis of their age and academic abilities. Many also have pre-preps which deal with the younger children before they actually begin prep school work. Usually the forms run from I through VI, although this varies somewhat from school to school. Generally the schools academic program is organized into age/ability groups from form I (the youngest) to the form V (the oldest). Form VI is often reserved for particularly gifted children preparing for scholarships. Many schools divide the school into junior and senior departments. Some schools divide the school into three sections. While names may vary, the basic divisions are fairly standard among prep schools. There are some differences as to placement. The most important difference is attitude toward streaming.
Many boys today begin their prep school careers in the pre-prep. This is a realtively new phenomenon, virtuually unknown before World War II. Most children enter the regular prep school at age 7 or 8. Schools have varying entry requirements. For most chldren in the pre-prep, entry in the prep school is virtually automatic. And because the staff is already working with the child, the approriate time can be determined. Not all prep schools have pre-preps Schools have varying entry requirements. Most want the children to have basic reading and math schools. A few schools have entrance examinations. Progression through the schools is through grades called forms in Britain. Most prep schools have six forms, based on the arrangement at the public schools for which they are preparing the children. Marks or grades are an important part of prep school life. Most prep school place considerable emphasis on academics and standing in class tends to be very competitive. Marks tend to be very serious business at prep schools. The culmination of prep school life is the Common Entrance Examination the children take in the summer term of their last year.
The children at most schools are also organized into houses. These houses are a particularly important aspect of boarding school life, but most day schools also have houses. Most schools see these houses as an important phase of prep school life. One headmaster explained to us that houses “help to foster a competitive spirit.” Kingsland Grange explains that the house system “instills the spirit of keenesess into all school activities.” Some schools encourage the house spirit in a variety of ways. A few schools such as Pyrland Hall have each house sit together for lunch, but at most schools the seating, if any, is more likely to be determined by age or form.
Another important aspect of the organization of the school are prefects. Some schools have special names for these older children who are given responsibility to help enforce the school rules. Most schools use a prefect system, although some schools use different terms such as “captains” or “monitors.” One school, Beeston Hall, has both prefects and house captains. Farleigh has leaders and deputies. Malsis has heads of houses and school prefects, house prefects, monitors and junior monitors. Streete Court has monitors and dormitory captains. Selected senior students are chosen by the headmaster after consulting the senior staff. They are given this responsibility after proving themselves in the performance of other duties as they rise through the school.
