Figure 1.--Academics is an increasingly important part of the prep school program. These boys are staying behind after class to discuss a point of disagreement in a history lesson with their teacher. |
|
The modern prep school program centers on the academic program. This has become especially true in recent years. Most preparatory schools are remarably successful educational institutions, providing the children a sound grounding in basis maths, reading, and writing--the classic "Three Rs". The schools insist on high academic standards. An important adjunct part of the program is sports or games as they are called in England. Games are of course an activity, but they are of such importance that we have created a special section for them. Most English prep schools continue to place a considerable emphasis on physical activity and sport, or games as they are commonly called. The greatest emphasis is placed on the major team sports, football, rugby, and cricket. Many schools also give important arrention to the arts. Schools also weave a range of other activities into the prep school program. This can usually be readily observed by the daily calendar which show the emphasis given to the various elements of the school program. The daily calendar is often a useful tool for new pareants assessing the appropriateness of an individual school for their child. The empahasis given to these various compaonents varies from school to school and along with the staff help to give each school its unique character.
The importance of the various program elements that go into the modern prep school can usually be readily observed by the daily calendar which show the emphasis given to the various elements of the school program. The daily calendar is often a useful tool for new pareants assessing the appropriateness of an individual school for their child. School schedules varies substantially from school to school. There are, however, consistent patterns at many schools. Most of the week is devoted to academic studies; anywhere from 25-30 hours per week of classroom instruction is common. About 10-15 hours per week is common for afternoon or evening preparation, usually depending on the child’s age. Another 5-10 hours per week is usually devoted to official games and activities. The children on school teams, especially the senior boys, can spend considerably more times with sports, both practicing and in matches with other schools.
The modern prep school program centers on the academic program. This was not always the case but has become especially true in recent years. Most preparatory schools are remarably successful educational institutions, providing the children a sound grounding in basis maths, reading, and writing--the classic "Three Rs". The schools insist on high academic standards. Other prep schools are more geared to the average child, but expect a great deal of him. Some may argue that this subjects young children to undue pressure. Others maintain that pressure or challenge is a part of life and that children should learn this, although in a caring and structured setting. An important adjunct part of the prep school program is sports or games as they are called in England. Games used to be a much more important part of the program, but as the emphasis has declined in public school, so has it also declined in the prep schools. Even so, they are still very important. Games are of course an activity, but they are of such importance that we have created a special section for them. Most English prep schools continue to place a considerable emphasis on physical activity and sport, or games as they are commonly called. The greatest emphasis is placed on the major team sports, football, rugby, and cricket. Many schools also give important arrention to the arts. Schools also weave a range of other activities into the prep school program. The empahasis given to these various compaonents varies from school to school and along with the staff help to give each school its unique character.
