Kent School

Actually, Kent's management of Chinese students is also very good. It shouldn't be a B. The atmosphere at Kent is excellent, united and friendly. School management is also very thorough, paying attention to every child. The new headmaster came from St Paul's and has been dedicated to reforms since taking office a few years ago. A very good point about Kent is that children are happy but also learn more about self-management and time management. Children's goals become clearer. The teachers are also excellent, especially with many outstanding teachers joining this year. Kent's food is also very good. The only downside of Kent is its geographical location; it's close to New York, but transportation isn't very developed. You must drive there, and getting an Uber isn't particularly easy. However, you can book an Uber from New York in advance.

Kent

1. Located on a hill in the town of Kent, Connecticut, between the Appalachian Trail and the Housatonic River, just a few minutes from the town center, Kent is a beautiful and quaint New England town. Kent boasts a vast 1200-acre campus, shaded by trees, surrounded by mountains, offering a beautiful environment;

2. The school's most prominent programs are engineering and business, especially mathematics;

3. Wentz Engineering Program: Students build a solid foundation in engineering through assignments, extracurricular activities, robotics competitions, summer programs, guest speaker lectures, field trips, and more. The Solar Car Challenge Team, founded in the 2019-2020 academic year, has achieved success through hard work, passionate teamwork, and creativity;

4. The school's rowing and ice hockey programs are very strong; the boys' rowing team has won awards for several consecutive years, and the ice hockey team frequently wins championships in New England regional competitions;

5. The school values Chinese students, and their university placements have been excellent in recent years;

6. Advanced Studies Diploma: This program requires students who demonstrate unique talent or aptitude in specific areas of research or performance to create and apply their skills. Students must complete a series of rigorous prerequisite courses and prepare a substantial body of complex and rich work. Examples include historical research papers, music or theatrical performance portfolios, laboratory or field exploration reports, mathematical thought elaborations, or engineering solutions;

7. Kent offers equestrian programs year-round, with complete and advanced facilities. Many alumni of Kent School's equestrian team are still nationally recognized equestrian professionals;

Principal Zhan's Review: Kent is a rigorous school with excellent traditions, offering students diverse academic support and meticulous help. It is more suitable for Chinese students who are psychologically mature, independent, and have a strong ability to adhere to rules.
In terms of cultural heritage, the school's environment and curriculum are modern, yet one can appreciate the school's traditional style while being there. St. Joseph's Chapel is the symbolic heart of Kent, and it can host both solemn and lively school events. Moreover, regardless of your faith tradition, you can enter the chapel to relax or find solace.
Regarding academic cultivation, the school uses its own AS courses instead of AP courses and has always maintained small class sizes to better facilitate class discussions and students' learning lives. Kent's engineering program is exceptionally strong; the school offers a highly valuable Pre-Engineering Certificate. Students who obtain this certificate can continue their studies at prestigious engineering or technology institutions such as MIT and Cornell University.
For community building, Kent requires every student to work on campus to foster their sense of responsibility and promote their integration into and love for the community.
In terms of emotional support, Kent emphasizes students' holistic well-being, treating their psychological, physical, and academic health as equally important components. It provides licensed professional doctors to help children address various adolescent concerns and problems.

Kent School, founded in 1906, is an Episcopal boarding school located in a serene and tranquil town in beautiful Litchfield County, Connecticut. It is just one mile from the vibrant town of Canterbury and approximately a two-hour drive from New York City. Although Kent is close to the town, its campus is substantial, covering 1200 acres. The entire campus is shaded by trees, surrounded by mountains, and offers a very open and expansive feel. The boarding student ratio is 93%.

Kent is a school that places a strong emphasis on academics. Unlike schools that have only recently begun to focus on STEM programs, Kent is a pioneer in this area among independent schools, having established its STEM program over 10 years ago. An example is the Pre-Engineering Program, where students deepen their understanding of engineering through a series of specialized courses, extracurricular activities, robotics competitions, and field trips. Simultaneously, Kent's Pre-College Business Study is equally distinctive, with courses covering topics such as the U.S. financial system and the global economy.

Kent School is an independent, co-educational boarding secondary school, located between the Appalachian Trail and the Housatonic River in northwestern Connecticut.

The school offers a Research & Learning Skills program for 9th and 10th-grade students, designed to help them evaluate and improve their study habits so that they can succeed at Kent and in their future academic endeavors. The content includes methods for time management, how to effectively process new information, and an introduction to new learning strategies. This is because learning how to navigate the vast world of information today is an important lifelong skill.

It also offers a Pre-College Business Study, where students can use economic theories and principles to explore U.S. monetary and fiscal policies, while also explaining the basic U.S. financial system and investment principles. Content includes: the Federal Reserve, taxation, GDP, and financial markets, exploring the impact of economics on decision-making. In 2015, Kent installed a Bloomberg Terminal in its library, allowing students to access and analyze real-time financial market data, as well as conduct financial transactions.

Kent School excels in all subjects, particularly in STEM and business programs; mathematics is a strong point for the school. The school offers Pre-Engineering courses and the summer SEEK (Summer Educational Experience) program, enabling students to apply knowledge from mathematics, engineering, technology, and science to fields such as engineering, aviation, entrepreneurship, robotics, and manufacturing.

Data for Kent School: 520 students, student-teacher ratio of 1:5, international student ratio of 28%, boarding ratio of 93%, and 73% of teachers hold advanced degrees. Kent School was founded in 1906 by Reverend Frederick Herbert Sill, a graduate of Columbia University at the time, and is an Episcopal boarding secondary school. It emphasizes that students respect themselves and others, seek spiritual understanding, and give back to their community. Reverend Frederick originally wanted to establish a "democratic" school where students could learn self-reliance and be managed through daily work and life. As the school's motto states: "Simplicity of Life, Directness of Purpose, Self-Reliance." Kent School is a rigorous school with excellent traditions, providing students with extensive support and meticulous help academically. It is more suitable for Chinese students who are relatively mature psychologically and have strong ability to independently abide by rules. The school's biggest characteristic is its strong engineering and business programs.

Kent utilizes AP courses. Ninth-grade freshmen, in addition to mandatory English and Math, all take Ancient History and choose one course from Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Most freshmen opt for Biology, though some choose Chemistry. Students who do not need ESL also select one foreign language from Chinese, French, Spanish, Greek, and Latin, completing at least two years of study.

By tenth grade, course options become more diverse. Students interested in history can take AP European History with a recommendation from the history department. Those not interested can choose two science courses. Throughout the year, approximately 5 to 6 British literary works from the Shakespearean era to the 20th century, along with other Victorian poetry, are read. The most unique aspect of this class is that the teacher is a very experienced writer.

All tenth-grade students are required to take a Theology class. The name "Chinese class" is quite misleading, as it sounds like a missionary course, which isn't entirely inaccurate. The content of this course is primarily philosophy. Since it's an elective, it only spans one semester and does not have a final exam.

Upon reaching eleventh grade, course selections become even more varied. Many students at this stage choose 3 to 4 AP courses. Students interested in humanities can opt for courses like AP U.S. History, AP U.S. Government, or Economics. Those who prefer science can take AP Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Environmental Science, or Psychology.

Kent has dance classes that everyone can benefit from, and the school welcomes students of all experience levels and special interests. The school believes that when a student enrolls in dance, he or she automatically becomes a member of the Kent School Dance Ensemble (KSDE). Kent's dance members attend four technique classes per week, including ballet, jazz/funk jazz, and modern dance. Students participate in a placement class at the beginning of each semester to determine whether they should join the beginner class or the intermediate/advanced class. The ensemble will perform dance pieces choreographed by the technique class teachers in the end-of-semester performance; all members must perform. The dance ensemble has the opportunity to take master classes with guest dance artists from New York City and the surrounding areas (past classes have included African dance, modern, ballet, musical theater, and tumbling/partnering techniques), as well as participate in off-campus performances.

Kent adheres to the school motto: "Live simply, aim high, be self-reliant and strong." Mandatory afternoon sports or activities are held daily from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Students must participate in inter-school or intra-school sports for at least two semesters; in the third semester, they may participate in drama or art-related afternoon activities. Although extracurricular activities are not compulsory, the vast majority of students are members of at least one club.

Kent School was founded in 1906. Its 1200-acre campus is shaded by trees, surrounded by mountains, and boasts a beautiful environment. The school excels in all subjects, offering different difficulty levels. Its engineering and business programs are particularly outstanding, suitable for academically strong students. Kent School is only a few minutes from the town center. Kent town is a beautiful and quaint New England town with numerous shops and restaurants, making it an ideal destination to spend time in the autumn or spring.

The school has a signature program: The Wentz Pre-Engineering Program.
Regardless of your science or math proficiency, you have the opportunity to participate in the Wentz Pre-Engineering Program at Kent. In fact, in the halls of our pre-engineering and applied sciences center, students are often heard exclaiming, 'Wow!' They widen their eyes in surprise, successfully program a robot, build a bridge, or use a 3D printer. Unlike schools that have only recently begun designing special STEM curricula, Kent is a pioneer among independent schools, having established this innovative engineering program a decade ago.

Kent Girls’ Athletics has a rich tradition in volleyball, and the 2018 season will be one of growth and development for our newly formed joint venture team. We will focus on improving skills and fostering a sense of empowerment and collaboration both on and off the court. Coaches will work one-on-one with players to enhance their focus, communication skills, technique, and agility—all of which can be learned through dedication and commitment. Fall is a great start, and we look forward to a competitive season!

Kent's campus and surrounding areas are absolutely safe, and the school is only a five-minute walk from Kent town. Kent town is a beautiful and quaint New England town with many shops and restaurants, making it an ideal place to spend quality time in autumn or spring.

Kent adheres to the school's motto: "Live simply, aim high, and be self-reliant." Mandatory afternoon sports or activities are held daily from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Students must participate in at least two semesters of interscholastic or intramural sports, and in the third semester, they can participate in drama or art-related afternoon activities. Although extracurricular activities are not mandatory, the vast majority of students are members of at least one club.

All departments at Kent are strong. The school offers a wide range of courses at different difficulty levels, ensuring that every student can find courses that match their interests. Kent is definitely not an "exam factory" like many boarding schools. In addition to focusing on curriculum design and rigor, Kent emphasizes cultivating well-rounded, mature, and self-sufficient students.

Kent School was founded in 1906, nestled in northwestern Connecticut between the Appalachian Trail and the Housatonic River. The school is particularly renowned for its engineering and business programs, making it an excellent fit for academically strong students. Kent students have the opportunity to participate in the Wentz Engineering Preparatory Program, where they build a solid foundation in engineering through coursework, extracurricular activities, robotics competitions, summer programs, guest lectures, and field trips. In 2015, Kent installed a Bloomberg Terminal. This online service system provides up-to-date and historical data for domestic and international markets, covering individual stocks, stock market indices, fixed-income securities, currencies, commodities, futures, and foreign exchange. Students also have the chance to participate in portfolio competitions; in the 2017 competition, Kent students secured 9 out of the top 12 spots. The school's rowing and ice hockey programs frequently win championships in the New England region. What's even more impressive is the school's integration of art and technology, with many art teachers using high-tech methods in their instruction! Students can also arrange one-on-one music tutoring after school. The school pays very high attention to its students, especially Chinese students. Teachers are thoroughly aware of each student's daily schedule, which is even displayed on a screen in the admissions office. Furthermore, interviewers will warmly greet parents before the tour. Chinese students have excellent college placement outcomes; a student in 2019 was admitted to Cornell. Kent tends to prefer students from Hong Kong and American junior high schools (or those with American middle school experience).

Kent School is located in Connecticut, just 1 mile from the thriving Canterbury. Covering 70 hectares, the entire school is enveloped by a beautiful and pleasant natural ecological environment. The 1200-acre campus is shaded by trees and surrounded by mountains, boasting a picturesque setting. The school excels in all subjects, offering different difficulty levels so students can choose what suits them best, with 25 AP courses available. Extracurricular activities are also very rich, with over 30 clubs, such as programming and Model UN. Annually, there are 4 drama performances, 15 concerts, and 3 dance shows. Sports include soccer, tennis, basketball, golf, swimming, ice hockey, etc. The school's facilities are new and comprehensive, featuring tennis courts, soccer fields, basketball courts, a library, a swimming pool, a gym, an art center, a biology lab, and more.

Kent School, departing from Boston, took approximately 2 and a half hours to reach. The school is located on a mountain in the small town of Kent, Connecticut. The campus environment is beautiful, though the location is a bit remote. The school's most significant feature is its strong engineering program, suitable for academically strong students. The Chinese student who gave us the tour mentioned that in recent years, Chinese students from Kent School have had excellent college matriculation outcomes.

1. The school excels in mathematics and science, and its engineering programs are particularly strong. In 2007, the school established the Center for Science Program. Students who earn a Kent School engineering project diploma can continue their studies at engineering or technology institutes such as MIT and Cornell University. The engineering courses offered include structural engineering, robotics, aeronautics, and design courses.

2. The school's rowing and ice hockey programs are very strong. The boys' rowing team has won awards for several consecutive years, and the ice hockey team frequently wins championships in New England regional competitions.

3. The school offers multiple business courses: Business courses include global finance, economics, banking, and capital markets.

4. The school's visual and performing arts programs are excellent, and students can arrange one-on-one music tutoring after school.

5. Summer Intensive Research Programs (one week): Entrepreneurship (Wharton School), Biomedical (Harvard), Aeronautics & Manufacturing (Georgia Tech).

In the new round of development, what's highly anticipated for Kent is the arrival of its new headmaster. Kent's process for selecting a headmaster is extremely rigorous and the procedure is very complex. As early as the second half of last year, I heard from an East Coast interviewer friend that the former headmaster of St. Paul's School would be taking over as Kent's headmaster. This transition plan is expected to be completed on July 1, 2020.

Kent's current headmaster has served since 1981, holding the position for nearly 30 years.

The newly appointed headmaster, Michael Gifford Hirschfeld, graduated from St. Paul’s School (a top 10 US high school). After graduating from Princeton University in 1990, he worked at Kent as a history teacher and Assistant Director of Admissions. Four years later, he returned to SPS, later serving as the 13th Rector until 2011. It is said that this headmaster has an excellent reputation. The headmaster is the soul of a school, and we look forward to Kent reaching new heights under the leadership of the new headmaster.

As the overall application competition in the East Coast region intensifies, Kent's basic admission threshold has also been rising. Specifically, for the 2019-2020 academic year, Kent set a TOEFL score of 110 as the campus interview prerequisite for Chinese applicants (if a score of 110 was not met, Vericant scores needed to be submitted and were reviewed uniformly in mid-November. This score was adjusted to 105 for the 2020-2021 academic year). This is an excellent strategy for several reasons: first, it reduces the substantial workload of applications; second, it enhances the overall quality of Chinese students at the school; and third, it has built a good reputation for Kent among Chinese applicants. In fact, as early as the 2017-2018 academic year, Kent showed a strong preference for public school students, admitting top achievers from schools like Renmin University High School and Shanghai Foreign Language School. Kent's undergraduate admissions trend is actually related to its student sources and the overall efforts of Chinese students. Indeed, most of the top 100 high schools in the US currently have good university application outcomes.

This strategy has also proven effective at another school, Williston Northampton School. For the 2020-2021 academic year, the average TOEFL score for Chinese male students admitted in the first round was 111, and for female students, it was 107. Admissions officers similarly showed friendliness and and recognition towards high-achieving public school students. In the 2020 undergraduate admissions season, students from this school were admitted to prestigious universities such as MIT, Princeton, and UPenn.

A slight point of hesitation for parents might be Kent's international student ratio, which is displayed as 28% on the official website, a bit on the high side.

New parents just visited the school and shared some pros and cons: Pros: 1. The school values Chinese students, and university placements have been good in recent years, mostly in the top 30. 2. Teachers receive excellent compensation (if I heard correctly, ranked in the top 10+ among US high schools), which attracts good teachers and ensures strong stability, with many teachers having been at the school for 10+, 20+, or even 30+ years. 3. The food is good, with a wide variety of buffet options, and cooking stations with semi-finished ingredients are provided for students to cook their own meals, which is very popular. 4. The curriculum is quite comprehensive, with over 20 AP courses. There are numerous clubs and sports teams, and indoor/outdoor facilities are abundant, including swimming, ice hockey, horse riding, rowing, etc., all within a 1200-acre campus where students can freely explore. 5. Teaching areas, dormitories, and dining halls are compact, so there's no need to worry about getting cold during winter classes. 6. Dorm access control is secure, and almost every floor has dorm parents. Cons: 1. It's a bit remote, over 2 hours from JFK. Fortunately, the school is integrated with a small town, so students can go to town for meals and shopping (with prior notification), enjoying convenient living, beautiful scenery, and a famous resort atmosphere. 2. Dorm rooms are not large, but the facilities are sufficient.