Navigating Religious Schools in the USA

1. Religious Schools in USA Andrew J. Gil Managing Director, Prime Global Consulting, Beijing

2. Introduction Almost all American Private Schools began as a religious schools, or religion (Christian) influenced schools. Throughout the history, some schools have tried to maintain their religious identity and others have begun to deemphasize religious aspects.

3. Types of School • Two main types of religious schools remain today • Non-Sectarian Independent schools- Started as a religious school, • yet almost no religious association remains • Denominational Schools- Still maintain strong religious culture Catholic Schools-Independent Catholic Schools/Diocesan Catholic schools Protestant Schools-Presbyterian, Methodist, Reformed, Baptists, Quaker, etc Episcopal Schools-Somewhere between Catholic and Protestant Churches

4. General Characteristics • General Characteristics of Religious Schools • Non-Sectarian Independent Schools Academic focus, rather than religious aspects Openness to Multiculturalism and Pluralistic approaches Emphasis on Individuality and Creativity Tendency to send students to various Colleges and Universities • Denominational Schools • Emphasis on Religious traditions (Belief, Creed, Ethical principles) • Strong Religious Curriculum (Based on their belief system) • Unique religious School Culture (Dress Code, Discipline policy, religious activities- • chapel/bible studies/community services, etc)

5. Admission Trends • Academic/University Admission Trend • Non-Sectarian Independent Schools Open, liberal, educational teaching models Diversify College Admission Profiles Aim for elite colleges/universities • Denominational Schools • Traditional teaching methods, formal relationship between students and teachers • Tend to favor Religion oriented Colleges/Universities • Gear toward to build Good Ethical/religious person

6. Find the Schools • How to Find the differences among the schools • Read Mission Statement! • Understand School history! • Check Curriculum and study materials • My Child--Perfect School? • Personality –Adventurous, tolerant, active, social, etc • University admission Preference • Career Goals • Attitude toward religious cultures • Academic emphasis or something else?

7. Schools • Non-Sectarian Independent Schools Phillips, Exeter, Deerfield, Middlesex, Choate Rosemary, Thacher, Cate, Milton, Lawrenceville, Loomis Chaffee, Concord, Hill, Blair, Northfield Mount Hermon, Asheville, Cranbrooks, Westminster, Hotchkiss, etc • Denominational Schools • Episcopal: Brooks, Church Farm, Groton, Hoosaic, Kent, St. Paul, • Trinity Pawling, St. George, Pomfret • Catholic Independent: Canterbury, Cotter, Portsmouth Abbey, Marianapolis • Prep, Woodside Priory, Georgetown Prep, Villanova, St. Joseph’s Prep, Villa Maria, • Holy Ghost, La Salle Prep, etc • Protestant: Westtown, Olney, George, Oakwood (Quaker), • Pennington, Tilton, Wyoming Seminary (Methodist), Houghton, Kent Hill, • Rabun-gap Naccoochi (Presbyterian), Ben Lippen, and etc • Catholic Diocesan: Each Archdiocese in USA has numerous schools from • nurseries to universities