The Fessy Den Blog

3 Reasons to Enroll Your Son in an All-Boys Kindergarten.

4 Comments | June 01, 2016

Interest in single-sex education is on the rise in the United States. For the past decade or so, more and more schools—public and private—have experimented with what was once considered an outmoded idea: that boys and girls are hardwired to learn differently, and therefore, ought to be taught differently, with curriculum and classrooms designed for their distinct needs. But can it really make a difference...
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If My Son Goes to an All-Boys Elementary, Will He Be Awkward Around Girls?

1 Comment | May 25, 2016

There are plenty of good reasons to start your son in an all-boys school as early as pre-kindergarten. But some parents still worry that, if their sons don’t have experience with girls at a young age, they’ll be awkward or disrespectful around them when they’re older. Is there any truth to this? No, says Margaret Kelly, Director of Lower School Admissions at The Fessenden School....
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How an All-Boys Private Pre-K Was a Worthy Investment in My Son’s Future

Leave a Comment | May 20, 2016

On this blog, we often write about how an all-boys private pre-kindergarten program will help position your son for success in kindergarten, the rest of his academic career, and life. A great pre-K program is a significant financial investment for most young families. It’s fair to ask, “Is it really worth it?” The decision to start your son in an all-boys private school in pre-K,...
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Are Junior Boarding Schools Just for Jocks?

Leave a Comment | May 18, 2016

Like most boarding schools across the country, at The Fessenden School, we require our Middle and Upper School boys to participate in sports throughout the academic year. For some families, this is not a problem. High-quality playing facilities and top-notch competition are exactly what they want for their athletically gifted sons. For a number of families, though, it is a concern. Their sons are not...
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Why I Chose a Private Pre-K Instead of Preschool for My 4-Year-Old Son

4 Comments | May 11, 2016

As they set out to research educational options for their youngest son, Dave Visco and his wife Jen were met with the same confusion that many families encounter when looking at a long list of schools. Take a glance at this list of preschools in Newton, Mass., and you’ll find—among other things— preschools, pre-kindergartens, playschools, daycares, nursery schools, and early learning centers. Like a lot...
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4 Things I Wish Other Parents Told Me About Single-Sex Private Schools

1 Comment | May 06, 2016
fessenden boys in theatre play

If you’re up to your eyeballs in research, comparing private schools with public schools, trying to choose between single-sex and coed schools, and deciding whether to start your son in kindergarten or pre-kindergarten, you could use a guide like Dave Visco. He’s been in your shoes—three times. Dave’s three sons are students here at The Fessenden School. They’re currently in sixth, fourth, and second ...
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3 Ways to Impress a Junior Boarding School by Showing Engagement

1 Comment | May 04, 2016
Fessy boys' soccer team

We think there’s a good boarding school fit for every boy who wants to attend, but the fact remains, at the top junior boarding schools in the country, some applicants will not be accepted on their first try. Here at The Fessenden School, we receive a few hundred applications every year, and unfortunately, there is not enough room at the school for all of our...
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3 Reasons Your Son Will Shine at an All-Boys Junior Boarding School

Leave a Comment | April 27, 2016

It’s well-established that boys and girls learn differently. Cognitive differences between the sexes start showing up in our brains when we are quite young. “Brain-imaging technology shows the differences in living color,” Psychologist and brain development expert David Walsh told PBS in 2014. “A growing body of research on these differences points us to a girl brain built with a language head start.” ...
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How a Junior Boarding School Will Help You Raise a Global Citizen

Leave a Comment | April 22, 2016
Global Boarding School Classroom

We’ve seen it happen already in our lifetimes. The world is becoming smaller and more connected. National borders and language barriers are being transcended with technology and an increased consciousness of the value of different cultures and ways of life. Imagine how much the world will change during your children’s lifetimes. Stacie Nevadomski Berdan, an international careers expert and co-author of ...
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