Preparing For Power: America's Elite Boarding Schools

This book is a tad out-dated, being based upon research that is now almost thirty years old. Still, the basic precepts of the authors stand as true now as they did in the 1980s. For anyone who has had contact with the strange and wonderful world of boarding school culture, this book must read like a report out of one's own experience. I cannot think of one chapter of the book that rings untrue or exaggerated. I hesitate to give it five stars, simply because the information examined is a bit old, especially in light of some schools turning co-ed, etc. But it is an exemplary study: well-written, insightful and understanding.I do not think the authors criticize the boarding school way of life as much as examine it. They point out the basic and real unfairness of the relationship between boarding school life and life in the world of business and law, but that is the reality. They also point out that boarding schools can function as real springboards into a successful career for children of the non-wealthy who do manage, by hook or crook, to smuggle themselves onto the campus of a well-thought-of boarding school.One critical note, however, regarding grades: grade inflation is as rampant on boarding school campuses as it is everywhere. I suppose it is the "Lake-Woebegone-Effect." No one graduates with D+ averages anymore unless they are total academic disasters. Also, the minority presence on any boarding school campus worth its salt is considerably higher these days. The schools are not so much the bastion of white privilege that they once were; they are still the bastion of privilege, but they are much more representative of racial distributions in America than they once were.I think this book deserves to be right up there with anything Diane Ravitch has written about American high schools. It is an important account of a small but critically important educational institution in America.

"Democracy is supposed to begin at the schoolhouse door. One has to be blinded by this glowing image of equality, however, not to see that private [boarding] schools, in general, represent an elite alternative to the public educational system in much the same way that private cars are alternatives to public transportation."Even though this book was published in 1985, most of the research and analysis of the elite schools still apply today. The different types of boarding schools across the United States are illuminating. Take the time to know the differences.There is the impression that boarding schools are for delinquents, second-rated and spoiled children. Positively, not the case. Children entering their teenage years must be mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually disciplined for an entirely new experience away from home; or get suspended or expelled quickly.The book gives a fair review about how several public schools are even producing a growing number of eligible candidates for the Ivy League schools, although in many ways, the authors believe they still remain at a significant disadvantage.Although attending a private boarding school is no guarantee for admittance to Harvard, it certainly does provide a "booster shot" for incredible success. Every parent should read this book.For example, Portsmouth Abbey School is located near Newport, Rhode Island. Considerations included: 1) children leaving the nest early; 2) a safe, but not necessarily comfortable learning environment; 3) equality between the boys and girls; 4) the ability of the children to seize opportunities; and get 5) access / exposure to all the information / people / network in the World.Plan accordingly while your child is in kindergarten. Discover how America's elite are bred.

I read this book for a class of mine on education. I had never really known much about boarding schools until this book. It is a readable and accessible account of boarding schools; although, this book is slightly out of date as the information was from the 80's. The income and tuitions numbers are completely off by today's standards. Other than that, for us who have gone through public schools and any non-elite schools, it is a glimpse into the world of the elite education. My instructor did e-mail one of the authors, Cookson, and learned more about his background. He was not from any elite boarding school, where Persell did attend a boarding school. Interesting, is that these types of schools produce such outstanding alumni and yet no one really knows about them. I'm sure the information is getting out of date; the copy I had had yellowed pages and was printed in 1985. Yet, it is still interesting for people interesting in educational differences and opportunities. Or just very curious people.

Very interesting, intelligent look at boarding schools. A very academic book that educates the reader on the various schools, why students end up there, how they actually feel about being there, and where they end up afterwards. I would consider this a cultural study. I went from thinking about boarders as overpriveleged prepsters to those that are forced to make a sacrifice in order to assimilate into the upper class.

Thorough study of American boarding schools, focusing mainly on the old-line, elite schools. The authors clearly conducted extensive research in preparation for writing the book. Generally interesting and well-written. It would be great if there were an updated version.

I bought this book for a college course that I had and at first I was not sure what it would be speaking of. Once I began reading it, it was even more obvious to me that this book had become one of my favorites. If you have ever wondered why certain individuals are brought up in the best schools and why they are set up to succeed in this society, this is definitely the book.

I am living in an European country and so completely unfamiliar with such things as elite boarding schools. Although a bit outdated, it is still provid an interesting point of view on elite boarding schools origin, class and ethnic composition, internal structure and social career of the alumny.This book also may be praised for its academic approach and authors' attempt to take an insight in social aim of the schools, such as preservation of class behavior and values, instead of to criticize them for class decide, segregation and brain drain etc., as it usually occurres in works on the subject.

Visão sociológica sobre a formação da elite socioeconêmica americana, seus antecedentes e suas consequências. Guardadas as proporções, boa parte do que é dito vale para colégios de elite brasileiros, principalmente em relação ao background privilegiado dos alunos, as altas expectativas que pais e escolas depositam nos estudantes e a pressão para ser bem sucedido.