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The focus of the Far Hills secondary school placement program is on finding the best "fit" school for each student so that they thrive academically, and realize and explore their co-curricular interests and passions. A school is an excellent fit when it challenges a student to reach his or her academic potential while building confidence, developing character, and cultivating relevant skills in preparation for college and the professional world. Fit works both ways. A "best-fit" school values and celebrates each student's talents and contributions. It provides a supportive, enriching community of teachers committed to educating the whole child. It is the perfect extension of the journey they started at Far Hills.
Far Hills students are highly regarded by secondary schools' admission representatives. Time and again, I hear from my network of secondary school admission directors that our students stand out throughout the admission process—from their interview to their academic records, and from their volunteer service hours to their thoughtful essays. Our graduates are known to be confident, capable, enthusiastic students. The Far Hills Portrait of Graduate describes our students as:
- Empathetic Leaders,
- Academic Explorers,
- Responsible Citizens, and
- Resilient Innovators.
Read the full Far Hills Portrait of a Graduate here. The Far Hills experience—the balance of strength of mind and strength of character—and our focus on finding "fit" results in an excellent record of our students' acceptance at their first choice of secondary schools.
Historically, almost 40% of Far Hills’ graduates have chosen to attend boarding school, and so I am often asked, "Is this year's class a day school class or more of a boarding school class?" The Class of 2020 is more of a 'day-school' class. Our graduates are matriculating into: The Academy of Saint Elizabeth, Bernards High School, Delbarton School, Gill St. Bernard's School, Kent Place School, Laurel Springs School, Madison High School, Morristown-Beard, Morristown High School, Newark Academy, Pingry, Watchung Hills Regional High School. Boarding school remains in the Far Hills DNA; the Class of 2020 includes three students bound for The Hotchkiss School, The Lawrenceville School, and St. George's School.
Enjoy the Class of 2020 matriculation montage video in which our graduates reveal their secondary school destinations! Well done!
Ed Thompson
Director of Upper School & Secondary School Placement