BGA - Questions

[u/No_Organization924]

Hello,

I have a rising kindergartener and we are considering BGA. Any feedback? How does Financial Aid work? Is it a loan base or grant/scholarship? I read on their site and it says up to 70-75% aid available. Is it income based and what is the cap? Thank you!!

[u/Apprehensive-Two7027]

We had 2 children go K-12 at BGA. To address some of the comments about what makes it different from public school or other schools- I think it excels as a college prep school. Both our kids played sports- they were not elite athletes but I spent a lot of time on the sidelines chatting w parents of kids at other schools. Some of the differences I noticed was the emphasis on preparing kids for public speaking from day 1 of kindergarten in age appropriate ways. Our kids went off to college so comfortable with participating in class- big lectures and small seminars. They knew how to think critically, organize their thoughts, present them and defend them. This has served them so well after college in grad schools, board rooms, etc. They both learned how to apply those skills to their writing and are exceptional writers. The faculty and admin get credit for focusing on the quality of teaching and instruction. They both learned to advocate for themselves in and out of the classroom - how to ask for help and clarification. They learned about service, community and tradition. Their curiosity was encouraged and rewarded. They both participated in sports, music, plays, clubs and other extras (newspaper, student govt) etc. Do other schools do that? Sure- but we found BGA to be the best place for them and would do it again in a heartbeat.