Since the establishment of the first American co-ed college-preparatory schools, West Nottingham Academy in 1744, a unique educational concept has evolved and spread to the entire North American continent from New York to California.
For four years running, representatives from universities for more than 20 summit preparatory boarding schools in the United States will visit Grand Cayman on Monday, November 23 6:00-9:00 at the Family Life Center adjacent to the Church of God on Walkers Road, as part of the Caribbean School Fair 2009.

Education was the brainchild of consultant Michael “Bedi” Walker, former Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at the Cheshire Academy and Holderness School, Caribbean School Fair gives parents and local students as an opportunity to learn first hand the benefits to attend this prestigious institution.

Caribbean School Fair this year will include representatives from the Cheshire Academy, Marvelwood, The Hotchkiss School, Kent School, Westminster School and the Indian Mountain School of Connecticut; Darlington School and Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School of Georgia; Emma Willard School for Girls and the Master School of New York; Middlesex School, The Williston Northampton School, St. Mark’s School, Northfield Mount Hermon and Miss Hall’s School for Girls from Massachusetts, and Purnell School Blair School for Girls from New Jersey; McCallie School for boys from Tennessee; St Andrew’s School of Florida; Mercersburg Academy and the Pennsylvania Perkiomen School; Camden Military Academy of South Carolina; and Christchurch School and Woodberry Forest School for boys from Virginia.

Why boarding school you may ask?

Well, you might hear that “education is a boarding school in and of itself.” Living in a boarding school community learning leads to the same or more valuable than the education offered is strictly in the classroom.

Education takes a broad meaning in boarding schools. Boarding schools recognize this – they often have an explicit mission to not only educate students in the classroom, but also help them become better-rounded individual. So, while boarding schools often do very well at educating students academically in ways that may be better than a choice of local schools, directly measured the less benefits, such as professors, small classes, first class facilities, programs sports programs and extracurricular activities, should be considered as well.

Parents and students from the middle island and high schools are encouraged to attend a very important forum to learn about the opportunities available for those who want to study in the United States. School representatives will be available and willing to answer questions and provide information about facilities, curriculum, academic and sports programs, admissions requirements, application process and opportunities for financial aid.

During the last 10 years, there have been some local success stories that come from this unique relationship between Michael Wallker, the Caribbean Fair School and College Sports Club. Because of their academic aspirations and athletic ability, especially football, a number of young children with Academy Sports Club has been given the opportunity to study abroad at prestigious schools such as the Cheshire Academy, the Hotchkiss School and Darlington School. In some cases, where these students have academic excellence, they have been fortunate to go to university and achieve degrees.

Recently, Darlington School in Georgia received 16 years old Seymour Logan and 15-year Brandyn Murray of the College Sports Club into their programs. The experience was positive for the two young men academically, personally, socially and athletically.

Apart from the obvious academic programs are very good, which visited the preparatory schools for college offers a variety of athletic programs aimed at women and men in the Caribbean athletes such as track and field, sailing, squash, tennis, swimming, baseball , softball, field hockey (women), basketball and golf.

College preparatory boarding school system is quickly becoming a popular alternative in the northern Caribbean, primarily because schools’ aggressive recruitment activities and events such as the Caribbean School Fair. Indeed, alternative education may not be for everyone, but parents and students are encouraged to attend a very important forum and finding opportunities that are available.