Independent schools may be independent from one another and--to a remarkable extent--from government regulation, but we are not free from external realities. (When the cost of heating fuel promised to soar, we converted the steam plant to a biomass furnace.) Perhaps the most significant trend affecting boarding schools in recent years is the soaring demand for admission from students outside of the United States.



This trend does not impact schools uniformly; each responds in a manner that reflects various circumstances, financial stability, values and mission. For example, a 400% increase in applications from Chinese students over the past two years caused our Admission Committee to truly exercise careful, responsible enrollment management. 



Having a well-established niche in a global market, Proctor is not in a position to respond out of need; we can maintain full enrollment and respond to the new demographic as an opportunity rather than as the solution to a problem. So the question becomes, "What is the population of international students that serves the greater quest for an ideal student population for Proctor--given our mission, services and programs?"






As with so many things at Proctor, the answer has evolved organically. First, if we are not waiving academic requirements--and we're not--all students must arrive with strong English language proficiency. (Consider a United States history unit studying federalism, or laissez-faire economics from the perspective of a student from another culture and language base.) We do not offer an English as a Second Language program. At the same time--being Proctor--we're here to promote success....the success of every student.






So, we moved into the international student market carefully and cautiously, learning. One thing we learned is that when the population of students from any single language group is small, the demand for admission to Proctor by families from that culture/language base becomes heightened. Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Spanish speaking families want their children to speak English, and at Proctor they will have to speak English. The outcome is increasing interest in Proctor from highly appropriate applicants.

In addition, students searching for schools from overseas do their homework online. On his first foray to the far east, Chris Bartlett was surprised to meet students in China and Vietnam asking specific questions about Ocean Classroom and other programs unique to Proctor.




It can be a challenge to count international students, because some children of American parents are raised in Kenya, or Azerbaijan, while families with foreign parents have lived for many years in Boston! But--with thirty-eight counted--Proctor has the lowest percentage of international students of any college prep boarding school in New Hampshire. And that's by a long shot. 

We will continue to respond to the rising tide of international applicants with care, and in accordance with our mission and best interests.



Meanwhile, in wood shop, Guillem and Iñigo carefully slice precious chorizo which has arrived from Spain!




By the way: families willing to host a student over a vacation are welcome to explore options with Marti Adams at 603-735-6279.