Before choosing a US boarding high school, we had already screened out 7 high schools through various channels (Washington D.C., Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan). The excellent boarding high schools in the US generally have very similar soft and hardware; the main considerations are the weight of various factors for parents and children, and their individual circumstances. Excellent boarding high schools in the Western region often have a concentration of Chinese or Chinese-American children, leading to complex racial dynamics. In contrast, the humanistic environment in the Eastern region is relatively more orthodox. After considering the macro and micro environments, comparing options, and visiting schools for inspection, we ultimately chose Christ School. The small county where this high school is located is one of America's top 10 retirement destinations, known for its simple folk customs and safety. The tourism economy is well-developed, and there are very few Chinese residents. Most of the just under 300 students at the school come from surrounding counties in North Carolina, and a significant portion of the children are legacy students, having grandfathers, fathers, or uncles who also attended the school. The school's hardware is outstanding: it covers over 500 acres, with mountains and water, and various sports facilities that are better than those in Shanghai's star hotels. Particularly, the "first impression" and humanistic atmosphere given by the teachers we met during school selection visits were excellent—no discrimination, no differential treatment. In a word, it felt comfortable! Our child also visited 7 high schools, including some top-ranked ones (20-30 in the nation) favored by Chinese parents, but the teachers' demeanor and atmosphere towards the children varied significantly. At Christ School, we were fortunate to meet the old headmaster, and one could immediately sense he was a seasoned educator completely dedicated to education. Students excelling in various athletic competitions and getting into Harvard, West Point, etc., are commonplace at the school; ultimately, it still depends on one's own effort and adaptability.
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