Middlesex School

Academics: Extremely rigorous but collaborative. With a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio, the school utilizes small, Socratic-style classes. It is particularly known for its strong Writing Workshop and a robust STEM curriculum, bolstered by recent state-of-the-art facility upgrades.
Arts: The school has a "deep commitment" to the arts, requiring courses for all juniors and sophomores. The theatre program is a standout, and the 18,000 sq. ft. arts center provides professional-level space for music and visual arts.
Athletics: Participation is a core value; students are required to engage in multiple seasons of physical activity. While competitive in the ISL, the focus is on developing "well-rounded" individuals rather than just elite specialists.
Social Life: The campus is built around "The Circle," fostering a tight-knit community. A signature feature is the Mindfulness Program, which helps students manage the high-pressure environment of an elite prep school.

Middlesex School is a boarding high school with a century of history. I have visited the school, and it offers a rich variety of arts and sports programs. Both humanities and sciences are strong, with humanities being particularly outstanding.

School Features
1. Emphasis on Writing: The school places a high emphasis on writing, with demanding requirements and numerous assignments in English and history classes. Through weekly writing assignments, interactive plenary sessions, and one-on-one feedback, students learn how to construct well-built paragraphs that form the foundation of eloquent, organized essays.
2. Chapel Talks for Seniors: 12th-grade students can apply to give Chapel Talks, sharing their learning and life experiences with peers, while also gaining information and support from various sources.
3. Strong Academics: Academics are very rigorous, with 2-3 hours of homework daily. The school offers a diverse range of academic courses covering literature, science, history, art, and other fields.
4. STEM Focus: The STEM department is dedicated to cultivating students' abilities to investigate and solve 21st-century problems. Students can earn a certificate for completing problem-solving, reasoning, and technological experience (ExPRT) through department-designated ExPRT courses or approved extracurricular programs or competitions.
6. Preference for Middle School Graduates: The school tends to prefer admitting students who have completed middle school in the US, making the application process quite competitive.

Middlesex School, located in Concord, Massachusetts, is a top-tier private boarding school. Since its establishment in 1901, the school has been dedicated to providing a holistic educational environment, fostering future leaders with a global perspective, critical thinking skills, and a strong sense of social responsibility.
The school's curriculum encompasses traditional subjects, AP courses, and interdisciplinary research projects, with a particular emphasis on inquiry-based learning. It stimulates students' curiosity through discussions, research, and practical activities.
Small class sizes ensure that each student receives ample attention. Teachers act as mentors both in and out of the classroom, helping students overcome challenges, and providing personalized tutoring to meet diverse learning needs.
Regarding extracurricular activities, arts, music, and drama are supported by advanced facilities and technology, enabling students' creative expression. Sports offerings balance competitiveness with individual interests, providing a wide range of choices.
In terms of social service and a global perspective, the school cultivates students' global citizenship through systematic courses and programs, focusing on guiding students to participate in practical activities and deepen their sense of social responsibility.

Founded in 1901, most campus buildings are centered around 'The Circle', a grassy area at the heart of the campus. For 9th graders, mobile phone usage is quite strictly regulated; on weekdays, they typically only have half an hour to use their phones at 10 PM. The school's five core values are honesty, respect, kindness, gratitude, and courage. Everyone participates in extracurricular life, joining thriving arts programs (including one-third of the entire school performing in vocal, instrumental, or theatrical groups), providing opportunities for everyone from beginners to advanced artists; similarly, every student participates in sports, and Middlesex offers ample room for development for both elite athletes and newcomers to team sports. Any student wishing to study a course not specifically offered in the curriculum guide may apply to the Academic Office, and upon approval, will undertake a one-semester independent study. The Middlesex English curriculum is challenging, with high writing requirements and its own writing standards. A writing workshop, a weekly seminar designed to help students master expository writing, is also offered to 10th graders. To foster global awareness, the school takes students on study tours to other countries and regions for practical learning.

MS is a school that is exceptionally balanced in cultural, social, academic, and psychological aspects. The school provides comprehensive development and training for children, covering everything from physical to mental well-being, from arts and athletics to academics, and from daily life to social interactions. In 2023, the acceptance rate for Chinese students was only 6%. The school admits diverse and well-rounded students from a large pool of GPAs and recommendation letters.
In terms of cultural heritage, as a century-old prestigious school, MS boasts rich traditions. 12th-grade students can apply for Chapel Talks, where they share their learning and life experiences with peers, while also gaining diverse information and support.
Regarding academic cultivation, MS offers a very robust academic program. Students typically have 2-3 hours of homework daily. The school provides a wide array of academic courses covering literature, science, history, art, and other fields. Additionally, the art program is excellent; the school requires every student to complete 4 compulsory art courses. Sports requirements are also strict, with physical education being mandatory throughout all four years of high school.
In community building, MS encourages students to actively participate in school programs such as mathematical modeling, scientific research, drama performance, and art creation. Through these projects, students can deepen their understanding of their interests, develop teamwork skills, and cultivate practical abilities. The school has over 60 extracurricular organizations, including the Open Table community service project, the Short Story Society, and the Cute Animals Club.
For emotional support, the school has dedicated Health and Wellness courses and psychological counselors, fully safeguarding the physical and mental health of the children.

The school's management of international students is excellent, largely because international students constitute a slightly larger proportion, roughly 15-20%. Secondly, Middlesex School's academic programs are outstanding. The school offers over 20 AP courses and more than 20 ESL courses, along with a rich variety of art and sports programs. The school maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio, allowing students to receive more personalized attention and guidance. The school also focuses on cultivating students' critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, helping them develop these skills through various projects and practical experiences.
Furthermore, Middlesex School boasts a beautiful campus and excellent facilities. The school's buildings and facilities are very modern, featuring various laboratories, art studios, sports facilities, and more, providing students with an excellent learning and living environment.
In terms of extracurricular activities, Middlesex School offers a wide array of clubs and student organizations, including drama, music, sports, and others. These activities provide students with opportunities to showcase their talents and also help them develop leadership and social skills.

6. Emphasis on Writing: Through weekly writing assignments, interactive plenary sessions, and one-on-one feedback, students will learn how to construct well-built paragraphs that form the foundation of eloquent, organized essays. We emphasize skills such as abstraction, argumentation, purposeful punctuation, and precise vocabulary, providing students with the necessary tools to transfer complex ideas from mind to paper. Teachers introduce these skills with freshmen, reinforce them most rigorously with sophomores, and leverage them as students progress into their third and fourth years.

7. STEM: The STEM department is dedicated to cultivating students' ability to investigate and solve 21st-century problems. Students can earn a certificate for completing an Experience in Problem-solving, Reasoning, and Technology (ExPRT) either through department-designated ExPRT courses or through approved extracurricular projects or competitions. Each ExPRT consists of open-ended problems requiring the equivalent of several class periods' worth of work. These problems require students to research and analyze data, and they provide opportunities for students to incorporate various technologies. Each ExPRT requires collaboration and culminates in students presenting their solutions both orally and in writing. Extracurricular activities that can earn an ExPRT certificate can be negotiated with the ExPRT Committee.

1. Academic Excellence: Average SAT score 1410/1600; Average ACT score 21/36. 92% of students score 3 or higher on AP exams, 77% score 4 or higher, and 46% score 5.

2. Rich Curriculum: The school offers 23 AP courses for students to choose from.

3. Location: The school is located on the edge of Massachusetts, in the town of Concord, a suburb of Boston. This town, just 20 miles from Boston, is truly a place of outstanding people and natural beauty. Although its population is less than 20,000, it boasts two top boarding schools: Middlesex and Concord, with the two schools less than 3 miles apart.

4. Art Programs: Middlesex School offers a full range of art courses, including performing arts, music, ceramics, and digital art. Student participation in art courses is very high; approximately one-third of the entire school's students choose music courses, but international students' participation in drama courses is slightly lower than that of domestic students.

5. Independent Study: Independent courses are not specifically offered in the regular curriculum book; they are sponsored by teaching members of the Middlesex faculty. In addition to independent work, students must meet with their faculty sponsor weekly for at least two semesters and regularly publish papers, reports, or other appropriate academic materials. Independent courses grant academic credit.

Middlesex School is a private high school located in Concord, Massachusetts, founded by Frederick Winsor in 1901. It is a co-educational boarding school, offering over 22 extracurricular clubs, 23 sports activities, and 17 art courses. The school's student-to-teacher ratio is 4:1, and it currently has 408 enrolled students. Middlesex offers over 150 courses, including 5 language courses (one of which is French). The school places a strong emphasis on developing students' writing skills; its English and writing courses are very strong, challenging, and demanding for students. The school is committed to enhancing students' abilities and helping them discover their future path.

Middlesex data: student count 406, boarding rate 70%, average class size 12, student-to-teacher ratio for 23 advanced courses 1:4, senior teachers account for 80%, international students 12%, 35% of students receive financial aid. The school offers over 22 extracurricular clubs, 23 sports activities, and 17 art courses. The school's educational philosophy is "find the promise that lies hidden - unlock the potential to realize dreams." In its over 100-year history, the school has had only five headmasters. The sixth headmaster, David Beare, took office on February 22, 2019.
To ensure students are successfully admitted to suitable universities, every student at Middlesex School receives personalized guidance from an experienced college counselor. Through this guidance, the school can tailor the university application process to each student's specific needs, abilities, and interests.
Mr. Winsor, the school's founder, achieved his greatest success with the establishment of the national scholarship program, a precedent in any secondary school. These scholarships are awarded to students from different countries, making Middlesex a truly national institution. The school's rigorous academic system, outstanding arts and sports programs, and full commitment to social contribution ensure that students are deeply influenced by its elite educational spirit from the moment they enroll.

Middlesex School offers over 150 courses, including 5 language courses. The school is particularly strong in the liberal arts and places great emphasis on cultivating students' writing skills. It especially values students' command of English, and its application requirements for international students are becoming increasingly stringent. Currently, it is the only top-10 level school that requires international students to provide a Vericant interview (International students for whom English is not their primary language are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS, and those who wish to be interviewed must schedule an interview through Vericant.).

Middlesex School is one of the highly competitive top schools, and also a school highly sought after by excellent Chinese students. Its hardware facilities are excellent, making it a learning sanctuary for those passionate about arts and sports to develop comprehensively. Children with a strong love for sports can showcase their enthusiasm and expectation for in-depth learning during the interview. Middlesex is an independent, non-sectarian boarding school that has been dedicated to making outstanding contributions to the intellectual, moral, creative, and physical development of young people for over a hundred years. The school's education adheres to the philosophy articulated by its founding headmaster: 'find a sense of responsibility in every student.' As a community, the school respects each student's individual interests, strengths, and needs, and also values the diversity of rich beliefs and experiences. The school hopes every student will do their best to learn collaboratively, and beyond teaching, the school's teachers are also very focused on enhancing student well-being. The school yearns for all students to develop personal integrity, intellect, vitality, and discipline, to respect themselves and others, and hopes that every student will actively participate in collaboration during their school life, striving to inspire all students to understand themselves and explore the wider world.

Middlesex School, located in Concord, Massachusetts, is an independent co-educational boarding secondary school. The student-teacher ratio is 4:1. Currently, there are 408 students enrolled.

The school offers over 22 extracurricular clubs, 23 sports activities, and 17 art programs. Middlesex provides more than 150 courses, including 5 language courses (French among them). The school places great emphasis on developing students' writing skills. Its hallmarks are critical thinking, vibrant instruction, and a positive atmosphere.

The school has a long-term arts development plan, with one-third of students performing in vocal, instrumental, or theatrical groups, offering opportunities for beginners to advanced artists. English and writing courses are very strong and challenging. The school's curriculum is based on writing workshops developed in English seminars.

College Admissions: The average SAT score for graduates is 1410, and the average ACT score is 31. Past graduates have gone on to prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Stanford University, Princeton University, MIT, Dartmouth College, Columbia University, Duke University, University of Pennsylvania, and Brown University.

Middlesex is known for its rigorous and successful academics. The English department is definitely one of the school's strengths, particularly its excellent writing program. Of course, in addition to writing classes, all students must take math and science courses. For example, freshmen are required to take Biology, sophomores Chemistry, juniors Physics, and seniors either Biology (e.g., Biomedical Ethics, Robotics) or AP Science. Middlesex offers state-of-the-art courses, including math courses up to vectors and multivariable calculus, and a wide array of AP courses. While the school's homework load can sometimes feel overwhelming, the quality education received makes all the effort worthwhile. Consequently, many students graduate having achieved scores of 4s and 5s on several AP exams.

Middlesex School, founded in 1901, is located in Massachusetts. Critical thinking, rigorous scholarship, and depth are all terms that can be used to define Middlesex School. Students continuously pursue academic excellence in thoughtful, high-quality, small-class education. The school boasts extraordinary extracurricular programs and maintains high standards in arts and sports instruction. Additionally, the school offers challenging courses, including advanced placement courses in various academic fields. The school is committed to enhancing students' capabilities and helping them find their future development path.
Middlesex School is an independent, non-denominational, boarding, college-preparatory school with over 100 years of history, dedicated to fostering students' intellectual, moral, creative, and physical development. The school strives to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and shared responsibility, helping students fully realize their potential to become knowledgeable, capable, responsible, and ethical global citizens. As a community, we respect individual interests, strengths, and the needs of every student. We encourage all students to develop their integrity, academic ability, and discipline, and we respect all students. We hope that all students will actively and cooperatively participate in all school activities, better understanding themselves and society, both now and in the future.

Middlesex School, founded in 1901, now has a history of 120 years. Located on the outskirts of Concord, Massachusetts, just 20 miles from Boston, it is an independent, co-educational boarding school for students in grades 9-12. The school currently has 410 enrolled students, 70% of whom are boarders, coming from 25 states and 18 different countries. For over a century, the school has been dedicated to cultivating the intellectual, moral, creative, and physical development of young people, achieving remarkable success. The school respects the ideal proposed by its founding headmaster: “Find the hope of every student.” It works collaboratively in an atmosphere of mutual trust and shared responsibility to help students realize their talents and become knowledgeable, capable, responsible, and ethical citizens of the world. As a community, the school respects each student's individual interests, strengths, and needs. The school also values the rich and diverse beliefs and experiences that each person brings to the school.
Concord, where the school is located, has many historical and cultural sites commemorating the start of the Revolutionary War in April 1775, such as Minute Man National Historical Park. Among historical figures, Ralph Waldo Emerson, the “Father of American Civilization,” and the famous Walden Pond are both associated with the town of Concord.

The Middlesex Writing Program focuses on developing students into confident writers who are proficient in writing skills. Students largely achieve this excellent writing ability through the Sophomore Writing Workshop's writing plan. This program is a weekly workshop designed to help students master essay writing. Through weekly writing assignments, interactive sessions, and one-on-one feedback, students learn how to meticulously construct paragraphs and form persuasive, well-organized essays. The program emphasizes skills such as abstraction, argumentation, punctuation, and precise word choice, and we also provide students with the necessary tools to articulate complex ideas from their minds onto paper. We introduce these writing skills to 9th-grade freshmen and rigorously reinforce them among 10th-grade students, so that students can fully utilize these skills during their 11th and 12th grades. The school's fundamental belief is that every student can learn to develop their own writing style in a clear and fluent manner. This writing program provides students with a solid foundation in writing.

Middlesex is a top-tier boarding high school with a century-long tradition, located in Concord, Massachusetts. It is a non-religious school. Both the humanities and sciences at the school are very strong, and students are encouraged to think critically. The school offers computer programming courses, and students have the opportunity to intern or conduct experiments at MIT and Harvard.
English is a strong subject for the school, which places a very high demand on writing skills. Arts are also very strong.
The school employs the Harkness table teaching method. Courses for 9th and 10th graders are relatively fixed; 11th and 12th graders have a large number of elective courses, with an emphasis on balanced development.

### Overall Situation:
- A large number of semester-long courses; students should pay attention to the combination of fall and spring semester courses when selecting them.
- Both humanities and sciences are strong, with humanities being more prominent.
- Art classes are mandatory for 9th and 10th graders and must be chosen from foundational courses in different fields provided by the school. This mandatory requirement reflects the school's educational philosophy of promoting holistic student development.

### Academic Strengths/Features:
- Writing. First, Middlesex has high demands for writing in English and history classes, and there are many writing assignments; second, in 10th grade, in addition to regular English class, a year-long writing course is arranged, where teachers teach students how to write argumentative essays for English and history classes, which greatly helps students improve their writing skills; third, the school also invites writers to give lectures and writing workshops to further enhance students' writing abilities.
- Independent Study: If a student wishes to take a course not offered by the school, they can apply for an independent study. Independent study includes two aspects: independent courses and independent projects, and only one independent course or project can be taken per semester. Independent courses will have a school teacher as a mentor, while independent projects may not necessarily involve a school teacher.

### Shangxue Mingde Student Feedback:
- English classes are very difficult. While writing is a strength of Middlesex, from another perspective, it is also a big challenge for Chinese students because the volume of writing in English class is large and the requirements are high. Chinese students must be well-prepared.
- Although humanities are more prominent, sciences are also very strong.
- The academic pressure is quite high, and time management is very important.

Two years ago, I visited Middlesex School in Massachusetts, coincidentally on their reception day. The school is located in Concord, just 20 miles from Boston. During the visit, I happened to meet my daughter's senior, who mentioned that the school's music and writing programs are very strong.

1. My own impression is that the school's arts programs are excellent, offering a full range of art courses, including performing arts, music courses, pottery, digital art, etc. The walls in the admissions building are entirely covered with sculptures.

2. Students have opportunities for internships or experiments at MIT and Harvard University.

3. STEM courses are strong, and the school also offers computer programming courses. The school primarily cultivates students' problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and the ability to communicate and think using scientific methods.

4. The school places a strong emphasis on writing: weekly writing assignments, interactive plenary sessions, and one-on-one feedback.

5. For students who have completed AP courses and still have capacity for more, they can design their own courses for research-based learning, based on their individual level and interests.

Middlesex wants students to make art, not just talk about it. Thus, the school asks students to put down their textbooks and pick up instruments, paintbrushes, and scripts. Students can experience art in their living environment at Boston's MFA or ICA. In Middlesex's art department, the school's arts system rotates through four courses: music, drama, art history, and studio art, where freshmen and sophomores deepen their knowledge and confidence in art while discovering new passions. Students can refine and master their skills through a series of electives and extracurricular studies. From AP Studio Art to student-led performances, to three a cappella groups, Middlesex students turn practice into performance. Every student has appropriate facilities, faculty support, and flexibility in their schedule to fully engage in artistic activities, thereby fully stretching, creating, and experiencing a life of mind and spirit.

Founded in 1901, Middlesex is an excellent private high school with a century of history, located in Concord, Massachusetts. The school is characterized by critical thinking, lively teaching, and a positive atmosphere. Both its science and humanities programs are very strong. The school offers computer programming courses to cultivate children's problem-solving skills, thinking abilities, and the ability to think and communicate using scientific methods. Students have the opportunity to intern or conduct experiments at MIT and Harvard. The school provides 23 AP courses, with AP classes available for almost every core subject. Middlesex offers a comprehensive range of art courses, including performing arts, music courses, pottery, digital art, and more. Every student must participate in a sport. The school's reading and writing programs are relatively strong, offering a mock trial course and systematic writing skills development courses starting from 10th grade.