The Bolles School

I have to point out that the majority of bad reviews from this school are coming from the parents. I feel that is not right. I attended Bolles EK-6th grade, and I am returning for my senior year. I recently toured the school. The faculty and students welcomed me back with open arms, and all were very friendly. People say Bolles is known for having stuck up kids... I find that is said mainly by those who think that students with the high level of manners that Bolles students have are stuck up. I do not think there is a school that could prepare me better for college than Bolles. The headmaster is one of the friendliest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Please ignore these negative parent reviews, they either send their children to rival schools (Bolles is very competitive) or their children had a bad experience. Bolles is not for everyone, but if it does fit, go with it. Best school I ever attended.

If you're considering this school, here are a cuple tips. Ask for SAT scores. Ask which colleges accepted 2011 graduates. Ask what percentage of staff are Bolles grads. Finally, Google news stories about Bolles students.
--Submitted by a parent

School is very hard, teachers treat you like garbage, and coaches ignore you. This school is a JOKE.

I went to public school for freshman year, then back to Bolles. The biggest downside is definitely the very expensive tuition. The public school I went to was an "A" school and also known to have plenty of "rich snobs." Comparing the two schools, I can say that Bolles' regular level classes are much more challenging than the public school's honors classes; colleges know this. Many Bolles graduates move on to Ivy League and other top-tier colleges. I will also say that social enviroment is much friendlier and academically-focused than that of a public school. There are still some party-ers but also a considerably fewer amount of druggies. As for what the parent was talking about with the boarders... well, every boarder that actually speaks English and makes any effort to be a part in the community at all is completely well adjusted.

This is by far the worst school. Especially, if your child is a boarder, he/she will be treated with disrespect and bullied. That is the reason the boarding students do not stay more than a year, every year is a new group of boarders. The policy handbook is a joke. Nobody at Bolles even followes regulations. They retaliate against a kid who complains, there is smoking allowed in the dorms and there is even a loose dog in the dorm that goes to the cafeteria sniffing up food. Kids are not allowed to make friends, they are told they are there to work and that is it. Save your money.
--Submitted by a parent

In the short time that they have attended Bolles, the exciting and rigorous culture has challenged our daughters to strive for, and achieve their full potential. We have watched them blossom and grow at a rate we did not think possible. Both can't wait to go to school each day, and are genuinely excited about learning. Administrators, counselors, and teachers have proven to be ready and willing to offer whatever help is necessary to insure our childrens success. A wide selection of electives, clubs, and extra curricular activities are offered, giving any child regardless of individual interests, a chance to grow and be fulfilled . Students not only receive an outstanding academic education, but also an equally great education in the arts, athletics, and community service. Bolles is a rigorous, fast paced, and challenging environment, that might not be for everyone. But if your student is a bright child, that responds well to challenges, and if you are the type of parent that insists on being involved in your childs educational experience, you could not possibly find a better option in the Jax FL area than Bolles.
--Submitted by a parent

I was going to write a thorough review but I am limited to 150 words. I will hit the high points. -I attended Bolles for many years. -Elementary school is not worth the money. In middle and high school... -English/athletics education is excellent. -Math/science education is average. -The general culture of the school is warped and superficial. Money runs the campus. Those with a lot of money can get away with a lot more. -If your daughter does not conform to the superficial standards of catty Bolles' girls then she will be a social outcast. It is not so bad for boys. -They have a bad habit of hiring former Bolles graduates and family members of current staff members who may not be the most qualified for the job. -Some students study hard, while many party hard. -Graduates will leave the school very sheltered.

I have 3 children that attend Bolles...one in lower school, middle school and one in upper school. All three children have attended Bolles since Pre-Kindergarten and we have been extremely pleased with their progress. The academics and athletics are extremely rigorous and Bolles may not be a fit for a child. that is non competitive or anxious child. It just so happens that my children thrive in that type of environment. The advisor communication in both the uppaer middle school is great and I love that the fact that the teachers are availabe for extra help every morning for zero hour. The Lower School is wonderful too. The only flaw is that it is lacking in state of the art facilities/technology. Overall, there is no school that can exceed Bolles in providing opportunities for outstanding academics, athletics, fine arts and community service.
--Submitted by a parent

I attended Bolles for 9 years, graduated, and now am a senior in college. This school prepared me in every way acedemically to excel in college. Bolles' emphasis on writing really helped me during my college years. As I am now applying to graduate schools, I realize that being assigned a college counselor in my 11th grade year there was an amazing service I took for granted. The only downside to Bolles is that it is a very sheltered community and does not prepare you for the diverse atmosphere large universities have. I urge students to become involved in activities outside the Bolles community. It is true that students are not treated equally at Bolles. As a student, it was obvious that your parents' wealth was directly proportional to how much you could get away with. However, that's life and the academic background Bolles provides you with cannot be matched.
--Submitted by a student

We have 2 students at Bolles and we are very pleased. This school turns out very well rounded students ready for college curriculum. The academic rigor is very, very high--and 2-3 hrs of homework for our middleschooler is about avg. Our highschool student has about the same amount, maybe more with all the AP classes. Besides academics, Bolles offers every student options in sports, fine and performing arts and community service. Most students try new things and find a passion in a sport or arts option that is entirely new to them. Our students are getting an outstanding education and taking advantage of the opportunities to grow at Bolles. It is a financial commitment but financial aid is available. Students that leave, do so because they cannot compete at the academic level or because they are invited to not come back because they are behavior problems. Bolles has high standards.
--Submitted by a parent