Fenwick High School

I tested into Fenwick with barely any any legacy (My Mother's cousins went here, but they're not that closely related and haven't given enough money to the school to get me in on that). I came from a public school that was, to put it nicely, a bit inadequate. I see some posts about Fenwick kids being snobs, but never once have I seen that to be true, outside of one or two individuals. I have never seen kids teased for being part of the work-studies program, and am am personally on a scholarship. Feniwck is a great place for gifted students. Unlike at public schools, i've never seen anyone ridiculed for being a "nerd" or for being part of an academic club like the Junior Technical and Engineering Squad, which by the way, took 2nd in the nation last year.Diversity isn't great at fenwick, but I've never seen a single discriminating remark made to a minority student. The faculty is phenomianl (89%) have an advanced degree, including multiple golden apple teachers. They are always willing to help a student, and to meet advanced students' needs teachers have taught classes with only one or two students. Other help for students is a peer tutoring program available to anyone which I use.
--Submitted by a student

I'm currently in my junior year at this school, and I absolutely love it. The first year I was at Fenwick, I wasn't a fan. However, once I started getting more involved in activities and making more friends, it's grown to be my home. Fenwick is pretty much what you make it. The kids who don't get involved, stay silent in class, and never venture out from their cliques won't like Fenwick as much as they could. For the kids who really make an effort to get involved in the school, the school returns the effort. The sense of community at Fenwick is like none other. Yes, Fenwick has it's issues. The lack of diversity (which the administration IS trying to work on) economically and racially is something of a running joke at Fenwick, but if you're different than the rich, white norm than by no means are you made to feel excluded. I occasionally sigh from the lack of updated technology, but I also know the administration is working on it. Fenwick can be kind of a dysfunctional family, but at the end of the day, it really is family. This sense of family is something you really can't get at these bigger public schools, even the well-ranked ones. People genuinely care about one another.
--Submitted by a student

I went here for a semester and a half and absolutely hated it the kids are snobs the teachers dont teach and the dress code is terrible if you ask me, this school is only for those that can overly afford it because thats who is treated best i hated it i absolutely could not stand it anymore i transferred back to my old high school which is a top 10 high school in the state and i LOVE it
--Submitted by a student

Fenwick has a prominant reputation among Catholic high schools especially when it comes to sports and its sports facilities. The students receive a good private school education and are well prepared and positioned if they want to attend a Catholic University. The school is less successful at placing students in the top liberal arts colleges and the Ivy League. They will tell you that admission is based on the Catholic high school entrance exam but if you are an athlete, a legacy or have renown in the community, there is much less difficulty in getting in. There are other private schools that are much more selective but Fenwick can make these claims because of the pool they draw from. It is not very diverse racially or economically and over the years I have hoped that this would change but there has been no attempt to grow in this regard. This does give the school and it's students a reputation for being elitist. Overall, it is a good school but if your child is a higher achiever there is more opportunity with advanced classes and more advanced placement classes in the public school system.
--Submitted by a parent

Lets see, About $12,000 per year and most of the students at Fenwick come from towns with top rated public schools!! I guess people with too much money like to waste it and not support their own towns and schools. An A student will succeed in any school but you have to actually attend Fenwick if the parents want to be able to say "My child is at Fenwick" as a punchline at a cocktail party... Next is Notre Dame!! That will probably open tons of doors for your c student... Give me an A student from a public high school and a State university any day over a c or B private school student. who had it handed to him. Success is in the heart not pocketbook.
--Submitted by a parent

I didn't like Fenwick. The kids tend to be snobs. They come to school wearing their Polo button down shirts and Burberry handbags.
--Submitted by a student

One of the most elite high schools in all of America. Admittance is highly competitive and Fenwick's tuition is expensive. If excepted, there is also high pressure for a student to keep up. The typical Freshman orientation consisted of asking each student to look at the student at the left and right of them, followed by the dean saying, ' that within 4 years time, one of these students won't make till graduation or have the priviledge to call themselves a Fenwick alumnus'. The school's purpose is very specialized, to breed highly gifted students into leaders. Each year the Ivy League schools, Big Ten universities and other top colleges will specifically go to Fenwick to recruit students for their college, and Fenwick's senior class is always awarded millions of dollars in financial scholarships each year as incentives. The school is definitely in a league of its own.
--Submitted by a parent

Fenwick, like Loyola Academy and St. Ignatius, is an expensive college prep school that caters to the needs of high-achieving students. From all indications, Fenwick succeeds in its mission: to provide a springboard for students who come into the school with a proven track record for academic excellence. The entrance exam cut-off is in the neighborhood of the 80th percentile; as a result, school-wide academic excellence is virtually guaranteed. Why the Dominicans at Fenwick, like the Jesuits at Loyola and St. Ignatius, would limit their Christian efforts to only the gifted and accomplished seems at odds with the teachings of Jesus Christ; but I guess I'm in the minority in that belief. Other boys' schools in the area, notably St. Patrick and Notre Dame, accept virtually any students above special-ed status, and for significantly less money. That said, Fenwick provides a quality education for those accepted.

I have a 2009 Fenwick graduate who thrived in the environment where teachers administrators and other students are there to help. Sure, your student is expected to work hard and is held accountable in areas of respect and discipline. However, I assure you the pride that your son or daughter will feel on Graduation Day at a job well done makes the financial sacrifices pale in comparison to the education and experiences rec'd at Fenwick. On top of that, our student was offered a wonderful scholarship at a fine Midwestern college.
--Submitted by a parent

As an alumna of Fenwick, I would be thrilled to send my children there, if it weren't for the ever-growing tuition. However, I believe that you get what you pay for, and the students at Fenwick are almost all successful and driven. Slacking and other misbehaving is not tolerated, which creates a healthy and competitive learning environment. The teachers are dedicated, many having been there for 10, 20, 30+ years. The new building is amazing. I hope to be able to send my daughter there when she's ready for high school.