Unitas Blog

When our son's time in elementary school comes to a close, we are then met with the difficult decision of selecting a middle school. As parents, our goal is to find a school that will cater to the specific learning styles of boys and also provides a safe environment where our children can develop and grow during adolescence. Here at the Malvern Preparatory School, we’ve had countless conversations with prospective parents to help guide them as they find the best fit for their families.

When you imagine a few goals for raising a well-rounded child, what do you imagine? Your first thought might picture a young man or woman with a multitude of talents. One who excels in the classroom, showcases their skills in the arts and athletics, or maybe even one who’s involved in a plethora of unique extracurricular activities. At Malvern Prep, we’d agree with all of these descriptions but would argue that there is one critical piece missing: Community Service. 

At Malvern Prep, we truly value the importance of extracurricular activities. We subscribe to the idea that every student should immerse themselves in new and interesting topics, working collaboratively to tackle unique challenges. 

If you’re familiar with Malvern Prep, you know that our values are much more than just admissions buzzwords. The Augustinian Core Values of Truth, Unity, and Love are truly entrenched in every aspect of academia, athletics, the arts, and constantly serve as an overarching reminder for students, faculty, and all community members to lead and serve with humility and heart. 

The varying factors to consider when choosing a high school for your child can seem overwhelming and never-ending. As a parent, you want to ensure that your son gets the best possible education, creates meaningful relationships with his peers, and is properly prepared for the unique challenges of college. Starting with middle school, your preferences and values similarly need to match your son’s, as he will ultimately select the school that he feels is the right fit for him.

At Malvern Prep, we work with prospective parents and students on an extremely consistent basis. We’ve spoken to hundreds of parents with similar challenges and concerns regarding a decision as important as education. To provide some guidance and clarity for your search, we’ve put together a checklist for choosing a high school or middle school that meets the criteria for both prospective parents and students!