Understanding the Learning Prep School Definition: A Comprehensive Guide

A preparatory school, often shortened to "prep school," is an educational institution designed to prepare students for higher education, particularly universities and colleges. The concept and structure of prep schools vary across different countries, reflecting their unique educational systems and historical contexts.

Prep Schools in Different Countries

Europe

In Europe, where secondary education has historically been selective, preparatory schools have traditionally catered to pupils aiming to enter academic secondary schools. These schools provide a foundation and specialized training to help students meet the rigorous entrance requirements of higher-level institutions.

England: Preparatory schools, an integral part of the private or independent school system, emerged in the 19th century. Children typically enter these "prep" schools around the age of 8 and leave between 11 and 13 to attend private secondary institutions, often referred to as "public schools."
Germany: After World War I, elementary private preparatory schools known as "Vorschule" were abolished.
France: "Classes préparatoires" were attached to state secondary schools ("lycée"). The differences between these and elementary classes in other schools have been abolished so that French elementary education has become identical everywhere.

North America

In North America, where secondary education is less selective, the term "prep school" generally refers to private secondary schools that prepare students for universities. These schools often have rigorous academic programs and aim to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in higher education.

United States: A very high proportion of preparatory school graduates enter college or university. The age of enrollment in preparatory school is about 14, and the four- or five-year course is usually geared to meet the requirements of either the college entrance examination board or a particular institution.

Japan

In Japan, college-prep schools are called "Shingakukō," which translates to "a school used to progress into another school." These schools are often considered prestigious and have competitive admission processes.

Historical Context: Japanese prep schools originated as "chūgakkō" (secondary schools for boys) after the secondary school law of 1886. Later, secondary schools for girls ("kōtō jogakkō") and vocational schools ("jitsugyō gakkō") were included but had more requirements for college entrance.
Modern Era: Many Japanese secondary schools were five-year schools, except for a short term from 1943 to 1946. The social status of "chūgakkō," or "kyūsei chūgakkō" (secondary schools for boys under the old system), remained even after the new system (6-3-3) took effect in 1947.
Current Structure: Many "shingakukō" are six-year schools, often originating from "kyūsei chūgakkō," "kōtō jogakkō," or those attached to universities. Pupils aspiring to attend these schools take written examinations in sixth grade. Top municipal senior high schools (three-year schools) and some high-ranked private senior high schools are also regarded as "shingakukō."
Tuition: With government grants-in-aid, the tuition for private schools ranges from 5,000 to 10,000 US dollars per year.

United States Prep Schools: A Closer Look

In the United States, college-preparatory schools can be public, private, or charter, and may be parochial or secular. Admission is sometimes based on specific academic criteria, while some schools have open enrollment.

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Enrollment: In 2017, 5.7 million students were enrolled in US private elementary or secondary schools, constituting 10% of total school enrollment.
Public and Charter Schools: These schools are typically connected to a local school district and draw from the entire district rather than the closest school zone. Some offer specialized courses or curricula that prepare students for a specific field of study.
Historical Development: Preparatory schools emerged before the Civil War when there were no public schools above the grammar or elementary level. Colleges established "preparatory academies" to prepare students for college study. There were also unaffiliated preparatory schools, especially for girls, such as the Columbia Female Academy.
Modern Landscape: Today, surviving "prep schools" in the US are primarily private, elite institutions with selective admission criteria and high tuition fees, catering to students in the 13-18 age range. Little financial aid is available other than loans. These schools can be day schools, boarding schools, or both, and may be co-educational or single-sex. Some are affiliated with a particular religious denomination, but unlike parochial schools, independent preparatory schools are not governed by a religious organization and do not require students to receive instruction in one particular religion.

Key Characteristics of Prep Schools

Academic Rigor: Prep schools emphasize a challenging academic curriculum designed to prepare students for the demands of college coursework.
Small Class Sizes: Often, prep schools offer smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention and a more engaging learning environment.
Extracurricular Activities: Many prep schools offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, music, and drama.
College Counseling: Prep schools typically provide comprehensive college counseling services to help students navigate the college application process.
Emphasis on Independence: Prep schools often focus on developing students' independence, self-advocacy skills, and ability to succeed in various settings.

Learning Prep School: A Language-Based Approach

Learning Prep School (LPS) exemplifies a specialized approach within the broader category of preparatory schools. It focuses on language-based teaching, emphasizing explicit instruction and support for students' expressive, receptive, and pragmatic language skills.

Core Elements of Language-Based Teaching at LPS

Explicit Instruction: LPS makes the language of school-directions, vocabulary, discussion, feedback-explicit. Teachers systematically and purposefully teach skills, stories, and vocabulary.
Transparent Structure: The school employs clear and transparent structures, such as previewing key words, modeling evidence citation, using visuals, and breaking down tasks into numbered steps.
Multidisciplinary Support: Students receive support through small group speech and language therapy, occupational therapy for executive function support, and 1:1 school-based counseling, in addition to core academic classes.
Individualized Services: The Speech and Language Department provides individualized services targeting skills and strategies within receptive, expressive, and pragmatic language domains.
Occupational Therapy: OT sessions address skills through various techniques, including arts and crafts, pencil-and-paper work, technology, board games, and strengthening exercises. Practical learning experiences and work-related vocabulary are emphasized.
Social Communication: LPS utilizes Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking(c) concepts, fostering the development of social communication skills through a common understanding of foundational skills.
Thinking Maps®: Since 2002, LPS has used Thinking Maps®, visual tools developed by Dr. David Hyerle, to help students analyze information in eight different ways, promoting critical thinking and higher-level, abstract thinking.
Counseling Services: The Counseling Department focuses on helping students develop social, organizational, and problem-solving skills, as well as coping with language-based learning disabilities.

Independence as a Key Metric of Success

LPS emphasizes independence as a critical outcome for students. This includes:

Improved reading fluency
Effective use of assistive technology
Awareness of IEP goals and transition plans
Workplace success without excessive structure
Ability to follow recipes
Pursuit of higher education
Completion of homework
Self-care skills
Maintenance of healthy friendships

LPS measures its success by how much more independent students are each day, focusing on slow, steady improvements. This aligns with research showing a correlation between self-determination and improved outcomes, leading to feelings of well-being and dignity.

Primary Schools vs. Prep Schools in England

In England, it's essential to distinguish between primary schools and preparatory schools.

Cost of Education

Primary Schools: These are state schools funded by the government, providing free education to all children.
Prep Schools: These are independent schools sustained through family finances, charging fees on a termly or annual basis. Fees for day pupils can range from £10,000 to £20,000 per year (or more for some London prep schools). Boarding schools charge more due to accommodation, food, and welfare costs.

Pupil Ages

Primary Schools: Educate children aged 4 to 11 (national curriculum key stages 1 and 2).
Prep Schools: Admit children from ages 7 to 13 (national curriculum key stages 2 and 3). Younger children may attend a pre-prep school before transitioning to a prep school or primary school.

Teaching and Learning

Primary Schools: Obligated to follow the national curriculum set by the Department for Education, consisting of compulsory and optional subjects.
Prep Schools: Not legally obliged to follow the national curriculum but often do. Additional subjects may include classical civilisation, drama, Latin, and philosophy.

Class Sizes

Primary Schools: May have up to 32 children in a class.
Prep Schools: Typically cap class sizes at around 24, allowing for more individualized attention.

Extracurricular Activities

Primary Schools: May provide low-cost activities, but the range is often not as extensive as in prep schools due to funding differences.
Prep Schools: Offer activities and co-curricular programs in sport, art, music, and drama, with more frequent residential trips or trips abroad.

Exam Preparation

Primary Schools: Generally do not offer 11+ preparation for selective schools due to a lack of demand, resources, or funding.
Prep Schools: Often prepare children for entry to senior schools, with success measured by pupils' destinations. They prepare students for exams like the ISEB Common Pre-Test and the Common Entrance exam.

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