Costume Xpress

Prep School Girl

Prep School Girl

Educating your Child in a Private School-is it a Good Idea?

Sending your child to a private school is an important, and possibly life-changing decision to be weighed carefully. Is it a good idea to uproot the child, put him or her in a new school, leaving their former school friends behind? In my opinion, from one who has been there myself, definitely, yes.

My introduction to private school started at the age of 12, when I entered 7th grade at an all-girls’ private prep school called Laurel in Shaker Heights, Ohio. It was scary at first to leave the familiarity of friends from my former school, a large, public school in another town. Every day I had to be driven by my parents to my new school, which was nearly an hour from our home. Plus, a new school meant making new friends in new surroundings, pretty terrifying for a shy girl like I was. Kids can be a bit tough on the new kid, I got teased a little at first. And, to top it all off, I had to wear a uniform. No more jeans, t-shirts and casual attire. I thought it was the end of the world at first.

Truth of the matter was, it changed my life for the better in infinite ways. First, the classes were smaller, meaning each student would receive more attention from the teacher. This was good for learning, but bad for slacking off. Oh yes, we Laurel girls were masters of girlish pranks and silliness at times, but we knew we had to behave ourselves and saved the fun for study hall. It meant getting down to work, being a more disciplined student. If I had trouble with a subject, it meant summer school if my grades weren’t up to par. Only once did I need to go to summer school, the following summer after 7th grade. It was actually a pleasant experience but a great motivator not to return there the next year.

It became clear to me even as a teen that wearing a uniform every day was a break from worrying about what to wear every day. It gave me the opportunity to focus on other things than fashion. The uniforms were comfortable, tasteful and nobody made fun of anyone else’s fashion sense , since we all wore them. We had the choice between blue tartan, solid green or light green herringbone; along with either white, blue or yellow oxford shirts (long or short sleeved). I became a master at shirt ironing, since it needed to be done every morning. So, we did have a little control over what we wore, just a little. If we wanted dress more trendy or fashionably, we saved it for after school get-togethers with friends.

Also, my new school had (and still has) a great area for art, which was my main focus as a kid, in being an artist. Laurel School had a whole art floor! We were allowed to pursue all types of art that previously, I’d only read about such as enameling, Raku pottery-making, wheel-thrown pottery, color theory, and more. Plus, we were encouraged to be creative in other arts such as dance, theater and music as well. They had a summer theater camp, which I participated in. There wasn’t a band (I’d been in the school band in public school, and missed being able to play an instrument) but there was glee club, and choir. I got into both, and enjoyed those thoroughly. My new school had a true appreciation for the arts that has led me to carry on my interest in all venues artistic throughout my adult life.

Being painfully shy, in private school, there was no way to blend into the wallpaper. They drew me out, whether I liked it or not. It was good for me, because that shy child is not a shy adult at all. The teachers were caring and supportive, welcoming contact with their students. It was lovely to be invited to my teacher’s Christmas party one year, and being shy, she had me stick with her to feel more comfortable. Mrs. Priscilla Ford was my algebra teacher, and totally a class act. She tutored me in math, which was my nemesis in school, and was a painter on the side, so she related to my artistic endeavors. My art teacher, Mrs. Helen Biehle, too, was a friend as well as teacher. It was wonderful to have such powerful, wholesome influences during turbulent teen years. I sorely needed confidence, and as an adult owe my lack of fear of public speaking to my former Speech teacher, Mrs. Schenk. Four years of having to get up on stage and sweat profusely while giving every kind of speech imaginable can really force the shyness out of nearly everyone.

All in all, private education is a wonderful experience, a quality protection from a busy, crazy world. It was a sheltered existence but that is good during the formative years of a young, impressionable child. There were no boys for us girls to flirt with, and clear boundaries to what was accepted of us both socially and academically. It taught us all manners, and respect for not only each other but the world around us. We took trips nearly every year to educational and interesting places such as Toronto and Washington D.C. Our chaperones sure did have their hands full watching over a bunch of excited girls, but we always had an appropriately good time, wherever we went (no major mishaps or craziness).

Even in private school, we were able to have prom, formal or informal dances of different kinds, and we had friends who were from other schools. Being in a private school doesn’t mean you no longer have your former school friends. I kept in touch with some of my old friends, and gained new ones, too. We worked hard, but had fun, too. After school, I spent most of my time with my horse, boarded at a local stable. I saw my friends there, and my horse. Then, went home and studied hard. It was a balance of hard work and fun, in a structured way.

Leaving the security of my small school (our graduating class had 54 girls in it) was a bit of a culture shock. I went to a large university, Rochester Institute of Technology, that was predominately made up of young men. It took a little getting used to, but I felt at no disadvantage. It was an adventure to try something new. Laurel School had accomplished its objective: to turn out a confident, disciplined young lady who wanted to further her education. I wholeheartedly reccommend private schools, because it always helps to have guidance as we grow as children and young adults. It helps to shape our futures, and promote confidence. Plus, colleges and universities love well-rounded applicants from schools they receive students from every year. Our full-time college counselor at Laurel worked hard to educate us on what colleges were out there to pursue. We even had a class trip to a few Ohio colleges and universities, from Ohio State to Denison, and others. It was fun seeing the different styles of colleges and learning which best suited our individual needs.

For anyone considering a private education for their children, go visit the campus, take a tour and read the different biographies about the staff. Talk to teachers and students. Look at different schools, as each has their own feel to it. Explore financing options with the financial counselor, there are usually scholarships for those in need. By giving your child a quality education, this sets him or her up for a bright future. Public schools are great, too, it all depends on your child’s individual needs. Where would he or she best be happiest and prosper? Smaller class sizes will allow the teachers to help bring a shy child out of his or her shell. It did for me. It’s worth the risk, if you take it.

About the Author

Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio. Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist and photographer. She has lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico for two years, among other interesting professional assignments in other countries. Clients include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and private owners. Her focus is on realistic, natural artwork and illustration through her agent and her website. She has been the subject of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular media venues. Her art studio website can be seen at: http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats.

“Prep School Girl” – Park (off of the Prep. Mixtape)

Prep School Girl Mary Jane $38.5 Prep School Girl Mary Jane

WHITE PINK PREP SCHOOL GIRL COSTUME $59.99 WHITE PINK PREP SCHOOL GIRL COSTUME

Prep $18.54 Lee Fiora, a girl from Indiana, comes east to go to a posh prep school near Boston and lives to tell the tale–but barely. From the vantage point of adulthood, she looks back on the experience, which was full of anguish and failure but also an increase in self-knowledge. Written by a boarding school survivor (Curtis Sittenfeld went to Groton), PREP is a page-turner that recreates the authentic experience with humor, insight, and a close attention to the details of what it's like to be a teenager in 1980s America.

Prep School Girl Costume – Sexy Miss Prep School $29.95 Oops! You did it again! Put down the pen and paper, and put on our Sexy Miss Prep School Girl Costume. Save your studies for another day, while in the meantime, you amaze your classmates in this Prep School Girl Costume. In the Sexy Miss Prep School Girl Costume, you’ll be wearing a red plaid pleated skirt, a bare midriff white collar top, plaid tie, and matching hair bows. Not only will you be ditching class, you’ll be ditching the mundane look for a more outlandish catholic school girl outfit. Now that’s something to gossip about in the hallways!

Sexy Prep School Girl Costume – Sexy School Girl Costumes $47.84 This Sexy Prep School Girl Costume includes the button-down dark blue school girl blazer with a ‘Prep School Delinquent’ coat of arms, white cropped tie-top, the pleated plaid skirt and matching necktie. Shoes and ankle socks available separately.

Prep School Girl Costume $59.5 This naughty school girl is going to detention and you’ll want to join her while she’s wearing a pleated knit argyle dress with attached bustier and clear removable straps, knit cardigan with attached collar and tie, strapless bikini top and crotchless thong panty. Costume set includes: • Dress. • Cardigan. • Bikini top. • Thong panty. Durably made from high quality poly spandex knit.

Adult Costumes – Sexy Prep School Girl $16.99 It’s never too late to go back to School! Secret Wishes newly designed, Prep School Girl Adult costum is guaranteed to make this Halloween one to remember!! Includes a Dress and Hair Bows. Available in Adult Sizes X-Small, Small, and Medium. This costume is officially licensed and goes great with other men and women School Kid Costumes! Don’t want to go solo? Group up together with any of our other School Girl Costume!

Prep School Girl $59.99 Includes: Shirt, cardigan and pleated skirt.

Prep School Pup Dog Costume – School Girl Costumes $14.95 Prep School Pup Dog Costume Prep School Pup Dog Costume includes the tie, shirt and the pleated skirt. Gender: Female Age: Dog Size: Xtra Small Dog Color: As Shown

Prep School Pup Dog Costume – Pet Costumes $14.95 Funny Dog Costumes – Prep School Pup Dog Costume from Leg Avenue includes the school girl costume tie, shirt and the pleated skirt.

Sexy Miss Prep School Costume – Sexy School Girl Costumes $25.98 Sexy Halloween Costumes – Sexy Miss Prep School Costume from Leg Avenue includes the hair bows, tie, cropped tie top and the mini plaid pleated skirt. Stockings, purse and shoes available separately.

Red and Black Prep School Cute Costume – Sexy School Girl Costumes $21.12 Red and Black Prep School Cute Costume Red Prep School Cute Costume includes the argyle print dress with an attached white shirt and pink bodice, and the attached pink pleated skirt and the neck tie with an attached collar and crest applique. Thigh high stockings and shoes available separately. Gender: Female Age: Adult Theme: Sexy Size: Womens Medium/Large 10-14 Color: As Shown

Prep School Girl Adult Costume $59.99 Includes: Dress,Cardigan,Bikini Top,and Panty.

Prep School Cutie Adult Costume $20.99 This Leg Avenue Prep School Cutie Costume will warm up even the strictest of teachers! Complete with the academic-chic pink argyle dress with short pleated skirt, preppy neck tie with crest applique, this Sexy Schoolgirl Costume is far from conservative. This sexy school girl outfit is guaranteed to give you an A+! Hose and shoes not included. Gender: Unisex Age: Adult Occasion: Everyday Size: S/M Color: As Shown

TrendLab 106406 Prep School Pink 4Pc Set $165.45 Prep School Pink is a modern eyecatching bedding set. Create the perfect plush nursery for your baby girl with the Prep School Pink crib bedding collection by Trend Lab. Prep School Pink crib bedding set combines traditional diamond pattern and stripes in a simply modern color combination of pink and chocolate and caramel brown. Trend Lab a privately held company proudly owned by women is the best choice for your children. Prep School pink 4 piece crib bedding set includes 4 piece bumper coverlet sheet box pleat skirt. Machine washable. This set includes:. 4 Separated bumpers to fit any crib. 1 Patchwork coverlet that is a useful crib blanket. 1 Crib Sheet. 100 cotton. 10 Deep pocket. 56 band of elastic around the entire sheet. 1 Box pleat crib skirt. 15 Drop. Materials: Cotton / Polyester. Collection: Crib Set.

Womans Sexy Prep-school Delinquent Costume $39.96 Sexy schoolgirls costume includes: jacket, white tie front top and pleated plaid skirt, matching necktie. You’ve been a bad girl! Our Women’s Prep School Delinquent Costume is a fun and sexy way to hit the town this Halloween. The costume includes a jacket, bra, skirt and necktie to give you the look of a…

NYC Prep $98.77 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles NYC Prep is a reality television program on the Bravo channel. NYC Prep chronicles the lives of six teenagers in Manhattans private school scene. NYC Prep will follow six Manhattan teenagers in their daily lives as they attend events such as weekend parties, fashion shows, shopping sprees, charity events and dinner parties. The show has drawn many comparisons to the hit CW television show, Gossip Girl because both shows revolve around the lives of Manhattans elite teenagers…NYC PREP will also produce another spinoff entitled LAPrep casting is underway premering in 2011 with 12 episodes on BravoTV. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 164 Publication Date: 2010/08/24 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.38 inches

School Girl $39.99 School Girl

NYC Prep School Girl Adult Costume $44.99 Includes: Top,skirt,corset and tie. Does not include stockings,headband or shoes.

NYC Prep School Girl Adult Costume – Medium $44.99 Includes: Top,skirt,corset and tie. Does not include stockings,headband or shoes.

NYC Prep School Girl Adult Costume – Small $44.99 Includes: Top,skirt,corset and tie. Does not include stockings,headband or shoes.

NYC Prep School Girl Adult Costume – Large $44.99 Includes: Top,skirt,corset and tie. Does not include stockings,headband or shoes.

Prep School Girl Adult Plus Costume $71.99 Includes: Dress, Cardigan, Bikini Top, and Panty.

NYC Prep School Girl Adult Plus Costume $70.99 Includes: Top, skirt, corset and tie. Does not include stockings, headband or shoes.

Adult Costumes – Sexy Prep School Cutie- Black & Red $29.99 Show your sweet side this year in this Sexy Prep School Cutie Costume! Pick this School Girl Costume and you will surely be the hit of any Halloween Party this year: Includes Argyle Print Dress with Pleated Skirt and Neck Tie with Crest Applique. Available in Womens sizes XS, Small/Medium and Medium/Large. Don’t want to go Solo? Pair up with our wide variety of School Girl Costumes and Accessories for Women! The group that dresses together, stays together!

School Girl Costume $61.99 Prep School Delinquent Adult Costume She Could Learn a Thing or Two! Costume includes: Jacket, white tie front shirt , pleated plaid skirt and matching necktie. Available Sizes: Small Medium Large 1X/2X 3X/4X Socks and shoes not included.

Miss Prep School $39.99 4Pc. Miss Prep School Incl Hair Bows, Tie, Cropped Shirt Top & Skirt MED/LGE RED/WHITE

NYC Prep School Student $59.99 You’ll be sure to rule the school in this sexy student’s ensemble. Oh how the guys did drool, over the stlylin girls at NYC Prep School. This school book siren’s ensemble includes: A stretch knit top with NYC Prep crest, pleated plaid skirt, lace-up waist corset with hook/eye back closure, and a tie.

Prep School Delinquent $63.99 You’ll be caught smoking – smoking hot, that is – when wearing this sassy Prep School Deliquent outfit. Navy blue jacket, white tie front shirt, pleated plaid skirt, and matching neck tie.

Sexy School Girl $39.99 Sexy School Girl

GOTH SCHOOL GIRL COSTUME $54.99 GOTH SCHOOL GIRL COSTUME

SKULL SCHOOL GIRL COSTUME $39.99 SKULL SCHOOL GIRL COSTUME

School Girl Kit $16.99 School Girl Kit

Anime School Girl $6 Anime School Girl

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