The John Dewey Academy
Great Barrington, MA

John Dewey Academy Continues
Impressive College Acceptance

The John Dewey Class of 2008 has been admitted to Amherst College, Brandeis University, Columbia, Goucher, Oberlin, and Sarah Lawrence Colleges, and the University of Chicago. In its twenty-four year existence one hundred percent Dewey graduates attend college. Seventy-five percent graduate college. More than a third pursue advanced degrees. Two members of the nine member class of 2002 attend Harvard and NYU law Schools. One is enrolled in a Ph.D. Clinical Psychology degree at Yeshiva University. One received a MA degree in Literature from NYU. Two members of the twelve member class of 2003 attend Albany and Pace Law Schools.

Thomas Edward Bratter, President, The John Dewey Academy, jokingly quips, "Perhaps, JDA should apply for elite prep school status since our record of acceptances is perfect. I doubt if there is any other public or private school which can claim all students were admitted by colleges of their first choice this year. In addition only one was wait listed, the others were admitted early decision. The reputations of the college which admit JDA graduates make us indistinguishable from the most elite prep schools. Our students are innately as bright as those who attend the most competitive schools, but their dangerous and self-destructive acting-out behaviors would make them ineligible to be admitted elsewhere. I believe that potentially the brightest and best self-destruct because their affective, social, intellectual needs are not fulfilled by traditional treatment and teaching techniques, so these teens present special challenges to therapists and teachers.

"College admissions never has been so competitive. One of the reasons why we achieve this awesome record is that my longest college recommendation is forty pages. The shortest was eighteen. The average length of recommendations is thirty pages. Graduation from a college of quality permanently seals the painful and pathetic past. Individuals are judged by the reputation of the colleges from which they graduate. No one will inquire about adolescence because they will assume everything went well."