John Dewey Academy College Acceptance

We are proud to announce the Graduation of the John Dewey Academy Class of 2009. In accordance with our twenty four year tradition, all of this year's graduates are matriculating at excellent four year colleges.

This year's class of seven graduates will be attending Columbia University (2), the University of Chicago (2), Grinnell College, Skidmore College, and Vassar College. One student was accepted at Oxford University, but elected to attend the University of Chicago instead.

The John Dewey Class of 2008 has successfully completed their freshman year at college. These eight JDA alumni are attending Amherst College, Brandeis University, Columbia College, Goucher College, Oberlin College, Sarah Lawrence College (2), and the University of Chicago. Of the eight, three made Dean's List during the freshman year. Three others had Dean's List level performances at colleges which don't post this sort of list (Sarah Lawrence, Oberlin). One member of the Class of 2008 elected to transfer (from Goucher College), and has started his sophomore year at American University in Washington, DC. In addition to academic achievement, our alumni get involved in campus activities such as Resident Advisor programs, student government, performance groups, and activist organizations; the Class of 2008 has been no exception in this regard. In addition, all eight have visited JDA on one or more occasions this year in order to give back to the school by helping other students; one member of this class devoted her summer to interning at JDA for this same reason. The excellence of their first post-Dewey year is testament to the lasting effects of a John Dewey education.

Dr. Thomas Bratter, the president and founder of JDA and the college counselor for all graduating seniors, addressed the increasing difficulty of college placement by saying, "Convincing colleges of quality to admit TBS graduates is most challenging. Last year, the average length of my college recommendation letter exceeded thirty pages."
The staff at John Dewey Academy takes great pride in knowing that our graduates are accepted at the finest colleges and universities in the world. Furthermore, once they arrive, most succeed magnificently at the college or university of their choice. At JDA, our mission is to help bright but struggling teens begin to use (rather than abuse) their potential.

During 2010, we look forward to the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the John Dewey Academy, and to the continuation of our dedication to that mission.