The college process at Butler Montessori begins with a different question.
Not simply, Where can this student get in?
But: Who is this student becoming? What matters to them? What type of learning environment will help them continue to grow?
Beginning in 9th year and continuing through graduation, students and families receive individualized support from Fairhaven guides and a dedicated college admissions consultant. Together, they navigate academic planning, college research, visits, testing, essays, applications, financial aid and the final decision.
The process is thorough and highly supported—but it remains student-led.
Why Fairhaven’s College Preparation Is Different
It Starts Early, Without Creating Early Pressure
Students begin reflecting on their futures in ninth grade, long before application deadlines arrive. By senior year, college research, testing, essays, and decision-making are not entirely new or unfamiliar.
The Student Is Known as a Whole Person
Fairhaven guides know each student’s academic abilities, interests, challenges, accomplishments, personality, and growth. That knowledge strengthens course planning, college lists, recommendations, and application essays.
College Counseling Is Integrated Into the Academic Program
College preparation is not a separate service that begins only when applications are due. Students’ academic choices, personal interests, future goals, writing development, and college planning inform one another throughout the Fairhaven experience.
Several Adults Support the Process
A dedicated college admissions consultant provides specialized guidance, while Fairhaven guides assist with coursework, résumés, essays, recommendations, transcripts, and the student’s day-to-day growth.
Students Receive Support Without Losing Ownership
The adults provide expertise, structure, and encouragement, but they do not make the decision for the student. Students learn to research, ask questions, manage responsibilities, advocate for themselves, evaluate choices, and make an informed final decision.
These are the same skills they will need when communicating with professors, managing college coursework, and navigating adult life.
The Goal Is the Right College
Fairhaven does not use one narrow definition of college success. Students are supported in identifying the institution, program, community, and financial path that fit their individual aspirations.
Individual Guidance in a Small High School Program
Because Butler Montessori’s High School is intentionally small, the college process can be shaped around each student.
The college admissions consultant meets with students and families to:
- Explore interests, majors, and potential career directions
- Identify colleges that may be a strong fit
- Curate and refine an application list
- Plan college visits
- Discuss testing
- Navigate financial aid information
- Review admission packages and college options
Fairhaven High School Guides help students strengthen résumés and essays, complete the Mastery Transcript, select appropriate coursework, and present their abilities clearly to colleges. The school also submits recommendations, transcripts, and supporting documents designed to help admission teams understand the strength and distinctiveness of a Montessori high school education.
The College Process, Year by Year
9th Year: Begin with Self-Discovery
Students begin considering their interests, strengths and future possibilities. They take a practice PSAT, and families participate in an introductory session with the college admissions consultant.
10th Year: Explore Possibilities
Students complete tools such as the Corsava card sort and begin building a résumé. They meet with the consultant to discuss early college interests, prepare for the PSAT, and begin identifying campuses to visit.
11th Year: Build the Application Plan
Students and families continue college visits. Students refine a curated application list, prepare for the PSAT and SAT, finalize the Mastery Transcript with their guides, and begin developing application essays.
This is an especially active year, but students are not left to manage it alone. Guides and the college admissions consultant provide structure while students take increasing ownership of decisions and deadlines.
12th Year: Apply, Evaluate, and Decide
Students and families continue college visits. Students refine a curated application list, prepare for the PSAT and SAT, finalize the Mastery Transcript with their guides, and begin developing application essays.
This is an especially active year, but students are not left to manage it alone. Guides and the college admissions consultant provide structure while students take increasing ownership of decisions and deadlines.
Prepared to Enter College with Confidence
“The skills students practice now directly shape their success in college, their careers and adult life.”
~ Emma Rodwin, Upper School Director of Education
Fairhaven students already practice many of the skills they will need in college:
- Managing long-term projects
- Discussing complex texts
- Writing research and analytical papers
- Communicating directly with guides
- Requesting help and advocating for themselves
- Managing independent work time
- Collaborating with peers
- Exploring topics beyond standard course requirements
This preparation is both academic and personal. Students learn how to use the resources around them, build relationships with instructors, and take responsibility for their own education.
Recent College Acceptances
Recent Fairhaven High School graduates have earned acceptances from:
- Northeastern University
- University of Maryland, College Park
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- Drexel University
- University of Pittsburgh
- Stevenson University
- The Catholic University of America
- Goucher College
Graduates have also earned placement in distinctive programs such as Northeastern University’s London Scholars Program and received significant merit scholarship offers.
Fairhaven graduates have received significant merit scholarship offers, including a $30,000 scholarship from Drexel University.
Two Students. Two Distinct Paths. One Personalized Process.
Max: Choosing Challenge and Adventure
Max returned to Butler after experiencing a more traditional high school setting. Although he could earn strong grades by completing the minimum required work, he recognized that he was not being challenged in the way he wanted.
At Fairhaven, the emphasis shifted from working for a grade to pursuing ideas that genuinely interested him.
“Without grades, I was motivated by my own interests. I actually felt proud of the work I was doing.”
~ Max, Fairhaven graduate
Max pursued subjects including economics and philosophy while continuing to develop his interests in cooking, practical work, and leadership. For his Legacy Project, he combined his woodworking skills with his love of cooking to create a cutting board for future generations of Upper School students.
Max was accepted to multiple colleges and selected Northeastern University, where he will begin through the London Scholars Program and plans to study business. He also received a $30,000 scholarship from Drexel University.
His decision to begin college in London reflects what he learned about himself at Butler: he grows when he deliberately steps beyond his comfort zone.
Sofia: Transforming Challenge Into Purpose
Sofia’s journey was very different. She has spoken openly about how difficult reading, language, and verbal expression once felt. Over time, writing became the way she could communicate the ideas and stories within her.
Fairhaven gave her opportunities to strengthen her writing through literature, essays, poetry, and creative work while developing confidence across other academic subjects. Sofia described Logic as the first mathematics course she truly enjoyed, in part because its language, patterns, and problem-solving made her feel like a detective.
For her Legacy Project, Sofia designed a journal for future Fairhaven students—a place where they could record ideas and begin bringing them to life.
Sofia was accepted to multiple colleges and selected Stevenson University, where she plans to major in English with a minor in Film and Moving Image. She also received significant merit scholarship offers from several institutions.
“I plan to study English at Stevenson University and become a writer. I am so excited for the future I see.”
~ Sofia, Fairhaven graduate
She credits Butler with helping her become brave enough to travel internationally, speak publicly, apply to college, and imagine a future that once felt overwhelming.
“Take the world a footstep at a time, and you can go anywhere.”
~ Sofia
Max and Sofia chose very different institutions, academic fields, and college experiences. That is precisely the point.
“We don’t do cookie-cutter education here; we see each student for who they are…and act as a bridge to their next adventure.”
~ Emma Rodwin, Upper School Director of Education
Butler Outcomes, Alumni Stories, and a Fairhaven First
When families ask, “What does a full Butler Montessori education lead to?” we think about more than transcripts and acceptance letters. We think about who students become along the way: young people who can manage their time, speak up when they need help, contribute to a community, and follow their curiosity with real effort.
This month, we’re sharing a few examples of those outcomes in action, including an exciting milestone for our Upper School (ages 12-18).
