LaMarre Jean grew up in Norristown with his mother and grandmother, two women he says are “very strong figures in his life.” His mother has worked hard to ensure his many gifts are nurtured through his educational setting.

While attending Center Square Montessori School in Blue Bell, he became friendly with a family whose son attended Church Farm School, and his mother signed him up for a tour.

“My mom and I were struck by how polite everyone was,” Jean said. “At other places, people didn’t even glance at you, but here, everyone said hello, asked if we needed anything. I was also really excited by the diversity. I was always used to being one of the only minorities.”

Although slightly reticent about attending an all-boys boarding school, it was Jean’s mom who ultimately sold him.

“She reminded me that I’d be living with all of my friends,” he said.

Jean matriculated to the school as an eighth-grader, and now, he says that “friends” isn’t even an apt term for his classmates.

“These are my brothers,” he said. “No matter what’s happening, my brothers have my back. We hold each other accountable.”

Another facet of the school Jean enjoys is the ability to try new things. He’s a member of the school Band, a class representative, Honor Council member, cottage prefect, Admission Tour Guide, Student Ambassador, member of the National Honor Society and the school’s Film Enthusiast Club, and a great athlete who enjoys all three seasons of track.

Interested in pursuing a communications degree in college, Jean says he tries to meet with the representative of as many universities as possible when they come to campus. This year, he’s already engaged with USC, Syracuse, and Georgetown.

“I’m inquisitive and I like to keep myself busy,” he said. “The school really encourages you to find your place in the community.”

Cyrus Guo, a member of CFS’s Class of 2018 who is currently in his freshman year at NYU-Shanghai, was raised by his Chinese mother in Exton. After finishing his tenure at Montgomery School, the Guos chose CFS for high school, and he matriculated in 2014 as a day student.

“I looked at many schools but just didn’t feel like everyone connected,” Guo said. “There was too much of a prep school feel. In high school, everyone wants stuff. Here, it felt different. It felt as though everyone was sharing an experience.

“I believe that education should prepare you for the real world, so the level of diversity here made sense to me. I am half-Chinese, and I identify more with the Asian part. Why? Something as basic as eating dinner! I’m well-versed in both cultures, but I just feel more comfortable in a Chinese setting. My three closest friends are from the Philippines, Korea, and India. I might never have met them at another school with less diversity.“When I enter the workforce, I have to know how to interact with people from around the world. You can’t teach diversity. You have to experience it.”

Interested rising ninth- through eleventh-graders can learn what the Church Farm School boarding and day school experience is like at its Nov. 9 Open House. Click here for online registration and more information about the school.

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