The following is a sampling of unsolicited comments we have received from students and their parents, as well as from schools, fellow educational consultants, family counselors and therapists. To preserve the confidentiality of our process, we have omitted actual names.
Scroll over each item to see the quote.
She is just a super person, having that rare blend of total integrity with insight and compassion, as well as complete follow-up and fine sense of humor. She truly has each child's well-being at heart and beyond grasping the 'on the page' qualifications a child presents, she is gifted at 'getting the gist of what is underneath' and how a school and a specific child most likely will match. I would recommend her highly should you want further input into the educational choices you, (wife's name) and your children will be making.”
Bar, thank you for taking the time to call our friends. We had dinner with them last night. It was emotional for all of us, but I think they have a feel for how these special needs programs work. We couldn't say enough wonderful things about you, your expertise and knowledge about your field and what you do. You were an amazing link for us through such a difficult time and you still are through this next phase of our journey. I appreciate all that you do and have done – and will continue to do, to see us through this part of our family's journey.”
Cammie, we feel our son's experience at (secondary boarding school) was entirely different, and far richer, than it would have been had we first not let our son "grow up," literally and figuratively, at junior boarding school. We really can't thank you enough for the advice that first took us to (the junior boarding school).”
You have to know how thrilled we are with (our daughter’s) results this spring and all the help you provided. She absolutely LOVES (school name). I always remember that you thought it was such a great school for her – and that I was reluctant to have her that far away. But it is definitely worth the trip! I suspect we will be calling you in a few years about (our younger daughter).”
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can’t believe the changes in our family since we first talked in May. For the first time in a long time our boys are excited about school. They are so proud of their decisions. It’s unbelievable how mature they have been through the entire process.
It has been such a pleasure working with you. We are so appreciative of your kind support and professional guidance. The whole process was a wonderful experience – and we are very excited about the great opportunities that lie ahead for our boys.”
I was totally overwhelmed going into the boarding school process. Holly’s thoughtful and methodical approach was such a relief. I was thrilled with the outcome. My daughter is blissful at her new school!”
I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the expertise and support of Bar Clarke. We have been working with Bar since March 2005, during some of the most difficult months of our lives. We’ve had to make major, life-changing decisions for our family – to send our son to a therapeutic wilderness program and then to a boarding school. The stress and emotional turmoil have been great, but working with Bar made the whole process much easier to bear.
While Bar never told us what to do, he was always available to answer questions and give input about how things could be done. He has a lot of insight into the process from all angles, even transportation issues. He is knowledgeable about wilderness programs and boarding schools and is connected to their staff. He knows parents, too. And he cares about the children. (Our son) still talks about Bar.
We’ve been dealing with family issues for over three years now. It has been a difficult and, at times, a heartbreaking process. This is the first time I have felt like I am working with people (Bar, the wilderness program and the boarding school) that understand our situation and can help us through this. I am grateful to have found Bar and our new school.”
Cammie Bertram is the educational consultant I mentioned to you. Cammie is extraordinary in every way.”
You are incredible! (Our son) feels he has a true friend and someone who genuinely cares and appreciates him. I just wanted to thank you for all of your support, advice and enthusiasm during this whole boarding school application process. Naturally, (our son) is over the moon with excitement about (school name). The re-visit was fantastic for him and he’s ready to go tomorrow. Thank you for everything, from lending an ear to your professional advice. You’re great! We hope to see you again soon.”
We so appreciated all of the time you spent with us this afternoon. You make us feel we are in such good hands! Thank you for your time, energy, interest and expertise.”
As I look back on the process now, I realize ‘the right thing’ happened. We looked at the right schools, (our daughter) applied to the right schools and she handled the process with aplomb. We feel great about everything and are grateful to you for leading us, coaching us, listening to us – and caring.”
Thank you doesn't even begin to come close to the appreciation I feel for your continuing efforts on our behalf. Bar, we have placed our trust in you to help us select the appropriate school for (our daughter) and you have made the process more manageable. I believe that (school name) offers an environment in which (our daughter) can learn to master the skills necessary to succeed in college and in life. ”
Hi Cammie. I just wanted to thank you for all your help in (our son’s) application process and tell you that you have done an amazing job! You are such a pleasure to work with. Thanks again!”
How can we thank you enough? This match exceeded our expectations. (Our daughter) is ecstatically happy – and so are we! I don’t think we could ever have found (boarding school name) on our own, or succeeded in getting (our daughter) in, and so very promptly!”
Cammie, you have been such an important influence on our kid’s life plan. You are special to our family.”
Hi, Cammie! (Son #1) is graduating in June and is in absolutely great form. He was accepted to four colleges and has decided to go to ___, which we feel is perfect for him. We will always be grateful to you for steering us in the right direction! Besides wanting to thank you and tell you how well the boys are doing, we are looking for someone JUST LIKE YOU (impossible; you are one of a kind!) to recommend day schools here. If you ever have another family considering (#1's son's school), please feel free to pass on my name and contact information.”
Holly, thank you for all that you have done for us. You were there when we needed you most last year with our eldest daughter and this latest experience has been so interesting. Your identification of (school) was so insightful. I still remember our dinner when you turned to our daughter and said: "I really want you to look at (school). This is why you are so good at what you do. ”
Audrey, thanks so much for your help. I probably knew 70% of the things you told (our son), but he could not have heard it from me. You developed a rapport with him that many adults are unable to. I think the work that you did paving the way at (school) was a big help to his application. By the way, after he had about three inches of brown roots on his purple hair, he chopped his hair off short and dyed it black. No visible piercings or tattoos, yet!”
It is this week that I focus on all of our gifts in the past year. You are one of them. Our greatest thanks for changing our lives. (Our son) has a new pride in himself, new friends and a sense of accomplishment.”
Thank you once again for your help. Your advice was crucial in validating our decision to send (our daughter) to (boarding school) and we’re pleased that it has worked out.”
We truly appreciate all that you did for us and the children. I know it is a lot of work to bring all of these things together and we greatly appreciate your wise counsel and patience as we explored alternatives and marched through the discovery and decision process. You were brilliant and understood all the subtleties and challenges we needed to work through. We could not be more thrilled with where we have ended up. Thank you for all your help, Audrey.”
Cammie, we would like to express our gratitude for your help with getting our boys into (boarding school)… and pro bono to boot! Please feel free to use any or all of the following comments as you may see fit:
Without the highly professional, and possibly more important, highly personal attention given to our kids, they would not have both been accepted at the school of our choice. The time spent getting to know our boys, to assess their needs as well as the academic possibilities, has proven invaluable. There is no question that without your assistance we would not have known about this great school, and there is even less question that without your influence, and the esteem in which you are held within the private school community, our application for two students at once would not have been greeted with such acceptance. We thank you for your professional skill, and we bless you for the gift you have given our boys and our whole family.”