<p>^^academically, SAS is right up there with the bigger names like Taft and Loomis, possibly minus the recruited athletes. Sometimes that might just be the right amount of challenge and competition that some 16-year-old kids truly need. I think the question here is more about less academically challenging schools (Avon Old Farms, T-Pawling, Pomfret, Gunnery, The Hill School) versus more competitive schools. </p>