In reading posts on this site, I have been able to find plenty of discussion on Canadian and US prep schools but nothing that compares schools in both countries. Our DS is a hockey player and strong student, and our top ranked schools include (in no particular order): Choate, Taft, Kent, Frederick Gunn, Groton, Upper Canada College and Ridley. Based on our research and visits, they all seem like great options, albeit different. Are there other families deciding between Canadian and US options that have insights to share?
I think @Canuckdad has a hockey player that went to prep school and is familiar with both countries. Hopefully he will chime in!
More than happy to help. My son’s options were limited because he went through the application process during Covid (could not visit schools- etc…). He had strong grades, good hockey player as well. We looked at pretty much all the schools you named. I’ll start with the Canadian ones. UCC and Ridley are excellent academically. They do compete in a high end prep league. My son had friends who went to UCC. If your son is looking to play collegiate hockey, be prepared to have to play Junior after graduation. UCC and Ridley do not get the same hockey exposure as a US prep school would for Junior levels. The issue with UCC and Ridley is how much traveling is involved and commitment for hockey. Their top teams all have to go south the play quite often. Also, in UCC case, most students are local. for borders on weekends, it can get a little isolating.
On the US side. Choate and Groton are far less competitive than Taft, Kent and Gunn on the hockey side. Taft, Kent and Gunn will have rosters with D1 commits and elite level players. Choate and Groton, however, are outstanding on the academic side.
Without taking into account finances, it depends on your child’s goals post-high school. If hockey is in the future, they will get more exposure in the US. But, here is the key caveat, playing time. You can be at a top hockey school, and still get little looks if you are not playing much. Hope this helps. My son right now is applying to university after a year of junior hockey… His grades have opened up the doors to many universities through merit scholarships. So above all else, grades are the secret sauce.
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@Canuckdad has great insights into this process for hockey.
The Canadian schools will have a lot of travel.
If you want yours to play US college hockey, consider that recruiting coaches don’t care how rigorous the boarding school is. They care about talent, size, speed, and good enough grades/scores. A 3.6 at Avon Old Farms will be about as good as a 3.6 at Choate.
Groton has an intense workload, which can be tough for hockey players who travel/practice a lot.
Avon Old Farms and Salisbury are very good on the ice, and also have excellent teaching faculties. The student peer group will be a notch below Choate, Kent, and Groton academically. That actually can be a good thing for grades/recruitment.
Would also possibly take a look at Westminster and Loomis.
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Thanks for these insights which confirm much of our thinking. So much to consider!