can someone kindly advise on these schools?
looking for strong academics, strong studio art, good sports (tennis), good school spirirt, competitive but not cutthroat, walkable town (no so so rural), has nyc kids (where we live) but also a mix. thank you!
Hi:
Why did you pick these schools? Where else are you looking? While great schools, all different. Hotchkiss does not have a walkable town. Have you researched them? I think the requirements are a bit basic. They will all have NY kids (as NY is a big east coast BS feeder). They are all national and international so you will have a mix of other students. Most have strong tennis and arts. I think being a bit more specific and thoughtful in your questions will yield better insights. What is your students background/more deeply looking for? Why does your student want to go to BS? What are they hoping to experience/accomplish? What size schools? Your current questions are basic web search questions. Regarding the cut throat piece: For sure some schools are more intense than others and it is more prevalent at the top schools. We found the kids at both Hotchkiss and Choate to be very nice (but someone there can answer better). We did not look at Kent.
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Thank you for your reply. We just started our BS search, and decided to apply a bit late in the game in addition to a few NYC privates. We are an internation family (husband is european) and lived in europe until the kids were in 4th grade–so they both speak another language fluently having gone to local private schools over there (not international schools), we go back and forth often. Kid #1 is interested in BS–but wants to stay closer to home and have options to come home on weekends (safety net). She is smart, social, into fine arts and some sports. Laid back, but competitive academically-likes to be challenged. Well rounded, likes some structure. Wants mid-big size (more option for friend groups).
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DS is not the super outdoors, nature-y type (lets go on a hike)–ie: deerfield while an awesome top school–wouldnt be the right fit.
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Of those 3, CRH sounds the closest to what you’re looking for. You might also want to take a look at schools on the “other” train line – Peddie, Lawrenceville and George. Even the latter, with 550 in its student body, offers students plenty of friend choice.
Your best bet, really, is to sign up for a tour and interview. Yes, you can dig more on other details , but the feel of each place will either work or it won’t and odds are, you’ll know pretty quickly if you have found a good option.
In terms of competitive environment, all these schools (including the ones mentioned above) have lots of high-achieving students. Some have environments where some kids will experience that in a way that feels competitive while others may strive to focus more on finding their own path and being their best at that.
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Thank you so much!!
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I don’t know if you are still looking for a BS, but we also live in NYC and our DS is at Hotchkiss. He loves it … we love it. We are there almost every other weekend for a game or just to take him out to dinner (there are several good restaurants nearby). You mentioned studio art, and the studio art program at Hotchkiss is phenomenal. Have you seen their art studios? Just gorgeous.
The campus is beautiful and there is a town close by that the school has shuttles to on the weekends. There’s lots to do on campus on the weekends, including sports, social events, and some winter weekend ski trips to Butternut, etc., so our son doesn’t really want to come home until the longer breaks-- of which there are quite a few in boarding school. There are lots of NYC kids at Hotchkiss so there are buses straight from campus to NYC, and back, for the breaks.
The academics are serious but not crushing. It also the perfect size as far as I’m concerned, not too big, and not too small. The teachers he’d had are so enthusiastic and caring. I know I’m gushing a bit, but we really love it.
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Interesting mix of schools…but Choate and Hotchkiss are a little more competitive in admissions so that often translates to the type of accepted students they take. Our Hotchkiss student can attest that academics are rigorous and kids are competitive about grades, college admissions, etc. but wouldn’t describe it at “cut throat”. They say lots of NYC and CT suburb kids head home on the weekends even after Saturday classes and games if they’re early enough or away games that are closer to home. Kids can walk to a local restaurant or two but to get to the closest towns, which are charming, requires a ride on the shuttles. There’s also a commuter train into the city that’s about 15 min away. A faculty member or car service can provide a ride. But overall with Hotchkiss being basically all boarding and with Saturday classes you have more kids there on weekends versus some other schools than can be ghost towns on weekends, which isn’t fun if you’re someone who is there most weekends. Good luck in finding the best fit!
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This is a very good summary. I would also add the Hotchkiss Sunday shuttle to Millerton leaves frequently, which is a walkable town 4 miles away with some good dining, cafes, bakery/sweets, Harney’s Tea, and a fun movie theatre. It helps keep kids sane on weekends.
So many affluent “city-folk” have moved to the Lakeville area that the invisible hand of capitalism has duly responded. The dining options are not voluminous but are surprisingly good within 1/2 mile to a mile of campus - lots of kids bike and walk to them. Sandwich cafe, pizza shop, and five mid to higher-end restaurants.
Those with bikes will also head to Salisbury 3 miles from campus on the rail trail for cafes, a bakery, restaurants, and LaBonne’s, a nice grocery store.
Kent is a beautiful spot and the town is so close to campus, but the offerings are few in number. Quite a few NYC kids. Both Kent and Hotchkiss have Saturday classes, but not every week.
Choate is obviously smack dab in the middle of Wallingford, with numerous cafes/sandwich shops, pizza places, and restaurants within easy walking distance. The quality of some of these offerings can be disappointingly variable IMO, but they are accessible and kids don’t care nearly as much as visiting parents:) No Saturday classes makes it easier to go home if there are no weekend commitments. Nearby train station to get to NYC. It’s a very global school, but still lots of NYC kids if that is something you are looking for.
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