Future Hotchkiss '24 student here!
I didn’t get the chance to visit the school, so my impressions are based on my interactions with people affiliated with Hotchkiss and my experiences during the application process.
A) The campus. Hotchkiss has to have one of the most gorgeous campuses of any boarding school I looked at. Admittedly the remote location of the school was a bit off-putting, but realistically, with a busy school schedule, there probably isn’t much time to venture off campus anyways.
b) The community. Out of the schools I applied to, Hotchkiss seemed to have the friendliest and most inclusive community. I’ve heard horror stories about bullying, etc. at most ‘top’ boarding schools, and Hotchkiss seemed to be one of the few that didn’t have a story like that.
C) Interactions. I had my interview off-campus at a TSAO event, and my parents and I easily agreed that the best ao (out of the six we met) was the one from HK. It also ended up being my best interview! I emailed various faculty members (coaches, teachers, aos), and I always got a super friendly response within two days, even at the most busy times in the application cycle. I also talked to various HK students on social media, and I got really genuine and kind responses from all of them.
My overall impression of Hotchkiss:
It seems to have the friendliest community of any school, and I’ve yet to hear of any shocking scandals or horror stories surrounding the institution (which was very surprising). The only cons I’ve personally seen are 1) its remote location and 2) its comparatively strict rules-- both of which seem to be rather minuscule.
@cinnamon1212 hi! I would love to ask you some questions through PM but unfortunately, I’ve just reached 15 replies and cc isn’t allowing me to request a PM… I would really appreciate it if you could chat me through PM so that I can chat with you in private! I was accepted as a prep for the class of 2024 and I have a few questions… Thanks!!
Our personal experience/perspective:
When we visited the first time, there were no students. We were wowed by the facilities (especially for fine arts). DS really couldn’t get a good feel for the school vibe. When we went back for our second visit, it was just after the Oklahoma shootings (which we had no clue about because we hadn’t turned on a TV and there’s no cell reception out there). So, they were holding an all-school assembly to address the reaction of that tragedy. We only were able to interact with faculty, once again. DS seemed to like it a bit better than the first visit, but was more wooed by the facilities and beautiful campus than anything else.
The third visit, with DD was our first visit with kids on campus in a normal school day setting. No one would meet our eye, despite staring us down as we walked the length of the long hallways, no smiles or hellos. It was very uncomfortable, to say the least, and it definitely was a 180 from the community atmosphere we were accustomed to. I liken it to @CaliMex ’s gardener/janitor story. DD immediately decided she did not want to apply
First year Hotchkiss family here. We could not be happier with our DC’s first year (or first two-thirds of a year) in Lakeville, but more importantly, DC has loved his prep year experience so far, making lots of great friends, thriving academically, and being positively challenged in so many ways.
We like the size of Hotchkiss, not too big, not too small, and DC feels it was the right call to have turned down a much larger peer school. We have found the kids to be friendly, polite and supportive of each other - this is obvious to us when we attend athletic and family events. Amazing faculty and academics, and intelligent and mature peers that allow for great classroom discussions and experiences, We have also been impressed with the prep year Dean and our DC’s faculty advisor, in terms of their dedication to the well-being of the students. It’s not a sink or swim environment.
The Head of School Craig Bradley and administration seem truly committed to fostering a warm and caring community, “where each student is seen, heard and valued”. We have had numerous opportunities to talk to Craig and have been most impressed with his leadership and commitment to the Hotchkiss community.
I agree with @TFPcourt 's comments. Our DC also has had amazing first (prep) year experience at Hotchkiss. The kids are friendly and amazingly supportive of each other. The school faculty and other members of staff provide fantastic guidance and support to kids, and ensure their well being.
Mr Bradley is an outstanding leader, and it reflects in the overall positive culture at the school. He is very approachable and down to earth. When you talk to him, you know for sure he is authentic and genuinely cares about each and every student of the school. He is not only concerned about the education but also about the softer traits kids are inheriting. We were impressed with his leadership style during the Revisit Day, and each meeting with him since then has only increased our respect for him and for the school. Even with the demands on his time, he will make time for you (Btw, after the first meeting, he will most likely remember your name)
“Guided by each other, let us seek better paths.” is the school’s mission (and this is reminded to kids and their parents quite often), and the school itself strives hard to ensure that everyone in the community lives by this statement as they conduct their activities on daily basis. We could not be more proud to be part of Hotchkiss family.
Mr Bradley sounds great. How long has he been there?
Politely disagree that this significantly affects ability to recruit and retain faculty. There are a lot of faculty kids at Hotchkiss and a significant admission advantage exists and is well known. However, an academically rigorous school such as Hotchkiss is not a good fit for every faculty kid, so unclear how effective a “guarantee” is. Faculty have confidence if there is a mutual fit then it will work out, but they certainly don’t want a poor fit for their child.
I would add that Hotchkiss faculty was among the most impressive and wonderful that we experienced in our revisits (virtual) this year. While my DD ended up choosing a different school, the faculty was a huge plus for us at HK, so whatever they are doing, they are doing something right in my (limited) opinion.
Most schools don’t guarantee admission to faculty kids. But if the kids are qualified, they tend to admit them.
A handful of schools simply agree to pay tuition at any BS faculty kids choose to attend - and it is quite common for the kids to go someplace other than where the parents teach. A lesson in choosing fit first from families who live it day in and day out!
I tend to agree, don’t think that many of the most selective schools have the ability to “guarantee” anyone acceptance whether that be the child of a trustee, major donor or faculty member. I don’t see that as a major detriment to recruiting talent given the numerous educational options they can provide as detailed above.
To that point, when my spouse was in boarding school they were friendly with one of the senior administrator’s sons who was in their class. It was apparently quite a lively discussion in their friend group when the younger twin siblings applied and one child was accepted while her twin was not and he ultimately had to stay at the local high school and then repeat a grade in order to ultimately get in.
When we visited SAS, the child of a BS head of school was touring the campus as SAS was the only school their HOS parent would let them attend, other than their own school.