What are some traditional ("formal dress code, quaint campus, etc) that aren’t super competitive (20 acceptance rate minimum) in the US that are similar to British boarding schools?
Try this as a starting point: http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/boarding-school-search-tool You might be able to add admit rate as a search criterion.
How about Berkshire and Pomfret?
I already knew Berkshire, but I had never heard of Pomfret. It’s a beautiful school and exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
Panpacific, that helped a lot, thank you!
Brooks School in North Andover is pretty traditional–still has regular Saturday classes and is affiliated with the Episcopal Church (US version of the UK’s Anglican Church). Quite a bit easier to get into that its big brother, Groton.
I recommend Loomis Chaffee. It has a formal dress code, old-style yet gorgeous buildings, and many other traditional elements.
The Gunnery in Washington, CT still has formal dress code. School was founded in 1850. One of the campus buildings - “Bourne” is an old mansion with admissions on the first floor and dorms on the second and third floors.
St. Mark’s in Southborough, MA, has a lovely campus. It began on the model of the British boarding schools, as did the other members of “St. Grottlesex.” http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/blog/the-st-grottlesex-schools
Having said that, all the St. Grottlesex schools are now coed; they orient themselves to American college admissions criteria, although I think from all the schools some students apply to schools in England, Canada and Europe.
I’m a longtime advocate here for St. Andrew’s School in Delaware, with first kid of two graduating this week. And couldn’t be happier with the experience.
SAS meets what you seem to want in those general ways, but consider these especially:
– small community of 300 all boarding; different from Groton and St. Paul’s in both small and large ways, including
– a very mid-Atlantic culture, as opposed to traditional New England, unusually influenced by the Head of School,
but with geographical diversity
– acceptance rate hovers in the mid to high 20%, median SSAT of about 83%
– as seen in Robin Williams’ “The Dead Poets Society”, filmed on campus, along with a few episodes of TV show “West Wing”
– progressive Episcopalian; emphasis on balance, healthy living and relationships; civic engagement
Portsmouth Abbey School fits your initial request.
In New England, I think it’s harder to identify the schools that are not “traditional” but I’ll throw in a vote for Kent. Formal academic dress is required as are Saturday classes. It is affiliated with the Episcopal church (but is not oppressively religious). It has a large rural campus (1200 acres) near a quaint and easily walkable town. At 560ish students with few day students, it is larger than many of the above referenced schools but small enough to instill a sense of community. It offers high academic rigor for students who seek it and support for those who have weak areas. With regard to athletics, it is a solid competitor within the already highly competitive Founder’s League. Crew is a stand out sport and it is one of a few schools that offers an equestrian team. It is a great place for bright well-rounded student athletes who might benefit from some structure in their learning environment. Full disclosure: I’m an alum and parent.
Pingree in south Hamilton MA
Note to OP: Pingree is a day school only.
Westminster School in Simsbury, CT. Formal dress, Saturday classes, required Chapel (although non-denominational), formal sit down dinners, etc. Also, beautiful and friendly.
All of the above are “traditional” but some have a higher percentage of day students which can change the school culture a bit.
The Gunnery has actually just made major changes to their dress code, which was quite formal… Not surprisingly, it was a student-driven process!
That’s too bad! Is it still considered formal though (Blazers, ties, etc)?
It is funny… some students rebel against a formal dress code, and others totally embrace it. There doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. If only they all wore uniforms (like the UK), parents could save quite a bit of money! LOL
As I understand it, Gunnery girls can wear dresses now, not just skirts or pants… and the girls no longer have to wear the blazers. Boys can now wear pants, ties, shirts, blazers in different colors…