A formal dress code does not necessarily mean a school follows the English model. The English model includes referring to grades as “forms,” having “prefects,” etc.
There is a distinction between “Schools” and “Academies.” Exeter, Andover, Milton, Concord Academy, Tabor Academy, for example, are Academies. They are situated in the centers of towns. They are not isolated from the life of the town. Schools on the old English model are (usually) self-contained campuses some distance from town. Middlesex School, St. Paul’s School, Groton School, for example, all follow that pattern.
Avon Farms. Single sex, formal wear, mostly boarding.
If you are willing to look in the mid-Atlantic region, check out Hill (blazers), SAS (Gothic architecture), and Mercersburg (traditions, structure, spectacular chapel, prefects…and also great warmth - not in the British mold). Episcopal is also worth checking out; I just haven’t been there and don’t know much about it. They’re all pretty selective, but may fall within your desired range.
Looking at mid-Atlantic schools in addition to the NE schools is a good way to cast that wide net that many folks here encourage. Those are some really great schools that @twinsmama has suggested!
Hill is very traditional- formal dress code, seated meals, Saturday classes, chapel 2X week, prefects…
And a Google search for images of Hill’s dining hall will show you that “traditional” does exist outside of New England. For that matter, SAS has a wonderful old dining hall as well, albeit less formal. Mercersburg has seated meals, but the dining hall, although lovely, is new. The Hogwarts-worthy former dining hall (the Edwards Room) is used for special events.
I feel like Westminster in Simsbury is a good fit if you want forms, prefects, a headmaster, sit down dinners (which I heard is actually being changed to sit down lunches) and a quaint New England campus. The school is located on a hill in a quiet town. Oh, and a formal dress code.
I agree about Westminster. I have friends who have attended and have a nephew starting next year. As a relatively small school in the Founder’s League, they consistently field sports teams that favorably compete against larger schools too. That said, 30% are day students so the boarding population is on the small side.
I agree with @Charger78 and @twinsmama.
St. Andrew’s School is very traditional (in school atmosphere, dress code, architecture, etc.), and is tucked away in a large, secluded lake campus in a mostly rural area.
It has a very small, 100% boarding community, and emphasizes human interaction and connections while deemphasizing test scores, GPAs, and college admissions.
Meanwhile, for such as small school, the student body comes from a whole range of places (I’m from California myself). Voluntary community service is very common.
If you want a traditional, small school with a tight-knit community in the mid-Atlantic region, St. Andrew’s is a school that you should seriously consider.