What is life at Loomis Chaffee like?

[2028apply]

Hey guys! I was recently admitted to Loomis as an incoming freshman next year, and have a few questions. I unfortunately wasn’t able to tour in the fall, but will be attending the revisit day. I am curious about what to expect when I visit, especially because I will have to make the decision soon after my visit. I want to learn as much as possible before my visit so I can focus on how I feel while i’m there, and also I was admitted to Taft and Lawrenceville, so I need to decide between the three. Here are some of my questions, feel free to offer share random thoughts, feelings, etc!

1. what is the riding program like, I have been riding for a few years, and I would say I am good but I don’t have my own horse or compete in national comps. Would riding be something available to me? I’m not insanely motivated to continue, but would be interested. Also would this be instead of other sports like soccer?
2. What are the majority of the teachers like? (strict, old-school, modern, young, old, etc) and do students often build close bonds with them?
3. Is Loomis a school that people seem to be proud to attend?
4. What are the weekends like, do they clear out because of the large day population? Are there fun things to do on the weekends?
5. While this isn’t super important to me, in your opinion, is Loomis viewed as a very 2nd tier school, especially to colleges? Are there any major differences between Loomis and GLADCHEMMS schools?
6. What are friend-groups like here? Are they defined, or more loose? What are many of them based on? Ex: ethnicity, sports, clubs, dorms, appearance, etc
7. Is there a lot of grade deflation? are teachers tough graders?

sorry for the long post, thank you in advance for your information. Feel free to answer as many or as few questions as you would like- or none!

[amg2007]

First of all, congratulations! All three schools are amazing!

I can personally vouch for Loomis and Lawrenceville, as I’m familiar with them—my kids attend Loomis, and my nephew goes to Lawrenceville.

Equestrian Program
I’m not very familiar with riding since no one in my family participates, but my child mentioned that at Loomis, some of her friends ride and compete both within and outside the school. You can rent a horse or take lessons if you don’t have your own—that’s her understanding, but I recommend emailing the admissions office for specific details.

Sports at Loomis vs. Lawrenceville
Would equestrian replace another sport like soccer? If so, just know that Loomis has a very strong soccer program, while Lawrenceville isn’t as competitive in that area. Loomis excels in several sports, including soccer, hockey, and cross country. If you love soccer, you’ll really enjoy the team there.

Teachers & Student-Teacher Relationships
According to my child (and from what I’ve observed), the teachers at Loomis are excellent in all aspects. They are strict but understanding, kind, and always willing to help outside of class. There’s a diverse mix—some are highly experienced, while others are younger and more modern in their teaching style. Regardless of background, what stands out is their passion for their subjects and their dedication to their students. Unfortunately, I can’t speak as much about Lawrenceville in this regard.

School Pride & College Reputation
Yes, Loomis is a school that students take pride in attending. Regarding college admissions, I’m not sure what you mean by “second-tier,” but Loomis is ranked in the top 10, and its college counseling program is excellent.

Weekend Life
There are always activities happening on weekends. In addition to school-organized events through student organizations, Loomis students can walk into Windsor Locks, where they often go for coffee, dinner, or other outings with friends.

Loomis vs. Other GLADCHEMMS Schools
Loomis has a very friendly and close-knit atmosphere. Lawrenceville also has a strong sense of community. I’ve heard that Taft can be more elitist or snobbish, but I don’t have firsthand experience.

Friend Groups
Social groups at Loomis are pretty fluid. While some friendships form around sports, clubs, dorms, or shared interests, there isn’t a rigid divide based on ethnicity or appearance.

Academics & Grading
Loomis has high academic standards, but I wouldn’t say there’s severe grade deflation. Teachers expect a lot from students, but they are fair and provide support when needed.

My Tip
Go to opening/revisit days and choose the school that feels like the best fit for you! My kids attended revisit days at both Loomis and Deerfield and preferred Loomis—it was more their vibe, and they weren’t mistaken. Trust your instincts!

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

[CarnegieDad]

All comments from @amg2007 were spot on. I will concur that, while Loomis is not part of the GLADCHEMMS acronym (whoever invented it in the first place), it is very well respected among college admission officers. Windsor is a real town with access to trains (right at the edge of campus), so teacher retention is pretty good.

While both Loomis and L’ville are similar in size and the day student ratio, academics at L’ville will be a lot more intense, as many NJ families have high expectations of their children, while their counterparts around Hartford tend to be more relaxed. You should revisit both and decide which one is a better fit for you. If you are concerned with academics, definitely ask about course selections, special programs, incoming SSAT percentiles and outgoing ACT/SAT scores.

I would also echo @amg2007 's comments regarding Taft. They have lots of kids from Litchfield and Fairfield Counties, most of whom often act entitled and snobbish. It is not worth your time if you already have Loomis and L’ville on hand. Whichever school you end up attending, I wish you best of luck in your high school career.

[2028apply]

Thank you and CarnegieDad (I don’t know how to @ people) so much for the thoughtful advice and information. I truly learned a lot by reading your replies. I will let you know if any other questions come to mind!

[Prepx3]

Hello and congrats on your acceptance to such great schools!

Both of my kids went to Loomis Chaffee, and I think @amg2007 covered student life very well.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about the school, and especially the riding program as both my daughter and son had friends on the team.