<p>I wanted a prep school which has the following:
<p>What part of the country?</p>
<p>Choate/St Pauls/Deerfield/Hotchkiss…</p>
<p>Ruby_x3: I second that:)</p>
<p>All excellent schools for RakG list of req.</p>
<p>St Andrew’s in Delaware definitely fits that description.</p>
<p>I think of both Deerfield and Hotchkiss as pretty jock-y schools. But they are also excellent schools in all areas (academic, music, etc.)</p>
<p>I think NMH and Lawrenceville fit that criteria as well</p>
<p>Isn’t NMH like a sports school more then anything?</p>
<p>Absolutely not. I wish they were a bit stronger in their sports, actually. Seems like they don’t always recruit as well as other schools, but I guess that is because they tend to get fewer apps than some of the more popular schools. They are a good “all-around” school. The academics are rigorous, it is a moderately-sized (650-ish and that seems small to me) close-knit community, excellence in and commitment to developing whatever your strengths are: the arts, athletics, community service, leadership, etc.</p>
<p>The Hun School of Princeton kinda fits this… except it’s not all that great academically… I mean it’s pretty decent but it’s not in the same tier as some of the other schools mentioned.</p>
<p>Thanks for all ur replies!!!</p>
<p>I was looking for a school thats small and has a LAC type feel - some of the ones mentioned are way too big. But academics should also be very very rigourous and having an open, intellectual environment is an important criteria.</p>
<p>Thacher in Ojai, CA…[The</a> Thacher School](<a href=“http://www.thacher.org%5DThe”>http://www.thacher.org)</p>
<p>If you want Liberal arts college feel then Exeter or Andover because they are really like small liberal arts college with extremely rigorous academics and very intellectual but you say you feel some of the schools mentioned above are too big. Well Exeter and Andover are considered the big prep schools with 1000 students whereas Deerfield/St Pauls and the ones mentioned are around 500-600 which imo is pretty small and community is tight knit. However there are plenty of other great prep schools in par with the HADES, I’d say Middlesex is one.</p>
<p>Milton…</p>
<p>The the reason for a small school is simply that over they tend to have an excellent support system and close-knit communities where everyone knows everyone, if large schools have this then I am fine with them. For me a good number would be about 500 students.</p>
<p>Other things I am looking for are places where one’s social life isn’t dependent on the number of sports teams one is in…</p>
<p>What about Groton…I don’t have any personal experience, but I believe it is supposed to be quite rigorous and it is very small.</p>
<p>RakG,</p>
<p>It sounds like you’re looking for a school like Cate. See - [CATE</a> SCHOOL](<a href=“http://www.Cate.org%5DCATE”>http://www.Cate.org). The school has a little less than 300 students, 80+% of which are boarding. My son looked at several schools, applied to a few, and ultimately chose Cate over two highly regarded east coast preps (HADES and MAPL schools). Our entire family has been delighted with his choice. The whole place has such a positive vibe (and the location isn’t too shabby either!!). </p>
<p>Thacher is another school you might want to consider if you decide to visit Cate. It’s only a short 30 minute drive away. Thacher shares a lot of similarities with Cate although each school has a distinctly different culture. It’s important to take your time and select the school that’s right for you. Good luck.</p>
<p>CP</p>
<p>This is copied/pasted from the Cate website:</p>
<p>The goal of the Cate curriculum is to teach students to think and to develop in them a lifelong love of learning. Taught by faculty members who are passionate about their subjects and dedicated to helping each student reach his or her full potential, the coursework at Cate is at once rigorous and engaging. </p>
<p>There are seven academic departments – the Arts, English, Foreign Language, History, Human Development, Mathematics and Science-and the range of course offerings is extensive. The departments share a commitment to teaching students to think critically, to organize and analyze information, to express themselves confidently both orally and in written work, to listen and observe with acuity and to nurture their innate curiosity and creativity. </p>
<p>In the ninth and tenth grades, students take many of the same required courses together. These courses are designed to help students build a strong foundation in their basic skills and to allow them to get a sense of their own strengths and interests. From there, eleventh- and twelfth-graders can choose from a variety of electives, including numerous honors and Advanced Placement courses, as well as individually-designed research and directed studies projects. </p>
<p>Class size at Cate typically averages twelve students, with a range from six to fifteen. Class discussions extend well beyond the confines of the schoolroom, and there are opportunities throughout the day and evening to meet one-on-one with teachers. Students see their teachers every day and are in contact with them constantly-in the dorms, on the fields and in the dining hall. At Cate, learning happens across the campus and around the clock.</p>
<p>Are you open to local day schools? I think many day schools would fit what you are looking for.</p>
<p>MILTON (:
10char</p>
<p>loomis ftw.</p>