<p>I rarely see any actually. If they are around, they are a quiet and low key bunch. We see one or more enthusiastic parents from top tier schools such as Exeter, SPS, Deerfield, Hotchkiss and Choate. We hear from Thacher parent and Cate parent from time to time. And parents of some lower tier schools are even more enthusiastic in chanting for their schools. Though sometimes it leads to conflicts, it’s a good thing in general, which shows the parents love their kids’ schools. What’s up with Andover parents? This is a school with one of the lowest admit rates and highest yield for several years, and stella college placement records. From what we hear, the students LOVE their school. I am just curious. Does the school - like someone likes to say - “attract a certain type” of parents too?</p>
<p>Your question is oddly worded and makes little sense. As an Andover parent, who recently attended Parents Weekend, I can assure you that Andover parents are not inactive.</p>
<p>We’re just a quiet bunch, I guess. So what ‘certain type’ might we be? I’m very proud of my d, but I always try to be conscious of what I say as not to sound too boastful, etc. We are very thankful for the opportunity she’s been given.</p>
<p>Forgive me if I sounded dismissive a few mimutes ago, but I am trying to understand the context of your question – are you saying that Andover parents don’t cheer loudly at sporting events? Or did you mean we don’t seem enthusiastic about our children’s school?There is incredible diversity of students at Andover, so the parents are a diverse group as well.</p>
<p>redhead- I may be wrong but I believe the OP is referring to postings on this forum. For me, the hint was the mention of Thacher and Cate parents. Unless of course, the OP travels periodically to the west coast for sporting events. Who knows?</p>
<p>Sorry for the confusion. I did mean “on CC”. Thanks for reaponding. At least I now know whom I should PM if I have a question about Andover</p>
<p>Aaaaah – now I understand! The Cate reference threw me as well! Sorry!</p>
<p>As the parent of a boarder in her 3rd year at Andover, I occasionally post. If anyone wants one mom’s perspective, I am happy to give mine. Andover isn’t for everyone (nor does it try to be) but it is a fabulous school for my particular student and we are grateful that she has this opportunity.</p>
<p>No problem, redhead. My bad. lemondade, why is Andover not for everyone? Compared with other top schools (e.g. Exeter, SPS, Deerfield) if you have known them to some extent either through experience or on CC, what’s unique about Andover that makes it a great choice for some and not a good choice for others?</p>
<p>" Andover isn’t for everyone (nor does it try to be)…"</p>
<p>I think that statement could (and should) be said for every school out there.</p>
<p>^^That may be true - a case can be made about every school out there. On the other hand, I find it hard to find things that are truely unique and significant to one school instead of a group of schools. I’d like to hear the case on Andover from someone.</p>
<p>Certain schools do have “unique and significant” attributes. Of the Tier 1 schools, there’s Thacher’s horse program, which I understand is hugely important to its culture and history. Millbrook, an excellent Tier 2 school, has a fully accredited zoo. I’m sure that there are other Schools (not many probably) that have “unique and significant” characteristics that influence the kinds of kids and parents that are attracted.</p>
<p>what’s the one with the farm where every student participates to learn the value of hard work? Northfield Mount Hermon?</p>
<p>RGG: you might be thinking of Deep Springs in California. Really not your traditional BS but a very, very intriguing place. Very small applicant pool and selection process is somewhat secretive. All accepted students are given $50,000 scholarship to attend regardless of ability to pay. Bascially a 2 year program and then almost all students proceed to an IVY to complete education. I believe it is located on a ranch in the hills in CA.</p>
<p>Yes NMH has a farm. I believe all students must do one of their work assignments there. Other assignments are things like working in kitchen, washing dishes and emptying trash cans in the academic buildings. But everyone has to do something. Rather unique approach for a NE BS.</p>
<p><<other assignments=“” are=“” things=“” like=“” working=“” in=“” kitchen,=“” washing=“” dishes=“” and=“” emptying=“” trash=“” cans=“” the=“” academic=“” buildings.=“” but=“” everyone=“” has=“” to=“” do=“” something.=“” rather=“” unique=“” approach=“” for=“” a=“” ne=“” bs.=“”>></other></p>
<p>Groton and Holderness have similar requirements. I’m guessing others we didn’t visit do as well. Service to the school is probably more common than we might think.</p>
<p>Madaket, Deep Springs is a college, not a boarding school. [Deep</a> Springs College](<a href=“http://www.deepsprings.edu/about]Deep”>http://www.deepsprings.edu/about)</p>
<p>From our visits we felt that Holderness takes the work assignments much more seriously than Groton. Holderness is really quite a nice school, and seemingly overlooked in the CC blogs.</p>
<p>Putney in Vermont is another boarding school that has the farming element to it.</p>
<p>Getting back to the question posed about Andover:
I agree that it’s hard to pick out important unique features about these schools. For example, I think Andover and Exeter are more alike than different. I bet most applicants to one probably apply to the other also, and only the kids accepted to both have to choose.* And even then, I don’t believe that kids can really figure out the differences on a revisit (though they can get excited about one over the other) because it’s just too superficial an exposure. But it doesn’t matter, anyway, when one is choosing between excellent options. This is just my opinion based on going to Andover revisit day, versus what the reality turns out to be.</p>
<p>Here are some things I know about Andover that may be a little different:
- Andover has plenty of “Harkness style” teaching, but it does not adhere exclusively to the practice, so teachers have the flexibility to use other methods on a given day or for a given subject. That is different from Exeter and some other schools, but probably similar to most of the highly selective schools. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Andover attracts some very strong musicians through its own excellent and varied music program and through its proximity to Boston. Some of Andover’s top instrumentalists go to Boston on Saturdays to play in the New England Conservatory’s Youth Philarmonia Orchestra and in some cases take super-elite lessons to supplement what they get on campus. This is only relevant for extremely good musicians, but it enhances the music program overall to have such talent in the Andover orchestras and bands. Obviously, other schools without Sat classes near a major music city would also offer this opportunity, but I doubt you could do this from Exeter or Deerfield, for example. </p></li>
<li><p>Andover has two wonderful museums, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and the Addison Gallery of American Art. The Peabody doesn’t have very much on exhibit, but offers great educational opportunities (and students can do their work duty there, working with artifacts). The Addison offers both beautiful new exhibit space and is a great educational resource. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>My daughter started out very self-motivated, organized, and diligent. I have not worried about her getting pulled into substance abuse or other problem behavior even in an environment where there is a lot of independence. She always wants the bar set high academically, not because of college apps but because she wants to learn a lot. That’s a typical Andover attitude I see with her friends—not interpersonal competition, but a desire for a personal best. So that’s part of why it’s a good fit for her. I’m sure there are other ways it can be a fit for other kids. I’m equally sure that there are many other schools that she would be thriving at, getting an equivalently strong education.</p>