Phillips Andover/Choate/Lawrenceville vs Episcopal High School?

[Anonymous]

My son is a recruited athlete at Andover, Choate, Lawrenceville, and St. Paul's. However, I've heard these schools are all huge pressure cookers, and I want my son to have a balanced high school experience. Does anyone have experience with Episcopal? I've heard the academics and campus culture are really relaxed.

What are your opinions of these schools?

[Anonymous]

Post on College Confidential under Prep Schools. You’ll have a broader reach and most accurate feedback.

[Anonymous]

Take a look at st andrews in delaware

[Anonymous]

My kids and nephews/nieces all attended boarding schools.

Andover/Choate/Lawrenceville are very different than St. Paul's. The former schools are large and high-pressure. St. Paul's is also academically intense, but the smaller, tight-knit size provides for a more forgiving atmosphere.

Your kid will have to be driven and focused to do well at any of these schools.

Episcopal High School is more academically similar to a strong public school. The kind of student that would graduate in the 4th decile of Andover would probably be in the top decile of EHS.

EHS is much less academically-driven than the elite New England schools. There are pockets of EHS kids that would fit in at Andover/Lawrenceville-type schools, but they are a minority of the campus. I think EHS is still SSAT optional and most kids were admitted without the SSAT.

EHS kids are all over Alexandria and DC during the weekends. Unlike many New England prep schools, EHS has no Saturday classes. A wealthy, non-academic student body combined with access to a major city means there is a LOT of flashiness and social hierarchy around campus.

Personally, I'd take EHS off the list. If you're sending your kid to boarding school, send him to a top one. Lawrenceville or Choate would be my choices because of proximity to DC.

[Anonymous]

I swear this exact question was asked a few months ago.

[Anonymous]

I agree with earlier poster, as shown by this person below who sent a long answer and has absolutely no idea what they are talking about. Episcopal does require SSATs (for just as many years as the other schools listed), most of these schools do not have Saturday classes (only St. Andrews), and it is not equivalent to a public school. People on this board have no experience with boarding schools. There is nothing wrong with preferring the environment of Episcopal. It is a strong sports school (unlike St. Andrews) with a very good educational model -- small class sizes, Harkness method, many many AP classes, and very high quality of teacher due to their model of providing housing in the DMV to their teachers (over 70% live in houses on campus). Visit the schools and ignore people who literally write things they have no idea what they are talking about.

Anonymous wrote:My kids and nephews/nieces all attended boarding schools.

Andover/Choate/Lawrenceville are very different than St. Paul's. The former schools are large and high-pressure. St. Paul's is also academically intense, but the smaller, tight-knit size provides for a more forgiving atmosphere.

Your kid will have to be driven and focused to do well at any of these schools.

Episcopal High School is more academically similar to a strong public school. The kind of student that would graduate in the 4th decile of Andover would probably be in the top decile of EHS.

EHS is much less academically-driven than the elite New England schools. There are pockets of EHS kids that would fit in at Andover/Lawrenceville-type schools, but they are a minority of the campus. I think EHS is still SSAT optional and most kids were admitted without the SSAT.

EHS kids are all over Alexandria and DC during the weekends. Unlike many New England prep schools, EHS has no Saturday classes. A wealthy, non-academic student body combined with access to a major city means there is a LOT of flashiness and social hierarchy around campus.

Personally, I'd take EHS off the list. If you're sending your kid to boarding school, send him to a top one. Lawrenceville or Choate would be my choices because of proximity to DC.

[Anonymous]

My son is a student athlete at a wonderful boarding school. The kids who feel intense pressure feel it most from their parents. It is not cultivated by the school. The workload is meaningful, but not different from what my older kids who attended day school experienced. And the community time with friends is gold. No time lost to driving all over the place. Except games, but the away game bus ride is very fun.

Each school has its own culture. There are a lot of pointy elbows at Andover and Lawrenceville, from our search. Exeter, too. Competitive life is built into the school. Somewhat at Choate.

I would keep St. Paul’s on the list. Add St. Andrew’s if rowing or soccer. Maybe look at Peddie if it’s swimming. Deerfield for any sport if your student is social and loves school spirit. Taft is gaining in Lacrosse. Kent is building its football team. Great coach. There are many others as well.

Agree about heading to CC Prep School pages to ask for suggestions. Such a helpful spot. But they will want to know the sport to advise you well. Cultures shift and teams shift. You want real time info.

[jsteele]

The original poster is a troll.