National Cathedral School vs Phillips Andover

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In terms of alumni network, Andover is hands down the better choice. I think the boarding experience lends itself to a tight knit and loyal alumni group. My best friend from law school is an Andover grad and it probably helped him make partner at his law firm (multiple other Andover graduates in the partnership).

NCS being smaller and all female likely limits the value of its alumni network some, unfortunately.

You don’t know how law firms work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The NCS endowment is very low compared to other privates in the area. I honestly believe it's because fewer people are interested in the unnecessary rigor, stress, and harsh grading at NCS. Enrollment overall is very low. NCS needs to focus on the joy of learning and reduce stress among the students if it wants to remain competitive, and increase its endowment. Otherwise, smart girls, like yours will choose schools like Andover instead. Without a culture shift, NCS is going to fall behind.

Is enrollment low? Wasn’t it just last year parents were complaining that their girls couldn’t get into core science classes because there were too many students and the school hadn’t hired another teacher?

current parent here: the current senior class is on the smaller side but the junior class has at least 90 girls. can’t speak to the overall enrollment, just those two classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter has interest in both of these schools, and we are applying to them among many. However, these are her top two preferences. How is NCS's rigor compared to Andover? Her cousin went to Andover, and it was very stressful and very rigorous. Is NCS similar or is it more laid back than Andover?

I would go with NCS. I would t send kid to boarding school. Those are formative years and kids need their parents. Plus NCS girls do well with colleg emissions despite mediocre college counseling office.

[Anonymous]

Andover is more rigorous than NCS; it has a wider variety of higher-level academic courses. Andover is much larger, so there is a bigger spread in the class, which may be a better fit if your kids doesnt have to be "the best." I believe Andover had a senior take their life last year as a result of college admission outcomes. Both schools are pressure cookers for kids who want to be at the top of the class and ivy admits.

[Anonymous]

Andover is absolutely more rigorous than NCS.