Hello, I was wondering if anyone who has gone to a prestigious boarding school (Andover, Groton, Exeter) could share some tips on how to prepare for the experience over the summer?
The schools you name are no more prestigious than other BSs. Singling them out in this particular way is slightly abhorrent to many families who are affiliated with them and absolutely ludicrous to families who aren’t.
I understand your question, but I’m having trouble believing you don’t know the answer.
Maybe someone else will chime in and help out but right now I have absolutely no interest.
Many BS kids, parents and alums ( from all BSs ) are equipped to answer this question and would gladly provide valuable insight without the insufferable : I only want to hear from people from these “prestigious” schools . IDK- Next time - maybe reach out without sucking the air out of the room?
At this juncture… this kind of pomp for only a select set of schools just makes my skin crawl. I’m out.
All the best and good luck.
I would suggest relaxing and enjoying as much time with your family as you can doing the things you love most. None of the boarding schools require anything more of you academically than what you will have accomplished by your last day at your current school.
Have fun this summer. Your only worry should be what to pack, and there is an exhaustive thread on that topic. 
I like the question. When my eldest was off to Choate, we just so happened had a family reunion the summer before. I had her go around to all our “wise” elders in the family and ask them for their best advice. The best one came from her great aunt who said “Work your fool head off, and the world will be your oyster.” Still makes me smile. She hadn’t had the opportunity to attend as nice a school, but she clearly was saying, “don’t waste this opportunity, take full advantage of it.” 
Go Choate!
So @Orangami to prepare for your high school experience, this summer think about all the possible ways you can make good on this fantastic opportunity that has been given to you. How will you make best use of this unparalleled experience? Maybe start with some gratitude and thank all those who helped to make it possible? Then, Think about how you’ll conduct yourself (don’t embarrass yourself or your parents) in and out of the classroom, and not squander this opportunity. Ask the people who love you most for their “best” advice. You’ll have something fun to look back on.
But apparently Choate is not prestigious. 
In all seriousness, I agree with @ChoatieMom , even though her kid went to a less-than-prestigious school. The only academic thing you will need to do over the summer is take the math and foreign language tests, which require nothing than what you learn this year. Additionally, as I believe OP is attending Groton, there is a summer reading list, IIRC (which BTW, prestigious schools like Andover and Exeter do not have). @ChoatieMom may have forgotten that since ChoatieSgt never did it.
You have a good memory, @skieurope. Yes, unfortunately, some kids at lower-tier schools like Choate just don’t step up the way students at the more prestigious schools do. I’m pretty sure his refusal to do the summer reading affected his college admissions and thus the level of happiness and success he will achieve later in life. Oh well. If only he’d gone to a better school, he might not be in the military today.
maybe OP has something to learn but don’t we all? Bein’ a little hard on the young lad. Let’s not be overly defensive.
@PhotographerMom I’m so sorry that my post may have offended you or even others. I really didn’t mean to offend anyone, I guess I was just trying to name the ones off the top of my head as examples for what I meant.
Also, I kinda just curious. I not actually attending Exeter nor Andover. I started the post just to ask how people, in general, can prepare for a rigorous academic challenge because there are many coming from a public school who hasn’t really been challenged.
@preppedparent I love that! Thanks
I agree with others you already have everything academically that you need to start or else you would not have been chosen. It’s more a matter of thinking what you want out of it. Looking back 4 years from now, who do you hope to see looking back at you in the mirror? One thing for certain, you don’t want to put yourself in a situation where you’ll be asked to leave (cheating, substance abuse, senior salute etc.).
If you have not needed much in the way of time management skills to get this far, consider doing some reading on that and think about what will work for you. I’m a fan of “that crumpled piece of paper was due last week.”
If you are going to play a fall sport, get/stay in shape.
These tips are generic to all BS.
Thanks @gardenstategal
This is a great thread @Orangami
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1751711-starting-off-on-the-right-foot-at-boarding-school.html#latest
They tend to ease into the workload in the Fall (at Choate at least). Maybe brush up on stuff around late August, but please don’t be that kid that spent all summer going crazy with the workbooks.
Just mentally prepare yourself to work a lot and adjust quickly.
Enjoy your free time, and sleep a lot.