<p>Daughter is at the cusp of a long process and deciding between Andover (withdrew Exeter) and Choate. We constantly hear about the large Andover/Exeter endowments and I was wondering how this is employed to actually improve the education or environment vs other great schools?</p>
<p>Teacher ratios seem comparable, all seem to have great science and gifted orchestras, sports fields as far as the eye can see, caring faculty, etc.</p>
<p>Finally, is it possible for a great academic place, such as Andover, to also be caring and nurturing? This is the negative we hear on Andover/Exeter.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>@BAREERS - I think large endowments are in some ways a function of how “loyal” alumni are to their school. If you feel like your prep school was a positive influence, perhaps even a life-altering influence, you are probably more likely to want to “give back” to the school, and help other kids have the same experience you did. </p>
<p>Schools with large endowments can usually offer more financial aid, which can lead to more economic diversity on campus. And when it comes time for a capital campaign (to build that new science building, for instance, or upgrade the dorms or athletic facilites) they usually have a large group of alumni to go to get those things accomplished.</p>
<p>When looking at endowments, I think it is very important to look at Total Endowment divided by number of students. A school like Andover (the prep school with the highest number of students, I think) with more than 1,100 students at the school, will naturally have many more alumni (and potential donors) to “tap" than a smaller school. </p>
<ul>
<li>The ratio of endowment/student at Andover is $700M/1100, or $636K per student.<br></li>
<li>The ratio at Choate is $217M/850, or $255K per student. (It is important to note that Choate is in the midst of a capital campaign to add $110M to their endowment; if that is successful, the ratio increases to $327/850, or $385K per student.<br></li>
</ul>
<p>And, just as a comparison (my bias is showing here!)
- The ratio at Thacher is $100M/240, or $417K per student</p>
<p>Exeter has the largest endowment both in terms of total endowment (it reached $1B once and is probably around $900 million now) and endowment per student. The total endowment of Andover’s is around $800 now but its endowment per student is probably ranked 4th or 5th, as the smaller schools - SPS and Groton have bigger endowment per student. </p>
<p>Size of endowment doesn’t always translate to tangible differences, from the students/families perspectives anyway. Schools can only use a certain percentage of their endowment each year for school operation (and that percentage can vary from school to school). It does indicate however schools with larger endowment are financially more stable (or stronger), and has the ability to offer more financial aid or more subsidies to full pay students, hire better teachers, etc. They are also in a better position to secure loans, issue bonds, etc. Just look at the colleges with largest endowments, or even families with more assets… it’s the same deal.</p>
<p>Bareers,</p>
<p>Andover is a nurturing and caring environment. It nurtures freedom and self-reliance. And it cares for kids should they need help. </p>
<p>Your child will have a team of adults looking out for her. This team will be comprised of the dorm counselors who will live in her dorm, the cluster dean who will know her on a first name basis, the teachers who will daily instruct her in small classes, and the academic adviser who will regularly meet with her. </p>
<p>Your daughter’s team wants her to flourish. If everything is fine, they will give her the freedom to excel. However, they take their in loco parentis role very seriously. So, if there is a problem, they will pitch in to solve it. Boarding school is a 24/7 environment. If a student needs help, there is always somebody there to give it – even if it’s 4 a.m. in the morning. </p>
<p>Andover encourages kids to be their own advocates; but dorm counselors, etc. are there to answer parent’s questions as well.</p>
<p>The endowment at Andover ($800 million last June) makes need blind financial aid possible for almost half the students who attend the school. This financial aid, in turn, enables Andover to be a more economically diverse and meritocratic school. </p>
<p>The endowment allows Andover students to benefit from world class facilities, top-notch teachers, excellent administrators, etc. It also enables Andover to be a nurturing and caring environment by providing resources such as a health center, academic centers, tutors, counselors, the Academic Support office, etc.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your daughter’s great choices. Good luck!</p>
<p>The Andover Head of school discussed the endowment issue with parents at last year’s revisit in the wake of the financial crisis. She made a point that there were strategic decisions to be made with endowment incomes, whether it should go to physical renovation and expansion, commitment to financial aid, or new club houses. She seemed to be proud of the fact that Andover didn’t choose to build new buildings, and had the financial flexibility to remain need-blind even when the endowment took a big hit.</p>
<p>As expensive as the tuition is at Andover, the tuition only covers about HALF the cost of educating each student. The difference is made up by the earning on the endowment and by donations.</p>
<p>Dodgersdad, I think the links to your post are 2 and 4 years old. Moreover, while any relevant data is always helpful, I don’t think your links relate to the topic of this thread.</p>
<p>@Bareers - post was removed by the moderator. This is an ongoing problem with this ■■■■■. It’s always a new user name (1 or 2 posts, lately he’s been name-jacking others), and links to the same 2 old threads.</p>
<p>If you see it - just report it using the “report problem post” button. The moderators will delete it, and the account id.</p>