<p>Both schools are in Concord, Ma, approx same size -- any major differences? I know CA has a large % day students, and is right in town, and MX is out of town on a secluded campus. Aside from those things, how would you choose between the two?</p>
<p>concord got a MINI campus</p>
<p>(1) go to revisit days</p>
<p>(2) ask both schools to put you in touch with current students so you can get firsthand information about their experiences at the schools</p>
<p>And do not underestimate the significance of the higher boarding population at Middlesex. Unless you live so close by that you’ll be going home every weekend, it’s going to make a HUGE difference.</p>
<p>They are insanely different. CA is much more artsy and less of aNE prep school feel where middlesex is a much more sportsy school with the prep school feel. Be careful what ur looking for here</p>
<p>@ dodgersmom: Thank you for your advice. Could you elaborate on the “huge difference” between smaller & larger boarding population? Obviously it will impact the amount of students in the dorms, and this will affect the amount and level of activities, esp. on the weekends. Would the sense of community be greater or lesser in a half boarding/half day school? In what other ways will it make a difference?</p>
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<p>@prowrest: Thank you for your response. I agree about the artsy vs sportsy, but what is “the NE prep school feel” - can you elaborate on that please? We’re from NE, and I’m guessing you are referring to the preppy (dress/style), the college-like private campus, and maybe the competitive feel of prep schools? Similar to the difference between a city college (ie, NYU or BU, versus a school with a private campus in a secluded setting)? But does that doesn’t impact the quality of the education, courses, teachers or ECs? We are trying to sort out which of these settings my daughter would be more happy with. She is not athletic, doesn’t fit into a specific mold, likes academic competition for personal growth (not status), likes close relationships with teachers, dislikes cliques, really wants diversity, and is very social. But she also wants to be part of a community, and I wonder if CA would have less of that with so many day students?</p>
<p>What great choices you have! Everything I’ve read here is great advice - both school’s will offer diversity and great opportunities you would not get in your hometown high school. So, when you applied, why did you choose these schools? Do you love theater? Are you a star LAX player? Thinking of going to MIT? Do you want to hop on the T and ride into Harvard Square or Boston with your friends on weekends (that’s what we did). You have the answer you’re seeking - just start asking the right questions.</p>
<p>I was admitted to CA as a day student but am not going becausei want to board.I am very familiar with both mx and ca because many of my friends attend. If you are looking for close teacher relationships, CA is what I’ve heard is better. I am not saying mx doesn’t have that but that my friends have said so. For example CA students call teachers by their first name. In terms of the prep school aspect, from what I have seen or heard, mx is more preppy (campus, classes, students) They’re both great schools but from wht u said about you daughter, it seemsCA would be a god fit.</p>
<p>Thank you for taking the time to respond. It really helps, so again, thank you.</p>
<p>Both are very strong schools located in the same town. My impression is that it comes down to whether your daughter will want somewhat more sporty polish well-rounded (MX) or somewhat more individual flair and creativity (CA).</p>
<p>There’s a new sidewalk from Middlesex down Lowell Road to the center of town. It’s not nearly as physically isolated as some boarding schools, although the isolation may be mental, the sort of “bubble” schools can develop. Concord Academy is in the center of town, and students can take the train to Boston. Concord Academy has new playing fields coming online.</p>
<p>Concord Academy takes great pride in the freedom students have in choosing courses. I think the school does not lack in community. </p>
<p>From your description, I’d think CA would be the better fit, but the best thing to do is to attend revisits.</p>
<p>As CA is more day-student focused, events may tend to be more geared towards day students [ie you’ll likely have fewer after-school commitments]. I have a friend who attended MX as a day student and now goes to another school [similar to CA–kind of artsy and more boarding than day students] and she spends way less time at school. Day students at schools that are primarily boarding are expected to be at school more, since the majority of the population can/does attend events at any time of day.</p>
<p>Certainly not the only difference, but it’s important.
Also, unless you live close enough to go home often, campus will probably get lonely. Here [at mx] it’s only really lonely on long weekends where all of the semi-close boarders go home. There are lots of organized activities to keep the long-distance boarders from getting really bored or lonesome…it could get like that most weekends at CA, except they might not organize as many activies [just speculation on my part]. So be prepared.</p>
<p>Concord has Parkman Howe, probably one of the more notable English teachers in prep world these days (good research, good teaching, not too terribly hard on his students) and has a very focused philosophy about finding the “magic” in literature. Not your normal teacher.</p>