<p>My child is beginning to explore boarding schools and is drawn towards Concord Academy. We are wondering if there are any other schools that are similar to Concord? We live about 1,200 miles away from most boarding schools and are unable to visit any at this time. We hope to compile a list of schools to visit this fall. A few of the things child likes about Concord include:</p>
<p>Computer Science Department, not just CS classes.</p>
<p>Athletic activities don't seem to rule or overpower the school.</p>
<p>High SAT scores of students.</p>
<p>If anyone has experience with this school or knows of others like it, we would greatly appreciate any information you can share with us. It's so hard to assess the fit, style, or feel of a school just from it's website or viewbook.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>CA is a unique school so it’s challenging to think of others that are like it. The emphasis at CA is on learning rather than Ivy admissions so if your goal is an Ivy you would want to look at schools like Andover, Groton, etc. that have higher Ivy admit percentages. Pressue at CA is there but its not a pressure cooker like many of the other top schools.</p>
<p>CA has a real focus on academics, arts and individuality. Sports is becoming more emphasized but there is no hockey or football teams - which tend to dominate the culture at many prep schools - and no post-grads looking to up their Div 1 chances. Sports at CA is more about personal improvement rather than getting on a college team. </p>
<p>The school also has a 50/50 day/boarders mix which is very different than most of the elite boarding schools which are around 90% boarding. A unique tradition at CA is the senior chapel where each study speaks to the entire school about their personal perspectives and experiences - it’s a highlight of students time at CA and speaks to the emphasis on the individual. CA only has about 90 students per class so they can have a tradition like chapel that the larger mostly-boarding schools can not because they have 300+ kids/class.</p>
<p>Another school that has some overap with CA is Milton - but Milton is K-12 unlike CA. The CA Head of School was recruited from Milton so that speaks to the cultural similarities.</p>
<p>CA doesn’t have a Comp Sci department - it’s called Computer Studies and is many one guy - who happens to be good. I won’t say its that strong and I actually think CA should invest more in this area (and science facilities) rather than all the money spent recently on new playing fields - but large donors felt otherwise.</p>
<p>I suggest you visit before applying and if your child is accepted. It is a very competitive school to get into especially for boarders.</p>