<p>Hi, I am new here. I am trying to decide which school to go to. Kids in my state usually don't go to boarding school, so my friends wouldn't be any help & my parents say it is up to me. I know I am lucky. I really wanted my independence & it was my idea to go.</p>
<p>Both seemed like really great schools when I visited, from what I could see. I am not sure yet if I can go to revisit days. Both are fine on things like my sport & interests. I am more into English & History. Which one will offer a better experience for an incoming sophomore? I am sure I would do okay at either, but maybe someone here knows about the kids, cliques, or other stuff that would really make a difference. I think I set up a private message & email if you would rather send that. Thank you, I am really trying to make the right decision.</p>
<p>Salisbury and Avon are both great schools and are very similar. Salisbury is the smaller of the two by about 100 students. Salisbury is in a rural area so the school community is very tight knit and centered around campus activities. Avon is closer to Hartford and NYC, and has a higher number of day students, which allows for more off campus opportunities. Both strongly believe in bringing out the best in boys and teaching them to become responsible caring young men. Academics are strong at both and a number of AP courses are offered. Salisbury just posted a list of early college acceptances for this year on their website and 80% of students were accepted early admissions to great colleges – very impressive.</p>
<p>Sports and school spirit are very strong at both and are a very important part of campus life. Salisbury has an amazing new athletic center that the boys just love! I can speak for Salisbury in saying, although sports are an integral part of the school community, they definitely do not define who you are as a person. Salisbury is a very accepting place. Boys with all types of interests attend and are encouraged to try new things. Many will not make a varsity team, but that’s ok. Rooting for a team is sometimes as much fun as playing – just attend a Salisbury Varsity Hockey game on a Sat. night, and you will see for yourself. </p>
<p>Most schools have very strong English departments. As far as History, I have been very impressed with the department at Salisbury and the class offerings (a number of elective classes available for upperclassmen). The history faculty is very experienced and one teacher was recently awarded the 2010 Roosevelt Naval Prize for his research on US Naval Aviation in Europe during WWI. At Salisbury you will find very committed, talented teachers who truly care about their students.</p>
<p>I hope you are able to get to revisits. I think it would really help in making your decision. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the information, it is really nice of you. Can you comment on religion at Salisbury, how often is chapel required & is there singing of hymns, reciting of stuff that I wouldn’t know & sermons about God? Are there required religious classes? What are those like? Would I be marked down in my grade if my opinion didn’t match what they wanted to hear? Is there a ‘God squad’ on campus to convert people? How about any of this at Avon? I think they have a chapel, too. I am more the live & let live type & trying to find a school which would be ok with that. I also got into Woodberry Forest (my mom wanted me to apply), but looking at the viewbook they seem a lot more intense on this whole thing, right? Sorry if I am offending anybody, I’m not trying to, just trying to understand.</p>
<p>Interestingly, we looked at both, and while Salisbury IS smaller, to us, Avon FELT smaller. Maybe because of how the campus is set up, I don’t know. They have a lot of off campus activities - movies, mall and store runs weekly, dances somewhere pretty much every weekend (the same ones Salisbury goes to only they are closer to Avon most of the time), skiing, concerts, hockey games, other sporting events, etc. </p>
<p>My son is at Avon, and has had wonderful English and history classes. As a senior this year, he is taking World Wars - first half of the year WWI, second half WWII. Last year he took AP US History. </p>
<p>Yes, Avon has a Chapel, however they are not a religious affiliated school. They have Vespers every Sunday evening - it is basically a short program with some speakers and a few hymns, very non-denominational. They do provide transportation to Sunday services for anyone who wants to go to church, they do not have services other than Vespers on campus. </p>
<p>Anything else specific just ask and as I know there are a couple of other AOF parents and a few Salisbury students/parents/alumni here who can answer.</p>
<p>Salisbury has two short chapel services a week (nothing on the weekends) and includes music (all types: student singing groups, talented faculty, visiting musicians, etc.) and speakers who talk on a variety of topics. It is a chapel gathering that is inclusive of all religions and is meant to bring the student body together. My son has never complained about it. I think it is just considered part of the school day and is not a big deal. A philosophy/religion course in required your senior year. It is very broad based and covers a variety of religions, philosophies and world ethics. It takes into account many different perspectives and open discussion is encouraged. </p>
<p>You have two great schools to choose from. Good luck!</p>
<p>Since you may not be able to attend the revisits, I encourage you to contact the AOs at these schools, which are known to us since we also visited all the schools you mentioned for our son. He applied to both Salisbury and Woodberry Forest and was accepted at both. The schools would happily answer your questions and put you in touch with someone from a department to get more information. Don’t rely on just viewbooks and other people’s comments; since you’ve been distinguished by being accepted, reach out to the schools. Their response to you may be the biggest indicator of which one you prefer. Good luck.</p>
<p>I agree with all of the above advice regarding these two fantastic schools. Our son attends Salisbury (quite far from home too as that we live on the west coast) and a good friend of his here at home attends AOF. The rivalry is quite “healthy” to say the least! Since you can’t attend the revisit days, I agree with eastwest21 regarding contacting both Admissions Offices at the schools…they are there to guide and answer ANY question or concern, and the people at Salisbury were extremely helpful to us and our son when he had to make a decision last year. My son entered as an incoming sophomore and had no problem feeling a part of everything from the first day. There is always a large number of new sophomores every year…he was one of 35.
Our son was also concerned about any religious requirements and has never complained about it. Like you, my son is very independent and it was his idea to go to boarding school and this factors greatly in the transition you will have. You are SO lucky to have this opportunity and good luck with your decision! Of course, I hope you pick Sarum!</p>
<p>Thank you everyone. Speaking of sports, is sports mandatory every term at both schools? I don’t mind and am decent at sports, just curious. </p>
<p>Music is important to me. At Salisbury I got the impression that it was in the chapel basement? Maybe music is a bigger deal at Avon than Salisbury?</p>
<p>Sarum (who is a friend of fif), would think that Salisbury is better, as Sarum is a nickname for Salisbury. Sarum is the original name (Latin) of the area in England that is now known has Salisbury. Salisbury School’s school song is called the Sarum Hymn.</p>
<p>“Loyalty and Honor, Sarum, we thy sons now pledge thee
Service and Devotion, Sarum, that thy name be worthy
Hymn we so, our purpose bold, devout as Knights who fought as old
Strong as thee to guard they honor, true in act and motive” etc.</p>
<p>38 years later and fif remembers every verse. </p>
<p>Sports are mandatory at both schools, especially for under formers. Both schools offer lower teams as low as fourths.</p>
<p>The music program at Salisbury, which is located in the Chapel, is pretty good. Avon, with over 100 more students, actually has a jazz band, and their program is very well thought of.</p>
<p>Umm. No jazz band for me. My thing is rock. Heavy metal. I’m pretty good, too. I don’t know about that going over in a chapel? This is not easy. I can’t give up my music for four years. Which school would be more accepting of someone like me? I can’t be the first kid who likes metal at these schools.</p>
<p>THere’s no problem with playing rock in the chapel – and almost all the kids there (and at Avon ) are into it. No doubt there are a couple of bands on each campus.</p>
<p>You will definitely not have to give up your music…my son tells me there are a couple of rock bands on Salisbury’s campus that some of the boys started on their own. The music program takes place in newer classrooms situated below the chapel. There is a large “sound proof” room as well for practicing or jamming. As for sports, you are required to play all three seasons (Fall, Winter, and Spring) every year you are there. They also offer recreational sports if one of the more “traditional” sports doesn’t interest you. That being said, athletics play a huge role in the daily life of the school and there exists tremendous pride on the campus. If you decide to play a sport you have never tried, it’s easy to be on one of the third or fourth teams. Our son wanted to be at a school that had this kind of athletic tradition and spirit, which he found at Salisbury.</p>
<p>Thank you. We couldn’t be more pleased. The community has already been great; my son is on cloud 9. May be checking back in with you when all those new student questions come to mind!</p>