<p>@Charger: I wanted to show SPS some love, lest people think that I am merely an SAS fanboi!</p>
<p>Groton does lack that “brand name science building” that some of the other “usual suspects” have (the Lindsay, the Phelps, the Koch), but I don’t hold it against them. It has its cathedral, which IMO is just as awe inspiring as the science centers…</p>
<p>Has anyone else (other than REBECCABW) ruled Pomfret in or out? We were unable to visit the school and we are looking for input - positive OR negative - on that school. We would love any details you can provide… my daughter has applied, but we are still a tiny bit unsure of it, since we were unable to visit. REBECCABW’s comment was worrying. So I wondered if there was any corroboration or alternate viewpoints out there.
Thanks!</p>
<p>The biggest complaint I’ve heard about Pomfret is its remoteness. To offset this, they seem to offer more weekend excursions and activities on campus than most schools. To be fair, most BS students complain about the lack of “fun” activities on weekends no matter where they are- even if they have a bustling town nearby.</p>
<p>Also- I have a relative who chose Pomfret over a Dream School/ Legacy acceptance. So far, no regrets.</p>
<p>friendlymom-
As a Groton alum I can attest to the temptation of crossing the Circle with the specter of a 6th former giving you “table wipes” always looming. I should point out that “playing” on the Circle is allowed I may have been guilty of playing “wallet-ball” on the way from the gym to the dining hall. A few students would cross the Circle, stop in the middle and throw a wallet back and forth for a minute and then continue to the dining hall. Technically, we weren’t “cutting the Circle” and a fun trick to shave a few minutes off the walk!
Also, the STEM program was very well thought out, not a jab at SPS at all. The school held a weekend of meetings with alums in medicine, science research, industry and science education in order to brainstorm the critical thinking skills required in those fields. The STEM class was born out of those conversations. It was a really neat and unique approach to building a new class! Also, a new science building is on its way at Groton…finally!</p>
<p>Thanks photographermom! it is really hard to find out details abotu non-HADES schools. Not details that come from the school web sites… the real “scoop”, what it is like to live there, whether there is a heavy drug/alcohol culture, the things that “everyone” seems to “know” – that is everyone but the people looking from the outside! </p>
<p>Pomfret seems a good fit for my daugher from what I read. But – you always worry about the stuff you don’t know about. It is currently tied for second on her list. Her top choice is Portsmouth Abbey… another school you don’t read much about on CC! LOL</p>
<p>Anway, what is done is done. She has applied. If she is lucky enough to get an offer, we will go visit the school then and make our own minds up… but anyone else with opinions: I would love to hear them. </p>
<p>Hopefully this won’t be a moot discussion and we will have a choice come March 10~!</p>
<p>Pomfret is a classic hidden gem. I went to school with one of the faculty members albeit he was in a lower form. The Head Master comes from St. George’s after a long stretch there. Its about time he became a Head Master. Pomfret is a great school. I have to confess my bias towards PA coming from SG myself. The history between PA & SG is fascinating, if you get into that sort of thing. PA still upset SG does not consider them their rival. The island is only so big. Good luck.</p>
<p>My pleasure, london203. Best of luck M10!</p>
<p>Thanks to you as well, ops. This is good info. We are also “biased” towards PA, it is an absolute fit all the way around. Both my daughter and I love it. We have our fingers tightly crossed. I agree about the history. Such an interesting beginning. Nice also to know that Pomfret is a good school. I like what I read, btu because we couldn’t get there for a visit, I just didn’t have a firm feeling about it one way or the other!</p>
<p>Just a question about SPS. one of my favorite schools. What do you guys think? I heard it has a basement like feel to it or something? could someone tell me a little bit about campus?</p>
<p>NikDangles - I’m not sure what you mean by “basement” feel but SPS has a beautiful campus. You can see the best pictures of SPS on the Admissions Office Facebook page. </p>
<p>Feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>Nik, my daughter just visited SPS and said it was spectacular - absolutely gorgeous.</p>
<p>@NikDangles: You are getting bad information. </p>
<p>I do remember ONE parent commenting that they felt they were getting tours of basements in some thread, but I assure you that the SPS campus is one of the most spectacular in all of BS-dom. We visited 3 times (summer, fall, revisit) a few years ago and I’m (obviously) still in awe. Beautiful layout/landscape and architecture.</p>
<p>Of course, this is coming from someone who prefers BS campuses of the bucolic (as opposed to “in town”) variety. YMMV.</p>
<p>SPS is picturesque. It is like a small village, a stunningly beautiful village. </p>
<p>Some people prefer a more “academic” feel, like the way Exeter, for instance, looks like a college.</p>
<p>SPS does not have that feel. But even if one is more comfortable in more collegiate architecture, SPS cannot be described physically as anything other than beautiful.</p>
<p>Doesn’t SPS have mostly Tudor and Gothic architecture? To me that is more “collegiate” while the classic, greek-like buildings of PEA and others recall the ancient ‘academy’. There’s a difference there…</p>
<p>Good description. I felt like SPS was a self-contained village. We parked in a wooded area and followed a path to Admissions. It did feel as if navigating the campus would take some planning. Andover felt collegiate and monolithic. Taft felt like Hogwarts (still does) :)</p>
<p>Thanks guys. I appreciate it. I know I’m a long shot for acceptance, but still good to have some opinions on the campus.</p>
<p>My impression of Taft was: ‘This is how a school should look!’ – not like a college but like a school, on the English boarding school model – very charming indeed!</p>
<p>Avon Old Farms looks like a school too with its wonderful architecture!!</p>
<p>And, the chapel at Pomfret is a jewel – second to none!!!</p>
<p>I agree about the chapel at pomfret. A jewel indeed.</p>
<p>George School has a beautiful campus as well.</p>
<p>Exie- I think the entrance to the admissions office at SPS feels a little back door, and that can get you disoriented for the entire visit. It has an informal plan which makes it difficult to understand how the different parts of the campus relate to each other. The campus is actually pretty easy to navigate, but it takes some time to learn the shortcuts.</p>
<p>The chapel is beautiful and I love the sundial, too. Pomfret’s campus is stunning and website photos don’t do it justice!</p>
<p>I noticed Pomfret Admissions extended their deadline to February 8th. Are other schools doing this?</p>