I haven’t seen much about Canterbury School on College Confidential. My son recently got accepted and we are planning of attending a revisit. Can someone let me know a bit more about the school if you have any personal experience as a student/parent.
Calling @PhotographerMom.
Not sure this will help, but here’s my post from 2015…
My ( favorite ) brother is a Canterbury alum. He was quite the hockey player back in the day and when his life permits, he’ll always find time to travel back to New Milford and cheer on The Saints. When his nieces and nephews were applying to BS, he would always send them swag or a t-shirt from the Canterbury student store … His special way of saying : Apply to my school !!! Many, many moons ago, he invited me to hear Sargent Shriver ( also a Canterbury alum ) speak at Commencement… and it was a such a memorable day for both of us.
I remember sitting on the grass listening to this amazing man ( who we now know was suffering from early symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease at the time ) give this amazing Commencement Address thinking- Wow- maybe my kids could go here one day… and the next thing I know ( many years later ) BAM- my kids were receiving t-shirts in the mail from their Uncle.
Recently, my brother was telling us about all the amazing/fun Canterbury Centennial Celebrations he attended and how his wallet took a major hit ( FUTURE ALUMS: Beware of all BS milestones- especially the big ones! They know where you live… ) … and he also shared the exciting news about the school naming a new Head… which I’ll let you read about here: http://www.cbury.org/page
I know many families with kids at Canterbury now and they absolutely love it. It’s been several years since we toured and interviewed with our kids, but we were very impressed with everything the school had to offer. Academically, it was a good fit for all three kids, and we thought they would’ve done well and thrived there. We were also fine with the religious component even though we’re aren’t Catholic and now that I think about it… all the families I know with kids there now aren’t Catholic either…
We also thought the campus was absolutely gorgeous ( the pool alone was unbelievable! ) and the overall student/faculty vibe was very warm and friendly… and, of course, the Town of New Milford ( just a short walk down a hill for students ) was and still is incredibly charming and beautiful.
Even if you don’t get a t-shirt or school swag from my brother… Canterbury is definitely worth a closer look right now ( if you’re looking to add a great school to your list before the deadline ) or perhaps even for next year.
All I know is that after this glowing post, I better get a t-shirt! I’m kidding- but I always like hearing positive buzz about any boarding school and thought I’d pass the New Head news along…especially since this is a school that gets very little airtime on CC.
A spiffy new t-shirt would be really nice though.
End.
Today before coffee ( Thanks, @ChoatieMom 
) . My brother still owes me Cbury swag for the last post, too.
Okay… where to begin! I’m actually a big fan of this school, so it will be my pleasure- even without coffee .
Cbury is definitely a Top BS with a huge and enthusiastic following. It’s also a school that is rarely talked about here ( which completely baffles the mind!! ) so if your son goes , I hope you’ll stick around and promote it! In my mind- it deserves a lot of praise because they get so much of a classic SS education right.
My ( favorite ) brother had a life changing experience there and went on to Dartmouth. Today- he is the kindest and most successful person I know.
And he gives Cbury all the credit… Which is a recurring theme if you talk to enough Cbury alums!
The unwavering kindness… sense of duty and service to others . . It’s almost like everyone ( I know ) leaves Cbury with a special chip or something. It’s just a very unique place for young people because unlike so many boarding schools today - they really do walk the walk there - that much I know for sure - based on the people I know from his generation and the kids I know who attend Cbury today. All super smart with an added something.
Whatever it is- they should bottle it and share it .
College placement is excellent. In this regard- there’s absolutely no difference between Cbury and the so-called "top tier " schools people obsess about here. None. Zip. They’re absolutely superb and college AOs and Reps love their kids.
If Canterbury is the best kept BS secret on CC , so be it… but I think people who put them on their list are very wise to do so . They have a wonderful culture and offer strong academics and sports . They also have an absolutely stunning campus. It’s actually breathtaking - really.
And, FWIW- I’ve been around the boarding school world a long, long time, and I’ve never heard anything bad or negative about Canterbury… Well- aside from the time when they had a momentary lapse of judgment and allowed a Hilton in, but that was it. I’ve seen a lot worse happen at other schools - believe me.
OP - My information and observations are largely secondhand , but on behalf of my amazing brother who I admire greatly - I wish your family and son all the best.
Congratulations and Go Saints!!!
Please let us know how revisit day goes and good luck !!
Love their welcome video, too !
We are in the same boat trying to figure out if Canterbury is the right place for our kids. Where else is your son considering? Will you be at the revisit day on Wed?
If you are a golfer, please check out the Canterbury golf program at Revisit. I have played in tournaments with an alumn from Canterbury and he loved the school. FWIW, the schedule this spring is fantastic - plus you get to play your last game at Silo Ridge (near Millbrook). Sweet - this is where a certain NE Patriots player ships his sticks. Check out the wonderful athletics programs (in addition to golf) at Canterbury.
I second the commentary above and must add: Cbury has outstanding leadership. Rachel Stone, who became the Head of School a few years back, is something of a rock star in the boarding school world. She has everything one would want to run a school - experience, vision, kindness, wit, grace. The place just feels upbeat and wholesome - the kids are striving for excellence but supportive of one another. Note: sports is a big deal at Cbury. They may be a small school but they like to win - some 30% of the kids go on to play at the college level. That said, it does not seem to be a sports obsessed school - there are plenty of kids focused on intellectual and creative pursuits. Another plus - their academic support program looks impressive.
We were there for the revisit day yesterday and was very, very impressed. Obviously they are trying to woo families, but what they had to offer, the culture, support, etc, was far more than I anticipated. My kids were also very impressed and it definitely moved up in their minds as a place where they can see themselves thrive.
That’s really nice to hear, @kschretz ! 
We have an extended family member who graduated from Canterbury and really, really loved her time there. She’ll graduate soon from the fine college that she chose to attend (Canterbury prepared her very well), and she credits some C’bury faculty with sparking her interest in bio research and journalism, which she has continued to pursue at college.
Not sure about the OP, but my son decided to enroll at Canterbury. My daughter picked another school (they are twins, so it’s probably good that they will be at different places next year!). We are happy for both of them and are so glad to hear that others have such high regard for Canterbury.
Just curious - @ photographermom - where did/do your kids go to school?
Congratulations, @kschretz!! And, Congrats to your daughter, too!
I hope your son has a wonderful experience and you stick around CC and promote Cbury! I think the families that are fixated on only a certain set of schools are truly missing out!! Go Saints!
As far as our family schools go-
When I joined CC, I made a promise to my kids that I wouldn’t disclose their schools and somehow I’ve managed to keep it. TBH- I’ve caught a lot of flak for what I’ve shared in the past by all three kids because I’ve been known to over share sometimes… But, I’m a proud mom and SM and sometimes I can’t help it- and so far they’ve been kind enough to put up with it- even though technically I left CC last April. So- all I can say is : Two CC " Top five " and one so-called "Hidden Gem "- which is barely hidden, but I just play along… much to my own chagrin!
Believe me- I’ve been tempted many, many times because it makes it sooo difficult to contribute sometimes!
But… a promise is a promise and somehow I’ve kept it .
@photographerMom - fair enough! I was more curious than anything else given your knowledge of so many schools!