<p>I did a search and came up with very little discussion here about Canterbury School in CT.<br>
Anyone know anything/have any experience there?</p>
<p>You want to ask Paris Hilton, she was a student at canterbury. Nuff said</p>
<p>I don't really know much about Canterbury. Just 2 things:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>That it is still guided by Catholic principles which makes it somewhat unusual in the pool of prep schools generally considered on this forum; and</p></li>
<li><p>Paris Hilton went there! Yes, it's true. Paris was there for something less than a year before I gather that she was asked to leave following some incidents involving limos to parties WAY-YYY off campus (like in NYC or somewhere), and such like. Pretty much what you would expect. Unexpectedly, she played JV girls' hockey while she was there.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>None of this info is particularly helpful in evaluating a school's suitablity for your family, is it? Sorry.</p>
<p>Prepparent and I must read the same hockey rags.</p>
<p>I wouldn't say that...."nuff said..."
I think the message is that she was asked to leave...even WITH all the Hilton money. I'm sure every school has a big name "ghost." Let's see, Stoneleigh-Burnham had the "Hollywood Madam" as a graduate... that could be a whole new thread topic. </p>
<p>You are right Smile, it is not generally considered here because of the Catholic principles, which is why my search yeilded so little. Just thought I'd ask. </p>
<p>If anyone else has info, it would be appreciated.</p>
<p>linda S no harm meant. Please excuse my blunder</p>
<p>No problem. I think it actually was a good point when I think about it from the lost donations point of view (I bet the development staff was furious! LOL).<br>
Now if she had graduated from there...THEN...'nuff said would have covered it and THEN some!</p>
<p>I know Canterbury pretty well as I live fairly close and have been to numerous sporting events there. D "looked" at but didn't apply (or even interview for that matter). </p>
<p>Canterbury IS a Catholic school, but in the sense that Salisbury or Holderness are Episcopal. Lay leader and a student body which reflects various religions. Probably two chapels a week which are more like school meetings.</p>
<p>Canterbury is not well endowed, but they do have two major projects underway or recently completed. A beautiful new pool and a badly needed girl's dorm. The campus is on a hill overlooking the town of New Milford, which is going through a resurrection, has lots of restaurants and a lovely New England town green.</p>
<p>Rest of the campus is OK -- not to my taste, but OK. Athletic center is particularly nice, renovated rink, new squash courts, big double gymnasium.
Classrooms, library, dorms are average. The look is ummmm, Catholic.</p>
<p>The cell tower adjoining the lacrosse field is not a plus.</p>
<p>College record is OK at best -- lots of Villanovas, Loyolas, Fairfields, the occasional IVY and lots of Salve Reginas, Southern CTs too.</p>
<p>On our two visits (once to take the SSAT) the students we saw seemed happy, polite and well turned out.</p>
<p>Of the various comparitive rating mechanisms , Canterbury is in the upper half of the fourth quintile using the WBTY Indices, but fares slightly better using GZM's Bunkel Index, where it is solidly in the middle of the pack.</p>
<p>It is interesting to me that it seems when a school is Catholic it is a big deal, but when it is Episcopal - which St. Paul's is - it's not. Thank you fun for pointing out that it is similar to others with religious affiliations. </p>
<p>I just read their average financial aid award and it was quite low - which speaks to the size of the endowment. </p>
<p>Hard to really tell on matriculation because thier web site lists the last 5 years. Since son wants Naval Academy and it is listed along with the other Service Academies, that piece is not a big concern for us. </p>
<p>I think it is within an hour (maybe even less) of Trinity-Pawling, so we'll probably visit them both in one day. </p>
<p>At least when we're at lacrosse games we'll have cell service...LOL</p>
<p>I toured that school, it was really pretty, but the staff was not as warm as at other schools I went to. They wanted me to repeat my junior year so I decided not to go there.</p>
<p>I know the school pretty well and the poster from above has a pretty good description of it. For Catholics, it is not considered a "real" Catholic school, since they have no priests, minimal theology requirements, no mass requirement, and only about half of the students are Catholic. The parents who are looking for Catholic boarding schools go to Portsmouth Abbey or Georgetown Prep (boys). The people at Canterbury have told me that they get a lot of disappointed Catholics up there, but they want it to be like any other prep school. They really emphasize that they have all faiths there, and most of their students applied to other boarding schools, not other catholic schools.</p>
<p>My clients who apply to Caneterbury are those who consider Gunnery, Kent, Trinity-Pawling---usually families who want to be within 2 hours of home (NY/NJ/CT area). I think it is a good school, but not as many resources or $ as other schools. Hope that helps</p>
<p>I have been to some cross country meets there and I thought the school was gorgeous and I loved the town. I don't know much about the school, and I suspect it is overshadowed by all the other New England prep schools, but I think it is a good option for someone wanting something below the top tier with a nurturing environment.</p>
<p>Paris Hilton was also kicked out of at least one NYC independent school. Was it Trinity? </p>
<p>I know a few people whose children go to Canterbury -- Two with good results (One a hockey player) and one not too happy (a little too strict & formal for him). </p>
<p>My son took the ssat there because there were limited Oct. test taking centers. I amused myself while he took the test by walking around town. It's a cute town but not much there. So I went back to a sitting area waiting for him to finish. At that time I observed the students and families on admissions visits. They seemed friendly and happy enough. If your son likes conservative, then he will probably like this school. </p>
<p>Someone I know someone whose son went there told me that their boarding dorms are limited. He was on a wait list to dorm but didn't live that far away. This should be a non-issue for you, but I thought I would just add it.</p>
<p>Not Trinity as that is one of the all boys schools.</p>
<p>I was looking at it at first because it is Catholic. Interesting comments about that part of it, maybe I'll add Portsmouth Abby...like I need another option! :)</p>
<p>Trinity Pawling is all boys, but I believe the poster was referring to Trinity in NYC which is co-ed day school.</p>
<p>I know one girl starting at Canterbury this year (a hockey player). Canterbury was her safety, but she ended up needing it. From hockey perspective I think her parents had hoped for a higher profile school, but in the bigger picture school environment and academics I think they are happy with her enrolling there.</p>
<p>Sorry, I thought Trinity Pawling because the poster above mentioned it in reference to kids applying to Canterbury and TP. </p>
<p>Thanks for the info about Canterbury. I think we'll definately visit.</p>
<p>Linda,</p>
<p>Yes, if you are Catholic, consider Portsmouth Abbey. It's one of my favorite schools. It's near Newport, RI and even has its own little beach. The kids are really nice there, I saw quite a bit of laughing and horsing around with the boys there when I visited. I tour a lot of schools, and am sometimes concerned with kids who are too serious and driven, too sad, or too snobby. The Abbey is one I'd consider for my own kids, while many other schools are not, even though I am a consultant.</p>
<p>You mentioned that your son is interested in Annapolis. Did you know that Blair and Hill are among a few schools that have a formal relationship with the Naval Academy for their PG's? That is, the Naval Academy "places" or recommends BLair or HIll for kids who need a little more improvement before going to USNA. I"m not sure of all the details, but since USNA knows Blair and Hill, maybe it is worth investigating.</p>
<p>Paris Hilton went to a school in NYC called Dwight. I'm really glad we're discussing other schools than the usual tiresome list!</p>
<p>Edcon,</p>
<p>I had friends who went to The Abbey when it was called Portsmouth Priory.
Interesting fact about PA: it was founded by Father Dinan who in 1898 started St. George's just down the road. After converting to Benedictine Catholicism, he began the Priory in the 20's.</p>
<p>At the risk of offending some people (ok, no risk, I will offend some people),
Portsmouth Abbey is the second ugliest boarding school in NE with #1 being St. Thomas More, which wins in a land slide. PA's only redeeming grace is the golf course.</p>
<p>Anybody have any other candidates?</p>
<p>Fun is Fun,</p>
<p>I have visited close to 50 schools and wouldn't put Portsmouth Abbey in the ugly catergory! If you want ugly, you should see NY Military Academy or Storm King, which I visited on the same day and found both thoroughly depressing. Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall is another one for this category.</p>
<p>Portsmouth Abbey has a beach so that alone makes it better than so many I have seen. Best looking school is St. George's, in my opinion. They have raised so much money in the last 10 years or so and did a fantastic job with their new buildings.</p>