Hello, everyone. I got accepted into both Choate and SPS this year and I’m torn between the two schools. I’m an international, not an athlete, more arts oriented. I’ve heard Choate is more about sports and SPS more about arts, is that true ? How are the communities for internationals in both schools?
Any info is gonna be helpful. Help me choose, please !)
When you say “arts” is it visual arts or performing arts? Choate has an amazing performing arts building and program. Check it out online. I really do not know anything about its visual arts program, but everything is top rate. I have no information on SPS. What country are you from?
Congratulations! Since you live internationally, will you be going to revisits? If not, maybe ask to speak to a couple of students at each school that have a similar profile to you (arts-oriented vs. athletics-oriented). They will probably give you some good insight! Also, my feeling is that SPS’s “freedom with responsibility” philosophy is quite unique, and may be fantastic for some but not for others. So think about the realities of that as well. Just as others on this board would say not to choose a school just for a sport that you play, you should consider other factors beyond just your specific arts interest. Both SPS and Choate have fantastic programs!
@GMC2918 @mexusa By arts I mean visual arts and music. I’m from Russia and don’t really know if revisits are worth it. Cause it’s quite a long flight and rather pricy(I’m from a small city 5000 miles from Moscow, Vladivostok) @GMC2918 could you please tell me a bit more about the “freedom with responsibility” thing? I really like the unorthodox-ness of Choate, but know the SPS is rather conservative, is that true?
I also want to send congratulations. Both are great schools!
Vladivostok? Incredible… The SPS freedom with responsibility ethos is a huge part of their educational philosophy, and is all over their marketing materials. I think that it’s an incredible approach, but like I said, not for everyone. Read up on it, and ask plenty of questions about it. Generally, yes, SPS is probably has a more traditional feel than Choate, but I wouldn’t really call Choate “unorthodox”. When you speak to VA and music students (either in person or via Skype), ask them that question and see what they say!
@GMC2918 ok, thanks, I’ll read on that now. Weird thing: got waitlisted at Peddie and Brooks(!), but accepted to Choate and SPS)
I really don’t know much about SPS, but Choate has a “we like you as you are” type feel and believes that all kinds of students make a great community. (At least that is what I have been told by parents). I’ve been on campus a few times, as a visitor using the facilities, a prospective parent (yes, DD is in!), and as a visiting athletic team, and have not encountered any stuffiness. Basically, if you made it here, you are good to go.
@sorokka: There is nothing weird about getting some acceptances and some waitlists (or rejections). Each applicant’s decisions simply reflect those particular schools’ needs (and/or ability to pay) for that admission cycle. Don’t try to read anything else into them.
I agree with GMC that Choate is not “unorthodox;” it’s a pretty iconic old New England boarding school, but it is less formal than St. Paul’s. You can explore the visual arts program on the Choate website, but here is the overview:
Choate does field some strong sports teams, but it has an amazing arts cohort as well and lots of other interests in between. All students will be able to find their people at Choate, no worries there.
I don’t have personal experience as an international, but Choate students hail from 44 states and 42 countries; 34% are students of color and 17% are international. There are many international-focused clubs, and the student body is diverse and welcoming.
Our son is a senior at Choate. I’m happy to answer any specific questions you may have about the school.
Edit: Oh, forgot to add, ChoatieKid is big in one particular visual arts field for which there was no club, so he got to start it. Instead of considering that a drawback of the school, it became an amazing opportunity for him, and the school has seriously supported this club’s projects and activities.
I would say that one of the greatest strengths of SPS is the arts program. Music and fine arts are both very strong at the school. The schedule at SPS also allows a student to be involved in the arts yet still get involved in other aspects of the school if desired.
I am a current student at SPS and just want to say that I love it and going to SPS has been the greatest decision I have ever made. There are so many things that I love about SPS, one of them being our fully residential campus. This atmosphere creates a sense of community that I found lacking in other boarding schools. Another great thing is the size of our student body. We have around 530 students, which is quite smaller in comparison to Choate. By having a smaller student body, it allows everyone to be able to be a part of the community and stick out in their own way, versus blend in to the school and not be yourself. I can say that I know or have seen every student on campus, and that I am friends with everyone in my form.
Our arts program is also phenomenal! Although I am not a super artistic person, I decided to try a visual arts class last term and really loved it- I am taking one again this term! We have lots of advanced and AP art courses if you are serious about art, and this offers lots of time for 1 on 1 lessons with the teacher. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions!
I would take note of the difference in the day student population. Choate is relatively high and SPS has none. Think about how you feel about that. DO you want to be someplace where 25% of the people are living with their parents? Many also are from the surrounding area (i.e. NYC) and can come home for the weekend. Maybe thats good for you because you can make friends and go for some home cooked meals. or maybe you would prefer where everyone is in the boarding boat together. Also SPS is much smaller than Choate. I am not judging the relative merits of the 2 schools just saying that culturally this is what I would be thinking about if it were me.
@LifeLongNYer, my DD is going to be one of the “25% of the people” living with their parents. You are making some judgments and assumptions about these kids that is just not true. For instance, my DD went overseas at 11 without mom or dad and will be spending this ENTIRE summer overseas, again without mom or dad, attending school. So, even “those” kids are independent, savvy, extremely bright, and have a lot to offer the school. Every day student at Choate has the ability to eat all 3 meals (and snacks) at the dining hall with boarders. It is already included in the day tuition so that everyone spends their downtime together, and no one needs to bring food from home.
So how can you really tell the difference when you are walking on campus, eating in the dining hall, attending class, studying in the library or practicing your sport?
@mexusa there is no reason to get defensive and start using all caps. I was pointing out that one of the 2 schools has a day student population and one does not, nothing I said was critical of day students at all. I was only commenting on a difference between Choate and SPS, frankly it never even occurred to me that day students were more or less independent than boarders. I wouldn’t have my kid board at a school if I lived 15 mins away. On the other hand, I would prefer that the weekend social life is school based rather than NYC or Boston based. I don’t think its reasonable at all to suggest that having a large day student population has no impact on the culture of the school, whether thats better or worse for any individual family is up to them.
Okay.
NYC and Boston are not right around the corner from Wallingford. Each is a two hour trip by train and quite costly. All of the sports teams (and theatre) have mandatory practices on Saturdays, so the campus is still teeming with kids. Sunday is the only free day to sleep in or do something off campus.
SPS looks like a great school with lots of impressive alums. However, it does seem to have a very different feel to it than Choate. For one, it has a lot more regulations/traditions about dress, interactions with faculty, etc. OP should visit both and see which is more comfortable. Four years is a long time and HS is a very important part of one’s life.
Thanks everyone for your input. This is REALLY helpful. But i’m still torn, gotta do revisits, I guess.
BTW, I going to the 4th grade.
4th form, not 4th grade 