Concord Academy

Prep School Admissions
21

<p>liddy, art classes are during the day. Dance is either a class or a very serious extra-curricular activity (like a team) or both. I don't know the exact hours, but there are a lot of them. My daughter is taking dance as a class at the moment, though I think there is a reasonable likelihood that she will be asked to join the Dance Company, and I would worry about whether she has the time for that. Dance class ends at dinner time and she often stays and works there until about 9.</p>

<p>My daughter was at the young end of her class in public school and then transferred to private middle school, where she was between 6 months and 2 years younger than her classmates (lots of private school parents hold their kids back for a year). The same is true at CA, but a little less.</p>

<p>My son had a friend who was a dancer and student who attended high school with him for a year at our local public HS. She left because the homework load in the honors classes was too high for her to be a dancer (I think she actually performed and got paid for it). She did Walnut Hill for a year and said it wasn't strong academically -- her comment was that they say it is good for both arts and academics, but she said the kids didn't really do the academic work. So, she danced/performed and homeschooled for two years and is now a freshman at an Ivy. This is primarily hearsay -- she talked to my son (when they used to have conversations, they could be 90% her and at most 10% him for at least an hour on the phone) -- and that was a summary of the relatively sparse version we got from my son. But, my daughter's friends are doing dance company and school (including art classes, I think).</p>

<p>We live nearby so I am not qualified to speak about boarders and how they get their work done.</p>

22

<p>Shawbridge,</p>

<p>Thank you. You've been very helpful. I'm actually relieved to hear that English is English, Chemistry is Chemistry and Art is Art. This will work out better for my child.</p>

23

<p>shawbridge, my d is interested in CA for 2010, and we are planning to visit in April. I know we got the visiting timing bad, since I had no idea how busy the admin would be in April. Any suggestions?</p>

24

<p>I don't know much about timing. What is the timing issue?</p>

25

<p>Hi! I'm a current, senior boarding student and would be happy to answer questions. Don't hesitate to have your son or daughter talk to me, either, if they're interested. I'm artsy, transferred as a junior (very, very unusual) and am very involved in extracurriculars, etc. I'm also in the throes of the college process, if you'd like any perspective on how that'll end up.</p>

<p>"My biggest concern: seems like a day school that happens to have boarders, rather than a boarding school."</p>

<p>There is a "day/boarder divide", as we euphemize it here. It's kind of frustrating to not be able to be in the dorms during the day, but it's ultimately a good thing (we're all the same kind of student during the weekdays). Boarding life is pretty rich, though, and all events tend to be oriented towards getting day students to stay on campus. All my day friends come to school by 8:15 daily and usually don't leave until boarding students have study hall at 7:30. It's very welcoming to all.</p>

<p>"I have enjoyed reading over the list of courses, it looks like so many awesome courses but do they really offer all those courses every year? How many classes do you get to choose beyond the required basic math/english/science/lanaguage?"</p>

<p>At CA, there are VERY few restrictions on classes. All are required to do standard freshman/sophomore English, US History, a computer literacy class (or pass the impossible test, like I did), and one math class beyond Algebra 2. By Junior year, every single class taken is an elective. It's wonderful. Of course there are distribution requirements, but almost nothing is forced upon you. Your schedule looks more like a college schedule. You will NEVER find better English electives than at CA, and History has some amazing offerings, too. Your load can be anywhere from five classes (four "majors" and a "minor"), or 14 credits, to any combination of 3-credit majors and 2-credit minors to earn up to 20 credits in a semester. Don't overload, though, as it's easy to take on more than you should. Minors are typically art/music/theater/etc classes.</p>

<p>"How are the dorms like at CA?"</p>

<p>Good and bad. They aren't "dorms", as the administration likes to remind us, but "houses". All the dorms are historic Concord houses, with most students living in doubles. Singles are reserved for seniors, and a stay in an extremely spacious triple is inevitable for almost any student who enters as a freshman. Heating in some (Phelps) is terrible, so bring a heated mattress pad for the winter. However, some such as Haines are quiet, well-insulated, and have good plumbing. Each house has its specific pros and cons. I got an amazing room last year, and am in my own single right now.</p>

<p>"Would Concord Academy be a good fit for someone who loves writing and is very academic but not necessarily artistic? How strong do you have to be in the arts? D has to choose between Milton and Concord Academy. Any input will be appreciated."</p>

<p>Concord is AMAZING for writing. Your daughter would love the environment. Writing is a major part of any class- you'll have to write essays in Science, Math, art classes, and of course English and History. Academics are very strong all around here, but English tends to be the strongest in my opinion. Art classes are required (including at least one studio and one performance technique/music/dance/theater class), but there is a huge range of offerings. You don't have to be skilled, just creative.</p>

<p>"Does anyone know anything about their study abroad program?"</p>

<p>Many seem to be very happy with it, and it's quite normal for Juniors to go abroad. I never had the opportunity as a new Junior, but you can find a semester or year-long program for just about any interest.</p>

26

<p>"The art program sounds great. Are the arts integrated into the curriculum or is the art program separate? For example, if they are learning Shakespeare, would they write papers or would they recreate a model of the Globe theater or perform a play?"</p>

<p>They'd write papers, let me assure you. However, some teachers like to integrate more of a creative aspect into non-art classes. For my English class last year, my major project was a set of five drawings. Most academic teachers give a lot of room for students to show what they're good at, be it music, theater, art, dance...</p>

<p>"Is it possible to participate fully in the dance program and also take a good number of studio art courses? Is is hard to tell from the CA website if both interests can be fully realized."</p>

<p>You have no idea. I have friends right now in the Company who have been accepted to RISD, WashU's architecture school, Tisch for photo, Tisch and USC for film...etc...they all have a specialty outside of dance. It is very easily done. Relatively speaking, of course. All CA students are worked pretty hard.</p>

<p>"How does that work? Are the art classes during the academic day and for credit, and the dance is during what most schools consider the 'afternoon athletic' block?"</p>

<p>Art classes are during the day for academic credit, but all require significant time to be put in outside of class. ESPECIALLY film. Beware of that! It's not really a "minor" at any level.</p>

<p>"I wonder also: My daughter is a good student, but somewhat easily distracted..."</p>

<p>I empathize with this. I chose CA over Walnut Hill and others precisely because I didn't want to sacrifice academics or further exploration for a conservatory experience. However, CA students put in a LOT of time no matter what they study. I'd guess I'm in class about 4 hrs/day (not too bad), with some frees. I probably devote 4 hrs/day to homework during the week, with anywhere from 5-10 on the weekends. Plus, factor in athletics (dance luckily counts as both academic and athletic requirement, so that's no extra commitment), extracurriculars, etc. Students (including me) tend to take a huge load, and everyone has dark circles under their eyes every day, but it's really however hard you want it to be. The schedules are flexible and you just have to know your limits to avoid being overworked.</p>

<p>As for study environment, there is a mandatory proctored study hall for boarders 7:30-9:30, Sunday through Thursday. You can choose to either have an assigned spot in the library or STUFAC, with lots of other students around studying intensely, or sign out to a practice room, studio, or computer lab. You can choose to study in-room, if it is better for you. There's also lots of support for ADD kids. The learning center is amazing. A ton (probably 1/4) of students also get extended time on tests and even SATs.</p>

<p>PM me with more questions and I'll post my answers.</p>

27

<p>OK-- to bring up a less pleasant subject, how would current CA insiders (students, parents) rate the Academy’s response to the student death last winter? Rumors trickling to the outside include a real heavy-handed reaction on the administration’s part.</p>

28

<p>SSAT: 75%
Grades: Mostly A’s one or two B’s
Sports: Soccer, hockey, tennis, and baseball
Extras: Class Secretary, Jazz Band, Band, outside of school wind ensemble, and math club
Will i get into: Concord, Groton, St. George’s, Avon Old Farms, or St. Mark’s?
My family has a very close relationship with Groton
THANKS!</p>

29

<p>I love concord academy! I was accepted this year as a spohmore, but i will not be attending bc of sps. I was given an arts tour because that was what i was most interested in, and i have to say i was SOOO impressed. and my parents- who were artists and fashion designers in nyc and they know their stuff. i love the dorms- they have a very nice home-y feeling. the teachers at CA are amazing and really really care about every single student. Plus, there is the whole Common Trust aspect that i admire.</p>

30

<p>Before putting too much meaning into the seemingly empty campus on weekend at CA, know that at Northfield Mount Hermon and Deerfield Academy the campus seems abandoned on weekends. </p>

<p>Its not that the students leave - they just don’t seem to be visible, or don’t move on mass at particular times.</p>

31

<p>I am currently applying to concord academy, it seems like a good school</p>

32

<p>It’s a wonderful school. Feel free to ask any specific questions you may have.</p>

33

<p>I am also happy to answer questions about CA. Photodad knows more because he’s got two upperclassmen there. My only CA child is currently a freshman, but he and his parents couldn’t be happier, so far. Our experience with CA has already exceeded our expectations.</p>

34

<p>I’m applying this year too! I waited too long to schedule an interview so I’m on their appointment waitlist. :(</p>

35

<p>Can someone describe their application process in detail</p>

36

<p>The application process is described in detail on CA’s website: [Concord</a> Academy: Apply to CA](<a href=“http://www.concordacademy.org/admissions/apply-to-ca/index.aspx]Concord”>http://www.concordacademy.org/admissions/apply-to-ca/index.aspx)</p>

37

<p>Does Concord Accept SSAT scores in the 70s?</p>

38

<p>The average for the accepted student is in the mid 80’s at CA, so I am sure there are kids who get in with scores in the 70’s. But I would imagine that the rest of the app would have to be strong enough to dispel any concerns about ability to keep up with the academic demands.</p>

39

<p>I mean someone personally take on the application process.</p>

40

<p>@honoraryamom - I’m glad it’s working out for you so well. Both my kids were very happy there. </p>

<p>@stargirl3 - The admissions office tries very hard to get everyone off the appointment waitlist. It’s hard to tell this year how likely that is, because the list is longer than usual, but they’ve also had more appointment cancellations than usual due to illness, etc.</p>

<p>@EL0761 - As honoraryamom mentioned, there are plenty of kids with SSATs in the 70s since the average is around 84 and I expect there are a number of kids in the high 90s. The most important things the school looks at are your transcript and letters of recommendation (to evaluate how well you can handle the academics as well as how well you can handle the social aspects of a boarding/day school environment that allows a high degree of freedom). The other aspects of your application (including SSAT scores, special talents, sports skills, etc.) are important but not as important.</p>

<p>@Hsgirl25 - Feel free to ask some specific questions about the about the application process because we’re not sure what you’re looking for. From my point of view the process was pretty straightforward and followed the process described on the above website.</p>