This is not “true” in any objective way. Perhaps Groton is more generalized than other schools in their resource allocation. For most kids there’s plenty of stem to engage them at Groton.
To the OP - if you are curious about a certain area of study or extracurricular your best bet is to reach out to your Groton and Hotchkiss AO and ask about that specific interest. Also ask to speak to the faculty associated with it. This is a totally normal request and I’m sure they would be happy to speak to you about your interests beyond what you saw at revisit day.
Feel free to pm me with other specific Groton questions.
Actually, I want to add a bit on the rich/elite/entitled kids thing. All boarding schools have the same problem. Every school is promoting equality and diversity, but the reality is it depends on the history and culture of the school too. For example, Deerfield by far is one of the most conservative schools and still reserves a huge legacy population and huge endowment/donation from conservative donors who shaped the culture (unfortunately). Groton has a similar history as one of the most elite boarding schools (wealth and legacy) while Hotchkiss has been recognized as a more global and diverse school since the beginning. Traditions and cultures matter.
Traditions matter but Groton’s current headmaster has made a huge change in the school. In addition to having higher % of kids on financial aid than Hotchkiss, having a specialized financial aid program - GRAIN, Groton also has a higher % SOC than Hotchkiss. I’m unclear as to how you’re making your determinations but you are off the mark from what I have seen at Groton. Legacy kids have a much smaller advantage than they used to (I know at least 5 who were not admitted over the past 4 years).
Again, I am not familiar with Hotchkiss, it could be the same feeling as Groton but I think it’s important to have a more accurate picture of each school for future readers.
when you look at the endowment size, you will understand the concentration of the rich families. By far, Groton has the largest endowment per student, which is not from the investment officers’ excellent performance, but from the wealthy families.
Having a child currently at Groton I am quite aware of the endowment size. I am also aware that there are several billionaires at the school, as there are at every top boarding school.
Since you do not seem to have a child at the school (if you did have a child attend Groton please let’s us know so we understand where you are coming from) I do not think you can speak to the culture on campus and how that wealth actually translates into culture.
I am not arguing that there are not a fair number of wealthy kids. Is there any top ten school that isn’t filled with basically 50% wealthy kids? I’d guess the answer is no. For the record, our very ordinary family qualifies as part of that 50%. I am friends with some of the billionaires at Groton. I am also good friends with several families whose kids will be the first in the family to go to college. Parents are plumbers and hair dressers. Trust me when I tell you all these people mingle happily at parents weekend. No one is making anyone feel uncomfortable, that isn’t the type of family that chooses Groton.
I am puzzled with your firm opinions about a school culture you haven’t attended
It is certainly up there, but Groton does not have the largest endowment on a per student basis. Off the top of my head, I know of at least one school that is higher - there may be more.
Just wanted to point out: Groton financial aid in 2022 was $7.7 mln., or about $20,300 per student (379 students).
Hotchkiss financial aid in 2022 was $12.9 mln., or $20,700 per student (624 students).
If we want to talk about % kids on FA, or FA $, or % SOC (a highly debatable figure, as some schools count international SOC, others just count domestic SOC), then fine. But we are missing the point.
Both are excellent schools. OP, go with your gut feel.
Groton has a small boarding population. Some people love that, others, for example families we know, found it small after 4 years.
Others will find Hotchkiss too small at 600 boarders, and prefer the larger scale at PA/PEA.
We have gotten far off base here. In terms of the OPs actual original question, both schools are excellent in STEM. Those who suggest Groton is more of a humanities school likely don’t know the school very well. Those who suggest Groton is too full of wealthy families hasn’t been watching the school transform over the last decade or more. Same applies to Hotchkiss, and most of “selective boarding school world”.
What “good for STEM” means at the high school level is different than what it means at the college level.
You will need one year in each of the sciences. So if you want to pursue more advanced STEM, you are probably looking first at the scheduling options. Can you double up in the sciences?
Get prerequisite math early enough to use it? What are the criteria for getting into higher level classes? What if your interests differ from those of others - can you do directed study?
What is the quality of the teaching and through what level? Are labs decently equipped? Does the schedule make labs hard to juggle with other ECs?
What are options for things like robotics? Does the school have competitive options for math, robotics, etc.
I think there are schools that do a great job of STEM education even for kids who aren’t that interested in it. Others may do a less great job of teaching but are great at nurturing the kids who are interested and talented. And of course, there’s everything in between.
I’m not in a position to render an opinion on these two schools, both of which are excellent, but think you need to figure out what “better for STEM” means for you. And if you are drawn to Groton, using some of the questions above, figure out how well you will be served there.
Has no one mentioned Groton’s Fab Lab? When I was there, there were weekend events using 3D printers and such, and kids made really cool stuff. I wasn’t into engineering, but I bet it’s a good space for someone who is.
