Hi there, I’m recently received admission from Milton and Groton for grade 9th boarding. The financial commitment is the same from each and I’m not leaning towards either - both are equally my “top choice” because they are such good schools. I did a lot of research but am still unable to choose between them. Can you please help me in my decision making?
1-- Is Groton really more academically tough and challenging than Milton? All the reviews I read about Groton say that even the brightest of kids are stressed out… Objectively, how true is it? How does the work load of Groton compare with Milton?
2-- Groton’s “vibe” seems more friendly (their admission packet was nicer, much more customized and tailor-made to things from my application and my interview, while Milton had a generic acceptance letter). It just looks like Groton put more care in each of their admitted students. I’m scared that if I say Yes to Milton, I’ll miss on the very kind and nice people at Groton…
3-- With covid-19, what’s the living situation at these schools? Do they give single rooms or do we still have to share? I searched on their website and am unable to fully understand how hard it is to get a single? (It looks like getting a single at Milton is easier than at Groton?) It’s not a big concern for me but good to know.
4-- Do Groton and Milton have the same reputation? I know they both have similar ranking but in general circles, it looks like Groton is more “prestigious”. I’m not running after prestige because both of these schools are excellent but it’d still be nice to verify the claims I’m hearing from the people I know.
5-- This is a hard (and maybe an unfair question) but if you got into Groton and Milton as a boarding 9th grader, with everything else constant, which one would you select?
My family doesn’t know much about boarding schools so I’m managing the process on my own. Can you please chime in and tell about your experiences at these two schools? Any contrary thoughts?
I want to make a quick decision so other people on waitlists are able to get their well-deserved spots and I don’t keep holding a spot longer than I need to, hence the urgency.
Thank you very much!
Yes. Depends on the kid. Not every kid is stressed out by a heavy workload.
They are smaller. It’s just marketing. Don’t count it as a positive or negative.
Ask them.
No, Groton is known for its tough academics. Milton not as much. But does that really matter to you? Groton also has more of a traditional curriculum but you have to compare based on your interests.
Groton, hands down not even a choice. But you have to pick what YOU like and what you feel comfortable with. Do you want a tiny class of less than 100 or more like 200? Some kids like the small size some don’t. Some like a smaller community some don’t.
No contrary thoughts. Regardless of which school you attend, you will work hard for good grades. We felt that Groton was one of the more intellectual schools really going deep in subjects. It seemed to us, to be one of the best places for really academic kids. And their head of school is fabulous.
See if you can connect with someone who attends Groton and someone who attends Milton and talk with them. That would give you the vibe of the school.
Urge you to take your time and make an informed choice. Speak to students at both schools, and perhaps seek out some recent graduates.
Schools generally won’t go to the Wait List for awhile, and usually only in April and later, if at all, so I wouldn’t worry too much about freeing up a spot for someone else in the next week or two.
My mom went to Milton and my uncle went to Groton, so I think I can probably answer. I’m not really sure about the comparison of the academics, but I know they’re definitely both rigorous. My uncle ended up going to multiple Ivy Leagues for grad school and my mom went to a well known medical school. They went to the same undergrad, actually. As for the second part, my uncle absolutely hated Groton because he thought it wasn’t very friendly at all and my mom loved Milton for the opposite reason. That’s just them, though. I have no idea about current dorms. Groton is definitely more “prestigious” but it’s not like Milton isn’t, just less so. As for five, I’d pick Milton, but it’s been my dream scho since I was little, so yeah!
Yes, every admitted student has earned the right to take as much time as necessary to decide, right up to A10. No school will have a complete and accurate picture of its enrollment until the decision deadline has passed. Take your time.
My daughter is at Milton now and will be going into 9th this fall. Unfortunately for her we live close by so she can’t board but would love to! The boarders came back onto campus in late October and I don’t think they had separate rooms. They were quarantined beforehand and regularly tested — this fall we’re already planning a near normal existence so you’d be living in one of the dorms and enjoying campus life with your new friends!
Don’t make anything of the acceptance packet — if you turn down Milton, you’ll worry you turned down some super awesome folks too!
I can’t answer all your questions because I believe it really depends on what you’re looking for in a school. We are probably more diverse and casual than many and likely less traditional than most. All I do know though, is if they accepted you then they really do feel that you would fit right in there!
Good luck in your choice, and what a great problem to have!
In my opinion, Groton & Milton are almost opposites in the world of boarding schools.
Milton starts at first grade or kindergarten, while Groton only offers 8th grade through 12th grade.
Milton is mostly day students while Groton is almost 100% boarding.
Groton is an intense school with respect to academics, while Milton is a bit more relaxed although academically outstanding.
Not certain, but I believe that all three Milton Academy schools–lower, middle, & upper–are on the same campus. If so, expect a good bit of carpooling students & parents.
Groton is a pure boarding school, while Milton Academy has more day students than boarding students.
Picking one school over the other is a matter of personal preference.
Yes, the three schools are on the same campus at Milton per se but they each have their sections of it. The upper school have little interaction with the middle school except they do share a couple of spaces, like the science center. For the most part though, upper schoolers have zero interest in the middle schoolers and it doesn’t seem to impact their enjoyment of school. You’d likely never be bothered by a lower school kid, they’re tucked away in a different part of campus
Milton Academy upper may be 50/50 boarding/day, but the campus has many lower grades which are all boarding. It affects the atmosphere. May be a positive, may not be depending upon the person.
Thank you so much for these very helpful comments! Unfortunately I don’t know any current Milton or Groton students nor alums, which is why this forum is especially helpful.
One comment I didn’t understand: the 3/4 walls in Groton rooms? What does that mean…?
And the reason I presumed that Milton has mostly single rooms now because I read it on one of their post-Covid19 FAQs. Don’t know how truly that is being implemented right now? Can any of the current students please share?
Thank you so much all for sharing your thoughts, I am reading them with keen interest and gratitude!
Don’t worry about not knowing any current students or alums. Now the school has identified you as a student who they would like in their school next year, they’ll do anything they can to help you choose the right school for you.
Call up your admissions officer and ask for them to put you in touch with a current student. You can also ask if it’s possible to find one with experience in a particular area that is important to you such as orchestra, debate, theatre or a sport team.
You can board in 8th at Groton; I met someone here in California who went there for 8th grade; her parents were here not on the faculty. Also, our tour guide a couple years back was from Hong Kong and she had started in 8th. In this video, kids are from all over the place: Groton School – The Eighth Grade Experience – Middle School Admissions Video - YouTube
I don’t really think anyone can answer this because at any school it depends on the classes taken and the student taking them. Groton in general is academically tough and some kids are stressed, but I’m sure the same can be said for Milton for some individuals. Even at DC1’s LPS, surveys have shown that students are so stressed that they now do mental health screenings on all students unless a family opts out.
Groton really does have “very kind and nice people”. When we did the drop off in Sept, staff we came in contact with seemed to already know DC. People we never even met during the admissions process, chatted and asked questions about things very specific to DC. As far as other students, judging by the extensive communications going on now over break, I feel like my DC has been going there for 5 years rather than a few Covid shortened months. I think that it was easy for her to integrate because it is such a small school. That can be stifling for some kids though, so you have to think about what would fit you best.
Many schools had to make some changes in living arrangements due to Covid, so they may change again next year. You should ask the schools specifically. I wouldn’t put Groton’s ninth grade dorms in the same sentence as an “office cubicle”, but it can be difficult to picture when they say 3/4 walls. My kid loved them on the tour, so try to get some pictures from the school.
Who cares! I’m proud of my kid at Groton and I’m proud of my kid at public HS, I would also be proud if either one were at Milton. Don’t worry about prestige, just work hard, be kind and make a great reputation for yourself!
I agree with @UltimaCroix take your time. Do your research, take advantage of any webinars, student connections, etc. that both schools offer. Don’t rush a decision.
Also, @nonbinarywood mentioned perceptions of the schools from people that must have gone there many years ago. When doing your research here and other places, take things like that into account. Don’t base opinions on things that may no longer be relevant. Has there been significant changes to the school, has it evolved with the times, is the student body diverse, what is the headmaster like, etc…