Groton vs Phillips Academy

<p>Thoughts on attending one vs. the other. Great choice for our student to have but any input would be helpful.</p>

<p>I can answer questions about Groton, but i don’t know much about Andover. I imagine that the biggest difference is going to be qualities related to the size of the school. Groton is small and a very tight community. Just as a for example, the students in each house shake hands with each other and chat every night at check-in. </p>

<p>There are positives and negatives to that. Although they have a great curriculum for their size, advanced classes are often small or independent study. It’s nice to know everyone and to have the close support of faculty and students, but sometimes tough that everyone knows your business too.</p>

<p>We’ve found overall that Groton was a class act for my 1st daughter; we continue to be impressed with the little things, and it’s opened tremendous opportunities for her going forward. College placement worked very well for her. And it was a comfort to us that the faculty knew her so well. There are blemishes that we see, of course, especially after spending a lot of time there. But 2nd daughter will be going there in the Fall. I’ll be at Groton revisits with her soon; hope to see you there.</p>

<p>Ask anything else you like …</p>

<p>As a boarder or a day student, how are the day students received</p>

<p>Size is the main differentiating factor. Andover has lots of little “niches” because of its large size that Groton might not have (swimming for example), so it depends a lot on what interests your DC has. They are both well respected schools with more similarities than differences apart from size.</p>

<p>First of all, congratulations for having such great choices! Going with either, you’ll get to experience one of the best known, best endowed and highly prestigious NE boarding schools, which means you will get to work with excellent teachers, talented peers and state-of-the-art facilities in high school years…You will have access to excellent academic training, a great prospect for college placement and door-opening alumni network and more.</p>

<p>That said, the two schools do have some distinctive differences mainly due to their differences in size, location and how traditions play out in students’ daily lives. I am more familiar with Andover, so I’ll say a few words about Andover as I know of. Located in the middle/upper middle class suburb with a nice town and easy access to Boston, and with 1100 students, Andover is a pretty open and dynamic community that’s in some ways NOT typical among private schools in that while it still is it may be least like a “prep school bubble” if it means something to you. It doesn’t have a dress code and very few formally required “ceremonial activities” other than the school openings and commencements each year as well as a weekly All School Meeting which stops during part of the winter trimester. The traditional values the school holds dear are “non sibi”, “a private school with a public purpose” and “youth from every quarter”, and they are demonstrated in what the school does as part of their operations, from their MLK celebration, yearly service day which involves students and alumni, to the effort to build a highly diversified student body and its one and only “need blind” admissions… I also see the school in general more progressive and forward thinking. Despite the seemingly lack of all-community activities, my impression is that most of the students/alumni have a strong sense of belonging and are very proud to be part of the Andover community. </p>

<p>The school is less structured than some other schools. They do implement a study hall every school night, but students are allowed to study in their own rooms and with excuses in library or attending an academics related activity outside dorm. No one would stand behind you and monitor what you do, and there’s absolutely no restrictions to phone or Internet use any time of the day. While the supporting system is sound (on-site domr parents, teachers’ office hours, student tutors for each subject, writing center etc.), you are expected to seek the help you need, which means minimal “hands holding”. This can be good or bad. While the Admissions in general is doing a good job, there’s a potential risk that kids who are not motivated can slip through the cracks and lag behind. The good part is that kids are given the chance to figure out how to advocate for themselves, take charge and multi task from early on. Many kids (I can proudly say mine is one too) are so much more mature, independent and effective in working with adults and authority by the time they graduate. </p>

<p>Because of the size of its student body, the competitions can be more intense both to stand out academically, athletically and for leadership positions in extracurricular activities, but most of the kids are <em>nice</em> kids who don’t compete at others expense, and studying and working in groups and helping each other out are more common than the cutthroat competing scenes.</p>

<p>I think your choice depends on your “philosophy” about the best high school education. To us, Andover fits our bill because we wanted the quality of a top private school but we tried to avoid a very small community where by chance not fitting in socially either initially or in the long run can make you “nowhere to turn to”. And I hate it when people say “oh, another privileged kid pampered in their small private school…”. Among everything else so much more valuable, Andover gives us the “bragging right” for having gone through one of the most academically challenging and competitive schools. </p>

<p>I don’t go to Groton, but I have applied and been waitlisted for two consecutive years.</p>

<p>Everyone I’ve come in contact with at Groton is really nice. The Admission Office has helped me so much, the officers themselves are very understanding, and I’ve kind of made “friends” with the secretary, having called so many times.</p>

<p>Groton is a lot more structured than Andover. The school meets almost daily for chapel to hear a chapel talk and listen to announcements. There is required study hall for lower schoolers on school nights, and handshakes/hugs after check-in in the dorms.</p>

<p>I’ve heard that the new headmaster, Mr. Maqubela, is amazing. He seems like a really nice, smart, and helpful man with a fascinating story. Each form meets at his house every so often for Parlor (milk and cookies and a time to relax). I also hear that he’s an excellent chemistry teacher!</p>

<p>I was also waitlisted at Andover, and as many have said, the biggest difference is the size. Each school’s differences appealed to me and prompted me to apply. My favorite thing about Andover would have to be the amount of activities available, simply because there are so many kids. (I also like their dining hall more, but that’s another story…) </p>

<p>Andover is also in a more suburban town while Groton is very rural. There are more opportunities to get off campus at PA, seeing as many kids have to cross Main Street to get to their dorms! They’re both beautiful towns.</p>

<p>Day students at Groton are well integrated. They are assigned to specific dorms, and even have sleep over privileges in a specific room. They work hard to keep them involved as part of the community, from what i’ve seen.</p>

<p>And yes Mr Maqubela is great – but we did steal him from Andover to begin with.</p>

<p>^^DC had the honor to be in Mr. Maqubela’s class for a year at Andover :). Yes, indeed, he’s a great teacher, charismatic and very funny too!</p>

<p>My DS will be attending Groton as a third former next year. He can’t wait. We will be at the revisit days on 4/3 and 4/4 even though he has already committed.</p>

<p>Although some see Groton’s small student body as a drawback but I think it allows the faculty to know each student and the students to know each other. In a small school you have the opportunity to try a new sport and make the team which is harder to accomplish in a big school like Andover because of the competition from established athletes. It seems like all students are involved in multiple aspects of school life so cliques are not as likely to develop. The new headmaster is well liked by the students and especially well liked by the faculty and staff. He and his wife are inspirational leaders and I think they will do very well at Groton. I would suggest that your child attend both revisit days and try to determine where he/she feels most comfortable and at home. Best of luck!</p>

<p>@Ironmom1: I don’t think Groton’s being small is a drawback. There is a reason why most private schools are small or smallish, and which is why I said Andover’s size is not “typical” among private schools. A school of Groton’s size does have the advantages you mentioned. On the other hand, Andover’s size can be an advantage as well. The “economics of scale” makes it possible for the school to offer more advanced classes, and for the students to form more student run organizations with meaningful attendance, for example. While it may be true that it’s more difficult to make to a varsity sports team, it’s easier to justify more instructional and intramural sports depending on the demand, and a bigger talent pool also makes more winning teams possible. The bigger student body also means a greater number of students in each subgroups, so students can take advantage of it and it’s easy for those from “non-traditional” background to find their circles of friends. Of course, because of the bigger size of different subgroups, the conflicts and voices from each can be more pronounced, but it can be a learning opportunity as well. The recent discussions on campus among students on gender equality, racial and socioeconomic diversity is such an example.</p>

<p>There are some great schools out there. Some are bigger and some are smaller. Fortunately for OP, both Groton and Andover are among the best of their kinds. I agree with you that they should revisit to get where they feel more at home, and reflect on what they care for most based on the kid’s need. In the end, for OP it’s really a “first world problem”. </p>

<p>Make sure you come back and tell us your decision! </p>