I heard the academics at Andover are more rigorous than schools like Deerfield and Hotchkiss. Is this true?
I don’t think anybody here would have first hand knowledge, since it is unlikely that anybody attended all 3. But I would say that the academics are rigorous at all 3 schools, and at all schools at that level, and are likely more rigorous than you have ever experienced.
I remember visiting all three, and being impressed by Andover’s upper level science classes. In particular one of the biology classes went above the level of AP biology. It was more akin to material taught in 2nd-3rd year college. I don’t recall if Deerfield and Hotchkiss had the same.
But all 3 schools are of comparable rigor. Graduating from any of these schools will mean that you can handle college level work.
Having more advanced classes in a particular discipline is only relevant if that’s a discipline you yourself are advanced in and will be able to fit into your schedule after fulfilling all other requirements… and that assumes those classes aren’t in high demand and turning away students.
If you look at the bios of boarding school teachers, most of them have taught at multiple schools, so there isn’t that much of a difference in rigor. My daughter’s school has teachers who have taught at Groton, Andover, Hotchkiss, etc. I don’t think they lower their standards when they switch schools. (I’ll also add that some of the most challenging and creative teachers are not always the ones who studied or taught at the most pedigreed schools, even if their resume looks more impressive…)
Graduating from any of these schools is a notable achievement in terms of academics. Likewise, if you consider that the overall number of kids attending BS is very low and the academic level at most is very high, you can realize that there is a nominal difference between the top schools ( and I mean broadly the top 50). Kids at these schools can be really high achieving in many fields. Some of the smaller schools have a crop of kids who chose that school for various reasons (location, a speciality, FA, etc, etc).
The problem with focusing solely on the same 5 schools (which are mentioned ad infinitum) is that kids and their parents are creating less of an impressive roster. The schools are filled with kids based on the status rather than what they are truly interested in learning. That makes me sad. We felt it when we attended the schools and then went back. Not specifically at Deerfield or Philips, but at other “name” schools.
My super high stats kid who had a pick, chose the school that fit and that has made a huge difference. If Andover or Deerfield is your choice because of fit, then great. But if you are choosing just to get into college or impress your friends, that really isn’t in your best interest.
You will be challenged at all of the schools you mentioned. BS is competitive in the classroom and on the playing field, hockey rink, lax field, court, etc (choose your venue). If you want info @ specific courses or the academic rigor, feel free to PM me.
You will find that at most schools on this forum there are very driven students who excel academically and in EC areas. The schools on your list self-select for high achievers. Some students choose to take Honors, AP or Accelerated courses that may move at a faster pace, involve more workload and have more advanced topics. Academic rigor is high. There seems to be grade compression at many top boarding schools. There is a large chunk of the student body getting grades between 89-91 and they are working their ___ off. In order to be accepted in the first place, you would have been a strong student and in some way an achiever. Be prepared to compete around the table - Harkness Hogs are a reality. It’s not just how smart you are or how academically rigorous the coursework is. At some schools (not all), there is another competitive factor in the classroom dynamic. On the other hand, there may be kids who are eating chips and watching Netflix while just getting by on minimal amounts of work - but these are few in number. Here is my advice: Want the most out of the experience? Then, get the most out of yourself.