<p>With the admissions process wrapping up soon, I was curious to some insight to some Massachusetts prep schools. Preferably, someone who has attended or attends one of the schools or has a child who did or does attend. I was hoping to make this a thread, for not only my gain, but for others' gain as well. So I will start off asking opinions on the following schools, but please feel free to add your opinion on other schools, or ask about other schools.</p>
<p>The schools I want to start with are:</p>
<p>Milton Academy
Noble and Greenough School
Concord Academy
Tabor Academy</p>
<p>Thanks! And please don't hesitate to add more schools.</p>
<p>Sailor girl, do a search – there are already threads here that focus on at least a few of these individual schools. No doubt you will get plenty of info and opinions there.</p>
<p>Cameo: Thank you for the information, I didn’t realize, as I am new to this site. I would hope that we can still keep this thread going though.</p>
<p>Star Girl: Yes, I am aware of this, sorry for not being clear, I wanted to keep options open for other people who wanted to comment or ask questions about schools in other nearby states. So, you are right New England Area, may have been better word choice. Sorry for the confusion.</p>
<p>Sailorgirl, these schools are described in many threads, but maybe it wouldn’t hurt to get some updated info. Concord Academy is the only prep school with which I have first hand knowledge, through my son, who is a freshman. I’ll try to give you the gist of the unique features of CA.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Academics are very strong and students are very bright - just look at the test scores of kids going in and coming out.</p></li>
<li><p>Arts are extremely well supported, and many of the students do seem to fit the “artsy” stereotype, though certainly not all. CA is great not only for music, dance, painting, and sculpture, but also for film making, digital art, and photography.</p></li>
<li><p>Most (but not all) athletic teams are weaker than those at the oft discussed HADES schools. This could be a drawback if you are a star athlete, but a plus for less than stellar athletes. My C would never have made varsity at our public school as a freshman (and possibly never), but did make it at CA. This has been a wonderful experience for him. There are also a few extremely talented athletes who wanted to attend CA in order to make a difference. So sports, while not top tier, are alive and well.</p></li>
<li><p>I would say that school spirit revolves more around the arts than athletics. No surprise, given the above.</p></li>
<li><p>Last year on this board, there was some talk that CA was losing its identity, trying to recruit athletes and become more like the traditional New England prep schools, due to a change in focus brought in by the new head. Comments like “the real creative kids are no longer applying”, were made. I have found no evidence of this whatsoever. Just check out the student art on display, or attend a performance, and you will see evidence of first rate creative talent. Efforts to bring athletics more to center stage come from the student athletes themselves, who are doing a great job in inspiring better attendance at athletic events. More power to them, as far as I’m concerned. This absolutely hasn’t changed CA’s “identity”.</p></li>
<li><p>CA is a very casual, accepting, come as you are kind of place. No dress code other than neatness and cleanliness. No religious affiliation.</p></li>
<li><p>The nature of the student-teacher relationship is cooperative, rather than hierarchical. Students call teachers by first name, and are expected to contribute to discussion in all classes. I feel this is elevating for students, in that it emphasizes the clear expectation that they be responsible, contributing members of the community.</p></li>
<li><p>I feel that #'s 6 and 7 are core elements of CA’s identity, and any improvement in athletics will not detract from them.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So that’s the gist. If I forgot anything crucial, I’ll write again.</p>