<p>Today we revisited NMH and tomorrow we'll go back to Loomis. The two schools have one significant feature in common: they have roughly the same number of students. What I'm wondering, among many wonders, is how Loomis' smaller campus, containing/or is it confining about the same number of students as the very spacious NMH, makes for a perceivable difference in the school's culture. What is the impact on the school's culture of having a mid-size student body packed together more closely? (By the way, if I had located the Loomis thread I probably would have posted there.)<br>
I'm open to all notions, theories, facts, speculations.</p>
<p>Sorry, that I can’t answer. But I do think the difference in boarding populations is significant. A far greater percentage of Loomis students are day students, and I think that does make a significant difference. Do you want a community where most people stay on campus on weekends, or where most people are gone? I found it interesting when we visited Loomis that when we asked about weekend activities, everything that was mentioned was an off-campus activity.</p>
<p>Considering these 2 schools is not the road less traveled. They are both well-regarded schools. It’s just that on this board most applicants whip themselves into a frenzy over a few schools. I can understand why someone from China would only consider certain schools, but I don’t understand why some applicants closer to home only consider certain schools if their local choices are not good. There are many great schools to consider that have been in business for over 100 years. They would not be in business if they did not offer a great education and boarding life.</p>
<p>We never looked at NMH, so I cannot comment on it. I have a few friends with students at loomis who board. They are happy with the program, including the boarding life. I heard on this board that Loomis is trying to increase the # of boarders, so I guess that they are paying attention to the boarding life. My son went to a school with 80% boarding, and he says that he noticed a difference in the social life of his friend at Loomis. This is a sample size of one, so it is probably an unfair comparison.</p>
<p>According to boardingschoolreview, Loomis has 300 acres which is well above the average acreage for boarding schools. As a result, I don’t think the acreage is an issue; perhaps it would be best to investigate the boarding life given the # of day students. BTW, the academics at Loomis are excellent.</p>
<p>It could be that you and your child prefer the wide open spaces at NMH. </p>
<p>If I were in your position, I would ask Admission to put me in touch with some parents of boarding students who come from approximately the same distance that you have to travel. You can ask them about the boarding life and school culture. I should warn you that they will probably provide feedback to Admission.</p>
<p>Perhaps you see things differently now that you have gone to the Loomis revisit.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision. You have two good choices!</p>
<p>
I guess it depends on who you talk to! S was a day student at Loomis, (graduated in 2009) and he certainly made a lot of trips back to LC on weekends to participate in various activities. Loomis has been decreasing the number of day students the past couple of years – decreasing the overall size of the school. Agree that LC didn’t seem particularly small in size, but every one has different perspectives on that.</p>
<p>My daughter boards at Loomis and has done one weekend activity off campus (invited to a nearby family’s weekend activity) this year, otherwise she is very happy to remain on campus - there are movies, special meals, van trips to nearby malls, special dance, skating and sports activities, and much appreciated time to just rest and hang out on the beautiful campus. The boarding students enjoy the weekend decompression, and Loomis seems to make a real effort to provide an enjoyable range of weekend activities. Boston and NY are both a convenient train ride away, but she has not yet taken advantage of that.</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you for your input.<br>
We’re more inclined towards Loomis after today’s revisit. Perceptibly stronger academics at LC–D’s words. She fears that slacking off might be a temptation for her at NMH and does not want to invite such temptation. My questions turned out to have had greater bearing for me, reflecting my concerns, than for her. Not so surprising…
Here’s my next concern: location. Does anyone know the tenor or dare I say, culture, of and around the Windsor community? What sorts of resources are there (and I don’t mean shopping–rather, bookstores, libraries, restaurants, hospitals)? This might be my way of asking if it’s an economically stable community; safe and vital.
Finally, my reference to “Roads Less Travelled” was not meant disparagingly. Quite the opposite. I intended it as a showing of solidarity with SevenDad’s suggestion for a new, start-up forum within the cc community. “Roads” (a trial name) would enable more discussion on cc re: the panoply of non GLADCHEMS/HADES schools. Sounds good to me.</p>
<p>A few words on the Windsor area…Economically pretty stable. It is home to the Hartford airport, and a fair amount of light industrial, defense, technology and insurance business. Hartford is the nearest city. A bit mediocre in terms of culture, and some pretty sketchy areas around the city. However, great hospitals, so no concerns there.</p>
<p>The nearby towns to Windsor include some of the most affluent Hartford suburbs. Lots of cute NE town centers and all that implies. Interesting cultural stuff to the north in MA, including Northampton (artsy college town with lots of music, restaurants, bookstores, galleries, etc.) and the 5 college area. Further West is Lenox, Tanglewood and a great summer arts scene.</p>
<p>Have friends who live in the Windsor area. They love it. Suburban living but close to big cities like NY and Boston. Just don’t become a Yankees fan - there are already too many of them!</p>
<p>About the boarder-day student ratio: we were told by the director of admissions that they were going to slowly reduce the number of day students, which would increase the ratio of boarders to day students. They don’t have the dorm space for more boarders at this time. I think they were aiming to get close to 70% boarders.</p>
<p>After our revisit, we were also impressed by the academics. Didn’t apply to NMH, so can’t compare. </p>
<p>Sorry, don’t really know about the Windsor area, so I can’t help you on that one. However, it is nice for the kids to have a town to walk to, and the immediate area looked just fine to us.</p>
<p>
And the students do, in fact, walk to town. The boarders, especially, walk out the south entrance to a supermarket that’s right across the street. Subway (sandwiches), CVS, Windsor Public Library, and more are very close to the school.</p>
<p>Also making this choice…looks like Loomis for our fam!</p>
<p>waiting to here if i’m off the waitlist or not at loomis… then if i get in, it will be the same choice for me, loomis or nmh</p>