My youngest is a total and complete non-athlete. The likes of Concord Academy, NMH, or Cambridge School of Weston are the types of school that pique our interest. Looking for solid academic experience with perhaps a less traditional slant. While an artsier community could work, we are looking more for an ABSENCE of super athletic culture-- no offense intended btw, as I have another child who is a 2-sport athlete.
Has your younger son taken the SSAT yet ? If so, what is the composite score average ?
SSAT score 88. Probably won’t go up much more with a retake.
Certainly, Concord Academy matches your wishes.
An 88 is an excellent score, but without athletics or URM status probably rules out the top schools unless full pay or only in need of a low amount of financial aid.
Depending upon his strengths & interests, Tabor Academy is worthy of consideration.
Does something more alternative, like Putney, have any appeal?
Cate School in California as well as Thacher are worth investigating.
^^Except that OP specified New England!!
Thanks! @Publisher: Financial aid won’t be a concern. Tabor interesting, but unfortunately the California schools are too far for us to consider. @gardenstategal, Putney is interesting!
Wonder if anyone has a feel for the MANY and VARIED schools in the Greater Boston area? For examples, Pingree, Beaver Country Day, Rivers, Thayer, etc., Etc.
There is a current thread on Boston Area Day Prep Schools.
Yes, saw that, but feel my question is looking for a school for a very particular (one might say limited) type of student.
But thanks @Publisher…I think I will cross post there 
Putney is what came to my mind based off of your description.
Putney is great. Maybe take a look at Brewster, too ? https://www.brewsteracademy.org
I thought Brewster was very athletic. I’m pretty sure a few nba players went there!
Possibly @momof3swimmers but Brewster offers the best of both worlds. Athletics are strong but not on steroids. I’ve known some very smart and artsy - non athletic kids who’ve gone there and loved it- plus you can’t beat the campus and the beautiful setting. Similar to Pomfret in many ways with the same kind of balance but without the amazing lake… But the Flagg- Olmsted designed campus at Pomfret is pretty spectacular, too…
I’d actually recommend looking at Pomfret, too. Very, very strong arts, great academics … nice balance with the athletic crowd. Just one visit to the admissions building will tell you that the emphasis on the arts is there… the student artwork you’ll see throughout your tour will blow you away. It’s absolutely incredible.
The art studio is a must see, too.
I know an very artsy (theater), decidedly non-athletic girl and a social justice non-athetic girl who were both very happy with Beaver Country Day. If mEmory serves me right, there is a sports requirement there. (Recall much groaning and whining from one of them…) one was a knock-out student, the other less so. Both very well served.
While on our tour of Brewster, we saw almost nothing to indicate they have a strong arts program. It could have been that our tour guides were athletes, but even when asked, they were hard-pressed to come up with anything. How about Proctor or New Hampton? There are athletes, but they are well rounded and many non-athletes as well. Non-athletic activities get just as much attention as athletics do. Definitely less traditional.
If you’re going to look at Pomfret and Brewster, I’d also add The Gunnery, Kimball Union and Millbrook to the list.
Suffield Academy may be another one to consider. Although I think they have some pretty strong sports, DS has a friend who is way more artsy than athletic (and a non-traditional kind of kid) and is very happy there.
Berkshire is another one – strong sports but the programming and ECs are very interesting and diverse. The location and campus are stunning and there is a beautiful art gallery and theater.
We went to Beaver Day School for a tour and it seemed to me that their days are very long… For example, their hockey practice starts at 5.45 or something like that…And then school goes on till 5pm…
It was the only school where the tour was given by a parent and not a student
Was not impressed with arts they had hanging on the wall TBH
The buildings are beautiful except for the fact that most windows are facing cemetery :))
BUT we have plenty of friends who’s kids go there and they are very happy with the school