<p>7th grade daughter applying to private schools in central CT. We are looking at day and boarding, though she would be a day student. Prefer girls schools, but considering co-ed. She is strong in math and also very creative; drawing, painting and ballet so we are trying to find solid academics with strong arts. Considering Westover, Miss Porters, Ethel Walker, Sacred Heart Academy Hamden, Hopkins and Laurelton Hall. We visited some schools and realized how important it is to look beyond the test scores and college placement. Warmth and values focus important. Legacy, resting on laurels not. Thanks.</p>
<p>Westover - without a doubt. PM me anytime - also Grotonalums daughter is attending next year, as well. We would both be happy to share our experiences.</p>
<p>Have to agree with liddyb4. Definitely consider Westover. I’ll be a freshman day student there in the fall, so PM me if you or your daughter have any questions!</p>
<p>Choate has an amazing art program.</p>
<p>Thanks liddyb4 and dancer411. Westover is one of the schools we visited and like very much. We thought it had a warm campus environment, solid academics and strong focus on the arts. Healthy day student community. Pretty much everything we are looking for. Will PM when we get our questions together. Another school we looked at is Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden. Less known as it draws students from surrounding towns. Also very warm, solid academics, a strong focus on values. Almost 1/3 the tuition. However, need to investigate the arts focus. Any insight appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks 2010 Hopeful. Choate has not been on our list due to boarding coed environment. Wondering if there are insights into environment for girls there. - Our daughter is on the young side.</p>
<p>Choate parent here- but Hopkins is a great school with very rigorous academics. I have friends there whose kids are into both math and music and love it. They did a series of concerts together with Choate this spring and the students seemed very similar.</p>
<p>you might want to consider Loomis Chaffee - excellent arts - also has a much higher percentage of day students compared to other boarding schools (though it is coed)</p>
<p>Yes, I read Loomis has a good art program. Although NMH is in MA. I read about a lot of art students loving the program there.
In mid CT there is Pomfret, Suffield and Canterbury.</p>
<p>
Loomis is reducing the size of the day student population over the next several years.</p>
<p>Son just graduated Hopkins.
PM me if you want info.</p>
<p>My daughter is a recent Miss Porter’s grad. I was very happy with her experience there. It is strong both academically and with its arts and sports programs. PM me if you want more information.</p>
<p>The arts, especially music, are incredible at Hotchkiss (Lakeville, CT). As for the auditorium where musicians perform, it is spectacular. Truly remarkable. I doubt that there are many places its peer anywhere at a NE BS or college.</p>
<p>Hotchkiss has a Fazioli. 'Nuf sed :)</p>
<p>As a real left field suggestion, have you looked at Pierrepont School in Westport? Day only, very small and quirky but amazing academics including math and arts.</p>
<p>A belated thanks to all for the additional insight. Doing more research and wondering if anyone can advise the name of the stables/barn used by Westover. I understand that Westover does not have a formal riding program, but heard that there is a place nearby.
Since we are now also considering equestrian offerings, we are looking more closely at Dana Hall and Ethel Walker. So any insight on how these schools compare overall appreciated.</p>
<p>Does Miss Porter’s have an equestrian program? Does Hopkins?</p>
<p>Miss Porter’s has an IEA (HS equestrian) team. So does Ethel Walker, Stonleigh Burnham, Dana Hall and Williston Northampton. Those are the indedendent schools in IEA Zone 1.</p>
<p>If you are willing to Dana Hall (not so close to Central CT), then perhaps also put PA’s Linden Hall and VA’ Madeira on list for equestrian schools…</p>
<p>If you are looking at VA girl schools with strong riding programs, add Foxcroft to your list. The equestrian program there is renown.</p>