S has chosen - but I need your feedback

Prep School Admissions
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<p>S has a definite favorite: Loomis Chaffee. I am really happy that he is sure about his choice. I think it's a great school. However, I have this nagging thought in my head that S chose Loomis for sentimental reasons... a recently deceased relative went there and S had a moving experience while touring the campus. Of course, I want S to be happy and go with his gut feeling but I need reassurance that he would be a good fit at Loomis. His other choice is Blair Academy, a school I respect tremendously. (I might like to go there myself!) That might be my problem... I hear so many nice things about Blair but when it comes to Loomis, no one here seems to respond. Loomis fans, if you are out there, please tell me it's a good decision!</p>

<p>Personality-wise, I think S would do well in a caring, tight-knit community. On one level, he is independent - he has flown solo on trans-Pacific flights for as long as he can remember and loves adventures and community service in developing countries. On another level, he is shy and might need some structure to help him get used to a new school (e.g. orientation week for freshmen, study hall and frequent meetings with advisor). Loomis seems to have the structure and support in place. I'd love to hear your thoughts.</p>

<p>Academically, S would want a school with great history courses that make students really think, especially about current affairs. During a revisit, I sat in on an Arab studies class for parents and was very impressed. S would want to take Latin and Chinese, perhaps simultaneously. A strong writing course is a big plus; I know Loomis has a terrific sophomore writing course. Availability of activities like Model United Nations and study abroad/summer travel opportunities is important. I know Loomis sent an MUN team to Yale this year and have students participating in SYA. Anyone have personal experience with international activities at Loomis?</p>

<p>As for sports, music and art, I like schools that encourage kids to try new things because S is still exploring. I had a jockey image of Loomis but the athletic director said the philosophy is to have everyone participate and try new sports for fun and fitness, not just for competition. Is this lip service or reality? Is it possible, for example, for a beginner to play football there?</p>

<p>The big question is how the 60:40 boarding/day student ratio affects the community. We heard reassuring words that the students are well-integrated but at the revisit, they would say that, wouldn't they? Does anyone have a personal experience to share - good or bad?</p>

<p>The dorms looked nice. How is the food? I suppose it's institutional food like everywhere else but are there chances to eat non-mass-produced meals?</p>

<p>A new headmaster's appointment has been announced - it's Sheila Culbert from Dartmouth College. Has anyone heard about her (other than what's in Loomis' website)?</p>

<p>Thanks for listening... I know I will support my son's decision but just want to hear from this board because I have learned so much here. It's been a long but fun journey and I understand why parents hang out here long after their kids are in school.</p>

<p>It's late in Tokyo so I probably won't have a chance to respond until my morning so thanks in advance!</p>

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<p>About your son "choosing" on what you might see as a momentary event...</p>

<p>This falls into the "life doesn't necessarily go according to plan" category. And I'm sure there are stories of people you know who for the chance meeting of opportunity, would not have turned out as they did.</p>

<p>Now not all of these flights of the moment result in a storybook ending. In fact some of them turn out disasterous (think the kid with no coordination and coke bottle lenses who after 9/11 runs down to the local Army base and enlists). Sometimes kids don't know what they are signing up for.</p>

<p>In this case, however, it would seem that he is well prepared for and a reasonable fit for either choice, with seeming no risk for failure. So the fact that something fanciful has made him bond to Loomis should help him to focus on being the best Loomis student he can be and not leave any stray thoughts when the inevitable tough times come that perhaps a wrong decision was made. </p>

<p>It may not be the decision you see in him, but it may turn out the decision that he makes himself into.</p>

<p>getting off my soap box (and if you believe that...)</p>

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<p>Lexima -- pretty funny I should check out this forum on CC today -- usually I hang out in the Parent' Forum. We have a D in college and S who is a junior day student at Loomis -- so I'm a year away from the whole craziness of college decisions going on in some of the other forums.</p>

<p>Anyway, S likes LC a lot. Of course he is a pretty typical teenage boy, and not given to lengthy discussions of that sort. Our situation was out of the ordinary in that we moved to the Hartford, CT area just days before he started at LC as a sophomore. (His previous school went through 9th grade.) He wasn't thrilled about moving, but it also meant that he started LC with no pre-set group of friends, like many day students who arrive w/ a bunch of friends from their town/previous school. Accordingly, he has become friends w/ both day and boarding students. </p>

<p>Academically, LC is quite challenging. I'm very impressed w/ their writing program. S hasn't previously been a strong writer, but he's come a long way. Teachers are readily available for extra help. </p>

<p>Sports are definitely part of the LC experience, but they are at most prep schools. Ability to make a team varies by sport. For example, hockey is limited to Varsity & JV for both boys and girls, probably due to ice availability in their one rink. Lacrosse, though, has a Thirds team. If your S isn't into team sports, there are lots of club sports -- during spring term, my S plays Ultimate Frisbee. But, the arts are also pretty big -- the winter musical they just put on was amazing. Incredible talent!</p>

<p>As a day student, S doesn't have personal experience w/ dorms, but I was surprised to hear him say there are a lot of single rooms. (I would have assumed they were mostly doubles.) The food is "OK" according to S, who isn't a particularly picky eater. There's always a salad bar, fresh fruit, stuff for sandwiches, etc. S says many boarders order pizza, and I often see the delivery car pulling up in the evening. There's a grocery store right off campus, so many boarders go there to stock their fridges. They'll also walk to Subway (Sandwich Shop), and other places in Windsor.</p>

<p>Current parents know about what you know re: the new Headmaster. They interviewed a number of strong candidates. They're also building a new Science Center, which will benefit your S more than mine!</p>

<p>Re: the day/boarding mix -- that's a little tougher, I think. Clearly the boarders have a certain bond because they are on the Island 24/7 -- there are inter-dorm competitions, they eat family style dinners 2 nights/week, etc. As I said, my S started w/ no established group of friends, so he was more of a free agent. Most day students tend to hang together at least initially. S had a couple boarders give him a hard time last year when he was still on campus later in the evening, taking a Theater class -- as in "What are you still doing here? Go home." But, he just ignored it. I told him some of those students may just have been jealous that he could go home for "real food," family support, etc. :)</p>

<p>Hope this helps at least a little!</p>

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<p>I think you mainly hear about Blair only because there happens to be one or two parents on here whose kids attend Blair. I am sure Loomis is just as good a school, but this year, there just aren't any Loomis parents on, extolling its virtues.</p>

<p>Lexima, the thing I found surprising about your post, is that you didn't mention the difference in size between the 2 schools. Blair has about 440 kids, whereas Loomis has about 720—almost double. That can really change the feeling of the school. Personally, for me, I like the larger student body. I was accepted at Blair and loved the campus, people, etc.. but am going to Lawrenceville. One reason is because of size—Lawrenceville has over 800 kids and I like a larger student body. I would feel claustrophobic in a smaller school setting, especially after 3 or 4 years! For some people, the small size is perfect. What does your son say? </p>

<p>Regarding the day/boarding thing—, I want a school that has about 30% day. (some people don’t—they prefer 100% boarding, or 20% max, etc..) I want to make friends with kids that I can go to their house on the weekend. There will be nothing better to wake up some Saturday morning to the smell of bacon and eggs being cooked by my friend’s mom—knowing I can walk downstairs –compared to having to get dressed, wash my face, brush my hair, and put on makeup before walking across campus to the cafeteria. And, on long weekends, I won’t always want to go to a new town to explore New England—it will be nice to just veg at my friend’s house, catching up on The Hills, Gossip Girl, and all the other stupid TV shows I’ve been missing.</p>

<p>Regarding how well the day/boarding groups integrate: I think it is a given that all schools try to integrate the 2. As a day student, you’re allowed to eat b’fast, lunch, dinner, at school, sleep over, etc.. But really, don’t you think it is up to the individual kids? I mean, if you’re an outgoing kid, you’re going to be hanging out w/ the day and boarding students anyway—cuz that is what you do—you make friends. But, if you’re the type of kid who is shy and only feels comfortable revealing his feelings to a close group of friends—it won’t matter if you’re a day student or boarder—you’ll only feel comfortable w/ a small group anyway.</p>

<p>Did your son get waitlisted at the other schools he applied to? What made you choose these 2 schools? I think both are very good schools and he will be happy at either one. He needs to listen to his heart.</p>

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<p>Lexima -- When it comes to boarding school, it's probably best to let your son make the decision between two great schools. As it turns out, I know several people whose children go to Loomis now. One is a good friend, and she has not regretted it. I even had a brief conversation with a Blair parent who had one at Loomis and one at Blair. From the people I know, Loomis gets kudos for strong academics and the writing program. </p>

<p>Have you done a search of "loomis" on this board? There have been Loomis posters in the past. Loomis Admissions can put you in touch with current parents so that you can ask more questions. I think they would be happy to arrange this. You might ask for a few international parents of boarders. An email to the football coach will answer your question about football for beginners. </p>

<p>Good luck to both of you with your educations next year!</p>

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<p>Although none of my children have attended Loomis, all of them applied there and so it is the only school we visited three times. I know many people who have absolutely been thrilled with it, including a neighbors son who went there and then to Yale.</p>

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<p>I'm a L-C alumna -- thought very highly of the school and had one son apply but choose to stay in public school at that time. I was a day girl, at a time when there were only boarding boys and day boys and girls. I think it's a great school and would have no qualms about either of my children attending.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for the helpful comments, everyone! CBBBlinker, I'm glad you happened to stop by today in the Prep School forum. Your detailed comments are helpful.</p>

<p>It sounds like the boarding students are well looked after and have the added benefit of having local friends to hang out with so they can step out of of the dorm bubble. KitKatBar, you make some good points. I'm starting to see the boarding/day mix as a plus, not a minus.</p>

<p>Burb Parent, I just found the March 24 thread called "Loomis Chaffee?" How did I miss that? I check CC so often I didn't even think of doing a search. I guess we were on the road in the U.S. so I overlooked a day's worth.</p>

<p>I am and have been 100% behind my son's decision but now I can stop wondering about fit and get really excited about it! Thanks, everyone!</p>