<p>Can you think of any schools that might fit this criteria?</p>
<p>Location: Preferably in New England, though Mid-Atlantic and West Coast are okay. And something relatively near a larger city (Boston, LA, New York, DC, etc).</p>
<p>Academics: Rigorous, but not overwhelming. A breadth of courses available. Also, excellent English and Foreign Languages departments would be a huge plus.</p>
<p>School Characteristics: I'd like something with a fairly "preppy" atmosphere (not necessarily a formal suit and tie dress code, but a "no jeans to class"-type dress code). I'd also like a school with a good offering of sports. Girls swimming and lacrosse are two that immediately come to mind.</p>
<p>Miscellaneous: On a more aesthetic level, I'd like a more "ivy-covered" campus than a brand-new, modern minimalist-type campus. And I would absolutely love a campus green or a campus commons.</p>
<p>I'm having a lot of trouble finding a school that fits all of these (note: the schools don't have to fit all criteria, just most) since I have so many "multiple choice" criteria when it comes to sports and location and things of that nature.</p>
<p>Location:
Check.
(Mid-Atlantic, 1 hour from Philadelphia, 2.5 hours from NYC)</p>
<p>Academics:
Check.</p>
<p>School Characteristics:
Preppy/“no jeans to class” dress code: Check.
Good offering of sports: Check.
Girls Swimming/Lax: Check, Check.</p>
<p>Miscellaneous:
“Ivy-covered” campus: Check. (if not literally ivy covered, then figuratively)
Campus green: Check.</p>
<p>As a parent of a second year student I am a 110% biased advocate of SAS, but it seems to merit consideration given your criteria. Our daughter chose it over one of the New England “usual suspects” (St. Paul’s, which also meets many of your selection criteria…no swim team, though) last year and we’re all very happy with her experience so far.</p>
<p>With format credit to SevenDad
Groton
Location: Check
New England and 45 minutes outside of Boston. IV formers and above are allowed in unaccompanied at the week end</p>
<p>Academics:
Rigorous- but not overwhelming- the kids have a LOT of fun</p>
<p>School Characteristics:
Preppy/“no jeans to class” dress code: Check.
Good offering of sports: Check.
Girls Swimming/Lax: Check, Check.</p>
<p>Miscellaneous:
“Ivy-covered” campus: Check. Very traditional campus- not modern AT ALL
Campus green: Check ( the Circle)</p>
<p>Our daughter loved her first year and is currently excitedly chatting with her friends about this week end- she can not wait to go back
Good luck!</p>
<p>True- it doesn’t my bad- but they have a pool! In fact they have 2 one indoor, one outdoor, although they are not both in operation year round
They have an awesome Lacrosse team though</p>
<p>Like I said, the schools don’t necessarily have to fulfill all my criteria. If the school has a pool open for lap swim, but no swim team, than that works fine too.</p>
<p>And thank you for the suggestions! I’ll definitely be looking into St Andrew’s and Groton.</p>
<p>I am not that famiilar with this school, but perhaps St. George’s? 1.5 from Boston. Campus has been called “St. Gorgeous”…I get the feeling that’s it’s very old school prep.</p>
<p>Pretty sure that the poster known as “ops” can offer some insight on the school.</p>
<p>St. George’s has a nice pool. Their athletics arent too great I heard, but it’s a nice small school and the buildings have a very ivy feel to them. It’s also in Newport, RI, so very beautiful scenery. It overlooks Third Beach in Middletown.</p>
<p>George School in Newtown,PA, fits most of your criteria, other than dress style (dress code, most of the time, is simply that you be dressed - kids go to class in pajamas). It is 45 minutes from Philadelphia, and less than 2 hours from NYC. The campus is very pretty, and Newtown is a charming old town, but with plenty of conveniences. It is less selective than some of the other schools mentioned. It is not as traditionally “preppy” overall, because it prides itself on diversity and multiculturalism, but it has an active equestrian program, which naturally attracts some traditionally preppy girls (especially day students). Depending on your academic credentials, also consider Peddie, Hill, Concord, St. Mark’s, Brooks, and Kent.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for the suggestions! I’ll definitely be checking out these schools further. I’ve also found Mercersburg Academy, which, on paper, seems to be an almost perfect fit for me. Thank you again!</p>
<p>These criteria are a perfect fit for Episcopal, which is 1O minutes from D.C. I guess the only thing missing is a swim team, although there is an outdoor pool. Other than that, it is near a city, has a beautiful campus, strong academics but not cutthroat, and a preppy style. Not mentioned very often here, but I think more people should check it out!</p>
<p>Pennington is halfway between Philly and NYC. They have a good swim program, lacrosse, jeans are not permitted in class, and it is not too academically rigorous compared to the famous alphabet soup schools. Probably 50/50 day/boarding mix.</p>