<p>So, I've been to various schools. My current public high school has approx. 1,500 students. I've also attended a school with, at most, 400 students. I hated the small, public, school. It was torture for me. Rumors spread too fast (not that I was really doing anything rumor worthy, but when you're the "poor" kid in the rich tourist town, there's bound to be rumors.) I like the size of my current school much in comparison. When I first started looking at BS I was first attracted to Exeter and Andover because of the large numbers, but after doing about a year's worth of work and reading, I'm starting to think otherwise. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any thoughts on comparison between the two?</p>
<p>well, I think if you dislike a small private school, why would you be happy in a small boarding school? People are tighter in a boarding school since they live together, and it seems that that was the problem at your other school. I would stick to the larger schools if I were you.</p>
<p>No, it was a small public school, with very poor academics, and much initiative for students to have any drive since it was one of those kind of communities where “mommy and daddy will pay for everything forever. I’m set!”</p>
<p>I would say find a nice balance during your applications. Don’t apply to 300 or 400 student schools, but there are many schools with a happy medium.</p>
<p>Choate has 800 or so kids- not as many as Exeter and Andover, but no small amount, either. I’d name other schools, but I’m most familiar with Choate, seeing as I’m going there!</p>
<p>Choate, for example, has a lot of kids and has the benefits of having enough students to have a wide range of activities. But there is a huge sense of community, which is what a lot of people want out of a smaller boarding school.</p>
<p>Looks like you are certain that you like a good school not a bad one. Now you need to figure out whether you like a big good school or a small good school. Big or small however is mostly a personal preference.</p>