<p>So what are the differences between the schools? How do they compare to top New England prep schools? What are their strengths and weaknesses, etc.?</p>
<p>Timely subject</p>
<p>My rising 8th grader has been studying Cate and Thacher. They are both small schools (mid 200's), both have high boarding numbers,both have ~ 60% Cali residents, and both admit~ 25%. In Texas/ San Antonio, it seems Cate is the more popular one. I personally like Thacher for a couple reasons. One, they have an outdoor program with horses, camping, hiking, etc.that is incorporated into their curriculum. They also seem to have more admits to out of state schools than Cate. An interesting blurb...... Thacher states in their view book, that in the 100 years or so they have been in existence, half of their students have attended either Dartmouth, Yale, Cal, and Stanford. Of couse they go on to say that there was a time when a phone would suffice for entering students to these schools. I have also heard that Cate is popular among New Englanders.</p>
<p>We visited both last spring; Both seemed to have excellent academics and extracurricular opportunities, and their students seemed happy. My daughter's impression was that the Cate students were more "preppy", Thacher's more casual. The horse program at Thacher is certainly a unique factor, and seemed to be a strong plus for most of the students, regardless of their previous horse experience.</p>
<p>Thatcher was actually created as a school for the children of Californian Yale alumni: it had a strong feeder prescence a la Hotchkiss and Andover.</p>
<p>I've been to Cate's campus and it really is quite something; gorgeous nature feel and nice windows on the dining hall overlooking the sea. I would imagine that would create quite a picturesque dinner-time. A friend of mine applied though, and found that her tourguide was less than enthusiastic and the student body seemed to be a little apathetic in regards to their school. But who knows, it's just one persons experience...</p>
<p>Thatcher has that whole outdoor-sy nature element that you have to buy into to really enjoy the school. The horse program is also a very unique element that others have mentioned. </p>
<p>I've heard Thatcher and Cate to be the "Andover and Exeter of the West" so I presume they are very well-regarded in California and I'm sure there is much reason to back that up. Check out <a href="http://www.boardingschoolreview.com%5B/url%5D">www.boardingschoolreview.com</a> if they have any student evaluations. I've always found those to be the most helpful in looking at boarding schools.</p>
<p>How do you guys think Stevenson compares to Thacher and Cate?</p>
<p>Out of California schools, I'm leaning towards Cate. </p>
<p>I'm worried that I will only want to go to Stevenson because it's right on the ocean. lol. The academics seem okay at Stevenson, but not anything special compared to Cate or Thacher.</p>
<p>So far, the schools I'm applying to are:</p>
<p>Andover</p>
<p>Exeter</p>
<p>SPS</p>
<p>Deerfield</p>
<p>Hotchkiss (?)</p>
<p>Lawrenceville (?)</p>
<p>Groton (?)</p>
<p>Middlesex (?)</p>
<p>Cate</p>
<p>Thacher (?)</p>
<p>Stevenson (?)</p>
<p>JK, check out Tabor Academy and St. George's school, both on/near the water. SGS is gorgeous and has very good academics. I can't say just how beautiful Tabor may be since I have never visited.</p>
<p>Okay, prepparent, I'll check them out.</p>
<p>prepparent, SGS and Tabor's academics seem pretty much on par with a boarding school about an hour away. (Cranbrook). I might apply to Cranbrook, but I don't think it's that much better than Greenhills in Ann Arbor (private day).</p>
<p>JK, Look closely at SGS</p>
<p>If you need help with Cate or Thatcher, just PM me. I applied both schools (though I did get waitlisted at both), I can give you some serious recommendations, keypoints, and hints. I already went through the entire hectic process.</p>
<p>I’m dead set on going to thacher, does anyone have any advice? In 7th grade I got all A’s and B’s besides for a C in health because i didn’t do my homework. I’m class president, and I played guitar for 4 years now. I’m in a John Hopkins honors algebra coarse, and i’m aiming to get straight A’s and a 100% on my SSATs in 8th grade. The acceptance rate is really low so i’m just wondering if have a chance to get in. Is there any thing I can do to increase my chances?</p>
<p>How are you preparing for the SSAT? Many students find the test significantly harder that other standardized tests they have done in the past.</p>
<p>I’m taking 2 prep courses and at my school they have practice tests.</p>