<p>I’m confounded by Archetype’s comment that Hotchkiss kids and the school itself are “stuck up”. My wife, son and I attended the Hotchkiss revisit day on April 6. Although our stay was brief (7:30 am until 4:00 am), the clear impression we gained from our visit was that the students, teachers, potential students and such students’ parents did not carry or display any airs of self-entitlement or any inherited or purchased superiority (unlike at least one other school we revisited). In fact, the apparent warmth, charm and easy of all we met at Hotchkiss became, in our opinion, a primary selling point for Hotchkiss, especially for my wife who, as a graduate of a day program for high school and a large state school for college and professional school, has always had deep reservations about, and, at times, open distain for, the entire boarding school schtick. By the end of our revisit day, her only regret about Hotchkiss was that she was not young enough to attend.</p>
<p>I’m sorry that Archetype has garnered a darker impression of Hotchkiss than we have. We could, of course, hold a fractured view of Hotckiss here, although I clearly hope not. If Archetype has some sound evidence to support his/her contention that Hotchkiss is sine nobilitate et sine veritate, I would appreciate such proof, especially before I open up my thinning wallet to this school and hand over my only son to its care.</p>
<p>We went to the revisit and came away with a very positive impression. We know a student who is there and he loves it. He is not stuck up…my son is not stuck up…nobody we met was stuck up…nobody my son met was stuck up…but everybody is entitled to an opinion. </p>
<p>Perhaps the poster had a bad experience with a Hotchkiss student, or is simply repeating someone else’s opinion with no first-hand knowledge. Either way, I wouldn’t give one opinion a whole lot of weight.</p>
<p>Kaileigh, I agree that we should not give the opinion of Archetype any weight here, but he/she should substantiate his/her views in this discussion or not join in this thread.</p>
<p>Archetype is not to be taken seriously, I can tell from a kid’s perspective, he/she couldn’t possibly back that statement up to an adult.
All I know is that I have two cousins from the same family, one recently graduated from Kent and one from Hotchkiss. They picked different schools based on the music department (very advanced) and proximity to home. I can tell you both loved the schools and still are in constant contact with friends and roommates from school and are usually invited to our holiday dinner and stuff. They really do consider them life-long friends even though both are doing well in college, it’s just different. Last weekend my aunt and uncle went to the annual Gospelfest (Salisbury, Westover and Hotchkiss) at Hotchkiss because they were in the area and still feel connected with the school. They had a great time and remarked how well the students performed, variety of singing talent, and how much fun they were having. A really nice group of seniors citizens, faculty with their kids, students, local residents, head of school casually attending…I kind of get the feeling that it represented just an awesome picture of a great community, all supporting the students. I like that a lot and I will definitely be applying next year because that is what I want in a school. I’ve visited schools many times and I really think they are both similar in the right ways. There were definitely no snobs around quite the contrary. Btw, they didn’t just showcase the best singers, there were a variety of talents and the kids were cheering on all of them.
Pan1956, I don’t go to Kent yet! I’m just near Kent, England. Wish I could change my screen name cuz it’s confusing. But rest assured that your son will thoroughly love Kent School!
I just felt like countering the ridiculous statement posted earlier!</p>
<p>Kentschoolie, let me be sure I understand. You live near Kent, England and you are very familiar with The Kent School in Kent, Ct? Now that is a coincidence, isn’t it? Have you been on the Kent campus? Do you know anything about the town of Kent, Ct? How does Kent compare to Hotchkiss?</p>
<p>You and I might be coming from two complete worlds, whoever thought Hotchkiss did not carry a sense of “self-entitlement.” The kids I know that are going to Hotchkiss this year and are acquainted through sports clubs, church, and other neighboring high schools are really just arrogant kids who pop their collars and walk around with a sense of “look at me, I go to Hotchkiss.” Sure I cannot back it up with solid evidence but I can back it up with my knowledge of the school from where I grew up and the people I know.</p>
<p>Archetype, there’s always going to be kids like that, at any bs. I personally can’t stand that but the school doesn’t seek that attitude out, no school does. It comes with the (private school) territory. I personally see something different when I visit schools and that type of kid just isn’t a factor with diversity around them. They will learn real quick that it borrrring!
Pan1956, I’m no expert on Kent School or any of the schools that family attended (SPS, Hotchkiss, Hopkins,Kent, Andover) just an observer. I like Kent a lot and have had a very good feeling there. Academics are strong and I know that it has, what my parents would call, a “loving” environment. I’ll have to learn more about it for myself this year. The town of Kent is very nice and very closeby, walking distance, and there’s enough to do but not too much. Town is always busy on the weekends with people going to the stores, restaurants, art shows, on the way up north to Lime Rock, Salisbury, Lakeville, the Berkshires, Vermont. We have gone to Fife and Drum (?), Belique(?) chocolates, coffe shop, bookstore. It’s safe.
Kinda funny kent-kent, like every town/city in the uk pretty much has one in new england.</p>
<p>Kentschoolie, are you going to go to Kent School?</p>
<p>Archetype, I understand your views on Hotchkiss better now. Thank you for your explanation. Like Kentschoolie, I see the problem here as one arising not from Hotchkiss itself or the students now attending, but from the kids recently accepted but not yet enrolled in Hotchkiss. The school and its current students, from everything I can tell about Hotchkiss, will quickly adjusted any pompous display or self aggrandizement by the new enrollees. If not, then Hotchkiss will not be performing its duty, which failure I will find deeply disappointing and take as a personal affront as a parent of a new enrollee at fine institution.</p>
<p>No, I’m applying next year but my experience is just through family who attended recently.
I’m presently living in the uk:]</p>
<p>that arch dude is an idiot.<br>
when i visited, and spent 2 days at the school I didn’t meet even one stuck up kid
and as for no financial diversity… wrong again. There were super rich kids, and also kids like me ( full FA. tuituons double my familys income lol)</p>
<p>Hotchkiss is great, and I’m proud to be going!</p>