United States · Wallingford, Connecticut · Founded 1890
Choate Rosemary Hall
John F. Kennedy's school, a striking arts centre by I. M. Pei and signature programmes in science research and the arts.
The character
Choate is polished, sociable and strong across the board: the arts centre is superb, the science research programme sends pupils to national competitions and the campus mixes old Connecticut with modern architecture. It is somewhat less intense than Exeter and Andover and its pupils are notably happy.
Good for
The arts and sciences, sociable children, families between New York and Boston
Less suited to
Children who want a rural setting
Getting in
Application by 10 January, SSAT, essays, interview; admission rate around 15 percent. Entry at grades 9 to 11.
What it costs in total
At about $ 70,000 a year for boarding, the 4 years from 14 to 18 add up to roughly €287,000 in today’s money including typical extras, before fee increases, tutoring and flights. The Education Cost Calculator adds inflation, extras and a second child.
Fees are rounded 2025/26 figures from the school’s own schedule and change every year. The school’s current fee sheet prevails. The picture is an impression of the setting, not a photograph of the campus.
Schools like this
