Read more details about Loomis Chaffee on their 2025 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
The harkness table style of teaching is super effective! It helps facilitate peer learning.
The work jobs at the school are unique to Loomis and help teach responsibility throughout the student body.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
The best thing that happened to me at boarding school was that I was able to grow before college. This allowed me to start college already mentally prepared for living away from home and strict academics. Loomis does a great job at teaching their students responsibility as the end goal is to mature for college life.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
If I could go back and do something differently, it would be to buckle down academically early. I started focusing oil my school work Junior year which was ultimately later than I had hoped. Start early! As you get older you will grow increasingly busy and you will need to push yourself further for a high GPA as well as excelling in your extracurriculars.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
What I liked the most was my friends! Every day I got to wake up and study with amazing people from all over the globe. By best friend to this day is from Hong Kong and we met at Loomis. The bonds you make at Loomis will travel well beyond your high school years.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Definitely try out the coffee shops in town! Study there when you need a break from the library. Also, take advantage of Loomis's study abroad opportunities! Few boarding schools have them.
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
The English department at Loomis is stellar! The harkness table really helps with peer learning and open discussion aspects of English. Furthermore, the science department is extremely hands on in terms of projects and labs. Expect to work a lot! The homework load and the extracurriculars add up. Strangely, this is what I liked the most about Loomis-- every student finds his/her niche.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
Every student is required to participate in some form of after school activity. Most students will choose to participate in sports. I loved Loomis sports because it bonded you with people you normally wouldn't talk to. Also, teachers are the coaches of Loomis athletics so students also develop a relationship with their teacher outside of the classroom.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
I participated in AP art and orchestra and chamber music. The art/music programs at Loomis are very engaging and students have the opportunity to get super involved. AP art had at least two shows per year, and the orchestra preformed twice a year as well. Similarly, the music program brings in guest performers for concerts about every other week.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
Loomis Chaffee has many volunteer programs for students. Similarly, if you want to bring in a new program, Loomis will work with you and offer its facilities. My friends and I started a volunteer program to teach children how to swim. Loomis allowed us to use its pool and assigned us mentors to help facilitate the program. Loomis offers an orange of medical, science, community, and animal volunteer programs.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
Most of your close friends will be made in your dorm. We had curfew and RAs to keep us safe, but other than that students could hang out in each others dorms and study together (unless you are a first year student). Between 7;45-9:45 students are in study hall and quiet hours are implemented. At 9:45 the dorm head puts out a snack and the quiet hours are over.
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
Loomis just got a new dining hall! I've heard its beautiful. The school always has options for food ranging from basic salads and pastas to the ethnic food of the day. There is also always dessert and fruit available. My favorite was the panini press machine.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
The town of Windsor is extremely cute and walkable from Loomis. Lots of students go into town to hang out and study. There is a CVS for basic needs and two popular coffee shops. There are also an assortment of restaurants including Thai, Indian and American.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
Kids are always hanging out on the quads at Loomis. The school facilitates lots of events to help kids meet new friends, but also the students at Loomis are naturally pretty outgoing. There was never a boring weekend when I went to Loomis. Some highlights include the school dances and ham-mocking on the quad.
Daily Schedule:
Weekday
8:00 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM
School
10:00 AM
School
11:00 AM
School
12:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM
School
2:00 PM
School
3:00 PM
Sports
4:00 PM
Sports
5:00 PM
Dinner
Weekend
9:00 AM
Breakfast
10:00 AM
Breakfast
11:00 AM
Work
12:00 PM
Work
1:00 PM
Lunch with friends
2:00 PM
Sports
3:00 PM
Sports
6:00 PM
Dinner
7:00 PM
Work
9:00 PM
Work
Read more details about Loomis Chaffee on their 2025 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
Loomis required all students to participate in a sport each trimester, which was a great way to get all students both involved and engaged with the school and the other students. It was a great. . .
Because we have a smaller campus than most prep schools in New England, we benefit from a strong sense of community. Everyone is a familiar face and in turn, Loomis feels more like “home”. . .
Mandatory extra-curricular activities in each season, ranging from competitive athletics, theatre, bands, choirs, volunteer work, environmental clubs, etc appealing to a wide variety of interest.Dorms and academic buildings positioned around a main “quad” grass. . .
Show more reviews (27 reviews)
Recent Articles
Education Beyond the Classroom: The Role of Outdoor Adventure in Shaping Young Minds
The concept of outdoor education dates back to the early 20th century as educators sought ways to engage students beyond traditional methods. Early efforts initially focused on direct, experiential learning in nature, but later evolved to incorporate academics, collaborative skills, and a focus on environmental responsibility. Outdoor education today equips students with critical life skills, preparing them for the world beyond the classroom.
Why a Progressive School?
Sending your son or daughter to a progressive school sounds like a real leap of faith. It is until you look more closely at the kind of education your child will receive. Then you will understand the idealism in action which progressive schools embody.
Academics: International Baccalaureate & Advanced Placement
We compare and contrast the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement. We also explore their distinct educational philosophies, curriculum structures, assessment methods, and global recognition to help students and parents make informed decisions about which rigorous academic program best suits their educational goals and learning preferences.
