Choate vs. Deerfield: Which Boarding School Is The Right Pick for Your Child?

Below, we’ll help parents debate which boarding school to choose–Deerfield or Choate. Both cocurricular boarding schools offer students incredible academic, extracurricular, and personal resources, but in different settings and environments. Read on to find an explanation of the key differences to help inform your child’s boarding school journey. 

1. School History and Core Values 

Both Choate and Deerfield offer rich histories and academic traditions, but vary greatly in their approach to scholarship: Choate is more innovative, and Deerfield is more traditional. 

School History

Choate Rosemary Hall was founded in 1890 by Mary and William Choate, initially as two separate schools–Rosemary Hall, a school for girls, and The Choate School for boys. Both schools were located in Wallingford, CT, and eventually merged in 1974 to become Choate Rosemary Hall. Today, Choate is a co-ed boarding and day school with a population of approximately 865 students, with 73% of the students boarding. 

Deerfield Academy was founded in 1797, making it one of the United States’s oldest boarding schools, by Rev Samuel Willard. At first, it served local boy students, but was transformed into a competitive institution by headmaster Frank L. Boyden in the 20th century. Since then, Deerfield has maintained a small student body of around 650 students, with about 85% boarding and 91% of faculty living on campus. 

Core Values 

Choate’s core values emphasize a rigorous academic curriculum and the formation of strong character thanks to mentorship between faculty and students. Academically, “dynamic balance” is at the heart of Choate’s classroom experience. Students are encouraged to balance a range of perspectives and skills to prepare them to be strong members of the global community. 

Deerfield’s core values emphasize joy in learning and high standards in scholarship, citizenship, and personal responsibility. Academics focus on breadth, versatility, intellectual vitality, and understanding. Students are supported to develop both academically and personally, developing a creative mind and strong moral character. 

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2. Academics & Signature Programs 

The prep schools’ emphasis on innovation vs. tradition can also be seen in their approach to their course offerings and signature programs. 

Course Offerings & Teaching Styles

Choate Rosemary Hall runs on a trimester system and offers over 300+ classes, including signature interdisciplinary concentrations, honors-level classes, and many electives. Teaching faculty include dedicated professionals who encourage collaboration and innovation, while also continuously attending their own professional development programs. Choate’s classrooms feature diverse teaching styles, depending on the subject, to nurture adaptable thinkers. 

Deerfield Academy’s academic approach tends toward a more classical college-prep model, featuring average class sizes of 12 and an emphasis on intellectual dialogue. Compared to Choate’s more flexible teaching methods, Deerfield students are encouraged to master core disciplines and develop strong mentorship relationships. A hallmark of the Deerfield experience is senior meditation, which invites seniors to reflect on their personal journeys and development during their school years. 

Signature Programs

Choate’s signature programs include a well-known Science Research Program (SRP), which provides students in their junior year the opportunity to conduct and potentially publish original research. Students work with a mentor scientist at a university research facility, and can investigate topics like astrophysics, molecular biology, and cell biology. 

Students can also study in the first LEED-Platinum-certified academic facility in the country, the Kohler Environmental Center, featuring 3 laboratories, 2 classrooms, and a greenhouse. Other signature opportunities include advanced robotics courses, capstone projects, and a Global Engagement Program.

Deerfield features strong global studies programs, athletics, and a unique emphasis on 1:1 interactions. One of its strongest schoolwide traditions is sit-down meals; every evening, students find seats at intimate tables in the dining hall with a designated teacher. These dinners are designed to facilitate conversation and the formation of strong bonds, a key part of the Deerfield experience. 

Beyond its signature mentorship, students also benefit from ample research and study abroad opportunities. Through its Center for Service & Global Citizenship (CSGC), Deerfield students can travel and study in other countries, including shorter subject-specific trips and longer exchange opportunities. Programs include Understanding the Holocaust in Berlin and Prague, exploring Leadership in a Korean Context in South Korea, and Civil Rights activism in the American South. 

3. Locations & Culture  

Both schools are located in different New England environments; Choate features a busier suburban campus in Connecticut, and Deerfield is set on a much more rural campus in western Massachusetts. 

Choate Rosemary Hall is the more suburban school, situated on a 458-acre campus in Wallingford, Connecticut. Its location features easy train access to both Yale University in New Haven and all of the events in New York City. Thanks to its location, it’s not uncommon for Choate students to participate in off-campus research, outings, and internships. 

Deerfield Academy is located in western Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley near the “Five Colleges,” including schools like Amherst, Mount Holyoke, and Smith. Surrounded by rural farmland and hills, Deerfield’s campus feels more historic and timeless. The community is close-knit, thanks to daily sit-down meals and faculty mentorship. Deerfield students have the chance to focus deeply on their studies, athletics, and relationships. 

4. Selectivity & Financial Aid

Choate and Deerfield are similar when it comes to acceptance rates and tuition; however, Deerfield offers a much more generous financial aid package for families, regardless of income. 

Acceptance Rates

Both schools feature highly competitive acceptance rates; Choate’s is around 18% and Deerfield’s is about 13-17%. Other schools in the ESA have similar rates, with Exeter at 14-17% and Andover at 13%.

Tuition & Aid

The tuition costs for both schools are comparable to other prep schools in the ESA, averaging around $70,000. 

Choate’s boarding tuition is estimated at $71,000, with an average of $48,000 in financial aid awards given to families. 

Deerfield’s tuition is higher at $74,400, but its financial aid is generous. With income-based tuition caps, U.S. families that earn between $150,000 and $500,000 can also qualify for reduced tuition. 

For middle to upper-middle income households, Deerfield’s generous aid model can be helpful when considering which school to attend. 

5. Dormitories & Student Life 

When comparing Choate and Deerfield’s dorms and student life, both are intimate and supportive, but feature different building and living styles. 

Dormitories 

At Choate, located in Wallingford, CT, students have access to urban resources in nearby New Haven and NYC. On campus, the modern dormitories are vibrant and diverse, with specialized housing for all-gender, Third Form, and postgraduate students. 

Deerfield, set in rural Deerfield, MA, is surrounded by peaceful farmland and a more traditional college-prep atmosphere and dorms. The dormitories are an eclectic mix of historic buildings and newer additions, with the oldest dorm, John Williams, built in 1760. 

Student Life 

Choate features over 120 student clubs, giving students the chance to find and define their interests and passions. New facilities like the i.d. Lab and Kohler Environmental Center support STEM and environmental programs. 

Deerfield’s student life is distinct, marked by strong traditions such as sit-down meals, step singing, and the Deerfield Day rivalry with Choate. Deerfield hosts more than 60 student clubs and robust athletics and arts programs, creating a community with strong school spirit. 

Final Thoughts on Deerfield v. Choate 

Choate and Deerfield are among the U.S.’s most elite boarding schools, but each features distinct approaches to academics, community, and student life. When considering which is the best option for your child, consider whether Choate’s academic breadth or Deerfield’s depth and rigor would be more fitting. 

In terms of community, Choate is typically inclusive with an emphasis on diversity, whereas Deerfield features strong, traditional community bonds. Choate is in a suburban setting, Deerfield in a rural, bucolic one, and most importantly, Choate features a lower tuition but less generous financial aid, while Deerfield has some of the most generous aid at a boarding school in the country. 

For more information on how to compare these two stellar American prep schools, consider booking a consultation with a Crimson Rise advisor here. 

FAQs: Choate vs Deerfield

Q1: Which school has stronger academics between Choate and Deerfield?
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‍Both schools offer elite academics. Choate offers a broader range of electives and programs like SRP, while Deerfield focuses on close faculty mentorship, traditional rigor, and depth. 

Q2: Which grading system is tougher?

Deerfield has a reputation for stricter grading, with roughly 7% of students earning GPAs above a 93. Grade distribution is slightly higher at Choate, with about 14% of students reaching the same mark. 

Q3: What is the difference between Choate vs. Deerfield school culture? 

Choate’s culture tends towards inclusivity with an emphasis on extracurriculars and student initiatives. Deerfield focuses on tradition, formality, and a strong rural community. 

Q4: What are the standout programs at Choate and Deerfield? 

Choate is strong in robotics, public service, and environmental immersion. Deerfield excels in liberal arts, its Socratic teaching method, and athletics.

Q5: How do Choate and Deerfield compare in terms of affordable tuition? 

Deerfield boasts one of the most generous financial aid programs with income-based tuition caps. Choate is also generous, averaging about $48k per award, but Deerfield may be more affordable for most families.