School portraits · New York City
At Chapin, the pool noodle can be disqualified
There is a right way to throw it. There is also a line, which rather complicates matters.
1915–2023Read the story
School life, between the linesBy Admissions Diary
Notes from the School Gates
School stories, admissions adventures, and the things parents talk about on the way home.
New York & beyondHistory · Culture · Parent perspectives
The admissions files · New York & beyond
He would like the vacuum turned on
The sentence was going to be about potential. A one-year-old had already chosen an appliance.
Parent life · Recollections shared in 2013 and 2015Read the story
Parent life · Boarding-school families
The laundry question was settled every year
A Choate household had firm views on self-reliance. They were willing to update them at short notice.
A parent’s recollections, 2013–2014Read the story
The school archives · Andover, Massachusetts
Your holiday was two days away
Andover students needed a field-hockey stick. Someone sent an email instead. The real holiday had been two days away.
A fake holiday, January 2007Read the story
Rivalries & rituals · New Jersey & Pennsylvania
Lawrenceville needs a minute with the laundry
A lucky shirt, a tie, and a laundry debate.
The Hill game, 1932Read the story
School portraits · San Francisco Bay Area
The bagpipe girl would like a soundproof room
Eleanor Arron's senior project followed her to college. It was not quiet about it.
School life · A 2025 graduate, recalled in 2026Read the story
School portraits · New York City
Dalton made room in the schedule. You were the remaining difficulty.
The school cleared a slot in the teacher's schedule and a slot in yours. All you had to bring was a question and some nerve.
Alumni recollectionsRead the story
School portraits · New York City
St. Bernard's put an ear-trumpet in the balcony
The man with the trumpet was imaginary. Twelve years later the teacher who invented him came to Pippin and kept the rule.
A schoolboy memory and a Broadway reunionRead the story
School portraits · Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter has a pause in the conversation
One student knew when to leave room. Another learned how to take it.
A 2014 classroom visit and a later student recollectionRead the story
School portraits · Boston
A reputation for coffee will not feed anyone
Commonwealth's Jake, class of 2026, on teasing, grapefruit and the shared work of Hancock.
Student life, 2025–2026Read the story
School portraits · Ojai, California
Your horse hasn't read your application
At Thacher, a parent encounters mucking. It is not a sport.
A parent’s 2013 recollectionRead the story
School portraits · New York City
Hewitt put a red carpet in the lobby at eight in the morning
Glamour is a harder performance before breakfast. The seniors thought everyone should try.
Senior prank day · 2024Read the story