How to Get Into Groton School: Key Information and Application Steps

Why Families Choose Groton School

Groton School, located in Groton, Massachusetts, was founded in 1884 by Reverend Endicott Peabody, an Episcopal priest. Established as a private boarding school for boys in grades 8–12, Groton aimed to prepare young men for college while emphasizing moral and physical development. 

Reverend Peabody envisioned a curriculum that focused on academic excellence and instilled a sense of duty and public service. This philosophy attracted families seeking a comprehensive education for their sons. Notably, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a member of the class of 1900, is among Groton’s distinguished alumni.

Over the years, Groton School has evolved, embracing coeducation in 1975 and expanding its facilities and programs. Today, it continues to uphold its founding principles, offering a rigorous academic program alongside a commitment to character development and public service.

How hard is it to get into Groton School?

Groton School is extremely selective, with an estimated acceptance rate of around 12%. This makes it one of the most competitive boarding schools in the United States. Successful candidates usually exhibit exceptional academic records, remarkable leadership abilities, and unique abilities that complement Groton’s goals and principles.

Groton School’s primary entry points are the Second Form (8th grade) and Third Form (9th grade). While the school accepts applications for higher grades, such as the Fourth Form (10th grade), these spots are limited and thus more competitive. Prospective families are encouraged to begin the admissions process early due to tight competition in these entry points.

Groton School has adopted a test-optional policy for admissions. This means that SSAT or ISEE scores are not required but may be submitted if applicants believe they strengthen their application. On the other hand, international students may need to provide additional standardized test scores, such as the TOEFL or Duolingo English Test, to demonstrate English proficiency. A parent or guardian statement is also required, offering insights into the student’s character, strengths, and educational goals from the family’s perspective.

Given the competitiveness of the process, families may benefit from working with private school admissions consultants who understand the ins and outs of the Groton School admissions process. Consultants can provide valuable guidance in presenting a compelling application and ensuring that prospective students stand out in a highly selective pool of candidates.

The Groton School Admissions Process

Creating an account on Gateway to Prep Schools is the first step in the application process. You may apply, register for admission events, receive notifications from Groton School, and monitor your application progress. The steps you should take are as follows:

1. Create an Account on Gateway to Prep Schools
2. Complete the parent and student statement
3. Upload school transcripts
4. Delegate counselor, principal, and teacher recommendations
5. Submit standardized test scores (optional)
6. Schedule and complete an interview
7. Submit the application fee and supplemental materials

For more details and to begin your application, visit Groton School Admissions.

The Groton School Admission Requirements

Parent Statement

Parents or guardians of applicants are required to answer a parent/guardian questionnaire that is found on Gateway to Prep Schools. You will be asked to talk about your child and share information about their personality, achievements, and other personal information.

How to write a parent statement

The parent statement is an integral part of the application process as it will help admissions officers better understand your child’s background and potential to become successful at Groton School. It will also demonstrate your family’s commitment to your child’s education. When choosing what to write about, remember that you have to be honest and authentic. Focus on your child’s strengths and unique characteristics, and provide anecdotes to support your statements. For some tips on how to write a powerful parent statement from experienced educational consultants, click here. 

Teacher Recommendations/Recommendation Letters

Applicants must submit recommendation letters from current math and English teachers and the principal or counselor. The forms can be found on Gateway to Prep Schools and must be submitted online via the same platform.

How to get strong recommendation letters

Teacher recommendations are crucial for admission since they give a more thorough evaluation of your child’s character, personality, and academic aptitude. Because they deal with your child on a daily basis and can confirm your child’s academic success, they can make professional and unbiased observations. Building strong relationships with teachers is crucial if you want them to be able to provide strong recommendations that support other application materials when the time comes for them to do so.

Transcript

Applicants must submit transcripts from both the previous academic year and the first semester of the current one. Once submitted, the school will handle the process directly through Gateway to Prep Schools.

How to improve grades 

The transcript will demonstrate your child’s readiness to handle Groton School’s rigorous curriculum. But what if your child’s grades aren’t all that outstanding? Start private school admissions consulting early! Our tutors and academic coaches will work with your child to improve grades and achieve scores that meet the requirements. We provide online or in-person tutoring for a variety of courses as well as diagnostic testing. However, because we are aware that boosting GPA won’t guarantee success, we provide academic coaching that teaches executive function skills as a more holistic strategy. 

Personal Statement

There are questions on Gateway to Prep Schools that an applicant has to answer within a limited character count. The questions delve into your child’s personality, skills, and interests, as well as their expectations of Groton School. The questions might seem simple and easy to answer, but admissions officers are looking at certain characteristics and values in your child that will determine if they are a good fit at Groton School. 

Crafting a compelling personal statement

Our private school admissions consultants can guide your child and give advice on how to best answer the questions truthfully. Our years of experience working with families applying to Groton School have allowed us to understand what they are looking for in applicants. From your child’s personal circumstances, we can identify what traits and characteristics will interest the admissions team and be considered for admission. Here are some useful tips on how to write a compelling personal statement.

Standardized Test Scores

Candidates must submit the results of standardized tests. However, this criterion was deferred for entry in 2021 and 2022 due to health concerns at testing facilities. Admissions officers use various criteria, including the results of standardized tests, to assess whether a candidate is a suitable fit for a school. 

How to prepare for standardized tests

We are aware that getting ready for standardized tests can be somewhat stressful, but we can be of assistance. We will help your child via a customized test preparation strategy, from recognizing their strengths to addressing areas they find challenging, based on our years of expertise working with families applying to Groton School. Our objective is to alleviate the burden of test preparation and ensure your child is prepared to present their best self on test day. View our services for test prep here.

Admissions Interviews

At Groton School, the admissions interview is highly valued. It allows the admissions team to learn more about the applicant’s personality, hobbies, and potential fit with the Groton community.

Interview Structure

• Applicant Session: A one-on-one meeting between the applicant and an admissions counselor, typically conducted via Zoom.
• Parent/Guardian Session: Following the applicant’s interview, parents or guardians discuss any questions they have about Groton and the admissions process with the admissions counselor.

Scheduling and Format

• In-Person Interviews: In the fall, Groton resumes on-campus interviews, allowing applicants and their families to experience the campus environment firsthand.
• Remote Interviews: During the summer months, interviews are conducted exclusively online.

Note: Prospective candidates should first finish the Candidate Profile before arranging a remote interview. You will get an email including your login information and a link to your application site 24 hours after turning in your Candidate Profile. You can ask for a remote interview and send extra paperwork using the site. There are few chances for remote interviews during the academic year; most of them depend on testing to show mastery of English.

At this time of the season, the capacity for remote interviews is restricted. When you are asked for a remote interview or shortly after, it is advisable to submit as much of your application as possible. Another alternative is to submit a video introducing yourself.

Video Introductions

This requires uploading a video introduction of yourself. The school prefers video introductions that are basic statements about your interests and goals over thoroughly prepared or produced presentations. The introduction should be no more than five minutes long.

How to prepare for admissions interviews or video introductions

Your child will be assessed and evaluated based on how they conduct themselves on those occasions. With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry and helping numerous families get into The Groton School, we know what they are looking for. With informed interview preparation, our admissions consultants will introduce your child to common interview questions and teach them how to answer them truthfully while adhering to their values. 

Campus Tours and Open Houses

Groton School offers campus tours and open houses, which are key opportunities for prospective students and their families to experience the school’s environment, meet faculty and staff, and learn more about academic programs and student life.

Groton School offers several opportunities for prospective students and their families to explore the campus and engage with the community:

Campus Tours

• Student-Led Tours: Guided tours are conducted by current Groton students, providing firsthand insights into campus life. These tours typically last 45 minutes and are followed by a 15-minute conversation with a member of the Admission team.
• Scheduling: Tours are available on select dates and times. To register, visit the Group Tour page, select a convenient slot, and complete the contact form.

Open Houses

• Virtual Open House: Groton hosts virtual open house events, which allow families to interact with faculty, students, and staff online and provide comprehensive information about the school’s programs and community.
• Registration: Participants must create an account on the event platform to access sessions. Once registered, they will receive a confirmation email with further instructions.

Revisit Days

• For Admitted Students: In the spring, Groton invites newly admitted families to Revisit Days. These events offer an in-depth experience of campus life, including attending classes, meeting faculty, and interacting with current students. 

Virtual Campus Tour:

• Online Exploration: Groton provides a virtual campus tour that showcases facilities such as the Athletic Center, Dining Hall, St. John’s Chapel, and more for those unable to visit in person.

Virtual Panel Sessions

Groton School hosts Virtual Panel Sessions to educate prospective students and their families with information about many parts of the school community. These online webinars cover a wide range of topics, including academics, student life, and athletics, and allow attendees to interact directly with instructors, current students, and administrators.

Types of Virtual Panel Sessions:

• Student-Led Information Sessions: Interactive meetings where current Groton students share their experiences and answer questions from prospective applicants.
• Themed Webinars: Sessions focusing on specific areas like leadership opportunities, college counseling, performing arts, athletics, and inclusion at Groton.

How to Register:

1. Visit the Admission Events Page: Navigate to Groton School’s Admission Events portal to view upcoming virtual sessions.
2. Select a Session: Browse the list of available webinars and choose the ones that align with your interests.
3. Register Online: Click on the desired session to access the registration form. Complete the required information to secure your spot.

What is Student Life Like at Groton School?

Groton School’s student life is based on a close-knit community, varied extracurricular activities, and a strong sense of history. With almost 380 students, Groton creates a family environment where students are encouraged to participate in community life, leadership, and academics. Designed around the famous Circle, the campus encourages regular encounters between staff and students, strengthening the sense of belonging.

Among the extracurricular activities offered by the Independent School League (ISL) are 47 teams spanning 22 interscholastic sports and several clubs with leadership possibilities. The headmaster hosts weekly parlors that offer a special custom whereby students may unwind and mingle in a casual environment.

Although Groton is mostly a boarding school, it also welcomes a small number of day students who are totally part of the school community. Through academics, sports, arts, or student-led projects, Groton offers a rich, demanding environment that promotes personal development and lifetime relationships.

Groton School Curriculum Overview

Groton School’s thorough and demanding curriculum is designed to promote intellectual development and equip students for higher education and beyond. The academic program offers a firm foundation in fundamental areas and allows for individualized inquiry through electives and advanced classes.

Academic Progression

• Second and Third Formers (8th and 9th Grade): Students engage in foundational courses across core subjects, including English, mathematics, science, Latin, a modern world language, and arts. This stage emphasizes building essential skills and knowledge.
• Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Formers (10th to 12th Grade): With a solid foundation, students have the flexibility to choose from a variety of electives and advanced courses tailored to their interests and academic goals. Opportunities for specialized study, including tutorials and independent projects, are available for in-depth exploration.

Groton’s curriculum is designed to inspire a lifelong love of learning, critical thinking, and a commitment to contributing positively to society. For more detailed information on specific courses and academic offerings, please visit Groton School’s Curriculum Overview.

What Sports does Groton School offer?

Groton School offers a complete athletics program that stresses personal growth and competitive success. As a member of the Independent School League (ISL), Groton gives students opportunities to participate in a range of sports over three seasons.

The facilities and support for student-athletes show clearly the school’s dedication to sports. Groton has set up live-streaming cameras at several sites to show games so relatives and supporters may view activities from a distance.

Groton advises students who are passionate about athletics to complete an Athletic Interest Form. The form is sent to coaches to provide additional information on the candidate’s sports background.

All things considered, Groton School’s sports program is quite important for developing among its student’s discipline, school spirit, and collaboration.

Groton School Arts and Music Programs

Designed to inspire creativity and artistic expression among students, Groton School has a comprehensive arts program that includes visual arts, music, drama, and dance.

Visual Arts: Students can immerse themselves in a wide range of classes,, including photography, video, design, ceramics, sculpture, drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed-media art, woodworking, and advanced studio art. The visiting artist program allows students to work and learn alongside professional artists from various artistic disciplines. 

Music: Approximately 70% of Groton students engage in musical studies. The school offers a structured program that includes classes, ensembles, choir, orchestra, and one-on-one lessons, all integrated into the regular schedule to ensure accessibility for all students. 

Theater and Dance: Groton’s performing arts curriculum allows students to explore theater-making. Students integrate various skills, such as lighting, sound, costume design, character development, and stage direction. Courses are designed to encourage collaboration and hands-on experience in theatrical productions. 

For students with a strong interest in the performing arts, Groton encourages the completion of an Arts Interest Form. The form is shared with the art directors to provide more information about the applicant’s background and passion. 

Overall, Groton School’s arts and music programs are integral to its commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals, offering students numerous avenues to explore and develop their artistic talents.

Clubs and organizations at Groton School

Groton School has a variety of clubs and groups that reflect the different interests and passions of its students. Many of these clubs are student-led, which promotes leadership, creativity, and community involvement. The offers may vary from year to year according to student interest, but here are some examples of clubs and organizations commonly found at Groton School:

Groton encourages students to take the initiative; if a particular interest isn’t represented, students have the freedom to establish new clubs. This dynamic extracurricular landscape ensures that every student can find or create a niche that aligns with their passions.

For a comprehensive list of clubs and organizations, please visit Groton School’s Clubs & Organizations page.

Groton School Famous Alumni

Groton School is well-known for its strong academic and arts programs, and its alumni have achieved success in a variety of disciplines. Some of the school’s famous alumni are:

1. Franklin D. Roosevelt (Class of 1900). The 32nd President of the United States, Roosevelt led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II.
2. Dean Acheson (Class of 1911). As U.S. Secretary of State under President Harry S. Truman, Acheson played a pivotal role in shaping post-World War II foreign policy and was instrumental in creating NATO.
3. Louis Auchincloss (Class of 1935). A prolific author, Auchincloss, wrote extensively about American society, including notable works such as “The Rector of Justin.”
4. William F. Buckley Jr. (Class of 1943). A prominent conservative commentator, Buckley founded the influential magazine “National Review” and was a significant figure in 20th-century American political discourse.

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