A Gould Academy student share her insights into what it’s like to be a student at Gould. Two programs that she shares will strike viewers as setting Gould apart.

The first is Gould’s On Snow program. Adjacent to Sunday River ski area, Gould encourages and designs its programs so that students make maximum use of their ‘backyard’ outdoor opportunities. On Snow program puts as many students as possible on snow during the winter in capacities that allow students to grow in a variety of directions- as ski racers, as ski instructors for children.

During the winter, Gould ‘flips’ two days a week with students hitting the mountain first thing in the morning, then, returning to campus for classes in the evening.

Viewers will also be struck by Gould’s Farm and Forest Program.

In place of a traditional afternoon athletic requirement, students can gain first hand experience in working on and running the school’s farm. Animals and crops from the farm make into the school’s dining hall and the farm uses school waste in composting.

Gould features strong small class, discussion driven academics shaped by an engaged faculty. A strong arts program that offers another uniquely Gould class- blacksmithing.

Evenings feature traditional study hall and library hours.

Weekend are highlighted by activities ranging from relaxing to intense- shopping to ice climbing.

St. George's School, Newport, RI

Two notes before talking about my visit to St. George’s School- the first- a note of full disclosure- St. George’s is not new to me. My daughter graduated in 1988.

The second, an acknowledgment of the shool’s physical setting and beauty- the campus is one of the most beautiful locations for a boarding school imaginable. The school sits on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean– breathtaking!

Much has changed since my time as a parent- with new and updated buildings and physical plant upgrades. However, St. George’s still has the same traditions (Honor Code, Pep Rallies, Pie Race, Christmas Festival, Senior Faculty Basketball Game, Prize Day and Graduation) and a rigorous curriculum in a supportive residential community.

St. George’s physical location on the Atlantic provides opportunities and programs found only along the Atlantic coast.

The “Geronimo” a 69-foot cutter-rigged sloop is home to the school’s marine studies program that cruises summer, fall, winter and spring. Students and faculty sail the greater Caribbean Basin and the United States waters tagging sea turtles and sharks not to mention learning seamanship, navigation skills and allowing students leadership responsibilities while they are sailing and continuing their academics onboard the Geronimo.

On campus in Newport, strong visual and performing arts, wide range of sports teams, Speaker Series and laptops are required today.

My tour guide had only one change he would make to this wonderful campus and that would be a “turf field”.

Here’s a collection of comments I heard from my tour guide, students and faculty on my visit:

“At St. George’s I was able to explore, enjoy and wonder…You can try new things I never ran track or played football and I found out there is a bigger world out there!… I went out of my comfort zone and tried new languages and took outstanding science courses…Gained a love for words!…Excitement, family, school community…Having a sense of belonging in all areas of school life. The door is always open!”

Photo credit: pvsbond via Creative Commons

Photo credit: The Williston Northampton School

I was very impressed with The Williston Northampton School (a co-ed boarding & day school in Easthampton, MA).

Students were happy, engaged and eager to tell me what they like about Williston and why they chose it over other schools. I felt an energy everywhere, with everyone, I saw and met on campus from, staff, faculty and especially the students!

Common threads I heard were: diversity, academics, athletics, superior college preparation and broadening academic and cultural opportunities through collaboration with the Five Colleges (Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith, U Mass Amherst). Students and faculty utilize this unique learning environment that provides them with daily opportunities to engage and explore outside of the classroom.

I found Williston to be ‘a breath of fresh air’ in all areas from academics, visual and performing arts, athletically with 63 teams and the facilities that are beyond great.

My tour guide was a senior who only had positive comments about her experience at Williston. Of her Williston time, experiences she explained, “Williston gave me the chance to be a leader and have a purpose on the field and in the classroom.” She will be attending Penn next year and playing ice hockey for them – very excited and is ready to have a great senior year.

There are no shortage of opportunities for Williston students to explore new ideas and begin personal discoveries.

Additional resources:

www.williston.com

AQ Educational Consulting

Seniors Tenley and Ryan share Baylor School‘s campus and their student experiences. Strong opportunities drew both to Baylor.

Baylor in the mold of a great school has helped both students flourish in their areas of strength while stretching them to discover and broaden their talents in other areas. Tenley was drawn to Baylor on the strength of the school’s cross country program.

“It’s a great balance of athletics and academics here at Baylor,” Tenley explained.

Ryan and Tenley cover academics (small, engaged classes requiring lots of writing). The library offers help from faculty, research resources and quiet refuge from distractions.

“Our librarian…is just a genius when it comes to finding stuff,” Ryan brags about the library.

Beyond academics their tour takes viewers through weekend activities, athletics, the theater program, and the Honor Code.

Ryan presents the Honor Code as the strong foundation of the community.

“No lying. No cheating. No stealing.”

Of his Baylor experience Ryan said:

“It’s just been great. It’s opened my eyes to different parts of the world…lots of different cultures…it’s helped me figure out what I like to do…it’s really helped me find myself. Baylor’s a great place for that.”

IMS feels like home away from home for its students. Facilities, views and setting were all beautiful.

The arts are woven throughout the curriculum and visual and performing arts offer great windows of opportunity.

IMS academics feature learning support in place for all students. Every segment of the IMS program features built in flexibility for kids to be successful.

Great sportsmanship is a hallmark of IMS athletics.

The IMS community felt and came across as a “team” throughout the campus. It was like seeing the pied piper with 80 guitarists. Outstanding!

A common thread ran through al of their comments; they all learned how to study, take notes, write papers, and play great sports.  Beyond academics and athletics, they spoke about  trying new activities- music, theater, art, playing in a band.

All the boys said they feel more confident and apply everything they learn to all aspects of Salisbury life. It is definitely an environment where doing school work is actually fun.

They physical setting is gorgeous- a view out every window on top of a hill overlooking a lake – stunning!

The school is located in Kent, CT, a beautiful town in Northwest Connecticut.

Given the school’s size, Kent students are presented with an opportunity to forge many new friendships and build a global awareness given the school’s wonderful diversity.

I was quite taken by one conversation that I had with a Kent student; in my mind it summed up one of the key values that jumped out to me during my visit to campus:

“Kent is a place where your ideas will be respected and you will be welcomed into the community for who you are. Kent has given me faith in my talent.  They’ve helped me believe if I focus and work hard, I can do something big.”

To be a successful Kent student, you must be ready to take on new challenges, develop new skills, meet new people, and explore new ideas and perspectives.

I found a Kent a challenging and great– in all aspects!

Every individual defines it in his or her own way. Hotchkiss features academic power and the teachers challenge you to vigorously explore new ideas and reach out to others. The faculty bring out your creativity and teach you integrity so that you get the facts, and make good judgment calls and have the courage to do so.

Beyond the buildings, telescopes, science labs and hockey rinks, acres, dorms, lakes, forest, interscholastic sports, range of courses, visual and performing arts, every student has an advisor, teachers, class dean, dorm parents, student proctors, roommate, dormmates, coaches, your teammates, and classmates.

Think of it as “on your own with a net”.

For generations Hotchkiss students have been encouraged to explore new interests, to take intellectual risks, to try new ideas and to discover the depths of their potential and I believe you can at Hotchkiss. You have to be exceptional to be at Hotchkiss and be very actively involved in all aspects of life and academics that the school has to offer.

At Hotchkiss, everyone bleeds blue.

It is very much a global community with a challenging curriculum and many great options for athletics.

Canterbury prides itself on creating a community based on its Five Values – Honesty, Respect, Compassion, Spirituality, and Self-Reliance – where students and faculty forge lasting bonds and every student experiences a broad and challenging program in a small school setting.

Each student I spoke to said that Canterbury has prepared them for the college of their choice.

Located in New Milford, CT on top of a hill with stone buildings throughout its beautiful campus which was very impressive,  but it was the students who were most impressive.

Canterbury students accomplish much and grow greatly while at school from the academic rigor, to leadership opportunities (on and off the playing field). I was impressed with every student’s story.

Canterbury showed me a very healthy and active campus with much school spirit!

South Kent School boys live and work in a family-style, structured, boarding school community. South Kent has a powerful program that builds strong relationships between students and faculty. As each student gains new friendships, respect for each other, and academic confidence, he gains a world of confidence.

SKS has very strong athletic program with an especially strong post graduate year.

Students spoke about learning, reaching their goals, and gaining many leadership roles.

SKS recently acquired the farm next to the campus that they will use to explore environmental lessons as well as raise their own livestock, vegetables and crops. SKS boys will build the barn and greenhouse and gain problem solving experience as school moves toward a greener campus.

SKS also has the C&N broadcasting production team that films all sporting events (home and away) which you can view on their website www.southkentschool.org. Check it out; it is amazing.

Great school for a young man!