Brooks School - Review #9

The sense of community at Brooks is virtually unmatched when comparing boarding schools in New England. The moment one walks on campus, they feel the sense of closeness between the students and faculty, a bond that is crucial to the education of the student as a whole. The faculty and staff are fully committed to the success of the student both IN and OUTSIDE the classroom.

I was able to come out of my shell at Brooks and truly develop into the person I have become today. The close nit community at Brooks allowed me to grow academically but also as a person, becoming comfortable in my own skin and giving me important self confidence to tackle the challenges of teenage life and prepare for future endeavors in college and beyond.

Pick a school where you feel you would be able to achieve a balance between work and play. You will not be happy at a school which puts too much emphasis on either one.

Community. Education. Balance.

Blake House is by far the best dorm.

The academics were challenging BUT fair. The faculty care about the students individual success and take into account the efforts out forth both inside and outside the classroom. Brooks is academically competitive BUT not a pressure cooker. Students will not doubt be challenged and must preform however a balance is maintained between work and play which I believe is the key to an overall positive boarding school experience.

The Athletic Program at Brooks is 1st class, both in facilities and talent pool. However with that said, everyone has an opportunity to participate and put forth an effort in making a difference. Each season Brooks brings home ISL and New England titles in both girls and boys sports. Of note, the soccer program headed up by Dusty Richard and John Packard is consistently one of the best run programs in the country.

The Theater Program is phenomenal and encourages students who may not lean toward this area of arts to express themselves and forces them to come out of their shell. Specially, improve and directing were areas which allow students to showcase talent and skills that at first glance may not be present.

Every opportunity exists at Brooks to become involved extracurricularly. Weather it be in student government, clubs, sports, organizations, arts, etc the school offers a number of divers selections for students to take part in which again fosters the wonderful sense of community.

Dorm life at Brooks is the highlight of a successful boarding school experience. The dorm parents create a comfortable environment for students to not only learn in but more importantly develop into sensitive, proactive, responsible human beings. Again, educating the entire person by creating a balance between work and play is what Brooks does best and this can be seen every May in the faces of the graduating class.

The food is top notch and easily is the best in the ISL if not New England. The new dinning room is a first class facility that consistently offers a wide variety of choices. Of note, the kitchen staff is always friendly and they have become an important piece of what makes the Brooks Community so special.

Andover is a great small town that has everything a Boarding School Student could need. More importantly, Boston is a short train ride away or a $35 cab fare.

Because a balance between academics and social life is obtained at Brooks, one can expect a busy, well balanced social life and expect to make friends they will keep for a lifetime.