Featured: Grier SchoolAlumni Review #4, Class of 2004
About the Author:
College Enrolled
(still attending Walnut Hill)
Home Town, State (Country)
encinitas, CA
Years Attended Boarding School
2
Activities During Boarding School
Walnut Hill participates in many activities within the school grounds and others related to organizations and activites outside of school. This year I am actually co-head of student activities. I work to make available activities such as Broadway shows and outings such as apple picking since the vicinity of Boston constantly has something going on. There are no organized team sports since it is an arts school, but many students participate in sports during their free time as we have tennis courts, a grass field, a pool and a basketball court. During the week there are also shuttles to a nearby gym. There are always many shows happening throughout the year: Nutcracker, theatre musicals, choir and orchestra performances , readings, and art showcases that occur in our 250 seat Keiter Theatre. There are about twenty leadership positions such as Dorm Presidents, club heads(ie: SADD, enviromental...), department heads and various other distinguished class positions. At the Hill we keep very busy and we never ever are bored.
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
Our schedule is like a college schedule: it allows one to manage time usefully and complete homework and practice their arts with time left over. Everyone is really into the arts without any competition except for that within yourself. We are accepting of homosexuality and all students are able to express themselves without judgement.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
I have met people that are so accepting of who you are as a person. Walnut Hill is what the ideal world should be like. I have met friends I will always have and I can be comfortable in an environment accepting of the arts. I have learned to get to know a person by who they are, not by their appearance.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
I regret nothing so I therefore wouldn't have done anything differently.
4.) What would you never want to change about your school?
The small student body size, which allows everyone to know each other and feel comfortable with themselves.
5.) What things could be improved about your school?
A gym could be added to the grounds-- which is planned actually-- but other than that it is excellent.
6.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Dunkin Donuts downtown is the hangoout or the campus center when it is winter. Eliot is the ultimate girls dorm! Relax, be yourself and everyone will love you for it.
1.) What did you like best about your school’s academics?
This year, we actually changed the academic schedule to allow more time for homework, academic help, or arts practice during the day because we all are so busy at night with rehearsals, art classes and homework. Each student has two or three classes each semester which also helps one understand and focus more on those subjects. Everyday we have a lunch period of about an hour and another forty minute break for anything needed to be completed. We each have advisors which we can talk to for information or help. The class size here is around twenty , probably a little less and the teachers treat you as equals to themselves-- not like an object with a name.
2.) What did you like least about the academics in your school?
No complaints here. The teachers go beyond to get to know you as an individual-- they always see all of the arts shows. They also want you to succeed and will schedule extra time to help you better understand the curriculum. They also try to pay attention to the arts schedule to make homework loads appropriate yet sufficient to understand the lessons taught in class.
1.) What did you like best about your school’s athletics?
We have no athletics but there is a running club, a gym nearby and modern and ballet classes offered to non-dance major students.
2.) What did you like least about the athletics in your school?
Well our team rivalry is more like dorm rivalry here, soooo much fun.
1.) What did you like best about your school’s art program?
They are taken seriously since most students attend this school for their art major and they are very professional and competitive. Our music majors attend New England Conservatory lessons and participate in performances, which is a world wide prestigious program.
2.) What did you like least about your school’s art program?
Our school lacks nothing in the arts area since it is established to provide excellence in the arts.
1.) What did you like most about the extracurricular activities offered at your school?
Every weekend there is always something going on: pumpkin carving, a performance at the Wang Theatre Boston, out to the movies with friends or just chilling in the campus center watching a movie or talking.
2.) What did you like least about the extracurricular activities offered at your school?
Absolutely nothing. There are so many clubs and if there are five people interested in creating a new one such as guitar club, it is done.
1.) What was the best thing about dorm life in your school?
The dorm is your family and the dorm parents are like older mentors and best friends. You learn to take responsibility for yourself and how to live in a community. I have made the best friends I think I will ever have or make in my life here. They will be my friends throughout my entire life that I can always refer to, we know each other inside out.
2.) What did you like least about dorm life?
If you get a double or a triple it does take some getting used to but you learn to compromise.
1.) What was the best thing about your dining arrangements?
They occured for two hours each daily and provided many options besides the main and vegetarian courses. Soups, salad bar, sandwich bar, coffee and hot chocolate machine. The tables seated about eight and there were enough for the entire school to be seated at the same time. The dining hall is easily accessible, below the campus center and in the center of the school grounds.
2.) What did you like least about your dining arrangements?
Sometimes i would not have first period so i would sleep through breakfast, yet they would leave fruit out.
1.) How welcome did you feel by the other students when you first arrived at the school
The leadership students were all so welcoming and made it possible to feel comfortable with yourself and surroundings very quickly.
2.) Describe the level of diversity and integration of students in your school:
Most of the population is American , however this year we have many students from Korea and Japan, and some from Germany, Puerto Rico, Brazil and England.
3.) Describe typical fun activities you did on a weekend:
Usually a dorm sponsors an activity Friday night such as a movie night, and Saturday we go to the mall, downtown, Boston or just chill with friends. Sunday there are some rehearsals or homework time-- anything really. Our weekends are free for anything you would do at home and there are shuttles available to take you to places or to the train to Boston.
4.) What was the town like?
Downtown Natick is a ten minute walk with a video rental store, Dunkin Donuts, many cafes and coffee shops, a music store, convenience store, train station, library and a common. Sutdents are seen everyday hanging out there.
Weekday
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM | First period |
| 9:45 AM | Second period |
| 11:00 AM | X-block |
| 11:45 AM | Lunch |
| 1:00 AM | Possibly third period |
| 2:00 PM | Arts classes start |
| 5:30 PM | Dinner |
| 6:30 AM | Rehearsals or free time |
| 8:45 PM | Check in dorm |
| 9:00 PM | Study hour |
| 10:00 PM | Homework , bed, anything really |
| 10:30 PM | Supposed to be quiet but don't have to be in own room or bed |
Weekend
| 10:00 AM | Brunch |
| 11:00 AM | Possibly class or rehearsal |
| 2:00 PM | Free time |
| 11:00 PM | Check in |
- Return to: Walnut Hill School profile
- Go to: Boarding school directory
- Browse: Index of all student reviews
