Western Reserve Academy - Student Review

Western Reserve Academy

Alumni Review #2, Class of 2004

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1. Class of 2005, enrolled at (Currently Attending)
2. Class of 2004, enrolled at (Currently Attending)
3. Class of 2002, enrolled at Mount Union College
4. Class of 2001, enrolled at Saint Joseph's
5. Class of 1997, enrolled at Amherst College

College Enrolled

(Currently Attending)

Home Town, State (Country)

Years Attended Boarding School

Activities During Boarding School

Varsity Football, Basketball, and Track; Junior Varsity Lacrosse; Prefect, Student Ambassador, Peer Mentor, Sports Writer for the Reserve Record (school newspaper).

1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?

One of the most unique aspects of WRA is morning meeting. We are one of the few boarding schools that have numerous weekly meetings where students and teachers can share announcements. Also, small classes make for great classroom discussion on many intriguing topics, ranging from politics to the life story of William Shakespeare.

2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?

The best thing that has happened to me while attending boarding school is the opportunity to get a first-rate high school education, which will prepare me for college life. Also, the chance to participate in athletics with coaches that truly care about the athlete as a person is a wonderful attribute that the school possesses.

3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?

I would have probably come earlier than I did. I was a mid-year transfer halfway through my sophomore year, and I wish that I could have started boarding school at the beginning of my sophomore year.

4.) What did you like most about your school?

There is a great melting pot effect at WRA. We have students from all over the nation, which makes discussion in class more interesting because we all gain different points of view on various topics that affect the world. Also, Reserve is a very welcoming community. When I first came people kept stopping by my dorm room to introduce themselves, and this really made me feel comfortable in making the decision to leave my public school and go away to boarding school.

5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?

Come visit the school, see an athletic contest, stay in a dorm and see for yourself what it is like. Make the decision for yourself, and be happy if you get accepted because you will walk out of WRA with not only an amazing education but also with a lifetime of memories. Take advantage of the opportunity to get a great education, don’t take it for granted because it could help you the rest of your life.

1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?

The challenges that are set forth helps reassure me that when I graduate from WRA I will have a great education that will dramatically help my academics in college. Also, there is a wide variety of classes to take that most public and even a lot of private school can offer. (Ex. Astronomy)

1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?

The coaches here are great, they know how to coach very well, but not only that they are on a friendship level with the athletes that not only makes them expect more of you, but also drives the athletes to work harder so that they feel that they gave their best effort.

1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?

The school consistently puts on great musical and drama performances that are great to see since many of my friends are the ones on stage performing.

1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?

There are so many extracurriculars to choose from that it gives all students an opportunity to meet new people, to try new things, or to follow up on a passion or hobby.

1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?

Being able to live with a bunch of guys is great. Everyone gets to know each other very well, and most of these friendships last for a lifetime.

1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.

The best thing about meals is that we have sit-down meals for dinner where you can sit with whoever you want. I usually sit with my friends and football coach.

1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.

Hudson is a town in the Midwest that looks like it belongs out on the east coast. I think it is refreshing to live in a town that is different than surrounding Midwestern area towns and cities. Also Hudson is great because it is fifteen minutes from Akron, OH and thirty minutes from Cleveland, with the opportunity to do many things that you wouldn’t be able to find unless you were close to a large city.

2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?

Movie runs are the most popular because the school pays for movie tickets. Also skiing, musicals, plays, sporting events, and concerts are all options that I have really enjoyed while at WRA.

Weekday

8:00 AM	Morning Meeting
8:30 AM	Precalculus
9:30 AM	Physics
10:30 AM	Latin II
11:30 AM	English III
12:30 AM	Lunch
1:15 PM	Shaping Western Society (History)
2:15 PM	Free Period
3:45 PM	Practice
6:30 PM	Dinner
7:45 PM	Study Hours Begin
11:00 PM	Lights Out