Western Reserve Academy - Student Review

Western Reserve Academy

Alumni Review #3, Class of 2002

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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

Mount Union College

Home Town, State (Country)

Years Attended Boarding School

Activities During Boarding School

I was involved with volleyball, diving, precision shooting, and softball. I was also the fiction editor of BUFO, the literary magazine (in which I was published several times.) I was a member of the school orchestra for one year (playing the viola,) and I volunteered to videotape the girls' varsity lacrosse games the spring of my senior year (so I accompanied them on all their "away" trips.)

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

Three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) at 8:00 AM, "Morning Meeting" convenes at the chapel on campus. In that historic building (where soldiers attended "sending off" services before departing to serve in the Civil War,) speakers read speeches, hymns are sung, and students/faculty are allowed to make general announcements. At the very end, the headmaster addresses the student body before sending them off on another day of classes. In addition, sports are a required activity every season and for every student.

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

As a college student, I was more prepared, mature, and well-adjusted as a direct result of my Reserve experience. I learned how to deal with my problems since I could not escape them by going home every night; I find myself more interested in my coursework than any of my current classmates as a result of going to a boarding school.

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

Bring a big, powerful fan (meaning that it plugs into the wall!) Also, use your teachers as a resource; never again will you have so much access to them for guidance and for frienship. Get involved with a couple organizations; don't overwhelm yourself, but create a base for friendships with people that share your interests. Boarding school is a place where it is never uncool to be smart, so work at your studies and learn to enjoy them (if you don't already!)

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

I liked the student/teacher ratio in the classroom, as well as the daily structure of boarding school life.

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

The new upperclassmen dorms are nice, but you must wait until you have been at the school a year or two to be granted access. Boys, aspire to be a house member of Longhouse, and females, look forward to life in the Gardenhouse. For the time being, Hobart and the Athaneum will do for the gents, and Elsworth is home to the girls. Work hard on your schoolwork, play hard in your athletics, and don't skip too many morning meetings.

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

The professors strive to keep politics out of the classroom if it is not relevant to the subject of that class. Papers are assigned for most classes on a weekly basis, rigorously preparing students for a successful college career. The class size (about 15 students at the most) and the fact that faculty generally reside in houses on campus allow for teachers to be available for their students at all times. The grading scale is not A through F; it is 1 through 7, a 1 being a fail, a 2 being a conditional pass, a 3 being a low pass, a 4 being a pass, a 5 being a high pass, a 6 being honors, and a 7 being high honors.

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

I liked that they were required, because that allowed for boarding students to remain active in the afternoon and not go straight to sleep or sit in their rooms feeling homesick. If a student really doesn't like sports, as a sophomore they become allowed to do "Music Sport" (where they practice an instrument or sing during that part of the day,) conditioning (any kind of physical exercise they want, so long as they check in before and after practice time with their assigned faculty member,) or they can be a sport manager (which involves bringing water to the team, helping out with practices, etc.) Sports available are cross-country, volleyball (girls only,) soccer, field hockey (girls only,) football (boys only,) tennis, wrestling (boys and girls!),swimming and diving, basketball, hockey (boys only,) precision shooting, baseball and softball, track, and lacrosse.

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

Art classes such as photography, drawing, painting, and sculpture are all available in KFAC (the Knights Fine Art Center,) home also of the dance and drama deparments. Two plays and one musical a year are put on in KFAC; there is also a winter and a spring dance recital. Music recitals generally performed in the Chapel.

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

I particularly enjoyed my involvement with BUFO, the school's literary magazine. There is also a yearbook staff, REACH (a volunteer program,) an It's Academic team (debate,) a yearly mock trial, OPUS (drama group,) student council, a French club, an investment club, SEAL (an environmental club,) a chess club, a culinary club, a Spanish club, a school radio station run by faculty and students, and much more.

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

Dorm life is a great way to learn about college living while still having rules and regulations to prevent trouble. There are evening sign ins, study hours, room checks (so cleaning is required,) and a school store for snaks in between the three meals offered at the dining hall. There are no co-ed dorms, but each one has a common room where boys and girls can meet. Room selection is up to adultsm although students do pick their roommates and select a preference for their dorm. Certain particularly nice dormitories (air-conditioned, beautifully furnished) are for juniors and seniors only.

1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.

The dining hall is located in Elsworth, a female dorm. Weekday meals are formal dress, and three days a week Reserve Green (formal uniform) is required. Their are "jobs" for each student to do (clearing the table, going to get a tray with that day's meal, pouring drinks, getting desserts, etc.) Each table holds around 8 students maximum and one faculty member. Lunch seating is assigned. Food is well-prepared and excellent; however, pasta and/or peanut butter and jelly bars are always available.

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

Hudson is a historic town with many funs shops and restaurants to visit. Students enjoy walking downtown, which is considered a part of campus, both during free periods in the daytime and during free hours of the evening. Most all day students at the school hail from Hudson.

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

Boarding students can "sign out" to go home or to go stay with a day student most any weekend they wish. The "Green Key" snack bar is open in Elsworth Hall a few nights a week for students to gather and talk. However, lots of studying is essential for being successful at Reserve, so social activities are not considered a huge priority.

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