I was NEVER bored academically at Concord Academy. I was challenged from day 1 and I don't recall ever having an easy "blow-off" class. I liked that although the teachers were demanding, they were approachable - often requiring us to call them by their first names. We would have heated discussions about novels sitting outside on the quad in the sunshine. I liked that teachers were able to teach what they loved, so in addition to the normal "required" classes, we had classes that were about the particular interest of the teacher, for example, Literature of the American South, Animal Behavior, and Advanced Topics in Mathematics: Chaos Theory. Classes are much more enjoyable when the teacher is excited about what they are teaching.

As previously mentioned, CA does not have gym class. Instead students are required to participate in some form of athletic activity. Most students choose to play one of the variety of team sports offered, but aerobics classes, orienteering, and dance are also options (more on dance later). In some cases, students had a particular athletic endeavor that they could pursue through "independent study". I know of one figure skater, and one equestrienne who skated and rode horses throughout their time at CA. I did an independent study in ice hockey for the fall semester, playing for a local team, and then played for CA'sice hockey team in the winter. The facilities when I was there were sufficient, but since I've graduated they've built a huge new athletic facility that puts my college facilities to shame!

This is where Concord Academy really stands out above the other elite boarding schools - Concord Academy is known for its arts. Students are required to take a certain number of "minor" credits during their time at CA, which can be spread out through visual or performing arts. The music facilities are beautiful with at least a baby grand piano in every room (some rooms have several!), and if an instructor for a particular instrument is not currently employed by CA, they will FIND you one to pursue your instrument of choice. The dance program is EXCEPTIONAL with several graduates now dancing professionally. I took one dance class during my time at CA (Beginning Modern Dance) and while I will never be a member of the Boston Ballet, I can say that I gained a huge appreciation for the art of dance. As for the visual arts, well, they have umpteen arts classes taught at levels from beginning to advanced and independent study. We have a very well respected Film program, and my particular love was photography. Other classes include ceramics, textile arts, painting, drawing, sculpting, etc. etc. and each of these is taught at several levels. I truly cannot say enough about Concord's arts program!

We had tons of student-run clubs and organizations including musical groups (a capella, gospel choir, etc.), volunteer groups, academic clubs (french club, math league), and student organizations (the Black Student Organization, the Gay/Straight Alliance, etc). There was also a strong/active student government both school-wide and also a boarder's council.

All of our dorms are old houses (think 1800's) along Main Street in Concord. We were a short walk away from frappes at Brigham's and toothpaste at CVS. Most students live in triples (freshmen, occasionally sophomores) or doubles (sophomores and juniors) until their senior year when they usually get a single room. There are apartments within the houses where our dorm parents live - often a married couple or a family with children (and dogs!). Except for your first semester when you are assigned roommates, you get to write down your roommate choices (a triple with X and Y) in order of preference, though you don't really get to choose your dorm or room. I loved the old houses with creaky floors!

We had a central dining hall where all of the students ate breakfast, lunch and dinner. They always have lots of selection and the quality was always good. Often on the weekends we'd get special meals with more er, expensive, choices. The best meals were weekend brunch where you can sit for hours reading the newspaper, drinking coffee, and going back for more food (omelets made to order, waffles, pancakes, fruit salad, etc etc - yum!). There was no assigned seating, though there was a sunken dining room where teams/clubs would occasionally eat together.

CA is located right on Main Street in Concord, MA, and so most of town is within walking distance. We were allowed to leave campus during the day on foot during your free periods (day students with cars were NOT allowed to leave by car until the end of the day to go home). The town of Concord is filled with historical landmarks, and is very New England green. The spring is heavenly when the lilacs are in bloom - the entire town smells sweet! Also within walking distance is the train station for the Commuter Rail, and on the weekends we would often go into Boston to explore.

Social life for a high school kid is rough, no matter where you go to school. One thing I feel blessed about was that at Concord Academy, there was nothing wrong with being smart. In fact, you were celebrated for the areas in which you excelled. CA does not collect nor publish a class ranking, which keeps the academic competition down. Socially, I was a bit of a floater between several groups of friends. I had friends among the athletes, musicians and artists. While every school has the 'cool' crowd, ours was approachable as you inevitably had some interest in common with a few of them.