Saint James School
Alumni Review #1, Class of 2001
About the Author:
College Enrolled
Amherst College
Home Town, State (Country)
Hagerstown, MD
Years Attended Boarding School
2
Activities During Boarding School
Field Hockey (captain), Basketball, Lacrosse (captain), Honor Council, Yearbook, Tour Guide
Reflections and Advice:
1.)  What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
I had the best teachers I could imagine. They were truly invested in me as a student, but more as a person. It made graduating more than a little difficult.
2.)  What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
I think I made the right choices
3.)  What would you never want to change about your school?
the school would benefit if the administration lightened the rules
4.)  What things could be improved about your school?
too strict!
5.)  Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
don’t work too hard!! and even though you want to graduate, enjoy your last month, especially. no matter what you think now, you’ll miss it when you’re at college!
Academics:
1.) What did you like best about your school’s academics?
because the classes were so small, the teachers knew me well enough to challenge me particularly and specifically. the teachers were also extremely passionate about their profession and went to great lengths to make the classes interesting and engaging.
2.) What did you like least about the academics in your school?
often, I was forced to study in “study hall” when I didn’t have work. I disliked the competitive environment.
Athletics:
1.) What did you like best about your school’s athletics?
close-knit group of people with lots of spirit
2.) What did you like least about the athletics in your school?
we lacked skill
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) What did you like best about your school’s art program?
opportunities, anyone was able to go to open studios on friday nights to experiment with paints, photography, charcoals, etc.
2.) What did you like least about your school’s art program?
funding! the program was very underfunded compared to athletics
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) What did you like most about the extracurricular activities offered at your school?
the school gives students REAL leadership positions and opportunities to change school policy, rules, etc.
2.) What did you like least about the extracurricular activities offered at your school?
a very few number of students hold the many positions available
Dorm Life:
1.) What was the best thing about dorm life in your school?
living with friends- like sisters!
2.) What did you like least about dorm life?
dorm mothers were forced to be too strict
Dining:
1.) What was the best thing about your dining arrangements?
family style tables- not a cafeteria line
2.) What did you like least about your dining arrangements?
the food itself.. yuck!
Social and Town Life:
1.) How welcome did you feel by the other students when you first arrived at the school
we had big brothers/sisters to help us adjust, sort of take us under their wings, it was great
2.) Describe the level of diversity and integration of students in your school:
very diverse- students from all over the world
3.) Describe typical fun activities you did on a weekend:
athletic events, just hanging out, eating out, trips outside Hagerstown to DC and Baltimore
4.) What was the town like?
not really, St. James is rather rural. There is a mall, but there had to be a van trip. There were occasional trips to Washington DC and Baltimore to see theatre shows, etc.
Daily Schedule:
Weekday
7:00 AMwake up, room inspection by dorm mother, breakfast
7:45 AMchapel
8:00 AMAP European History
8:45 AMAP Calculus
9:30 AMPhysics
10:15 AMAP Studio Art
11:30 AMStudy Hall
12:15 AMLunch
1:00 PMAP English
1:45 PMStudy Hall
2:30 PMclub meetings/free time
4:00 PMpractice
6:00 PMshowering
6:45 PMdinner
7:30 PMrequired evening study hall
9:30 PMfree time
11:00 PM“lights out”
11:15 PMget out of bed to finish studying
1:00 AMsleep
Weekend
9:00 AMwake up and breakfast
10:00 AMpregame team meeting
11:00 AMhome game (lax, hockey, bball)
12:30 AMshower and nap
2:30 PMtrip to mall to shop/socialize
5:00 PMhangout, watch friends reruns
6:00 PMdinner
7:00 PMintramural sports events (“maroon and white”)
8:30 PM“open house” at faculty home (roasting marshmallows, movies, board games, etc)
11:00 PM“check in”
11:15 PMmovie night in the common room, snacking!
1:00 AMbed
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