Read more details about Deerfield Academy on their 2024-25 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
Deerfield is located in a beautiful, rural, scenic town; the town is set in the middle of the valley in a beautiful New England setting. The Academy has a strong community feel, a medium-sized population, and tons of great teachers and instructors.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
I was really prepared for college life, especially compared to my non-prepschool peers at the university I currently attend. I graduated near the top of my class, and I grew academically, socially, and as a global citizen.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
I would have gotten involved with squash so much earlier! I love that sport. I would have been involved with the newspaper early on as well.Definitely go to boarding school! Work hard, make great friends, learn as much as you can, and never give up!
4.) What did you like most about your school?
Deerfield has a great placement rate! People get into the top colleges! I am so glad to know of so many outstanding people who are going to be top experts in their fields.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
I would highly recommend when you are on campus to ask about the differences (and similarities) of the dorms offered on campus.
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
First rate! The academics are so challenging that by the time you enter colleage (most students go to a top university), you are so well prepared that you have time to get involved with the other aspects of collegiate life. Your experience in college will enable you to get into a top graduate school. So the academics at Deerfield in the liberal arts--specifically English, history, science, math, and the foreign languages--will instill in each student a sense of challenge, mastery, and analytical thinking. The teachers are available on campus, so there's ample opportunity for extra help sessions and general interaction with them!
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
Deerfield offers almost every sport; there is such a great diversity. My friends played soccer, lacrosse, football, volleyball, crew, and squash. Everyone can pick up a new sport. and the rivalry with the other prep schools helps to create a unique Deerfield pride in its students.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
The Arts at Deerfield are alive and well. I personally sang in the orchestra as well, and participated in one of the student plays in the winter of my sophomore year. The theatre program creates such a great culture at Deerfield; I wish I was more involved in it, in hindsight, but I developed many skills that were useful!
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
Again there's so much! From the student newspaper to the boating club, every student can find his or her passion and also develop such a deep insight into his or her activity. Students are encouraged to get involved! There's a fair that goes on every year where students can learn about different clubs and hobbies.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
What I will treasure about Deerfield is the diversity! There's no place where I can learn and live with people from all around the world--except at a boarding school like Deerfield. I love the camraderie fostered by every member of the dorm, and I loved that I could study with others and hang out with them as well. Almost everyone gets a single, so that's a plus too. Very fun!
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
Awesome food and sit down dinners! The food is amazing, you get to know so many people at Deerfield, and the conversations during these meals have range from intellectual to sports to the arts to fashion and travel!
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
So many different areas. People can also take trips to nearby areas, and sometimes trips in the city are encouraged as well, especially during long weekends and breaks.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
Your social life will be diverse--especially because people are from everywhere. You are likely to make friends with people who are different from you--as well as people you have many things in common with. The people are smart and they know how to have fun.
Daily Schedule:
Weekday
8:00 AM
English
10:00 AM
Math
12:00 PM
LUNCH!
2:00 PM
French
5:00 PM
Lacrosse
9:00 AM
Homework
1:00 AM
Sleep
Weekend
1:00 AM
Sleep in
9:00 AM
Brunch
11:00 AM
Movie
5:00 AM
Homework!
Read more details about Deerfield Academy on their 2024-25 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
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Description
One unique aspect of living in the Pioneer Valley is all the outdoor activities that come along with it. Whether it be biking, hiking to the rock, running the small loop, or swimming in the. . .
Deerfield has a very student-centered learning environment that encourages students to learn to ask for help and use all the resources available to them.
Deerfield also has “feeds,” when the hall associate on duty for a. . .
Deerfield’s location in the Pioneer Valley makes it an incredibly beautiful place to live, and opportunities abound for hiking, biking, swimming, and otherwise engaging with the surroundings. Because the school is tucked away from the. . .
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