Concord Academy - Review #7

Read more details about Concord Academy on their 2023-24 profile page.
Concord Academy
5

About the Author:

Years Attended Boarding School:
2010-2011
Sports and Activities:
Beside academics, I've been in basketball, guitar, and international student organization. I was not in the school basketball team, but I enjoyed playing it in my free time. Also, there's an intramural basketball which allows non-serious basketball players to have fun and spend the time outside classes with their friends. For guitar, I started my lesson here at CA in my senior year. the teacher who taught me is really talented. By the time I get into the Spring semester, I was be able to perform in the music showcase. For international student organization and, actually, other clubs I've joined such as word club, asian club, the members met every week on Wednesday club block (2.10pm-3.00pm). CA also provides a wide range of opportunities for student's leadership. In late Spring, every club will choose the new leaders, new co-head. Then, they will inform the school committee.
College Enrolled:
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Home Town, State:
Bangkok

Reflections and Advice:

1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
What I love most about Concord Academy is what we call "Common Trust." Common Trust helps CA(Concord Academy) students promote safer environment compared to those nearby schools. Students can leave their books, bags, and stuff in the school library without any worries about losing them. As a result, we can pay full attention to classes and absolutely concentrate on our homework. Moreover, most of the homework I have been assigned are not graded by the teachers; They would just check and encourage the students in classes to do.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
The best thing that has happened to me when I was at CA is in the very first month. I couldn't really understand English. I mean, I've studied English for long, but not with a native speakers. That night, I was stressed out, overwhelmed by homework and all those expectation from my parents and friends in Thailand. I talked to my house parent about that, and in the morning my college counselor came to meet me and arrange an individual appointment with me in the study hall. She is on duty at the house next to mine. I met her during the study hall period, discussing about all possibilities that can help me to be better. (The biggest problem was that I had to do all my college stuff while I was adapting myself to the completely new environment. So my advisor directed me to my college counselor) She's so understandable, and finally she met all my teachers and discussed about my issue. The week later, I noticed the whole different of environment. All the teachers came to me and offered a help for any subjects I wasn't quite confident in.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
Boarding school is completely different from any schools I've been before. The most important thing is that I had to live and spend my life with other students. The spirit of being together makes all high-school life different. To prepare for a boarding school, I believe that you have to be yourself more while you're willing to help other students and your friends as well.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
Small campus and small society make Concord Academy the best place to prepare myself before I go to college next year. This school changed me to be an extremely organized person. I know thoroughly when I have to do something and how I can spend my free time wisely.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
I was a school tour guide. The place I was very proud of in my school and brought all visitors there is the Chapel. The school chapel is the place where students gather there every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, sitting and listening to seniors' chapel. They talk about their lives at CA, their pasts, their experience, or whatever they want to share. Some even play music for the whole fifteen-minute period.

Academics:

1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
Concord Academy is exceptionally strong in Physics. I got a scholarship from my government in Thailand to study in Physics. Everyone I asked before I apply for prep. school said the same, Concord Academy. In other schools, they may have a classes named something like "AP Physics," whose contents include most of the subject appeared just in the AP exam. However, in Concord Academy, the class is more like "Advance Physics: Mathematical Physics," or "Advance Physics: Electromagnetism." I was in these classes, and what I have learned in not mainly about AP exam but advance topics in Physics, which is really helpful for science students. The professors and the students have built an unbreakable bond between each other. Students can reach their professor by simply walking to their office or chatting with them through the school emailing system called CABBS. I met my teachers at least once a week since I came to Concord Academy. The other thing that I believe is the strongest part of CA is that students are extremely competitive. Some might think that this is intimidating, but actually, this kind of competitive environment really pushes the students to pursue better grades.

Athletics:

1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
Every students is required to take two semesters of sports each year except seniors who have to take only one. Students have many options in every semester. We have soccer, volleyball in Fall; basketball, squash, ski, in Winter; hockey, squash, baseball, in Spring. The school gym is available everyday from 7am to 10pm. There're two things I like about CA sports. First, although our school is not really sports and is not very competitive compared to others, all students are encouraged to participate in sports both inside and outside the curriculum. Most students love to take intramural sports. So, they don't have to be in a team, but still have an opportunities to play what they love. Second, our coaches usually teach other classes as well. For example, my basketball coach is also a ceramic teacher. So, we can meet in my basketball period and ceramic class.

Art, Music, and Theatre:

1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
CA is renowned for our dance company. In every semester, there will be a major play which a number of students take part in this project. In the first year, every freshman has to participate in freshman project. They will do some kind of play or show. In sophomore and junior year, they are still in freshman project, but it's not mandatory. Their roles have changed—mostly help directing the show. Then, in senior year, those seniors who want to take part in this project will be able to show their skills of writing the play, and directing the main show. For music, everyone can start without any experience in any musical instruments. The students can take basic courses before: basic piano, basic guitar, and so. After that, they can take a music lesson which helps them to develop a great depth of understanding in their instruments.

Extracurricular Opportunities:

1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
Available from Fall semester, Community weekend is a weekend when students do community service with the people in nearby town. It's not mandatory, but lots of students join this. In Spring, however, students have to be in one of the school major clean up. I weed dandelion around the school campus.

Dorm Life:

1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
At CA, the students don't actually live in a dorm, but in a kind of house. I was in a house called "Hobson" (named after one of the school committee in the past) All rooms are different. I got a double in my senior year. In the room, there's a small room inside. In the front part of the room, there are two desks: for me and for my roommate. I always came back to my room, studying, chatting with my friends. Someday, I studied after the study hall. If I was hungry, I could buy food in the common room, which would charge to my book store account. In late May, all students will submit their preferences about roommates, houses, room types to the head of students. Then, in the summer, they will do some kind of arrangement. And see the possibilities of each student's need.

Dining:

1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
In the morning, the cafeteria starts at 7.00pm-8.15pm; 11.35-12.05pm for lunch, and 5.30pm-7.00pm for dinner. Since CA is a really small school. The number of seats available is not many. However, students will usually squeezed themselves in one table as many as possible. Morning breakfast is continental: bread, yam, honey, cereals, and fruits. Lunch has the widest range of food. There are salad bar, pasta, sandwich. Also, students can make their own food. I usually brought rice and vegetable from the salad bar, and turkey from the sandwich corner and make my own fried rice for lunch. Dinner is usually some typical American food: meat, vegetable, cakes.

Social and Town Life:

1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
Concord is a very peaceful town. People here know that we are CA students and usually offer us a help when we need(move stuff, interview for school project) What I like most in the town is the Concord Public Library. It's actually right opposite the school. I can walk there everyday to do my homework. I can also sign out for the study hall at the Public Library. Although the town is not large and is not full with facilities and department stores, I can live there and find everything I need: clothes, all kind of food, grocery.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
I'm an international student. I come from Thailand. Before I went to Concord Academy, I was worried about whether I'd be accepted in the US school society. However, the first week I went to CA changed everything. Many came to me and introduced themselves. Everyone's so friendly and so kind to me. Although I went to CA as a senior, all students welcomed me and appreciated my coming. Most of the time, friends usually spend time together studying or hanging out in Boston. I have a group of both Asian and American friends, and they are all understandable.

Daily Schedule:

Weekday
7:30 AM
Wake up & wash up
8:00 AM
Breakfast
8:15 AM
Chapel or Announcement
8:45 AM
FIrst period
10:00 AM
Break
10:15 AM
Second period
11:30 AM
Lunch
12:00 AM
Afternoon class
3:00 PM
Usually sports
5:30 PM
dinner
Weekend
11:00 AM
Wake up & take a shower
11:30 AM
Lunch
1:00 PM
Hangout with friends or go to school trip
3:00 PM
Read books/ watch movies
5:30 PM
Dinner
7:00 PM
Review the materials
9:30 PM
Go to Common Room and watch TV
10:00 PM
Play games
11:00 PM
House food!
12:00 PM
Go to Bed
Read more details about Concord Academy on their 2023-24 profile page.

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description
Concord Academy Alumni #1
Class of 2019
5.00 4/30/2019
Columbia University
One of my favorite things about CA is the way people learn to work to be kind and open to people who aren't like them. There are people who think and work and act in. . .
Concord Academy Alumni #2
Class of 2018
5.00 4/30/2019
Pomona College
The courses that I was able to take bordered on college-level courses. Since the course load consisted almost entirely of electives -- not just English, or Honors English, or AP English -- I was able. . .
Concord Academy Alumni #3
Class of 2018
5.00 4/30/2019
Wesleyan University
There's a commitment around my school from students and faculty to social justice that fosters a very welcoming environment. There's so many resources and groups with the goal of making the community better for all. . .
Show more reviews (6 reviews)

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Quick Stats (2023-24)

  • Enrollment: 395 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $65,850
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $52,740
  • Acceptance rate: 25%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Source: Verified school update