Kent School - Review #28

Kent is renowned for its location and beautiful campus. Many of the faculty live on (or close to) campus and are involved as advisors & coaches as well as teachers--making them accessible to students when needed. There is a chapel requirement that brings the school together 3 times a week where various topics are presented and helps promote school unity & spirit.

Looking back, the education that I received at Kent was so formative...not just academic, but in terms of personal growth and who I am. I left Kent more confident in myself and I've maintained several friendships since graduating. I also have attended class reunions on campus where the bond of having the Kent experience is strong. Teaching is my profession and I went on to get a M.Ed. because of something that one of my teachers from Kent said to me. (As a side note, I loved the beauty & serenity of St. Joseph's Chapel and chose to get married there with one of my music teachers playing the organ!)

As an introverted sophomore entering Kent, I wish I’d stepped outside the proverbial box sooner. I highly recommend getting involved with something outside of your own dorm.

The atmosphere of inclusion...the challenge of being a contributing member to Kent....the friends I made!

Three thoughts--- 1. If you visit on a rainy day and still see the beauty that surrounds you, then you may have found your new home. 2. Definitely, walk into the chapel and view it not just as a religious gathering place, but as a work of art and a piece of history. 3. I've seen the new “stat store” and student commons and that looks like a place my kids would want to see, so take a peek (I didn’t have that).

Kent works hard to individualize each student’s curriculum to suit particular strengths and interests. After completing the required (and challenging!) classes for graduation, I did an independent study which required a lot of time and research. I was well prepared for college!!

Kent requires participation in athletics--and there are many sports/activities to choose from. When I was there, in addition to football, baseball & soccer/lacrosse/field hockey fields, the athletic facilities included a hockey rink, squash & tennis courts, boathouse for crew, track/cross country course, and an equestrian barn. Most teams have multiple ability level options from varsity to club team. Kent has always enjoyed a high level of success on & off the field.

Kent encourages all forms of art and the fine arts program was (is) extensive--from chamber music, jazz, and spirit band options to several vocal groups. The visual arts program included an amazing ceramics studio in addition to a dark room for photography. Now, of course, there are more high tech options in a digital lab and students can take architectural design too. I participated in dance and several theater productions from large musicals to student-directed one acts during my time at Kent.

See previous comments above under heading of Activities. Most important is that there is a wide range of opportunities and nobody is excluded if they want to participate. There are community service & study abroad trips, summer intensives, and global awareness groups!

Each dorm has an appointed Prefect for the year and there are activities planned that encourage bonding. There is a common room where ice cream (& other) socials, club meetings, and “hanging out" takes place. I am not current on this issue, but when I was at Kent, we were in rooms of 2 and had the option to change roommates 3 times a year as we were on the tri-mester system. The majority of students are boarders and stay in either one of the new dorms or an older one that has been updated.

Love the dining hall and the staff! When I was there, we had assigned tables where seniors and underformers mixed and helped take care of tables. Everyone ate at the same time. The food selection was good--and had healthy choices. There were great desserts and I loved the baked cookies!

Kent is a small town that attracts artists and nature-lovers! Students can walk into town at permitted times and get food at several restaurants, go shopping, or stroll the sidewalks. We used to go to town and use the laundromat--not sure if the kids today have to do that. (We’d usually use Wednesday afternoon since there was only a half day of class that day.)

There were planned, but optional, activities (movies, games, etc.) on Saturday night, but otherwise there were plenty of opportunities to hang with friends listening to music, throwing a frisbee, sunning, playing ping-pong, or using a facility.