Groton School - Review #14

We had an amazing world renowned woodworking shop that allowed students ample time, all year if necessary, to complete large and impressive pieces. We were mentored through drawing prints yourself and measuring specs that would be structurally sound to the last dove tail.I also remember having a literature teacher my IV form year that would turn our Saturday classes into a poetic breakdown of our favorite songs over donuts and juice

I would say my biggest achievements include: Getting in Making varsity basketball and tennis The table I designed and expected to finality in woodworking (which is still a proud piece in my house) Learning how to compose a stellar essay

I wouldn’t have tried so hard to impress the returning students and focused more on just being myself and confident. There are so many opportunities to prove yourself as a person and student I you just relax.

Overall, in my experience what Groton truly does better than anybody else is the sheer volume of what is available for a student to learn in just one year. The fostering emphasis out on actual learning, not schooling, but the intake of information in a way that is effective and has 'legs' as they say, is something that I has remained unparalleled for me anywhere else.

The homemade breads put out in the afternoon during the colder months should never be missed!!!!!

The academics at Groton were second to none. Class time was never wasted and equally study hall time was held paramount. We had classes 6 days a week (half days Wednesday and Saturdays for sport competition) but it wasn't just the amount of time In the classroom, it was the level of pride taken by all students and teachers that was so highly motivating. Looking back at the entire scope of my academia, I can say with confidence that my time In the classroom at Groton was the most effective and concentrated.

I loved all of my coaches. Your sports at Groton like many boarding schools, was essentially your family for the season. You travelled together and spent a bulk of your time out of the scholastic halls training with your teammates. There of course was always a big competitive push to get a spot on varsity, but eventually (varsity, Jv or thirds) everybody rode on the same bus and cheered for each other with vigor. When you are a boarding school student your school is your also your home and your dormmates become your siblings. And if sports just weren't your jam, while group participation was mandatory for each trimester, community service or theater were not accepted in lieu, but the other students were always salivating for the next performance. Groton was always equally as theatric, with skits from all ages of student always being encouraged as a regular part of morning announcements and celebrations. They also were one of the only remaining schools with a Fives team, which I always though was a nice indicator of the kind of nostalgic ceremony that Groton continues to stand on.

While this was not my focus or strong suit during my time at Groton, the art studio was housed in a very open and inspiring area of the campus. Art shows and performances were not just a regular part of daily life but a highly anticipated and enjoyed one. Every announcement at morning roll call had a theatrical element to it. On a daily basis it brought humor and a touch of levity to the heavy concentration on studies. Additionally the Peabody, the schools student run publication, was always given high regard. It's level of professionalism was equal to the artistic and political liberties it embraced.

Sine I only attended Groton for a little over a year I can't speak that much to many of the extracurricular activities.

Dorm rooms were assigned your first year, past that you were able to pick your roommates and put in requests for specific rooms and dorms. My room always felt like my own space while it never felt unsafe. Your dorm was, similar to your team, lie a family. There were even extracurricular games where we made funny T-shirt's and competed like the Olympics during a scholastic hiatus every spring.

The food was always awesome!!! Maybe the best cafeteria food I’ve had to date. Formal dinners were required a couple of nights a week where you alternated being waitstaff and being assigned to eat with different teachers and forms of students I. An effort to learn formality and get to know everyone on the campus. I may sound stuffy at first but I became one of m favorite activities:) and the dining hall was gorgeous with beautiful vaulted ceiling and a winter view of campus.

I will say that the town of Groton was tiny and a bit of a jaunt from the campus. But you never had too much free time to wander, all things that I believe made the concentration of studies that much more effective. We were given weekends and available transportation for off campus multi day trips into Boston and New York...those were always the big trips!!

My social life was less of a focus for me. Despite being at a very awkward age mentally and physically though, I still always had a group of supportive, smart friends at all times. Plus it was easy for many of the instructors to have a friendship with their students given how small the school is.