Hebron Academy - Review #2

Hebron encouraged us to serve the surrounding community with designated community service days throughout the school year, as well as celebrating the diversity of our school by themed dinners and cultural events.

Boarding school gave me such a unique experience that I feel gives me a huge advantage now that I am out on my own. I learned how to work hard towards goals, and how to manage time. I find myself following a very similar schedule even now that I don’t have mandatory study halls or meal times. I have so much experience with other cultures and have been able to take that with me while traveling or when I am introduced to other people from different parts of the world. Having teachers that truly cared about my success and well being made a huge impact on me, and I often still contact them for advice or just to catch up.

Don’t be afraid to make friends! Leave your door open, sit with people in the dining hall, ask everyone’s name. I consider everyone I went to school with a part of my family. It can be overwhelming and scary, and sometimes it is so difficult, but I don’t regret a second of it. Everyone is in the same boat!

It had such a family feel to it, and the teachers were amazing. It still feels like home.

A union breakfast sandwich can cure almost anything.

The classes were small and intimate, largely discussion based with most classrooms set up in a circle shape. Teachers were always available for extra help and to ensure your success. We were given many opportunities to be hands-on through labs, field trips and other unique opportunities.

Everyone is included in athletics, which encourages those who are less experienced to find a new hobby/passion. While some teams are more competitive than others, there is a level for everyone and the long drives to away games are some of the best bonding experiences.

The arts are celebrated just as much as the athletics at Hebron, everyone is encouraged to show their own interests and talents! They have recently even created an “artist of the week” feature, whereas previously there was only an “athlete of the week”. This is a great addition to help celebrate the diverse talents of the students!

Anyone could start a club, and there were also leadership opportunities such as student government and student proctors. Everyone was invited and encouraged to participate, and it was always easy to find someone who shared your interests.

Dorm life is a huge adjustment, but I loved it. I got to know so many different people from all over the world, and it was so easy to transition to a college dorm setting. We had weekly “life meetings” to discuss any problems or concerns in the dorm, and to do fun activities in small groups. I had the best dorm parents, who always celebrated birthdays and other milestones with us. And there were dogs!

While eating in a dining hall for every meal can get old, the staff made a huge effort to give us the best possible food and include everybody’s culture in dining hall options. There were gluten free and vegetarian options as well, and we even grew some of our produce on campus! Locally sourced food was used whenever possible, and the homemade bakery items were the best.

There is pretty much nothing around the school itself, but I find myself missing how quiet, safe and serene it was. There were great trails for hiking and running, and we were given plenty of trip opportunities to Portland or Freeport to get a taste of the city.

The school was so small that you knew everyone’s name so quickly, and a friend is always within arms reach. Lunches and dinners are full of great conversation and back at the dorm there were so many movie nights and sleepovers. When you were homesick you always had someone to lean on, and day student families would frequently “adopt” you for weekends.