Darrow School - Review #3

Darrow is a beautiful school set on a National Historic Landmark, that of the first Shaker settlement in the USA. It holds this history in the buildings still used as dorms and academic spaces, and as faculty housing on campus. The community that is built every year is supported by an administration that understands the school's history and how pulling from it can help make a place feel connected to its roots. Darrow is a unique education with its support of the arts. It gives the students the framework for many opportunities and creates independent studies when students find a specific niche that is not in the academic schedule.

I just loved the experience of Darrow and how it prepared me for my college career!

I would suggest to incoming students to really lean in to all the Darrow unique events, like the twice weekly all school meals and Hands-to-work, the weekly volunteering program. Darrow gives you so many opportunities at the tips of your fingers, so all you have to do is take them.

I loved the community of the school. It really felt like home.

Really make use and appreciate the environment that is the darrow campus. It is absolutely beautiful and spring is the best. I loved hanging out outside with my friends in the warmer weather and just enjoying the views.

I loved the harkness model of teaching. All students had a say in their education and the opportunity to voice their own opinions in class.

Everyone had the opportunity to play a sport and succeed, no matter the level of athlete you were when you came into the school. There was always continued improvement and confidence as the season went on and great coaches!

I loved the Joline Arts Center. It was the heart of visual art on campus. The teachers were phenomenal, most of them practicing artists themselves, and really cared about students having the space to express themselves. As an art prefect, I shadowed in the ceramics room learning how one runs a kiln and such, which turned out to be very useful in further jobs out of Darrow. The theater program was great and gave me confidence to get on a stage, which I never had before. I really enjoyed the experience and would definitely have not taken it up if I was not at Darrow.

The hands-to-work program is so unique to the school. I had the opportunity to take care of the salt-water fish tank we had on campus. It was a large weekly commitment, but so much fun to feel ownership over a space and a thing, and to take care of some amazing sea creatures and fish! I also loved being on student government and being a part of creating all school activities for everyone to enjoy.

I liked the community aspect of the dorm. I liked living with my friends and being able to do homework during study hall together. Dorm parents were all fantastic and really made the place feel like home.

I loved the diversity of food options. It was delicious, and you got to know the fabulous dining staff who make the place feel like a part of home.

The town of New Lebanon is small, but has many little sparkles in it. The weekend valley runs gave us the opportunity to get brunch or a bagel and feel more independence. It was also a great opportunity to spend time with friends off campus.

Social life was like any other high school! They kept you busy with activities on the weekends, but a lot of time to spend with friends.