Brooks School - Review #9

Read more details about Brooks School on their 2024-25 profile page.
Brooks School
5

About the Author:

Years Attended Boarding School:
1998-2001
Sports and Activities:
Soccer Basketball Tennis (Varsity Captain 2000 and 2001) Theater (acting and directing) Broadcast Journalism Newspaper Reporting Phillips Brooks Society (Officer 2000-2001) Chapel Fellowship (Head, 2000-2001)
College Enrolled:
Rollins College
Home Town, State:
Weston, MA

Reflections and Advice:

1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
The sense of community at Brooks is virtually unmatched when comparing boarding schools in New England. The moment one walks on campus, they feel the sense of closeness between the students and faculty, a bond that is crucial to the education of the student as a whole. The faculty and staff are fully committed to the success of the student both IN and OUTSIDE the classroom.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
I was able to come out of my shell at Brooks and truly develop into the person I have become today. The close nit community at Brooks allowed me to grow academically but also as a person, becoming comfortable in my own skin and giving me important self confidence to tackle the challenges of teenage life and prepare for future endeavors in college and beyond.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
Pick a school where you feel you would be able to achieve a balance between work and play. You will not be happy at a school which puts too much emphasis on either one.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
Community. Education. Balance.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Blake House is by far the best dorm.

Academics:

1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
The academics were challenging BUT fair. The faculty care about the students individual success and take into account the efforts out forth both inside and outside the classroom. Brooks is academically competitive BUT not a pressure cooker. Students will not doubt be challenged and must preform however a balance is maintained between work and play which I believe is the key to an overall positive boarding school experience.

Athletics:

1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
The Athletic Program at Brooks is 1st class, both in facilities and talent pool. However with that said, everyone has an opportunity to participate and put forth an effort in making a difference. Each season Brooks brings home ISL and New England titles in both girls and boys sports. Of note, the soccer program headed up by Dusty Richard and John Packard is consistently one of the best run programs in the country.

Art, Music, and Theatre:

1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
The Theater Program is phenomenal and encourages students who may not lean toward this area of arts to express themselves and forces them to come out of their shell. Specially, improve and directing were areas which allow students to showcase talent and skills that at first glance may not be present.

Extracurricular Opportunities:

1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
Every opportunity exists at Brooks to become involved extracurricularly. Weather it be in student government, clubs, sports, organizations, arts, etc the school offers a number of divers selections for students to take part in which again fosters the wonderful sense of community.

Dorm Life:

1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
Dorm life at Brooks is the highlight of a successful boarding school experience. The dorm parents create a comfortable environment for students to not only learn in but more importantly develop into sensitive, proactive, responsible human beings. Again, educating the entire person by creating a balance between work and play is what Brooks does best and this can be seen every May in the faces of the graduating class.

Dining:

1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
The food is top notch and easily is the best in the ISL if not New England. The new dinning room is a first class facility that consistently offers a wide variety of choices. Of note, the kitchen staff is always friendly and they have become an important piece of what makes the Brooks Community so special.

Social and Town Life:

1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
Andover is a great small town that has everything a Boarding School Student could need. More importantly, Boston is a short train ride away or a $35 cab fare.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
Because a balance between academics and social life is obtained at Brooks, one can expect a busy, well balanced social life and expect to make friends they will keep for a lifetime.

Daily Schedule:

Weekday
7:30 AM
Wake Up
7:45 AM
Breakfast
8:00 AM
Class
9:00 AM
Class
10:00 AM
School Meeting
11:00 AM
Class
12:00 AM
Lunch
3:00 PM
Sports
6:00 PM
Dinner and socializing
12:00 PM
Study and Sleep
Weekend
9:00 AM
Class
10:00 AM
Class
11:00 AM
Lunch
2:00 PM
Sports
6:00 AM
Dinner and movies/friends/boston etc
Read more details about Brooks School on their 2024-25 profile page.

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description
Brooks School Alumni #1
Class of 1998
5.00 11/19/2017
American University
Strong sense of community, lack of judgment for unique individual qualities (bullying because of different personalities), adaptive teaching techniques for individual needs. . .
Brooks School Alumni #2
Class of 2015
5.00 8/19/2017
Boston College
The community at Brooks, including teachers, staff and students, all share an extremely tight-knit bond that I've never experienced at any other institution. Teachers care about the students, and get to know them extremely well. . .
Brooks School Alumni #3
Class of 2016
5.00 8/4/2017
Bates College
Be prepared for a 6-day class week at Brooks. While Saturday classes are a requirement, schedules even out with a half day schedule on Wednesdays. . .
Show more reviews (7 reviews)

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 346 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $66,900
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $55,000
  • Acceptance rate: 25%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Source: Verified school update