The Webb School - Review #7

Webb has a very serious Honor Code that is enforced all day, everyday. Students hold each other accountable for their actions and trust each other to neither lie, cheat, nor steal. While other schools might have an Honor Code, the students enforce the Honor Code at Webb making it far more productive because students hold each other accountable. Webb also provides a sense of family and community. As a boarding student at Webb, I feel like I am a part of a family. Everyone takes care of each other and helps each other through the good times and the bad. Webb was the only boarding school that looked like home to me and as soon as I stepped foot on the campus I knew it really was home.

I won the four year scholarship to Webb that is awarded to two incoming freshmen each year. It was the best thing that could have happened to me. At my previous school, I was not being challenged and was too shy to speak in class. When I came to Webb, I started being challenged and grew more comfortable with myself so I could participate in class discussions. I was no longer afraid to meet new people or speak my mind in classes. I found out who I was when I came to Webb and was able to be challenged at the same time.

When I arrived at school, I stuck mostly with the boarding students. If I could do things differently, I would have tried to make more friends who were day students and branch out beyond my comfort zone. My advice for kids going to boarding school would be to branch out beyond their comfort zone in terms of classes, friends, and extracurricular activities.

I loved the community of teachers and students. I know that if I had gone to any other school I would not have been given the same opportunities and relationships I found at Webb. I see my teachers and classmates as more than just educators and friends but as my family. The Honor Code at Webb was a large part of my high school experience that I know everyone attending Webb will carry it with them for the rest of their lives.

Make sure to check out the seals on the sidewalks and do not step on them if you might possibly go to Webb. Tradition says not to step on it or you will not graduate from Webb. Also, take a walk downtown because it is just as big a part of Webb's history as the actual buildings.

Sawney Webb, our founder, believed students should be well rounded in their education and challenged in a competitive atmosphere. Students are placed in classes with others on their same skill level. A variety of classes are offered in many different levels. The best part of Webb's academics is the freedom of the students to ask questions of their teachers that may be beyond their class lesson plan or skill level and to receive a clear and meaningful response from those teachers.

Unlike many other schools, sports is not the most important thing at Webb. However, students are required to do the best they can just like any other activity or class they participate in. Webb still has state of the art facilities for students but the whole school does not center on athletics.

Sawney's mission to produce well rounded students has led the Webb community to give the arts as much attention as academics. Most of the students at Webb are involved in some form of Art, whether it is Theatre, Art, or Music. The Theatre program is taking a trip to Scotland to compete in a festival and classes such as Guitar, Piano, Choir, Strings, Advanced Art, and Theatre are offered.

My favorite part of extracurricular activities is that the diversity of the students is reflected in the activities they take part in. I am not athletically inclined but I love opportunities to serve. At Webb, I am able to find something to participate in such as tutoring, Youth Group, Prefect, Interact, and Son Will. While these clubs interest me, many of my friends are involved in other things such as Student Government, school events, and sports. I love that, at Webb, there is something for everyone.

I love the sense of community throughout the residential life. One hundred of Webb's three hundred students reside at the school. While we are all friends with day students, the boarding community is like a family because we live together, hang out on the weekends together, go to class together, study together, and make it through high school together. Due to the challenging academics at Webb, students need each other to help study and maintain sanity.

My favorite part of dining at Webb is the options of food and the willingness of the cafeteria to listen to the opinions of the students. During every meal, there is a hot plate line but also a salad bar and a sandwich bar (including a panini maker) so if you are a picky eater, like myself, you can always find something to eat. This past year, a survey was administered to Webb students so the cafeteria could know how we feel about their food. As soon as they read the surveys, they began to make some changes to our menu, such as the addition of Wok stations. The cafeteria is very flexible to the wants and needs of the Webb community.

Bell Buckle is a small and charming town and Webb is right in the center. Downtown Bell Buckle has a small cafe, an ice cream shop, a coffee shop, a post office, a gas station/ mini-mart, and a myriad of antique stores. In the fall, thousands of people come to Bell Buckle for its famous Craft Fair. The thing I love most about Bell Buckle is that everyone knows everyone else and they take in the Webb students as though we were family.

I love that I can have friends who are as focused on academics and as driven as I am. When I need to study instead of hang out, my friends understand and are OK with it. At the same time, when I am really stressed out and need a break my dorm parents and friends are there to help distract me and make me relax. It is nice always having my friends around when I need them and to have dorm parents who can guide me and help me manage my time.