Foxcroft School - Review #8

Foxcroft School is a place of sisterhood and traditions, which is pretty fitting seeing as it just celebrated 100 years in 2014. There are many traditions that stems from years of culture and beliefs. The biggest tradition is Foxhound which brings the whole school together in friendly competition. Foxcroft is also special in its old but beautiful setting. It is hard to not fall in love with the main road which has blooming cherry blossoms in the spring time. The buildings are much more than where one live or go to school. They are history that can be seen, felt and relived over and over.

The experiences I was able to have were the best things to happen to me. I would not have become the person I am today without the help of Foxcroft. It definitely was not easy academically or socially but it set me up to be a better human being later. I did things I would have only dreamed of doing. I went to Africa, decide what I wanted to do with my life, I experienced things that have impacted my life. Not many people have the story I have and that makes me more complex and inviting. While I do not know exactly who I am, Foxcroft helped me develop into the young lady I am with the beliefs, values,and opinions that I have. Foxcroft fosters individual growth and prosperity.

I would not have done anything differently because it has made me the person I am today. Yes it was not easy and it was a battle at some points but when I walked across Miss Charlotte's Garden at graduation I was a better person and the adversity social, academic , even financial made me a well rounded individual. If you are thinking bout going to boarding school, be it Foxcroft or somewhere else, make mistakes, embrace them, learn from them. In your problems you will find yourself, your true friends and everyone who is in your corner. Don't be stupid but boarding school is a great place to make mistakes because the consequences are small and the lessons are big. Remember. the worse that happens is you go to public school back home. Also take it one year and one day at a time.

I became a better person and grew into the person I am today. Foxcroft is a special place and it truly became my home. The experience is what I love most about it. How many other people in the world can say they went to Foxcroft School? I am part of a sisterhood that extends generations.

If you visit Foxcroft do not just talk to your Cap (tour guide) but other students, most of us are honest and will tell you the truth. Make sure you speak with a few of the teachers and administrators. It is easy for any school to put on airs for visiting students but if you want the truth all you have to do is ask. Ask the hard, awkward questions make sure you know the school inside and out. If something feels off about Foxcroft, notice it, question and ask why. While you are there make sure you visit the Animal room and PX.If you are a rider, visit the barn and talk to some of the riders. Go see the 3D printer and if you are lucky something just came off the printer. Also ask about the picture of Miss Charlotte in the Dining hall. Spend some time in the library. It is beautiful and one of the biggest libraries I know.

Foxcroft is definitely a liberal art institution than geared towards the math and sciences but the STEM aspect of Foxcoft is growing. The Professors are well versed in their field. Many of them have taught there for many years. Professors are approachable and open. I was able to call some teachers late at night for help. Many of them live on campus with their families.They do not want to see anyone fail and work their hardest to help the students. Many go above and beyond what normal teachers would do. Once you graduate and continue your studies, you are well prepared and skilled to do your best in college and in life.

The athletics program was open and fun. Sports are not really big, but they are there. The field hockey team and lacrosse team over the last few years have become an amazing program. The riding program is still a highlight for Foxcroft. Indoor sports are not the best but students are allowed and encouraged to try something new and different. A student could play a different sport ever year. There are not many choices to what a student can do and there is really just one winter sport (basketball). All students are required to play a sport or fitness activity such as kick boxing, yoga, etc. There is not much to do on campus, so it is encouraged to go and watch the teams play if it is a home game. It is normal to see the head of school and vice head of school at home games cheering along.

The Arts program is probably the weakest link of Foxcroft but it is the most rewarding. The school offers drawing, graphic designing, painting, photography, theater production,music, ceramics and much more. However, what makes it a weak link is there are only two teachers in the whole arts department and two adjuncts. There are many different options for what a person can do and a student can switch between them. Students are required to complete 1.5 or 3 semester of art classes. The first semester freshmen prepare to perform for Parents Weekend,the locally famous and anticipated Christmas Pageant, and Time pieces. The facilities are not up to date but there are plans to build an Art center in the next few years.

There are over 20 different clubs and student organizations. There is everything from acappella, dance, math, astronomy to book club, clubs dealing with animals, international and different cultures. If there is not a club or organization you can start one.During my years, someone started the Stock Market club. Teachers are there to serve as faculty advisers and the school well integrates most of the clubs into the fabric of what the school is.There is not many clubs but then again their are not many students. It is also encouraged for students to be involved in clubs. Clubs are required to complete some type of community service. There is not a set number of community service hours needed to graduate but between all of the required events dealing with community service it would not surprise me if a students gets at least 10 hours a year. Community service is a big part of Foxcroft School. Foxcroft girls are not afraid to get their hands dirt. A motto that is repeated many of times by the Vice head of school. Also if there is anything you want to do, the school will rally behind it and you and support the cause. There are so many activities to do and if there is not something, it is hassle free to make a club or rally the girls to join you

There are 5 dorms on campus. Stuart Hall is the newest, most advanced and eco-friendly. The freshman dorm is Reynolds. There is also Dillion, Applegate(A-gate) and Orchard. Applegate and Dillon are some of the oldest and feel like home but there is some work that needs to be done in them. There are singles, doubles, triples, and Quads. Each dorm has a house mother, a faculty relieve, a weekend relieve and Whips and Prefects (Junior and Senior leaders). Most house mothers have dogs and/ or cats.There are quiet hours from 7:30 to bed time and study hall in your room or the library from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Freshmen have the earliest bedtime and it increases as a sophomore. As a junior and senior there is no bed time. Bed time is later on weekends for freshmen. Dorms are locked at 10:45 pm and opened again at 6:00 am. Each room has a dresser, desk, chair, trashcan, and closet for each person. In many cases,there are individual bathrooms attached to each room. As a junior and senior, you get a mini refrigerator in your room and your bed. As a freshman and sophomore you sleep in the sleeping porches/ community sleeping area ,so no bed in your room. You are assigned roommates as an incoming freshman. There is a common living room and kitchen area that has a big refrigerator and microwave. In Roomies, there is two electric stoves to cook on and a dining area. House mothers have dorm parties every week where they cook/ bake for the girls.

Believe me, it is not the food that attracts anyone to Foxcroft. All meals are served in the Dining Hall which is attached to Brick House. The food is okay and edible . There is a very diverse salad bar with a lot of options. Themed meals are usually better. The head chef owns a BBQ restaurant somewhere in Virginia so the BBQ at school is pretty great. The ribs are awesome. There is any event call "When Pigs Fly" that is an outside BBQ with games and free prizes.There is a set meal plan that cycles through every two or three weeks. Fridays are usually pizza. There is usually soup in the winter months. The potato soup is the best. Always grab two bowls. It runs out fast. Breakfast is probably the best meal. Everyone except Senior are required to go to breakfast. There is coffee (decaf mostly). Dinner time has desserts and ice cream is only available certain days. There are usually 6 different flavors. Just recently, Foxcroft added a Food Committee which selected students can serve on. Students along with faculty discuss the food quality, how to make it better, options and much more. The Food committee represents all students and especially athletes. On most Tuesday and Thursday, students are required to go to serve lunch. Serve lunch is when the entire school, faculty and administrators sit down in assigned seating and have lunch. Just expect this meal to be bad. New students serve/ waitress their table. The Dining Hall is only open during meal times so breakfast is 7:00 to 8:00 am, lunch is 11:30 to 1:00pm and dinner is 6-7 pm. The Dining Staff is amazing and friendly. They sometimes give you a birthday card and bake you a cake on your Birthday. You can approach them about anything food related.

Middleburg is a town with two stop lights. It is a small, safe, trusting little town. Everyone knows everyone. There is not much to do and things are expensive. There are bus trips to Middleburg every Sunday afternoon. There is a Safeway, a lot of small shops,and a few places to eat or grab a cup of coffee. It is a great place to hang out with friends away from Foxcroft itself. The closes bigger cities are Purcellville and Leesburg. Purcellville has a few fast food places and chinese.There are two high schools. There is more to do hear. The big city is Leesburg about 45 minutes away. This is where the big chain stores are, movies, and so much more to do. It takes at least 30 minutes to get anywhere bigger than Middleburg which is in the middle of no where.

Foxcroft sees many different types of girls from all walks of life. You could never find someone just like you because everyone is different and the only thing that connect us is Foxcroft. Creativity is encouraged and supported by your peers. The only down side is, being a small school, gossip spreads really fast. It is easy to be out-casted if just a few of the students do not like you but many of the girls are nice, kind and warm hearted, You just have to pick the right group which is something you should do at any school. The biggest thing is Foxhound and to not be involve limits a person to others since Foxhound is a huge part of what a Foxcroft girl is. You have to rep and be proud of your colors. There are a few rich girls that are spoil and brat-ish but many of them are down to earth and humble. My best friend was a millionaire but you would have never guess it because of the kind,warm hearted person she is. There is a good number of international students but some years the number of African American students can be counted on two hand. Many students are from the Virginia Maryland D.C. area but there are a good number boarders, Some girls take boarders home on the weekend with them. There sometimes is a stigma of the type of girl you have to be but if you embrace your difference with courage and passion Foxcroft will too.