Read more details about The Cambridge School of Weston on their 2024-25 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
Coming from the west and having no concept of a 'typical' boarding school, CSW immediately stood out to me because I felt at home (and excited) upon arrival. The emphasis on community there not only breeds curiosity and fosters subsequent activism, but rewards hard work and risk-taking. The mod system in particular forces you to delve into a wide range of subjects intensely, but with the support and guidance of peers and exemplary teachers who get to know you very personally, very fast.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
I developed a sense of individuality and confidence there that hasn't been cheapened by time or subsequent life experiences. As a teenager who chose to live away from home, I had always craved independence -- but I was still just 16-years-old. CSW encouraged me to branch out and explore my interests, but provided those opportunities without making me feeling monitored, measured or judged, which were all things that had (immaturely!) prevented me from taking actions for myself and/or for others during adolescence.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
Just be open to every opportunity, rely on the people you live with, and don't be afraid to ask your dorm parents for support if you need it. They'll give it to you -- and maybe even slip you baked goods :)
4.) What did you like most about your school?
The people, hands down. CSW was obviously an overwhelmingly positive experience for me, primarily because of the supportive culture it breeds, and inspirational friends and mentors it draws. I woke up and often actually felt lucky to be there.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Make friends with whoever is running the school store these days, and learn to love the Garthwaite bathrooms.
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
The mod system requires you to engage in a given subject with full commitment -- because classes meet every day and only for one month, immersing yourself happens naturally. I was able to study a broad spectrum of subjects, and retained so much.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
I didn't participate in any sport, but I liked that the athletic culture was supportive and fun, and never overbearing. The actual facilities, when I was there, were really lacking. There were maybe two treadmills and an often-broken elliptical, as well as a few out-of-date weight machines.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
I can't commend these departments enough for pushing me to grow and introducing me to so many different methods of thinking, living, and creating. At CSW you have so much access to so many different mediums, and the teachers are so enthusiastic and dynamic. I didn't realize once I got to college that these things wouldn't be readily available to me. At CSW it's at your fingertips - you just have to ask (and you will).In particular, drawing and assemblage with Todd Bartel stand out as some of the most inspirational and eye-opening visual arts classes I've taken.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
I was involved in the theater and Shakespeare departments as my 'D-Block' activity, but the all-school assemblies actually gave me the motivation to join in on lunch-time extracurriculars. The town meetings and assemblies were such a unique and special aspect to CSW. As a new student, visually seeing my peers promoting their passions twice a week encouraged me to broaden my horizons and join them.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
I loved living in the dorms. CSW strikes a really important balance between monitoring the boarders (safety was always the priority and took precedence over all else) and allowing everybody to be themselves and operate at their own pace. Honestly, though -- it just felt like an ongoing slumber party. It was so, so fun.
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
The lunch-time salad bar (and homemade hummus!) were my favorites. Weekend brunch was always super solid. I distinctly remember the carnival cookies causing some riots, because they were always so on point.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
Basically, you spend most of your time as a boarder on campus, in the woods. I was all about it, and thought it was magical. I spent almost every weekend with my friends in Boston, though. There are weekly vans to Harvard Square, and navigating the T was easy. I live in NYC now, but Boston remains my favorite city in the states.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
CSW is small, but it's so vibrant. I made a really close-knit group of friends and am still in touch with 95% of them, including those I was closest with on the faculty, today.
Read more details about The Cambridge School of Weston on their 2024-25 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
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Description
The mandatory volunteer work at my school features many interesting and varied options to choose from that all promote community engagement and hands on learning. For example my volunteer work consisted of working on English. . .
CSW utilizes the "Mod System". It is a system that allows you to have different classes every six weeks making it so that you can have up to 30 classes a year. This was especially. . .
I started very soon after the module system started at CSW. The module academic system coupled with an integrated studies design or approach to curricula are two aspects that truly make CSW unique.In addition. . .
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