Forman School - Review #6

Forman was a transformative experience for me, both in terms of my education and my personal development. Also, Forman's small size, quaint campus and close-nit community made warming up to a new place and people almost effortless. Before attending Forman, I was a struggling student who hated school because it reminded me how unsuccessful I was at something that my friends found relatively easy. Forman, and more specifically tutor and teachers, showed me that school could be fun and fulfilling. Thanks to my tutor, teachers and friends, I embraced my learning difference, learned strategies to compensate, and fueled my academic strength (math). On the social and extracurricular side of things, Forman's open and supportive community enabled me to flourish where I once felt alienated. I went from being a shy, self-conscious and overweight kid on day one to a outgoing, confident and healthy man at graduation. During my time at Forman, I had the honor of serving as a Job Leader my sophomore year, a Dorm Leader my junior year and All-School President my senior year. I recommend Forman without hesitation, and would be happy to answer any questions from prospective students and parents.

Forman was a transformative experience for me, both in terms of my education and my personal development. Also, Forman's small size, quaint campus and close-nit community made warming up to a new place and people almost effortless. Before attending Forman, I was a struggling student who hated school because it reminded me how unsuccessful I was at something that my friends found relatively easy. Forman, and more specifically tutor and teachers, showed me that school could be fun and fulfilling. Thanks to my tutor, teachers and friends, I embraced my learning difference, learned strategies to compensate, and fueled my academic strength (math). On the social and extracurricular side of things, Forman's open and supportive community enabled me to flourish where I once felt alienated. I went from being a shy, self-conscious and overweight kid on day one to a outgoing, confident and healthy man at graduation. During my time at Forman, I had the honor of serving as a Job Leader my sophomore year, a Dorm Leader my junior year and All-School President my senior year.

I would have been more social and active in the community in my first semester on campus. The sooner and more openly a student embraces the community and opens up to other students, the sooner and better they will become a happy part of the community.

The staff, faculty and housing setup made Forman a unique place.

Try your best to be open and friendly when you get to Forman. There are great people, students and staff alike, there and you can make life-long friends and mentors.

Before attending Forman, I was a struggling student who hated school because it reminded me how unsuccessful I was at something that my friends found relatively easy. Forman and, more specifically, its tutors and teachers, showed me that school could be fun and fulfilling. Thanks to my tutor, teachers and friends, I embraced my learning difference, learned strategies to compensate, and fueled my academic strength (math).

When I attended Forman, the school required students either (a) play a sport or (b) do extracurriculars, like theater, every semester. For those who didn't like sports or one of the extracurriculars offered, this requirement was burdensome---for most students, this was an (encouraged) opportunity to be part of a team and/or try their hand at a sport. The athletics program gave me opportunity outside of academics to feel confident and successful at Forman, and allowed me to make more friends who were older and younger than me.

My experience with the arts was exclusively in theatre, where I acted in two plays during my time at Forman. Overall, students loved the arts program, and many musicians flocked to the music program and rooms for drums, piano and keyboards.

Forman offers students of all ages to take a leadership role and own a job/responsibility. This allowed me to get involved at the school, meet other students and staff who I might not have met otherwise.

Dorms are small enough to form strong bonds and friendships, and large enough to allow students to find a diverse group of friends. The common areas are great spaces to hang out, socialize and form a family-like bond with your dorm mates.

Food at the dining hall was good when I attended Forman, but improved immensely since then. The new dining program offers many more healthy options and a wide variety of cuisines. While any student will grow tired of similar dining options daily, Forman has made a concerted effort to improve, expand and diversify their dining options, which is great to see.

Litchfield is a small, country town in a beautiful area of northwest Connecticut. While it is relatively limited in activity options for students (and the town center is a decent walk from campus), the town has everything a high school student needs and offers students a nice "backyard" to explore on the weekends.

Forman provides ample opportunities to meet and make friends with other students, in a variety of settings. The class schedule and weekends also provided for good chunks of time to socialize and form strong friendships with both students in your dorm and other dorms as well as day students.