Wyoming Seminary Upper School - Review #5

Wyoming Seminary had exceptionally small classes when I attended in the sixties. Generally classes were no larger than 12 students. Rules were strictly enforced but there was a sense of "home" that made life comfortable. Deportment and manners were paramount and there were many wonderful extra-curricular options.

Boarding school instilled in me a lifelong love of learning, an appreciation of the fine arts (particularly Opera, Theater, and Ballet), and a commitment to the appreciation of diversity. It allowed me to form bonds of friendship that exist to this day. I learned to appreciate the value of gracious behavior and to acquire a great sense of humor! At age 66 I still fall back on things I learned while in Boarding School and am forever grateful that I had a family that was in a position to give me this gift!

I would have studied harder!!!!!!

The ability to live with many different students from all over the world.

Take advantage of as many of the opportunities ope to you! Study hard and have fun! Take as many Advanced Placement classes as you can. MOST IMPORTANTLY..... Become as fluent as possible in a second language!!!!

The school had an excellent English Department where I cultivated a life long interest in all forms of literature. I gained an appreciation of Shakespeare at an early age and loved reading The Grapes of Wrath, Emporer Jones, Chicago, Gone With the Wind, and many plays including the works of Hellman, Chekov, Sartre, etc. Our sports teams were exceptional and there was a Music Department that afforded us the opportunity to study piano, voice , etc and there were regular trips to the opera in Philadelphia.

I was not athletic but I enjoyed supporting all teams. There were many fine athletes at the school and the games were always exciting and generated campus excitement. Sports were not mandatory other than required in Physical Education class. Sports facilities were average and not as robust as many comparable schools.

There was a separate Music School at Wyoming Seminary that was superb. Regular classical recitals took place throughout the year and teachers were exceptionally talented and experienced. I studied classical piano when I attended. There was definitely a commitment to all of the arts.

Four school societies existed and each student was assigned to one as a member. Social activities were numerous and included dances, homecoming activities, plays, trips, lectures, etc.

Dorm life was comfortable and rules were strictly enforced. Teachers resided on each floor of a dormitory and their doors were always open to students. Friendships were quickly formed and there was no form of hazing that existed. There was no access to food or snacks after 7:00 pm and room assignments were open for discussion after one semester.

All were assigned seats in the dining room that changed every 2 weeks. A teacher and his/her family sat at the head of each table. Table manners and polite conversation were of paramount importance and coats and ties were required of boys and dresses for girls. Quality of good was generally pretty good.

We had to sign out to go into town and were encouraged to go in small groups. There was virtually no interaction with young people from the town.

Great opportunity to meet students from other states and abroad. I had classmates from Iran, England, Sweden, Korea, US Virgin Islands, etc.