The Hill School - Review #5

Student body is comprised of motivated individuals from a diverse background. A high ratio of advanced degree masters to students. Well endowed with a very active alumni involvement. A dynamic Headmaster and a board of trustees open to an innovative curriculum. A new engineering program is unique in secondary education and merges well with a traditional liberal arts curriculum. It continues a tradition of being known as a Family Boarding School, with a very close connection to caring faculty members.

I learned to be resilient, to keep pushing for better solutions to problems. I learned how to act independently as well as working and living with others in a harmonious manner. I learned how to be assertive, how to get along with my friends and associates.

Based upon my development at that time, I'd not do anything differently. Based upon what I know now after living another 65+ years, is to relax, don't take everything so seriously, to realize that others as well as teachers are all basically reasonable people and are more approachable than I thought they were at that time.

I liked that it was away from home and a place where I could act independently. I liked the opportunities to be with folks who became friends. I liked the moral values exemplified by the masters and their families.

The school has changed so much in the past 65 years that there is little now which existed then.

I most liked the small classroom sizes, where I was able to receive individual attention. Some classes were set up in a traditional manner, others were conducted in a less formal round table seminar style. The masters as well as their families were knowledgeable and inspiring --- not only in the classroom but in the dormitories and dining-room as well.

Compulsory athletics --- everyone participated in a Fall, Winter, & Spring sports activity. While attention was paid to Varsity sports, the athletics program paid equivalent attention to all teams. The gym facilities rival those of most colleges, accommodating a wide range of sports activity. I liked that I could choose the seasonal sport I wanted and know it was available & well coached. Teams at all levels had an opportunity to play other schools.

I personally was not involved with these aspects of the school. We did, however participate as an audience for those who were.In arts, if you include making things as part of art, I did participate in a program of metal work and wood work in their Arts & Crafts building.

There is a large range of extra-curricular activities to suit the interests of most every student. Students are encouraged to expand beyond the work accomplished in their classes, and pursue their other interests. I personally was interested in photography, and had encouragement and time to be engaged in taking, developing and printing photos for our student newspaper, The Hill News" as well as the yearbook and other publications.

Learning to live with and get along with others in dorms is a great life learning. I am an only child, so this was my first opportunity to experience the give & take of sharing a room with a roommate, and being part of the family life of a hall or house. I got along with some roommates, and had falling outs with others --- all a learning experience. In my day, there was no access to food outside of regular dining hours, but I believe that has now changed. Rooms were assigned and the first year, roommates were assigned. In subsequent years, while rooms were assigned, we could choose our own roommates. .

When I attended, there were three sit-down meals a day, with assigned seats in the dining hall at large tables, each end of which was presided by a master and his family. The hours were set, and attendance taken. We rotated at waiting tables. Our seats were rotated around the table periodically so we got to meet everyone. The food was nutritious but was definitely "institution food", not always tasty but the lesson learned is that it's now easy to eat anything.I don't believe the school still has quite a rigid meal schedule, and there are more buffet style meals and more choice.

Hill is in Pottstown. When I was attending we could visit downtown on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons --- otherwise it was off limits. Other than getting a change of scenery for a few hours, I didn't really like anything about it.

Back in the 1940's when I attended, there was no social life other than our dormitory living. .