Dana Hall School - Review #6

Dana Hall is for girls only. The class size is small and the students come from all over the world.

I grew up quickly when I attended Dana Hall School. I spent my teenage years away from my parents and went to a school that was very far from my home. The academics were both challenging and rewarding. When I graduated, I felt like I could achieve any goal and survive any experience. I could not lean on my parents and had to stand on my own two feet. Tough experience getting through the teenage years on my own but worth it.

I didn't understand that I was different from other girls at Dana Hall until I arrived. I am from the south so I had an accent which was not immediately well-received. There was an inferior perception of people from the south that I had to overcome. I also had to navigate the normal teenage issues and separation anxiety that boarding school students encounter.I hope Dana has supportive staff available to better anticipate these needs and help promote diversity and support among students for each other regardless of country or state of origin, religion, income and sexual orientation....My advice for students is to become a force for change in acceptance for those who are different from you and become a more loving and supportive member of society.

The academics was second to none.

Think about what interests you in academics and aside from academics. Use this fabulous opportunity at Dana to explore possibilities to further these interests in a thriving career. If you do what you love to do in a work environment, you are more likely not only be successful but also make a positive impact on others.

I received college-level academics at Dana Hall without a doubt. I remember the first day I attended my French class. The moment I walked in, only French was spoken. I also recall reading A Tale of Two Cities entirely in French! I later participated in an overseas exchange program in Paris where my conversational French was perfected. I even dreamed in French when I was there.I also remember taking a Biology and Chemistry Class with an instructor who had won a Nobel prize...Miss Malcolm. She was unbelievable. Years later, one of my sons attended one of the top public high schools in the country, Fairview High School. His favorite teacher was Ms. Lynn Gibert who is a Latin teacher. Through interaction with her, I found out she was an instructor also at Dana prior to her tenure at Fairview High School.

Loved my experience on the tennis team.

I have a natural talent in fine arts. I found the school to be more academically oriented and focused during my Dana years. I wish more emphasis would have been placed on my artistic development at the time. At this juncture in my life, i fully believe in following one's heart and God-given talents when pursuing your work. This is not to negate the importance of academics. I just believe in the importance of the arts in the world today. It is through the arts that our story is told and preserved for generations to come.

I loved being the President of the Junior Class. Participating in leadership activities enables empathy, and forces one to view the world through the eyes of others not just oneself. This experience also developed public speaking skills and the ability to speak out on issues both popular and not-so-popular,

I really enjoyed meeting girls from other countries. I had roommates from Manhattan, Colombia, SA, and Henderson, SC. What a great experience. I am still in contact with my roommate and friend from South America!

Don't remember much about the dining except I remember ordering pizza and going to Friendly's Ice Cream on a regular basis.

The town is adorable and beautiful.

I loved the diversity the most about my social life. I had friends from all over the world. Diversity is extremely important. I would like to see opportunities for girls from families that can not afford tuition at Dana.