Dana Hall School - Review #5

Emphasis on self determination. Empowered women in a time with little empowerment. Holistic yet traditional approach to education-all subjects given equal importance and delivered with equal rigor.Tuesday night family style dinners for boarders and day students alike where groups took turns serving food, cleaning up and understanding the need for community strengtheningHuge international component. Also, for a boarding school, extreme commitment to diversity in race, ethnicity, nationality, and socioeconomic status

I learned to assert myself as an academic. I learned to embrace my intellect and to not be afraid to show it; to anyone. I was so prepared for college and prepared to take on the world in a socially just minded way, no matter what the consequences. I grew a real ambitious streak there. It was fueled by the intense support and goal setting atmosphere. I would not be an attorney, working on constitutional and human rights issues; nor would I be a professor at a top tiered university had I not attended Dana. Of this I am sure.

I would have done nothing differently. My advice would be to be prepared to have your whole world shaken up in the most positive, relevant way possible.

Tough question. My answer would be under inclusive, but I would say that Dana helped and encouraged me to grow into me.

Snack place: Baileys-Lime Rickeys (it's an old fashioned ice cream/soda shop). Dorm: Lathrop-but you have to be upper to get it.

I loved that I was challenged in ways I had not imagined before. The greatness of an all girls school is that the competition is based on academics, sports, arts, etc. and NOT on the more mundane, typical, and distracting teen competition for social status, looks, money, etc.I had the greatest (hardest too) literature professor of my academic career, John Cameron (I am JD, PhD). He opened my mind to a new world and to the joy of archetypes and taught me to really become one with the "language' I was reading.The smallness of my classes made it thrilling. Class was more discussion and analytically based than is possible for larger classes. I do not believe I had a class with more than 12-15 other students.

While I did not participate in athletics, many of my friends did. For such a small school, there was so much offered. Aside from traditional sports, e.g., softball, lacrosse, tennis, soccer; the school offers an incredible equestrian program, fencing, and has the most wonderful aquatic center.

The music and theatre departments are unparalleled in my opinion. Both are woven into the every day life of school as well-all traditions in the school are based in both. We would sing and act constantly-all of us. We created our own class songs and each year, each class was able to create and direct its own play to express the uniqueness of its class.

The array of extracurriculars was daunting-in a great way. So much to do, it was hard to choose. I cannot recall all that I participated in, all I know is I was busy from sun up to sun down (and beyond) and it was thrilling. I remember applying to colleges and that my list of extracurriculars and participation in student government weighed heavily in my multiple acceptances.

It was like having a whole new family. I felt safe, appreciated, loved. It was home almost immediately.

The dining was great. Not that I was a foodie then, but there were so many selections and even way back in my day, it was healthy and respectful of different dietary needs and preferences. In particular, Sunday brunches were delicious.

Dana is integrated into the town of Wellesley. However Wellesley has a life of its own as well (way too many shops!). What I loved most about it was to be able to walk 3 blocks to get to the "real world" and that I could bus it to the T and be in Boston in 15 minutes.

Dances with other schools were a lot of fun. But really the best part was the connection between all the girls, regardless of their day/boarding or other differences.