Delphian School - Review #16

The Delphian School campus is really like no other campus I have visited. What I enjoyed about it most was being away from the city and immersed in nature. The campus is huge and it sits on over 700 acres surrounded by trees. The first thing you notice right off the bat is the way in which you learn. I no longer had to study in order to pass a test but only moved forward in my studies when I could show application of the materials. This meant I could spend as long as I needed on math until I really understood it.

One of the best things I took away from the school was fully understanding the concepts of ethics and integrity. The Delphian School holds a high standard in these areas. I never saw drugs and students didn't feel a need to cheat on their studies. The students were actually the ones who kept the ethical standards high not the teachers.

My advice for any parent is to visit as many boarding schools as possible and see which one fits you best. Go with your first instinct when you visit the school. If you don't feel it, then try another one.

The skills I learned to communicate effectively and solve problems at the Delphian School helped me move up the ranks quickly in my law enforcement profession where I eventually became I a successful homicide detective in Los Angeles. One wouldn't think a high school could give you such a strong foundation but you would need to see it to believe it. There is a reason why so many students take on leadership roles and are extremely successful after they graduate.

Be prepared to be challenged especially on the practical program. If you are looking for an easy school to breeze your way through then look elsewhere.

The academics are not like any other school. It is proficiency or also called competency based learning and has been since the school was founded. The school uses Mr. Hubbards study technology, which in a nut shell, gives a student the basics on how to effectively study. So bring a good dictionary and be ready to improve your vocabulary. Proficiency or competency based learning is also becoming more and more main stream. Several other states like Maine and New Hampshire are now beginning to implement it. I personally loved learning this way and it made studying enjoyable rather than a slugfest.So if you are looking for very traditional teaching methods then definitely look elsewhere.

I loved the basketball and soccer program. The soccer team continues to make it into the state playoffs. The school just recently started a track and field program which I am excited that my kids get to experience.

I wasn't much into the arts but they have a big arts and choir program. The school has won the state championships in choir and have placed in the top five for I think the last 15 years. Many students have been recognized for their artwork and ceramic pieces all over the United States. The school also provides training in computer coding, ceramics, video editing, photography classes, and more.

There are a lot of different activities students do on and off campus. Students visit the capitol, sit in on criminal or civil trials, help in the local community, or just do fun activities in Portland or at the beach. Students also do large scale outreach projects where they visit other countries.

Everybody gets along. Seriously!! Yeah, there are occasional disagreements, but they are handled by the dorm captains or student council members. The students are expected to take responsibility for each other which is where they begin to learn life skills.

The cafeteria has improved greatly since I last attended. There is a large selection of different foods and the kitchen prides itself on not using GMO's. The school uses Sage Dining Services which you can look up on the internet if interested.It's not five star dining but it's pretty darn good for cafeteria food.

The nearest major city is an hour away. You are on a hill in the country surrounded by farms. So if you want your kids close to the city life then this would not be the school for you. The students do regularly attend events in the major cities nearby.

All the students are different and come from all different backgrounds. The school attracts students from all over the world including China, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and more. It was cool interacting with so many people of different backgrounds.