Wyoming Seminary Upper School - Review #1

I believe "Sem" is special because it is not a boarding school in the strictest sense. Half of the students at Sem live nearby and commute while the other half live on campus and board. I think this interaction between day and boarding students gave me a unique experience. I was able to have classes and play on teams with people from all over the country/world. The program I participated in allowed me (a local day student) to live in the dorms during my senior year to bridge the gap between day and boarding students.

I was voted best all around athlete at high school graduation, and absolutely loved playing sports in high school. The entire community would come together at basketball games to cheer us on. I also loved the relationships I formed with the faculty there. Even though I had some young and inexperienced teachers, I also had some of the best teachers in my 20+ years of schooling. I have a handful of inspiring classes and teachers I distinctly remember from my time at Sem.

I think it is a very good experience and great preparation before going away to college.

The community and sporting events.

If you find an instructor you like, take as many of their classes as you can. That is what you will remember when you leave. Bring back coffee house (if it's gone) - a late night event featuring poetry, music, and other talents in the basement of the dorm.

I like the vast selection of courses available to me. I was able to take specialized history classes like 1950's and a lot of AP classes were offered as well. I was well prepared for my college courses in terms of course load, homework, writing skills, etc.

I loved the athletic program at Sem. I was a 3-sport, year round varsity athlete. I especially liked that, living on campus, it was so easy to go between class and practice or games. The fields were mostly right there on campus so the convenience was great. I liked that we were one of the first schools to have a women's lacrosse programs in the area and many of our coaches are staples in the community.

We had a great theater program, with plays and performances regularly throughout the year. I never participated but the variety offered was great and the community was always invited. We also have a performing arts program that continues through the summer as well.

We had a great student activities committee and many events that included the boarding students as well. We incorporated things like international food night to learn about all the various cultures represented at our school. We planned haunted houses and dances, events based on the seasons. We also have something called Society Day where the entire school is separated onto 4 teams and compete throughout the year in many different activities and events.

I liked being able to get up and go to class and to practice and dinner, all within steps from each other. I liked that the young faculty lived in the dorms with us - to this day they are still some of my closest friends. My double room was huge and very spacious.

It was right below the dorms so always easy and convenient with decent food options.

Not much to do in the town so there was always something happening on campus for the students. We provided van trips to the mall for shopping. There are some restaurants and shops within walking distance to the school as well.

I liked that we had many events on campus. The boarding students were very close because they had more opportunity to socialize and spend time together. Some events were put on to include the day students as well and students could often be found hanging out on campus after school, regardless if they played a sport or not.