Proctor Academy - Review #3

The off-campus programs that Proctor has to offer make it particularly unique in relation to other boarding schools. I was lucky enough to participate in Ocean Classroom, which is an off-campus program where we sail from Gloucester Massachusetts to Puerto Rico. This experience was incredible, and life-changing and isn't offered at other boarding schools as far as I'm aware.

I think the best thing that happened to me was getting into the Vocal Ensemble Program. I had not previously sung in an organized group before high school and was excited and nervous to sing in an ensemble. Luckily, I picked it up quickly and was a reliable bass for the group by the end of the year. We had a concert at the end of every trimester where we performed in the Chapel on campus. It was a beautiful setting and the acoustics were great. A lot of students and faculty showed up to each performance. It helped me grow as a performer, and develop my vocal ability. It allowed me to even join an a capella group at the current college I'm at (University of New Hampshire)

I think I would've taken harder classes at Proctor. The class schedule is definitely difficult to begin with, but if I were to do it over again I think I would've pushed myself and decided to take more AP classes. In my 4 years at Proctor I took two honors classes and two AP Classes. I enjoyed all these classes, but I would say don't be afraid to push yourself more.

What I liked most was the off-campus opportunities provided by Proctor. Ocean classroom and mountain classroom are some of the coolest experiences you can ever have, and I was lucky enough to be a part of one of them.

Explore the woods behind Proctor! There's 2,500 acres of woodlands that we own, so go with a buddy and take a walk. Also go to a polar swim!!! Every Friday there is polar swim where students and Alan McIntyre wake up at 6:30 to go over to Elbow Pond and jump into the water. There are always doughnuts, and in the winter when the ice is frozen, there is a sauna. It's amazing.

I liked the teachers at Proctor the most. I was able to connect closely with several of them because not only were they my teachers, but they were my coaches too. I also loved that we called our teachers by their first names. This made the teachers seem more on "our level" as opposed to being thought of as superiors. Having extra help was also very helpful because I could go to their dorms and they would help me figure out material before a test or if I was struggling.

I liked the coaches most in the athletic programs I was in. I had the same coach for cross country running, self-defense, and strength and conditioning and he was great. I really connected with him, and he helped me learn to push myself and get so much stronger over the years.

The best thing about the music program was the music facility that we have at Proctor. We essentially have a full professional recording studio that we could use to work on our own projects or band projects which was an incredible opportunity not provided at most schools. The vocal program also redeveloped during my years at Proctor and it's now incredible.

My favorite student organization I was a part of was an a capella group. We met a few times every week and performed a few times throughout the term. I love performing arts, so being able to have more access to performing was great.

I was not a part of dorm life because I was a day student at Proctor Academy.

We had a new dining hall built during my time at the school. It proved to be difficult for people to use at first, but once the population got used to it, it worked a lot better. I like the seating most, the chairs and tables were great and comfortable, and I was always able to find my friends quickly and easily.

The town surrounding Andover is very small. There's a gas station, (Jake's Market) a pizza place, and a skate park. That's pretty much it. If you like a small quaint town as I do, then Andover is a great place for you.

Because of how small and diverse Proctor was, I was able to make very close friends from far away. I had very good friends from Australia, China, Vietnam, and South Korea. If I had not gone to Proctor and gone to my local high school instead, I would not have developed connections this close, and from people that were from backgrounds so different than my own.