Phillips Exeter Academy - Review #1

The key to the educational setup of Phillips Exeter is the Harkness method of teaching. Modelled around a round table, every class is limited to 14 students and is taught around a round table as a discussion, rather than a lecture. This applies as much as to math and science as to English and history. Instead of "teaching," the instructor's job is to stimulate and develop discussion relating to the course's topics. In this way students take an active role in their learning. This has the added benefit of teaching how to discuss and argue, a skill which is taught very rarely if ever to high school students (one example would be a debate club). A person knows something only as well as they can demonstrate their knowledge. Exeter's teaching method is designed around that concept, forcing students to demonstrate their knowledge every class rather than just for tests and assignments, and that's why it works. I only wish my college taught classes in this manner.

Boarding school forces you to interact with other people constantly, something that high school does not. Being able to live with other people has made my relationships with all my previous friends and my family much healthier.

I would have taken a few more English courses, as I realized I wanted to be an English major only after I left.

The teaching method. It's perfect--should never be touched.

Exeter needs to become more liberal with its management of its students and give them more room to breathe and live.

Go Ewald North!!!

The professors were stellar. I would have never thought that so many brilliant people could be found teaching at a high school. Nearly every professor was nationally renowned for his or her field. To be surrounded by that kind of intelligence and experience, and to have it readily available to you, is a true gift.

The students at Exeter drive themselves uncontrollably to excel at everything they put their hands to, and despite the school's efforts to relieve some pressure, the academics often felt overwhelming because of the lofty expectations that students had of themselves when they came into the school.

The athletic department allowed us to host our own Ultimate Frisbee Tournament, which became one of the most successful Juniors Ultimate Frisbee Tournaments in the country.

We had trouble beating our rival Andover in football regularly. Very annoying.

Theatre and music at Exeter were incredible. The instructors available to the student were unbelievable.

The incredible talent of many students in the arts sometimes intimidated students from auditions.

Everything on earth was available, and if it wasn't, you could start it yourself and would have no trouble getting funding.

Academics did not leave much free time. Also, Exeter did not allow students to miss class for extracurricular activities for any reason at all.

The dorm staff are your professors, and they take an active role in your life as your friend.

Being fairly restricted in terms of nightlife.

Dining services at Exeter often served special meals of a much higher quality to keep students happier. They have prepared many of the most elaborate and delicious feasts that I have ever seen.

Towards the end of the year the dining halls tended to serve the same thing over and over, which was whatever they had left.

Many students arrive each year, so one never feels like the new kid. You just get to know your dormmates and your classmates, and everything falls into place.

Exeter has become a FAR more diverse school than its reputation would expect. In my dorm of 36 students we had people from 10 different countries, 15 different cultures, and 7 different religions, and we all were close friends by the end of the year.

Movies, basketball, trips to the mall, trips to Boston, dorm wrestling.

The town of Exeter is incredibly charming, and if you need some of the chain things, they can be reached by Exeter's shuttle service. There were some great restaurants in town, a movie theatre, and several video rental places, to name a few stores.