We’ve kicked off our season of visiting client schools across the country. Last week, Emily and Alex visited schools in our own neck of the woods. Here are Emily’s reflections on her visits.
Stop 1: Worcester Academy
It was a beautiful, crisp fall day on our visit to Worcester Academy, a large coeducational
Image Credit: Worcester Academy Facebook
day and boarding school located atop a hill in the heart of Worcester, Massachusetts. Home to day, boarding, and international students alike, Worcester Academy has a lovely campus where the rich history of the school is apparent from the moment you arrive. The red stone buildings contrast beautifully against the green of the open courtyard, immediately welcoming guests into the community. One of our first stops was to Warner Theatre, a stunning space designed and built by Harry Warner of Warner Bros. Studio. A group of kids sat on stage in the middle of band practice, creating a pleasant display and delightful melody. Worcester Academy focuses on world-readiness, which shows in the thoughtful way in which the classrooms and teacher offices’ are set up, as well as in the way the school collaborates with the Worcester community itself.
Stop 2: MacDuffie School
Upon arriving at the MacDuffie School, it is hard not to be impressed by the sight of a
Image Credit: MacDuffie School Facebook
stately stone building set back against the green, spacious campus. Draped upon the high walls of the school are maroon banners emblazoned with the MacDuffie CIRCLE values – Community, Integrity, Respect, Creativity, Leadership, and Excellence. Founded in 1890, the MacDuffie School is a coeducational college preparatory boarding and day school located in Granby, Massachusetts. The staff and faculty have been busy since relocating the school from Springfield to Granby, MA in 2011. The classroom sizes are small, and there was a real sense of attention to the students as we peered into classrooms while walking through the halls on our campus tour.
Stop 3: Eagle Hill School
The long open roads leading to Eagle Hill School show the first signs of the change in
Image Credit: Eagle Hill School Facebook
season. The lush greenery that surrounds campus is speckled with leaves just starting to fade into the signature red and gold colors that make up a spectacular New England fall. Home to boarding students with learning differences, Eagle Hill School has a great sense of community and humor that is apparent the moment you step on campus. Students walked through campus on the way to class, cracking jokes and poking fun at our tour guides, showing a real sense of affection for the faculty. Chris Hancock, Assistant Headmaster for Student Life, explained the importance of preparing the kids for life outside of the classroom as well as for success in the classroom. Eagle Hill School focuses on providing an intimate and encouraging community for students to grow, both academically and socially. The school even staffs full-time residential counselors to help the kids develop skills such as organization, time management, and self-advocacy.
Thank you to all our client schools that welcome us to campus in the fall! We love to visit to learn more about each school’s culture, values, and needs.