Any info on Walnut Hill School for the Arts?

<p>I'm looking at making a list of schools for my artsy 7th grader and came across the Walnut Hill School within the TABS magazine. Any btdt? I'd appreciate any info that you have. Thanks!</p>

<p>It is not what it was. In fact I’m not sure it knows what it is anymore. </p>

<p>They have added “fashion design” as an art concentration; Ben Zander has left (or let go) as chair of music–and he was the heart of that department; the rumor in the Boston dance world is that they will be dropping ballet shortly (although I have heard this from a variety of people, it isn’t official so don’t take it as gospel…). </p>

<p>I’m not sure what art your daughter does, but look quite carefully.</p>

<p>Again, it is not what it was under Perrin.</p>

<p>Thanks etondad. Until yesterday I had never heard of of this school. I received the TABS book and it was listed inside under pre-professional arts school. My daughter’s passion is visual arts, she also sings with a professional chorus. I personally am hoping for a school with good academics and a good arts program…but not just an art school.</p>

<p>You might want to take a look at Pomfret School. They have a big arts program and require more art than most schools… it is not jsut an arts school so might fit the bill…</p>

<p>I know a very happy girl at Interlochen. Also, check out Choate’s arts concentration.</p>

<p>Thanks london203 and neatoburrito…I will look into these.</p>

<p>Look at Masters in Dobbs Ferry, too.</p>

<p>Northfield Mount Hermon has a pretty impressive arts program, as well. But I’d start with Interlochen.</p>

<p>dodgersmom thanks…reading the NMH website has made me put this school down on my list. Sounds a lot like my daughter’s current school. Interlochen is too far. I’m ok with boarding school but have give her a 3.5 hr driving limit. She can go far for college but not high school. This was part of the bargaining with my husband. He didn’t want BS at all. The only issue I have with Masters is that not many kids dorm…I’d like the school to have a high dorm rate…UNLESS she would want to come home on the weekend from Masters. Who knows</p>

<p>The percentage of kids who board at Masters is a little over 40. Occasionally people look at the number of boarders v the total size of the school and conclude that not many students board, without taking into account the fact that there are no boarders in grades 5-8. </p>

<p>I’m not saying you’re one of those people, NYCMomof3; you may mean that 40% doesn’t seem like enough when many schools are closer to 65% and some of course are at 100%. I just wanted to toss the figure out there, just in case.</p>

<p>HarrietMWelsch, I’m just worried that if my child goes to a boarding school with a low% of boarding students, the weekends will be like a ghost town. We will still look at Masters since I hear such nice things from a day student’s family.</p>

<p>George has very strong arts with high participation. Very impressed with the visual arts and theater arts.</p>

<p>alyanj thanks…we are both excited to visit the George School. I was impressed by the packet they sent me and so was my daughter. She also loved their virtual tour. I’ve heard good things about it and it is also the vibe we are hoping for.</p>

<p>Interlochen is worth the distance.</p>

<p>Concord Academy is very artsy… definitely worth a look. The only reason we did not apply there was distance (we wanted to stay within 90 minutes of home, and it’s about twice that distance for us).</p>

<p>Another extremely artistic school is BBN. They have a terrific visual/ theatrical arts program, as well as rigorous academics. Definitely not an easy school, but I’d highly recommend it!</p>

<p>Miss Porter’s arts and music programs are outstanding. I also like George School.</p>

<p>What is BBN please?</p>

<p>BBN is a private day school located in Cambridge MA. The elongated name is Buckingham Browne and Nichols. </p>

<p>In terms of academics it is extremely challenging, but nothing most students there cannot handle. The english and Social Studies departments are exceedingly strong in the upper school (high school). The average class size is very small at 11.6 -1. They are ranked very high academically among day schools in the US. It is a coed school, and runs from Kindergarten through 12th grade.</p>

<p>The arts program at BBN is wonderful!! The offer many various arts electives including drama, orchestra, chorale, film/video, and even more clubs. They have 3 shows per year, if your C is interested in performing at all! The shows are always said to be wonderful, as BBN has such a talented student body! Whatever type of art you’re interested in, BBN has it there for you!</p>

<p>The sports culture at BBN is becoming more competitive as time goes on. They have absolutely fantastic facilities, including an indoor rowing boat (inside a little pool), an indoor hockey rink, indoor tennis court, and more! They offer a large number of sports, and usually have multiple teams.</p>

<p>Here are a few links for BBN and one just to rank day and public schools that I found very useful!</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.bbns.org/sites/default/files/u6/Course_Listings_Arts_Activities_0.pdf[/url]”>http://www.bbns.org/sites/default/files/u6/Course_Listings_Arts_Activities_0.pdf&lt;/a&gt;
[BB&N</a> Quick Facts | Buckingham Browne & Nichols, a coeducational day school in Cambridge, Massachusetts](<a href=“http://www.bbns.org/about-bbn/quick-facts]BB&N”>http://www.bbns.org/about-bbn/quick-facts)
[Athletics</a> | Buckingham Browne & Nichols, a coeducational day school in Cambridge, Massachusetts](<a href=“http://www.bbns.org/upper-school/athletics]Athletics”>http://www.bbns.org/upper-school/athletics)</p>

<p>[Day</a> Schools Outside of NYC : Matriculation Stats](<a href=“http://matriculationstats.org/day-schools-outside-of-nyc]Day”>http://matriculationstats.org/day-schools-outside-of-nyc)</p>

<p>NYCMomof3, I’m a current parent of a visual art major (a junior) at Walnut Hill School for the Arts and you should definitely check out the school! The visual art major is tremendous across all disciplines including drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, books as art, and new media. To correct an inaccuracy in one of the posts here, fashion design isn’t a major, it’s a new elective that the kids had been asking for for some time. Walnut Hill responded by getting a professor from RISD to teach it – that’s the calibre of quality we are talking about here. I’m also confused about the comment about the dance program - we attend all performances and they are phenomenal, the school is hosting the American Ballet Competition in June, and I know that students flock to the program so I think it remains very strong. Music, theater, writing…they are all excellent. One of my favorite aspects of the school is that students are required to attend each other’s performances, recitals, exhibits, etc. It makes for an enriching, well-rounded and empathetic experience for the kids. Finally - the academics are rigorous, intensive, college-style. Small classes, great support, etc. If there’s any doubt, some of our senior friends are headed to Juilliard, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, Middlebury, RISD, SAIC, NYU, Yale…you get the idea. I’m obviously passionate, but it comes from a genuinely positive overall experience. You should schedule a tour, and if you decide to apply the school will set you up with a ‘parent buddy’ if you want to ask some frank questions and get accurate answers. Good luck with your search!</p>