<p>It’s a top school, and like the other top schools, ALL of its programs are quite strong. </p>
<p>The science curriculum is interesting; there’s no specific requirement for a specific class such as physics. Most freshmen take a core science class composed of all four sciences, sort of like their integrated humanities classes. Following that, your requirement, as far as I can tell from the website, is simply two credits of a “laboratory science” of your choice; they have the typical selection (biology, chemistry, and physics) in both regular and AP form. After that, you are free to take electives or skip out on science if it’s not your thing. </p>
<p>It’s not an East Coast school, but IMO Cate School has a great arts program, and their language program seemed pretty awesome too. I think it would be worth checking out! </p>
<p>But Cate’s 10th grade admission… Very tough.</p>
<p>What about the lesser known or as people call it on CC “hidden gem” schools? How would schools like Episcopal, Northfield Mount Hermon, and Brooks compare? I just recently came across Episcopal and NMH and I’m intrigued (both seems to have great international studies programs).</p>
<p>Oh, and how are Blair and Peddie’s arts? I was considering these two, but their arts (I was looking at dance) programs didn’t appear very appealing on their websites. :/</p>
<p>NMH, EHS, Blair, Peddie, and Brooks are all amazing schools. For NMH I was particularly impressed by their arts department, the farm program, the food, among many many other things. IIRC correctly, the do have a strong dance program.</p>
<p>Only you can gauge which school is an appropriate fir, and while the internet provides some information, nothing beats seeing the schools firsthand.</p>
<p>NMH’s new music center >>></p>
<p>As a current NMH student, I have to say that I have loved the humanities classes and I think they’re pretty top notch. The teachers are great. Humanities get a lot of focus, particularly in freshman and sophomore years. The arts are also getting a lot of focus; we have a beautiful new arts building, and both visual and performing arts are very strong. There are many really, really talented students and teachers in both arts and humanities. </p>
<p>NMH’s atmosphere, in my opinion, can’t be beat. Most everyone is fairly laid back, and the teachers are lovely people who you get to know very well through dorms and athletics as well as through classes. The farm is amazing (I spend a lot of time there–the people are lovely and the yearly calves adorable), as is the food, which I’m told is better than at most places. I’d certainly recommend visiting, and if you do so this year you’re welcome to PM me and I’ll show you around if you like.</p>