We are very excited about White Mountain School for D1. With the shelter in place, we will need to make a decision with only visiting virtually. There are one or two posts that are older on this board but they have a new head of school. I’m looking for any helpful feedback in terms of culture, academics, etc. We love what we have learned so far.
Hello. My son is a junior at The White Mountain School. He started as a freshman. WMS has been an amazing experience for my son and our whole family. They are a small intentional community and they walk the talk. All staff (administration, teachers, support, everyone) contribute to the overall school and student experience. The culture is very special. The kids can be who they are, no judgement. The teachers are top of their game academically but they do so much more. They hang out, play games, facilitate town trips, lead field courses… Because so many staff live on campus they get to know the students in and out of the classroom.
The school focuses on the overall well being of the students, they teach the “whole student” Sports, community service, mental health do not take a back seat. The opportunities my son has at WMS are far and beyond what would be available to him anywhere else. This includes field courses, every semester, multiple courses to choose from where students spend a week off campus pursuing their interests outside of the traditional classroom.
The school communication regarding the Corona Virus remote learning program was extremely thorough. The administration was in regular contact with parents and kept us informed as decisions were being made. The teacher to student communication has also been outstanding. When the students are at school there is a weekly email every Friday to sum up the week and share the weekend schedule.
The campus is beautiful. There are trails to walk and places to gather.
Once per semester is family weekend. I enjoy going to campus, participating in classes, having teacher conferences and spending time with all faculty who make the WMS experience special.
WMS for us has far exceeded any expectations in all facets of learning and social interactions.
Thank You so much for your feedback. I appreciate you taking the time. The more I learn about the school the better I feel about it. We heard about it from a teacher of my daughters who thought it would be a great fit for her, but we missed the opportunity to visit. Our daughter is super excited about it.
I heartily agree with all of DBCT11’s comments above. Our son is a sophomore at WMS and the school has delivered everything we hoped for and more. We feel like we found the needle in the haystack. The school is unique in its ability to know and inspire each student individually. The campus is beautiful and students get to experience lots of independence in a safe and supportive place. The new headmaster is phenomenal - competent, experienced, creative and compassionate. The highlights for our son are the field courses, outdoor sports program, music program and dorm life. The highlights for us are watching him engage passionately on every level (academics, community and sports) and to see his inquisitive and creative nature re-emerge. I’m sorry you can’t visit the campus. We knew the moment we set foot there that WMS was the perfect fit for our son and family. I suggest you ask the school to connect you with current families. That’s a good way to get a more detailed view of the WMS experience and maybe even some candid photos of life at the school! Good luck in your decision.
Thank You! It’s absolutely in line with what we are getting as a sense of the school. Is there a way I can DM either of you 2? I’m not sure how this forum works, if it allows that. NorCalDad1, I have a specific question for you.
My daughter attended WMS and graduated in 2017. We were very satisfied with both the academic attention she got as well as the counseling she received. She is now a junior at a top liberal arts college and doing very well there. I attribute her success in part to her WMS training.
I don’t know if there is a DM option here. If you call the school they will gladly connect you with a parent that they think is a good fit to answer your more specific questions.