<p>What's the weirdness about them? I've heard several people mention how they were strange, but they never explained why.</p>
<p>On Jan. 23 I wrote this about the Groton 9th grade dorms:</p>
<p>"The 9th grade dorms at Groton are basically an old-style dorm -- with many beds in one great room -- except that there are "cubicles" (with walls separating the units into 2-student segments...but the walls don't go all the way up to the ceiling). It's easy to hear everyone...which has its obvious drawbacks, but I suppose it could promote a "safer" boarding experience, too. Compared to other schools, though, it's downright freaky. I regarded it as a throwback to different times -- though these buildings were built long after those days ended.</p>
<p>I think there were 8 students to a section. So there'd be two "doubles" on one side of the "hall" and two on the other. But it's really just a large room. As you enter one of these "doubles" you enter in the center. There are two desks facing each other. The desks have hutches on top so they further separate the "double" into two discreet halves. The beds are on opposite sides of the double. Repeat 3 more times and you've got the layout for the entire floor of 8. A flip of the light switch and everyone's lights are out. (Though our guide noted that there's a small light on each desk that students can study by later on without disturbing everyone else.)"</p>
<p>Personally, I think the dorm situation for 9th graders is awesome. It literally forces you to get to know everybody, and rather than freaky, it's just sort of different. It's only for a year in your lifetime, and I think it's a worthwhile experience</p>
<p>As with practically all of the observations here, the one I shared was HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE and, as ekang tacitly notes, needs to be taken with a grain of salt. If for no other reason than I'm not a student...and prefer staying in hotels and don't suffer ANY roommate well who's not my wife. What my post and ekang's should make clear is that Groton's dorm situation offers yet another option, a somewhat distinctive one, for those looking at a BS environment for 9th grade. For some it works, for others...perhaps not so much. But you gotta love having a variety of choices among academically excellent schools when it comes to residential environments, extra-curriculars, school size, etc., etc. Lurkers and others who come here to get insights need to remain acutely aware that that's ALL they should expect of this web site, not the definitive word.</p>
<p>So 10th graders just have regular dorms?</p>
<p>to my knowledge, from 10th graders and up, they have regular singles and doubles.</p>
<p>That is very interesting. In my opinion, I would love that.</p>