<p>When you describe the time, it sounds very similar to most others, when admissions describes it, somehow it sounds much more "independant" and less structured. Really. We have talked to them (parents) and my son came home from school the day they were there with that definate impression vs. others like Trinity-Pawling for example. And our placement counselor did say NMH is better for kids who need less structure. </p>
<p>You are right, it could certainly happen with ANY block situation, I did not mean to single out NMH. I knew about the "minor" courses did figure they did something to compensate and I mentioned math because I think math and language would be the 2 subjects where it might be hard to have a longer than usual break. And like you said, there are advantages to it - being able to double up on math for one - I know my son would do that for sure - math is his strong subject and he would absolutely be able to handle it every term if they let him. </p>
<p>This is good discussion, and now I need to remember to ask about block vs traditional scheduling at our visits. I would think it would be something schools mention, but I would sure hate to not know before attending...</p>
<p>As I said, I really can't compare NMH's structure/lack of to other schools, but it certainly does seem quite structured to me. My son needs structure (my older one did not so much), and sending him to this school was not a concern after my olders son's experience. A PG friend of ours disliked the school because she felt it was too structured.
I have often wondered, though, about the advantages/disadvantages of block scheduling. I do like the idea of being able to "double-up" and it is nice to not have to focus on 7 different classes at a time. Any thoughts on the advantages of the traditional schedule?</p>
<p>I know one NMH parent mentioned to us that one reason they went from the tri-mester block to the semester block was that colleges had to make decisions before some kids had taken any math at all thier seinior year - at least with the semester system, they would have a progress report of some sort. So, I would guess one benefit of the traditional schedule would be that. </p>
<p>My son says he's not sure he could "sit still" for 75 minutes at a time for one subject and was worried about the amount of homework per subject. He likes the variety of work - a little of several different things. As I said, a former classmate of his that is now at NMH is really enjoying being able to concentrate on her humanities work feeling like she can do a better job not having to switch gears. So I think it is really a matter of how you learn. I think mostly what I hear is the continuity of language and math as a benefit of the traditional schedule.</p>