My daughter has decided to enroll in Mercersburg Academy for the fall. She will be in 10th grade. We are going to Revisit Day. Can anyone describe what this day is like for both students and parents?
In past years, parents and students are provided with presentations of what classes are like (which are fascinating because Mercersburg has really nailed the notion that the way you teach material matters to adolescents, not just the content). One class demonstrated the way they have designed their own language curricula to cover multiple methods of learning – auditory, visual, reading, repeating, etc. Another presentation to parents showed how they tie English and History class reading materials into projects involving real-life application and meaning.
I don’t remember if lunch was with the students or not - as I recall we had lunch at the same time, but students were with students and parents with parents. Parents participated in a panel discussion of current students who stated what they liked most/would miss most (if seniors) about Mercersburg. The answers were very touching and highlighted how warm the environment is. Parents could ask the students questions. I believe there was also a presentation on campus life and safety and such for the parents (students may have been in that as well - in the auditorium).
Students separate at some point for their own activities and view of classes. They also do a number of icebreaker exercises that get the students comfortable with each other. The Mercersburg revisit day was the only time – out of many school revisit days in our DC’s experience – that DC came out totally happy and stated that new friends were made.
I also recall a tour of the arts facilities that showed what they have available. Note that at Mercersburg, the facilities are open to all students – not just the kids taking the whatever class. It really is a place where students are encouraged to try things out of their “norm” or comfort zone. So much so that even the best varsity athletes are often encouraged to take a season off of their best sport to try something different … I don’t know of any other school that does that …
While you are there - look around. Kids are smiling and happy. Almost everyone will say hi to you and others. It is a tremendously low-stress school that works hard to keep kids safe, happy, well-rounded, while providing academics at the level each kid is ready for.
Im not going to Mercersburg myself, but I am interested on how this day rolls so im ready.
Thank you so much- We are excited to go!