nmh academics

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>hi, i've been making threads and commenting posts about NMH. I heard that this school has only 4 subjects per term/semester but other schools has a maximum of 7 subjects. So, how is the academics strong with only so little subjects per semester?</p>

<ul>
<li>Ladyluck223</li>
</ul>

2

<p>Because you study those subjects in depth, for more hours in a day. </p>

<p>In the 70’s, Cambridge School of Weston, a very progressive school, went to this system.
I wonder what other schools are on the "modular " system?</p>

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<p>Correct me if I am wrong but I think it is relateable to like a block system where you take like 4 classes one semester and 4 classes the other semester or something. Any NMHers want to clarify?</p>

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<p>Yeah, NMH has a block system. Meaning 1hr-1 1/2hr long classes(4 a day)</p>

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<p>The way I understand it, student take 3-4 classes per semester, meeting an hour and a half for 4 1/2 times per week. Each of these courses equals one whole years work in that subject. For instance, you would complete a whole year of US History in one semester. The next semester, you take 3-4 new courses, completing 6-8 complete courses during one school year.</p>

<p>The benefit of this approach include:

  • Only 3-4 homework preparations per night
  • Longer classes that allow the teacher to get more in depth in lectures and class activities
  • More frequent exposure to students by the teacher, allowing them to get to know the student and their strengths and weaknesses better
  • More time in class, less time spent shuffling around between classes
  • Less chance of multiple tests on a given day
  • Increased focus on fewer subjects by the student
  • In depth concentration of specific subjects prior to standardized, college admission testing</p>

<p>The students at NMH seen to like the system and think it helps them master their studies and makes them more successful.</p>

<p>From what I hear, the kids at NMH</p>

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<p>^^Correct. Also, I believe “most” prep schools only let you take 5 or 6 courses/year, so at NMH everyone has to take at least 6, which is the same as or one more than the other preps. It is rare, though, for someone to take a fourth block class. Everyone is pretty out straight with what they have. My son is generally doing hw every chance he gets and he still has several hours worth at night. Don’t worry, ladyluck, the academics are extremely rigorous and there are just as many classes/credits as peer schools. </p>

<p>A comparison - Dartmouth’s “D” plan = 3 classes per quarter (not a semester system like most universities, but the time spent in class is longer allowing the students to focus more and go into greater depth in each class. And, like NMH, it allows you to actually end up with an extra course each year.)</p>

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<p>umm i am pretty sure “most” somewhat selesctive boarding schools have great academic programs this thread is very irrelavent</p>

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<p>It is not irrelevant because someone had a question and people were answering. That is all.</p>

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<p>I agree with morphious. There are many borading school which are better than nmh. No matter how nmh academics are rigorous, they are not even comparable to top 30 boarding schools since simply nmh is about third tier school anyway. Every school program is rigorous just because the definition of RIGOR depends on their students quality. For example, the nmh academic program(nmh folks call it rigorous) will be a joke to Andoer/Exeter students. But is is very rigorous to nmh students. So what morphious said is correct.</p>

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<p>I believe the OP was inquiring about the number of courses NMH offers per semester as compared to other schools and how this could affect rigor. </p>

<p>The remainder of the preceding post is unsubstantive and not worth addressing.</p>

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<p>…</p>

<p>does anyone know if gtm is another new account? from morphious?</p>

<p>gtm isn’t logged in when morphious is on even though gtm posted like 10 minutes ago?</p>

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<p>Sounds pretty ■■■■■-ish, yes?</p>

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<p>I usually avoid getting involved with these type of threads but I had to respond to the comments that NMH is a third tier school. Have the posters actually attended the school and sat in on the classes? My brother will be a junior next year. He scored in the high 90’s on his SSAT’s and was 2 years ahead in math when he chose NMH over schools that some would consider higher tiered. He has had incredible teachers and great mentors. He is presently a couple years ahead in math and science and is incredibly challenged at NMH. </p>

<p>As far as the block system, it allows students some excellent opportunities. For instance, my brother will be taking AP CAlculus AB the first half of the year and AP Calculus BC the second. He can also take back to back science classes.</p>

<p>The bottom line is that unless you have attended the school and sat in on the classes and truly been a member of the learning/living community the information that you are sharing is useless.</p>

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<p>Well, apparently you haven’t attended the school either…</p>