<p>re: hazing - have not heard of any. Classic recipients of hazing, math geeks, imo/art, gay, all have both informal clans and formal clubs. Plus seem well integrated into social structure. </p>
<p>Would naked senior run be considered hazing? An unusual amount of pressure is applied by the students to get everyone to participate. </p>
<p>amazing tolerance for weird kids for a high school.</p>
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amazing tolerance for weird kids for a high school
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<p>Love this line...makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.</p>
<p>Don't know about drug use with the athletes. The kids my son hangs around with take theirs sports seriously and I don't think they'd do anything to mess with that.</p>
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Drugs are not a big issue at NMH. I'd say it's less of an issue at NMH than at most prep schools.
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I do know of 3 kids who were kicked out last year for after having been given multiple chances. I do not think it is any more of a problem at NMH than at any other school, but it is no **less **of a problem either.</p>
<p>I was going to say that, too. I think there are few institutes, especially high school, which can say that drug problem is lower than the rest.</p>
<p>ditto Linda S.</p>
<p>Every school has some kids who experiment. and get kicked out. I'd be more worried if no one was kicked out - that would mean that no one cared and no one was looking.</p>
<p>My son is a freshman this year, so I will chime in with my answers (which pretty much match what has been said already):</p>
<p>1) Is it geographically isolated? Are there places to eat out at, etc?</p>
<p>We are from Colorado and my son was looking for a school with a large, open campus -- and wanted to avoid the type of schools that seems crowded into metropolitan areas. Our state has far more open-space than populated areas and he really didn't like the feel of some schools. NMH was perfect -- huge campus, beautiful views -- yet still close enough to catch a movie. I will agree with others -- best Chinese/Thai restaurant we have been to (and we go to lots!). Isolation has not been an issue -- NMH is located an easy drive from Boston, Hartford and other airports. </p>
<p>2) Are the academics challenging? Are the teachers enthusiastic and inspiring?</p>
<p>This is really going to depend on the student -- my son has been challenged in every subject. He was an excellent student at an IB public school and has had to work hard this year to get B's. He loves his teachers and has really gotten to know each one.</p>
<p>3) What is the boarder/day mix?</p>
<p>I believe I read somewhere that is it about 72% boarding -- it has not been an issue for my son. He has both day and boarding students as good friends.</p>
<p>4) Are the teachers available? Do they live on campus?</p>
<p>Teachers are very available -- most do dorm duty, so you can visit that dorm for study hall and get help. Teachers have been great -- whether for a meeting, a phone conference with parents or an extra study session.</p>
<p>5) Is it lonely on weekends?</p>
<p>Not at all -- there is so much going on, it is sometimes hard for my son to choose.</p>
<p>6) Are there a lot of internationals?</p>
<p>I agree with those that said that the internationals are mostly asian, about 20% or slightly more. I disagree that the asians don't mix -- at least for the freshman boys, my son have several friends that are asian internationals. He may have gotten connected with them a bit more than others because he doesn't live close enough to go home, except for the longer breaks. We haven't been able to go up for parents day/long weekend -- so he has spent that time with all the other kids who have to stay behind (primarily the international students).</p>
<p>7) Do kids go there as their first choice or because they did not get into HADES?</p>
<p>SPS was the only HADES school on my son's list. He was waitlisted -- but it was his fifth or sixth choice. He would have chosen NMH over SPS, most definitely. I agree that there are some kids for whom SPS was a first choice, and others who attend because they weren't accepted to HADES. I think that once they get there, they find their place and realize how great the school is.</p>
<p>8) Is it a warm, nurturing, caring, non cut throat environment? Definitely -- and the reason it was a top choice for my son. </p>
<p>9) Is the food good? My son loves it -- and after sampling food during visits at many schools, we found it was the best. Variety is also a huge plus -- and the times that food is available. </p>
<p>10) Are the facilities, dorms , classrooms nice </p>
<p>We certainly think so -- but we didn't tour any of the HADES schools. We were more concerned with the environment of the school than the buildings. I think the new Rhodes Art Center is fantastic.</p>
<p>As far as drugs and hazing -- my son (freshman boy) doesn't know of anyone who does drugs (doesn't mean it doesn't happen -- but it can't be widespread or he would have heard). No hazing.</p>
<p>As far as mixing -- my son has friends from all grades. There are lots of opportunities if you are not an athlete.</p>
<p>One of the biggest pluses of NMH that I have seen is the personal attention and care that the students receive. When an issue comes up (behavior, grades, etc) the focus isn't on "you broke the rules and should be punished", rather it is on "what is the reason behind this and what can we do to help you". It is hard to put it into words, but the school cares more about the students as individuals and helping them reach their potential -- rather than the students as a groups of high-achievers and helping the school to rise in the stats of test scores and ivy league matrics.</p>