<p>We just visited NMH yesterday and we all loved it. We liked the sense of community, the openness to all kinds of kids, the solid mix of academics, arts and athletics, the beautiful campus. What other schools offer this kind of mix in a non-preppie, not too competitive atmosphere in the northeast or middle Atlantic states?</p>
<p>Add top flight sports (lots of levels and variety) great new arts center and non-competitive but VERY RIGOROUS academics, and you will not find another. We search for a school that felt like NMH but found none. </p>
<p>The diversity thing has limits. It's cliquie, to accomidate all the different groups: arts/jock/prep/nerd/day. You'll notice a lack of purple hair and spikes. You'll see a lack of white females in advanced math and science. The Asians don't talk to the non-asian and can be quite nasty about it. </p>
<p>That aside, we are hugely happy at choosing NMH</p>
<p>It takes a more active role in child oversite and really cares. Required study hall is from 8:00 to 10:00 with a firm lights out. (at DA homework might start at 11:00 and be done by 2am)</p>
<p>"The Asians don't talk to the non-asian and can be quite nasty about it. "
..................;;
how do you know this?</p>
<p>nearby Williston is somewhat less preppy and more arts-focused/balanced compared to most New England prep schools.</p>
<p><a href="at%20DA%20homework%20might%20start%20at%2011:00%20and%20be%20done%20by%202am">quote</a>
[/quote]
Not true, but that's not part of this topic...</p>
<p>I think Cushing is pretty close in many ways. Campus is different - smaller and in town (kinda), but otherwise, they have strong athletics, arts a similar feel to us, although it's smaller.<br>
I think Suffield Academy is similar as well - alhtough they do have a dress code.</p>
<p>"The diversity thing has limits. It's cliquie, to accomidate all the different groups: arts/jock/prep/nerd/day. You'll notice a lack of purple hair and spikes. You'll see a lack of white females in advanced math and science. The Asians don't talk to the non-asian and can be quite nasty about it."</p>
<p>Neither of my sons have experienced clickiness or "Asian nastiness". My older son's first roommate was Korean and he got on quite well with him. His closest friend to this day (he graduated in 2003) is another Korean classmate. My younger son, likewise, has two close friends who are Asian. I don't think my younger son feels any clickiness. There are so many kids at NMH that don't fit into just one mold. Many of the top athletes are also involved in the arts. My son's roommate could be described as a geek, while my son spends hardly any time on the computer, yet they are good friends.</p>
<p>I agree that it is hard to find a school that is "like" NMH. But Williston and Cushing come to mind, in terms of campus feel, but both have substantially different academic programs. (Cushing, for example, takes each student from wherever he is academically and builds on it. they accept almost any type of student and are able to work well with all types of kids) NMH is too rigorous to accept all types of students, in my opinion.</p>