honestly the atmosphere is welcoming felt like i've been here for years and it's just my first year…read moreand being straight or gay isn't a issue they don't directly shame one body kids range from beanie hats and dark makeup to richter dressed but unwanted or unwelcome isn't the right way to describe the school ask anyone where a class is they got you. the students don't discriminate or are against subjects or behavior or beliefs unless your over exerting yourself. i'm not sure if it's to relight the old attitudes of the school if you've experienced poor it's because it's looked for. they have an artsy interpretation against all students an expectation of honesty and polite behavior is extremely expected since you show up and so do the teachers. respect isn't given it's earned and if it's expected you gotta give a little to get some. I admire my peers and don't judge and that's gotten me pretty high up. I suggest you do the same.

I have known the school for fifty years. Darrow gave me the space, support and opportunity to…read morediscover so many skills I never knew I had. Darrow taught me to think analytically, communicate effectively and collaborate as often as possible. There is a "safeness" that exists at Darrow that allows a student to try anything. If a student fails, he will be caught. To me there is more pride in failure than never having tried. I failed many times while at Darrow. Was I negatively judged? No. Did I try something else? I did. As a consequence, I am still trying new things. Some I'm good at. Others, not so much. But thanks to Darrow I keep on trying.

We lived in a town with one of the highest-ranked school systems nationally, yet our son was not…read moreengaged. Then we discovered Darrow: a stunningly beautiful setting in the Berkshire foothills, a warm and welcoming community, and a collaborative process that turns students into partners in the education process. It transformed our son into an outgoing, enthusiastic and accomplished student and it made his extra-curricular interests blossom. The "Mountainside" is more than a school - it's the foundation for a lifetime of achievement.

About 8 years ago I wrote a one star * negative review about Cushing. Two other alumni with bad…read moreexperiences Yelped me behind the scenes thanking me for my review. Today, all these years later I am reversing my review to a full ***** five star positive review. The reason for this is twofold. 1) With greater age, wisdom & grey hair starting to grow, I realized that these criticisms that I had, while valid, are also very common problems. Common coin of many educational, professional & family environments. Therefore to blame Cushing alone for them, when they are common problems, was overzealous; yet in a sense also valid; with belief & hope that Cushing can do better than the average; in fact exceptional on these issues, if it wished to in the future; among the best of schools. 2) That leads to my second reason for reversing the review from one star to five stars is my belief that the new Headmaster, Randy R. Bertin, Ed.D. has the capacity to lead Cushing in the right direction, to a better future, in these, as-well-as, all sorts of other ways. I have returned to Cushing about ten times or more since graduation in 1981; including four class reunions and to speak & work with several of my professors, for years after graduation. I strongly support the concept of "community building." Over the years, along with face-to-face, as well as email communications, multiple generations of Cushing Headmasters, along with other leaders, have gradually, step-by-step, showed me how they were making Cushing Academy a better & better place. My intention is not to degrade or discredit the negative reviews of other alumni or students. No institution or for that matter person is perfect, and given the #s of students that go through such a revolving door, there are almost guaranteed to be at least a few bad experiences for one reason or another. The "big question" for every school, institution & person, including myself, is how are we going to honestly, directly & clearly look at these problems & mistakes, that one or another of us may likely make at some point, or have already made, and both make remedy, as well as do everything reasonably possible to prevent it from happening again. As well as all the fun, creative, educational, & enjoyable stuff we ask our educational leaders to create or make possible as well...In these ways, Cushing history is not perfect, but it is based on my experience, continuing to improve over the years, getting better & better with time! Lets keep on complaining & also keep on improving! Not afraid to look at the negative problems, but recognize them, resolve them, prevent them from happening again, improve beyond them! My Cushing experience was amazing because I met and was assisted my multiple teachers in and out of the classroom that were among the best I had in life and beyond my public school. Met great life-long friends, & had all the typical sports, games, getaways to Boston, each other's houses, & much more. It was over all a great, fun, amazing time!!! Thank you, Cushing! A very cultural experience that a local, yokel, from a small hick town, in Vermont, could get a worldwide view of experience, connecting with students, & people from all over the USA & the world...That to me was amazing!!! Like my backwoods' bad grammar; Cushing "ain't" perfect; but unlike my grammar; it is an awesome & amazing place not to miss!!

Wow. Read the negative review and wanted to provide some balance. My grandfather went to Cushing…read morewith Bette Davis. My mom went there and graduated top of her class in the 50's. I graduated from Cushing in 1974 and on to work on-air in network radio in New York and on Madison Avenue. My nephews graduated in the past few years and both of them are achieving and growing in the arts -- one's a professional photographer and the other a musician. Without Cushing Academy, some of the high points of our lives could never have occurred. I highly recommend the school for its low teacher/student ratio and even individual attention that bring out the positive aspects of those with mild learning differences. Cushing is located in the bucolic little town of Ashburnham not far from Boston. The location is very convenient, yet far enough out to be in touch with nature and a slightly slower pace of life.

My review of Chicopee Comprehensive High School is purely from a volunteer staff perspective as…read moremost of the data I can gather are from interacting with students while coaching them on the wrestling team. As an assistant wrestling coach, I have to admit, I have the best group of guys and girls I could possibly asked for (very subjective analysis). They show up each day during the season and are willing to work hard. They are coach-able and above all know the importance of their role as being students first and athletes second. In addition, the student body is pretty supportive of their sport teams. I usually see a dedicated group of students showing up at the meets on a regular basis. Most importantly though, the wrestling program could not succeed without the administration and their support. After working out the winter sport schedule to allow us to have the gym for an entire Saturday, we will be having our first home quad meet after a long hiatus! All we had to do was ask! OVERALL IMPRESSIONS: 1) Great group of student-athletes 2) Supportive Student Body 3) Supportive Administration

We sent our son there for one month, some may say it is a lot of money for one month. It was worth…read moreevery dime. What Eagle Hill accomplished in one month no other educator has been able to do. My son finally became motivated, believes in himself and is confident about his learning. The school and campus is state of the art. The staff and instructors know how to motivate students and get the most out of them. Only one word describes Eagle Hill and that is Incredible.

I cannot comment on the boarding school, though it's reputation is exceptional. My son spent two…read moreweeks here attending the Berkshire Summer Music camp in June, 2019. The campus is breathtakingly stunning! Beautiful buildings set against the backdrop of mountains. It's much like a small college campus, with several dorms, and buildings housing the different academic departments. Definitely an amazing setting for learning!

The Putney School is a great place to experience high school! The students are from all over the…read moreworld, which adds so much to life and just to the way one learns about everything. From working in the barns and the dining room, and living in the dorms one learns about oneself AND about others. I love the mentoring experience, and that dozens of kids are from international backgrounds which lets me learn in new ways from both the faculty AND the students. A terrific place!

hello i had dinner at the KDU last night. Terrible service. Danny O'Brian was our waiter, he LIED…read moreto us about the origin of all the food. He told one of our dinner mates that the chicken was full of gluten and she could not eat the chicken. But later he revealed that it was in fact not glutenous. disappointed to say the least.

Proud alumni from 2006 from the horticulture shop. Love coming to the annual plant sale to support…read morethe hard work that goes into this trade as well as getting some great plants at a great price.