In this article I want to talk about why students love to step onto campus and start their day at Pingree. Pingree is mostly known for its outstanding academics and athletics. Several students say they wanted to join the Pingree community mainly due to these programs. Students love having siblings at school, strong academics/sports, well bonded community, convenient and close to home (alternative to boarding school), and small class size leading to more time with teachers.
Many students here at Pingree have a sibling enjoying the experience with them including myself. Some say the sole reason they even thought about coming to Pingree was to be with their sibling(s). I can attest to this fact. If it wasn’t for my sister I probably never would have looked at Pingree.
Pingree requires all students to participate in seasonal activities, whether it’s in athletics or arts. This builds students’ interests and lets them find what they like without putting any pressure on them. Requiring a seasonal activity also guides students outside of their comfort zone and builds friendships within the school community. If you know you love something outside of school and really want to stick with it you can request an independent. An independent is where a student can take the season off to do extracurricular activities outside of school, this is really helpful for students who feel extremely uncomfortable trying new things or just aren’t interested in that season’s activities.
Another reason students love Pingree is the engaged and connected community. Every Tuesday and Friday the entire student body gathers in the theater to play games, tell jokes, sing, dance, and go over the plan for the day. Seating is alphabetical by last name so you have to sit next to the same people for four years.
Senior Emily Haas loves morning meetings because of the bonds she has made sitting next to the same people for her entire high school experience. Since it’s alphabetical by last names Emily doesn’t sit with who she usually would. That doesn’t stop her from making friends and connecting with the community. She has made stronger bonds with these people that she otherwise wouldn’t see often. Morning meetings help build bonds within our community and help our community grow.
Sophomore Adelaide Velluto initially went to boarding school. She spent her freshman year at Brooks School. She quickly realized that boarding school wasn’t for her and she longed to be closer to home. Since Pingree is a day school, students can be heavily invested in the school and still get to go home at the end of the day. It’s a win-win for Adelaide and her fellow classmates. She gets a great education and gets to see her parents every night after a long day at school.
The class of 2028 is made up of about 99 students. This means classes average about 7-15 students per class. Teachers have less students to teach, giving them more time with each individual student. Overall this improves the students education and bond with their teacher. Students often have a friendly relationship with their teachers which makes it easier to go to them for extra help inside or outside of school.
Freshman Pip Reath explained how he can go to his teachers when he needs them because of the connection he has with them. He also expressed how he likes being able to have attention during class. With such small class sizing pip and other students get more opportunities to participate. This leaves them with a better understanding of what they are learning in class.
Pingree as a whole lets you explore your interests and find what you truly love. Overall students are allowed to choose their path while still stepping out of their comfort zone. When students are choosing what they want to do here at Pingree they are given guidance and support leading them to success.
As a student at Pingree I personally believe Pingree supports my academic and athletic choices. Pingree also has many resources for students. Including academic resource centers, advisors and more. All of these resources work to help students be the best they can be academically and athletically.
From the perspectives of students at Pingree you can see how wonderful a place it is and how helpful it can be for all inside and outside its community.
