Hello wanted to get some feedback ahead of revisit days about two boarding schools: Williston Northampton and Frederick Gunn. We’re looking for a strong Academic Support program and all-around welcoming community. Our son is sporty but not a star athlete, has significant ADHD and executive function. Any experience with either or both schools?
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My son had the exact same choice two years ago - he chose Williston but it was tough, he loved both schools. The academic support at Williston has been great – the staff are very easy to work with and very communicative with parents, but some of the support programs are an additional cost. He liked that Williston was closer to a bigger town that is walkable, with Dunkin Donuts and ice cream and pizza shops, and other teen favorites.
Feel free to ask more specific questions.
Thank you that’s great to hear that Williston has been a good fit for your son!
Parent to senior at Williston and it’s been amazing! I can’t speak to specific accommodations for ADD/ADHD but there is robust resource availability on campus for support of all kinds. There is an incredible academic strategies tutorial supplemental class (called AST) that helps with executive functioning skills/study skills that was an incredible option we ended up enrolling our student in to help them develop better study skills and habits.
Our son is also athletically inclined, but not a standout/recruit of any kind. He had a great time trying some new sports, made incredible progress academically, blossomed as a whole person and felt fully supported by faculty and staff. Williston is really a special school and a gem of a place. We are so grateful for the 3 years he has had and can’t say enough about how right the fit was for him. Also to add a perspective on community: it is a special place. There is just something about it the place as a whole- the community feeling, the friendly vibes, the warm and enthusiastic head of school, the incredible staff and faculty, the way people are so friendly on campus and say hello- it is a part of the culture. In our experience, it is NOT like this at every place (we also have a child in another boarding school and have spent time on lots of campuses haaaa). When we were at our decision point, I was lucky enough to have a chance conversation with another parent, she sang the praises of the community and how special it was- she also had kids at TWO other boarding schools. Saw here again a few weeks ago and was still talking about the unique, special homelike feel of campus- her youngest is a first year. So putting it out there from yet another source- Go Wildcats!
Can’t speak to anything at/about the Gunnery, but another great school Im sure.
Good luck in the decision process.
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I’m mom of a Williston grad '22. He was a 4 year boarding student, and he was a theatre kid. He also looked at Frederick Gunn, but he didn’t apply because he decided it was too small. Williston was fantastic for him. You’ll hear this again and again, but the community is special. It’s really true. The teachers are all supportive, and the vibe is collaborative rather than competitive while still having rigorous courses. The school offers many ways for students to be successful and recognized for their accomplishments. I don’t have experience with the academic support, but in general it’s a school that doesn’t let students fall through the cracks. They have a lot of fun activities on the weekends, and many of the stores in the adjacent town take the “Sammy card” which is a student charge account. Now that my son is a junior in college, he appreciates the solid preparation he got at Williston which made his transition easy. I can’t say enough good things about Williston.
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This sounds like our son and situation exactly. Would love any more feedback if people have…
Williston’s motto is “Purpose, Passion, Integrity.” Unofficially they use “Be Yourself Here,” and to me that is the central idea. The collaborative, supportive environment is not meant to fit students into a mold, but to be a platform for them to follow their own academic, athletic, and artistic paths. As a freshman he got involved with some student-created projects and created one of his own. And he was encouraged to pursue a Concentration in Performing Arts: Theatre. The concentration culminates in an independent research or creative project with both written and oral components. And the students work as a group to support each other in that process. Williston has a special freshman program to get students started, and that made a difference. Many boarding schools have moved away from AP tests, but Williston has kept them. Their explanation is that the AP tests offer a standardized measure at a time when many colleges are test optional for the ACT and SAT. In terms of parent contact, I had a good relationship with his advisor and received quick responses whenever I reached out. I’m also happy to answer questions if you have any specific ones.