A Groton Embrace for New Families on Revisit Day
Families poured onto campus for Groton’s two Revisit Days, March 30–31 and April 5–6, visiting classes, meeting students and teachers, and getting a sense of what differentiates Groton from other top schools.
Revisit Days began with an evening program, which included student performances and a welcome by Headmaster Temba Maqubela. "We believe scholarship and intellectual agility in the liberal arts tradition are the building blocks you need for a life of character, learning, leadership, and service," Mr. Maqubela told the gathering. His remarks also described many specific talents of students in the room, from standout athletes and Latin scholars to an accomplished dancer and a Claymation artist.
Afterward, parents attended a reception with faculty in the Schoolhouse's Sackett Forum while students headed to Parlor—a weekly tradition of games, cookies, and conversation at the Headmaster’s House.
The next morning, newly admitted families attended the daily Chapel service, hearing a Sixth Former (senior) deliver a chapel talk, which is typical on most weekday mornings. Perhaps most important, the newly admitted students accompanied their student hosts to classes, experiencing the challenge, excitement, and camaraderie of Groton's academic environment.
Throughout Revisit Days, there were performances by the choir, the gospel choir, the jazz ensemble, chamber musicians, and individual students. Mid-morning, visitors sampled the brand of fun that Groton enjoys during Spirit Week dorm competitions at the end of each term—watching an animated and sloppy pie-eating contest on the first Revisit Day and a rowdy bottle-flipping showdown on the second.
Groton’s admitted students are a select group. On March 10, the school admitted 12 percent of its 1,266 applicants—students with a wide range of talents and interests who live all over the country and the world. They represent nine countries—Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, South Africa, South Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States—and twenty-seven states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia.
Both Revisit Days also included panel discussions with students, teachers, and parents. Panel members shared insights and anecdotes—about academics, dorm life, afternoon activities, and other facets of Groton School. Students spoke about the opportunity to try unexpected activities and the support of faculty advisors and teachers. One current parent said that she sometimes tears up when reading her son’s end-of-term teacher comments because they show how well Groton faculty members know her child.In a new addition to the Revisit agenda this year, an activities fair lined the Sackett Forum with tables representing campus clubs and teams—showing off the many ways students can expand their interests outside of the classrooms and dorms.
Groton School thanks all who returned to campus for a visit and looks forward to welcoming these talented students to the Circle next fall!
See Revisit Day photos.
See Revisit Day photos.
Groton School Mission: To inspire lives of character, scholarship, leadership, and service within a diverse, inclusive, and close-knit community.
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