Guide To the Campus Visit
The Academy at Charlemont
From Martha Tirk, Director of External Relations
Your campus visit is an important part of the admissions process. An Academy student will host you for a full academic day, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. You or your parents can schedule your visit by calling me at 413-339-4912. Here are some things you need to know.
The Day
Your parents can bring you to school in the morning and pick you up at the end of the day. They are welcome to stay for Morning Meeting and then meet with me. Or they could meet with me in the afternoon before your day is over. We will arrange this when we schedule your visit.
Park in the visitor’s space behind the main building and go to the school office where Ms. Rizzi, our secretary, will greet you and bring you to my office. Our headmaster, Mr. Efinger, frequently greets students as they arrive at school, and will be hoping to meet you as well.
Plan to arrive about 7:50 AM so that you can meet your host, arrange the day’s schedule, and find a seat for Morning Meeting. Our school day starts with the whole school community being summoned to the Common Room with the peal of the tower bell. Morning Meeting is the very best way to find out what The Academy at Charlemont is all about.
You’ll be welcomed in all the classes you visit with your host and will probably enjoy participating in the discussions and activities in the classroom. You may happen on a short quiz or study period, though, so bring a book just in case.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays we have “Studio Blocks” which are two periods in the morning devoted to music, art, film, creative writing and community service classes. If you come on one of those days, you will accompany your host to his or her studio classes or meet with one of our faculty on the Admissions Committee your interview.
Your parents should pick you up in my office at 3:00 PM. Your host will bring you there.
Lunch
You are invited to be our guest for lunch. The menu for the day can be found on our website www.charlemont.org. The food is good, and there is always a vegetarian option, but you may bring your own lunch if you prefer.
Your Host
If you’re applying for seventh grade, your host will be a current seventh grader.
If you’re applying for an upper grade, your host will be a member of your current grade, but I may arrange for you to visit a class or two in the grade for which you’re applying as well.
You’ll find Academy students are friendly and proud of their school. Many volunteer to host prospective students because their own visits were so much fun.
The Interview
During the day you will meet with one of our faculty on the Admissions Committee for an interview. Be sure to bring to your interview any questions you have about life at The Academy, and while it’s not necessary, I’d love to see a sample of an art or writing project of which you’re particularly proud.
Snow Days
The Academy is located in the beautiful hills of western Massachusetts. In the winter months we sometimes have a school cancellation or delay due to the weather. If that’s the case, I will call your family at 6:00 AM to cancel your visit. Make sure I have the best phone number for this call. I’ll call later that day to reschedule your visit.
Transportation
It is possible to arrange a ride to or from The Academy on one of our buses. Arrangements should be made for this when your visit is scheduled. We’ll make sure a student is assigned to be your host on the bus.
