Questions and Answers

As a prospective Deerfield student you probably have a lot of questions. Some of them may be logistical: What if I want to apply as a day student? What courses are offered at Deerfield? Some questions are more about the feel of the Academy: What is the average day like? What is the food like? What about weekends? Where might my fellow students come from? What will the classes be like? What is the dress code?

Below are some of the most common questions we are asked.  In addition to the information below, be sure to read more about history and tradition at Deerfield, learn fast facts about the school, and get an idea for a typical day’s schedule.  And don’t miss the the voices of our community members, captured in essays and publications.

How large are the classes?

The average class size at Deerfield is twelve students

What kinds of exchange opportunities are available?

Each year some Deerfield students go abroad to China, France, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland and other countries around the world. Students also take part in semester long and yearlong programs in the Colorado Rockies, on the Maine coast, and in the mountains of Vermont.

How much homework will I get at Deerfield?

Deerfield students typically get about 20 hours of work per week outside of class. As a general rule, each class gives 45 minutes of homework per night.

How many academic classes do students take?

Normally, students must take five academic classes for credit. However, in exceptional circumstances a student may petition to take six. Since there are seven periods in a day, students have the option of taking non-credit electives such as dance or musical offerings in their remaining periods.

How many AP or Honors courses can I take?

There is no limit to the number of honors or AP courses a student may take. However, a student’s advisor and the Academic Dean review all course sign-ups in order to avoid any overload.

Are students allowed to take more than one language?

YES!!!

How do I get placed in math and language courses?

New students are sent placement tests in math and French or Spanish (if they request either of these languages). Teachers’ recommendations and standardized test scores are also taken into account.

Will I get credit for courses taken at my previous school?

Any course taken in ninth grade or later will be considered for credit towards Deerfield’s diploma requirements. In English, every student takes the course appropriate for his or her grade level, even if the student is repeating that grade. In math and language, credit for previous courses depends on what level a student takes in his or her first year at Deerfield. In history, a student must petition the department for credit. In other subjects, the Academic Dean will make decisions based on the comparability of courses with Deerfield’s curriculum.

What can I do if I am having trouble in a class?

Deerfield has an outstanding network of support for students who are struggling academically. Faculty members are available for extra help sessions in the evenings. In addition, Deerfield has a peer tutor program where a student requesting help is matched with a volunteer tutor. There is also a study skills coordinator who helps students improve study habits and skills.

Do I need to come to Deerfield for an interview?

Interviews are required for all admissions candidates. Those who live within a 350-mile radius of Deerfield must visit Deerfield for an on-campus interview. If an applicant cannot visit Deerfield, they must interview with a Regional Representative in their area. To find a Regional Representative in your area, look in the Admissions Viewbook.

I am applying for financial aid. Will Deerfield handle my application any differently?

It is important to note that all applicants are evaluated with no distinction made between applicants who are applying for financial aid and applicants who are not applying for financial aid. For 44% percent of our families, applying for financial aid is just another step in the process of applying to independent schools.

Does Deerfield award merit-based scholarships?

No, all financial aid is need-based only.

Whom will I be living with?

Usually dorm assignments are determined by grade. Freshmen and sophomores live together, and juniors and seniors live together. The average size of a corridor is 12 students. Each underclassman corridor has a senior proctor, and each of the corridors has a faculty resident.

What’s a proctor?

Proctors are seniors who have applied and been appointed to live with underclassmen and help them to adjust to life at Deerfield.

Are dorms coed?

No. Dorms are segregated by sex.

Do I need to live with a roommate?

No. In fact, most of the dorm rooms are singles.

What is provided with the room?

All of the rooms are furnished with a bed, desk, chair, bureau, and closet.

Do the rooms have access to the Internet?

Yes, all of the rooms are wired with Internet service.

How do I handle my laundry?

E&R Laundry Service comes to Deerfield once a week. There are also washers and dryers on campus for student use.

Are there curfews or quiet study times?

On school nights, quiet hours are enforced around campus after 7:45 pm. Freshmen and sophomores must check into their dorms for this time, and upperclassmen must be in by 9:45. Quiet study hall is enforced from 7:45-9:45 on the corridors.

Do I need to have my own computer?

Deerfield provides and supports Apple Macintosh computers for all students. Students pay an annual technology fee.

Is there a dress code at Deerfield?

Yes, there is. Deerfield students must attend classes, Academy events, occasions designated by the Headmaster and sit-down meals in “class dress.” For boys, class dress means a dress shirt, tie, and sport coat, or a suit and tie. (Boys can wear a turtleneck instead of a shirt and tie.) Class dress for girls means a skirt or dress pants with two visible layers on top, one of which must be a blazer or a sweater. Both boys and girls may wear “walking shorts” when it is warm out, with class dress tops. At times when class dress isn’t required, informal dress in good taste is the norm.

What’s a typical weekend like at Deerfield?

On Saturday afternoon most of the interscholastic sports have their games, and everyone else can go and cheer for the Big Green. Deerfield does not have Saturday classes. On Friday and Saturday nights, the Student Programs and More (SPAM) sponsors dances, concerts, and movies.

Is there anything to do off campus?

The nearby towns of Greenfield and Northampton have great restaurants, shopping and movie theaters. Greenfield is easily accessible by taxi. On the weekends, the school sponsors trips to Northampton and to the mall.

Is there someplace where I can eat when the dining hall is closed?

The Greer Store on campus features a grill with a wide selection of snacks and meals at inexpensive prices. There is also an area to eat and hang out with friends. Cafe Louis in the Koch Center offers a range of sandwiches and muffins and real capuccino!

What clubs and student organizations could I join?

Deerfield has over 40 clubs and students organizations, including the Deerfield Black Student Club, the Latin American Society, and Jewish Student Coalition. There is also a student run newspaper The Scroll, and literary magazine Albany Road.

What are meals like?

There are seven sit-down family style meals a week in which nine students and a faculty member are assigned to a table. They stay with this table for all sit-down meals for a three-week period. During this period one student is assigned to set the table and another student is assigned to clear. Sit-down meals provide a good opportunity for students and faculty to get to know each other. The remaining meals during the week are buffet style “walk-through” meals.

How many students of color attend Deerfield?

24% of students at Deerfield are students of color.

Where are Deerfield students from?

Deerfield students come from 38 states, the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands and 24 countries. International students represent 11% of our student body!

Do I have to play a sport?

No, but all students are required to do an extra-curricular activity. Options include dance, community service, acting or tech crew for the play, and outdoor skills (camping, canoeing, etc.).

I’m a decent athlete but am afraid that I would be overshadowed by postgraduate athletes and would not get any playing time.

There are only about twenty postgraduates in the entire school, and these are spread out over a variety of programs. There are also many sub-varsity level teams for each sport. For example, our boys soccer program has four different competitive teams.

Whom does Deerfield compete against in athletics?

Deerfield plays independent schools from around New England including Andover, Exeter, Hotchkiss, Loomis Chaffee, and our biggest rival, Choate.

What sorts of community service opportunities are available to students?

Students can serve as mentors to elementary school children, help at a homeless shelter, build homes for Habitat for Humanity, work at the local animal shelter, visit nursing home residents, sort food at the food bank, serve community meals, teach senior citizens how to use computors, pick apples and pumpkins at a nearby organic farm and more. The director of community service actively seeks agencies needing help from Deerfield students, and matches requests with student interest.