Students

Day Students 

Throughout its history Deerfield has a tradition of day students contributing to its academic and co-curricular life. In fact, Deerfield started out, back in 1797, as a day school. Day students are complete members of the community. They often remain on campus until late evening to study and socialize with friends. Day students are encouraged to stay with friends in the dorms on the weekends, and they are welcome at all meals, weekend activities, and all school functions. Day students have senior proctors and a centrally located lounge, which serves as an on campus “home base.” They are, also, assigned to residential corridors and encouraged to attend weekly feeds and other dormitory functions. 

Day students and their families add a tremendous amount to the richness of the Deerfield community. The Academy is supported by the presence of day student parents on campus. Young students, many thousands of miles away from home, cannot help but feel buoyed to see parents on the sidelines cheering for a team or applauding actors, dancers, and musicians. When day student families invite boarding students to their homes for a meal, a weekend, or an extended vacation stay, they are offering the familiar warmth of family life to a person far from home.

And yet, it can be challenging to be a day student in a “boarding” school. We understand the effort families make on a daily basis to transport, support, and nurture their children. The Dean of Students office provides car pool lists, weather updates, and other timely and specific information for day student families.

For more information on day student admission policies, please contact the Admission Office.  

 

Postgraduate Students

Each year Deerfield accepts between 20 and 25 highly qualified high school graduates into the postgraduate program.  Postgraduates will live in upper-class dormitories (with juniors and seniors) and are considered members of the Deerfield senior class. They are eligible to participate in all aspects of life here at the Academy.

A postgraduate course of study normally includes an English elective, a mathematics course, and three other elective courses. Because of the breadth of course offerings at the senior level, postgraduates have considerable flexibility in their course selection, and may elect an academic program that best meets their needs, interests, and college aspirations.

Postgraduates must follow the normal process for applying to Deerfield. If you have any questions, please contact the Admission Office.

 

International Students

Deerfield is proud of its diverse student population and of its international students, who comprise approximately 16.5% of the student body. In 2012-2013 Deerfield’s international students represent 36 countries.

Academic Life/ESL

Most students who come from American or international schools do not experience any academic adjustment problems; however, those who are not accustomed to taking all their courses in English generally spend a year taking ESL (English as a Second Language) in lieu of a normal English course; the ESL program is small enough that it can be tailored to meet the needs of individual students.

Student Life

New international students are invited to a special orientation program, beginning two days before the other new students arrive in September, to get to know the school and each other and to recover from jet lag. The International Club offers any Deerfield student the opportunity to share his or her culture through informal socializing, dances, and ethnic meals; the Club also organizes day trips around New England.

The International Student Advisor, Francois Ellis, oversees the implementation of these programs.