The Best Thing About CSW Is ...

"…that the students at CSW are empowered and respected both by the faculty and by other students. Disrespect by anyone at CSW is extremely rare, and everyone is encouraged to do the best they can for themselves. Competition is also virtually non-existent, so CSW fosters growth and self-actualization, learning for oneself and by oneself, reaching as high as one can and then helping others reach as high as they can, without having to compare yourself to others. Everyone here has their own strength, and CSW functions as the aggregate of everyone's strengths, not the strength of the greatest person." - Sam, 11th grade (Cambridge, Mass.)

"…how much of a community it is and how much love and support people have for one another. Students have a passion to learn, and teachers have a passion for teaching. The community never ceases to amaze me; every day I return to school and there are incredible structures and works of art created by students waiting for people to admire. The amount of energy and passion everyone has is incredible."
- Katie, 11th grade (Millis, Mass.)

"…the mixture of people. I have learned to really appreciate all of the different personalities and it's taken me two and a half years, but I've come to realize that most places aren't like this."

– Cordelia, 11th grade (Cambridge, Mass.)

"…[that] every person matters. From sharing our opinions in class to voting on warrants during assembly, each person at CSW has the chance to make a difference."
- Katharine, 12th grade (Waban, Mass.)

"…the diversity and how accepting the community is."
- Gabe, 10th grade (Jamaica, N.Y.)

"…the teachers. I have never felt such a personal relationship with my teachers or been pushed to learn so much. This school is much harder than my old school, but I’m getting better grades. The teachers honestly want you to succeed and will do whatever it takes to get you there."
- Olivia, 9th grade (Sherborn, Mass.)

"…[that] I have found how to take the initiative to create a better environment and experience for myself. I have learned that if there is something I have a problem with—be it a teacher, a class, a school warrant—then there are positive ways of either fixing or understanding it."
- Sarang, 11th grade (Sherborn , Mass.)

"…the trust going on between the teachers and administrators and the students. They don't feel the need to supervise us constantly. Also, the great student-teacher relationships and the informality that comes with calling our teachers by their first name."
- Jin, 11th grade (Belmont, Mass.)

"…the teachers. They not only care about academic success, but they also care about you as a person, and make sure you feel comfortable in the classroom. In addition, they're always more than happy to meet during lunch or at other times if you're struggling in class."
- Celina, 9th grade (New Haven, Conn.)

"…the MOD SYSTEM!!!! I have taken so many amazing classes and covered so many in-depth topics. Many high school students will not receive an opportunity to study Toni Morrison or James Baldwin in depth until college."
- Britney, 12th grade (Hillside, N.J.)

"…that there are so many fantastic people—both students and adults—and so many ways to channel energy and creativity. You can really choose what to do and custom-fit your CSW experience, but there are enough requirements and guidance that everything isn't too all over the place."
- Alison, 11th grade (Framingham, Mass.)

"…the atmosphere. If you're looking for a school where you will learn a lot about history, math, science, English and other academic subjects, as well as leaning the meaning of community, diversity, friendship and respect, CSW is the place to do it."
- Sara, 11th grade (Sudbury, Mass.)

"…[that] you get to be who you are. Struggling to find out who you are is part of growing up, but at CSW you can be who ever you are in the moment and people accept you for that and accept you when you change. I can be myself and nobody treats me any differently or thinks of me differently. I really like that about CSW."
- Kat, Grade 10 (Roslindale and Revere, Mass.)