As Proctor faculty begin organizing syllabi for the upcoming Fall Term, laying out plans and thinking critically about how technology plays a role in the learning environment they are creating in their courses, we take a few minutes revisit Proctor's philosophy around educational technology.

At its inception in 1848, Proctor Academy's mission was to serve the children within the community of Andover, New Hampshire. Today, our community now includes students from nineteen states, fourteen countries, and six continents. Proctor’s shift to being primarily a boarding school in the early 20th century brought with it the development of programs designed specifically for boarding students: Saturday classes, off-campus programs, evening study hall, required afternoon activities/athletics, and weekend activities.

In six short weeks roughly 360 students will arrive on Proctor Academy’s campus to start the 2015-2016 school year. The majority of these students will be returning to Proctor, while 130 students will be commencing a journey at Proctor with Wilderness Orientation.

One of the aspects of my job I am most thankful for is the excuse to write regularly. I fear I would lose my sense of why I do what I do without a creative outlet that involves writing. While we at Proctor Academy think everyone should read this article, this post is a plea to those directly connected to the Proctor community to take to heart the advice below.

We talk often about the importance of relationships in education. It is perhaps the most difficult quality of a school to articulate through a website or blog. A school’s culture is something so wholly unique, students must be immersed in it to truly appreciate it. At Proctor Academy, we believe the boarding school relationships formed between faculty advisors and students are central to sustaining the school culture that makes Proctor so special.

Every July 4th, thousands of visitors flock to Proctor’s campus in the center of the village to celebrate Independence Day. While last year’s festivities were rained out, cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-70s welcomed crowds from neighboring towns for the annual flea market, parade, raffles, and various local food vendors.

With more than two-thirds of Proctor's student body residing in dormitories, navigating life with a roommate is a reality. While most first year students have never shared a room with anyone other than a sibling, the opportunity for personal growth and the formation of deep friendships makes having a roommate one of the most powerful experiences at Proctor.