LIFE IN BALANCE
A full weekday schedule provides students with enriching experiences and helps build the strong community that gives every child the vital sense that they belong. Weekdays are carefully structured to balance academics, arts, and work-jobs with time to socialize, practice a musical instrument and enjoy the outdoors.
SAMPLE WEEKDAY SCHEDULE
6:30 AM – Wake up
7:15 AM – Barn Chores and Work-jobs
8:00 AM – Breakfast
8:30 – 10:05 AM – Classes (periods one and two)
10:05 – 10:20 AM – Morning snack
10:20 – 11:55 AM – Classes (periods three and four)
11:55 – 12:45 AM – Lunch and council
12:50 – 3:10 PM – Classes (periods five, six, and seven)
3:10 – 3:15 PM – Afternoon snack
3:15 – 4:25 PM – Out-time
4:30 – 6:00 PM – Barn Chores and free time in houses
6:00 – 6:45 PM – Dinner
6:45 – 8:15 PM – Reading and evening study (times vary by age)
8:30 – 9:30 PM – Bedtime (varies by age)
A TIME FOR ADVENTURE, PLAY, AND REST
Time-honored traditions and new fun and learning unique to North Country School continue into the weekends, including: Muddy Pig Café and Talent Show, extended backcountry skiing, hiking, and camping trips, range-in-a-day hiking marathon, and the horse grooming contest. These are in addition to the many outdoor activities offered every Saturday and Sunday.
Saturdays
After a hearty breakfast, students depart for easy-to-challenging outdoor adventures on and off campus, as well as occasional trips to museums or local festivals. Depending on the season, activities include canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, cross-country or downhill skiing, pond hockey, and snowboarding. After returning from their trips, students have some time to relax in their houses before dinner, ice cream and the evening’s entertainment, which might be a flick hockey tournament, scavenger hunt, bonfire, or a “house challenge,” in which teams of students compete in fun games such as seeing who can make the strongest bridge out of popsicle sticks or who will be the last one standing in musical chairs. On occasion, 9th graders design and plan these events.
Sundays
With the exception of houses who are taking their turn to help with meals by setting tables and working in the kitchen, students do not have chores on Sundays and sleep in an extra 45 minutes. A full buffet breakfast is followed by morning study hall and a choice of various activities before lunch. Students then can choose additional afternoon activities ranging from arts and crafts, short hikes, soccer, or sledding, to games in the library, helping on the farm, or enjoying quiet time in the community lounge. On Sunday evenings children tidy their lockers and bedrooms, read books, and prepare for the week ahead.