Horace Mann School

I have had to opportunity to view the school as an alum and as a parent. Horace Mann is one of the best high schools in the country. It possesses the facilities of a college and offers the course selection of one as well. With an average class size of 14-15 there is plenty of opportunity for close teacher/student interaction and it is easy for a student to get extra help from a teacher. The administration is very accomdating if a student has an issue or an illness. The faculty is first rate. With average home work of 2-3 hrs a night, the acedmics are challenging and the school can be a real pressure cooker. There is also an early awareness of the college process even as early as 9th grade.
--Submitted by a parent

This high school is like a mini-college. All of the students end up at top universities, and love their experience at HM. Not to mention that the student body at HM is amazingly talented, intelligent, ambitious, and driven. There are tons of facilities- a pool, 2 gyms, fitness room, several computer labs, 2-floor library, 2 theaters, and a big cafeteria. Every classroom is equipped with a computer, projector, and some have smart boards. Tons of the teachers have PhDs, and all of them are really great. They are extremely helpful and actually want their students to succeed. I love this school, and I'll never forget all that I've learned from here.
--Submitted by a student

This is a most engaging school with teachers and administrators who are really interested in the kids and their well-being, not just the school's cumulative glory. The children are engaged and excited to learn. The opportunities for them are numerous and exceptional. They foster simple values such as kindness and respect in a practical way. It's not just lip service.
--Submitted by a parent

My kids go to the middle school in 09/10. The Middle school teachers seem very mediocre and unimpressive. They are supposed to use the moodle which is a hi tech academic curriculum and syllabus system designed to help the self motivated. But not one teacher has this working correctly, on-time or with quality content. Too many teachers are uninvolved, uninspiring, and frankly overrated. Some of them are downright bad. I did hear that the high school has better teachers. I wish the school would institute a reverse performance review-by the students and parents of their teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

Designed for the gifted set, this top notch facility provides every challenge a growing mind could want. The stress level is overrated, most often by those who could not rise to the challenge. The educators are driven, yet supportive abd understanding. The 'Escalade' parent set takes some getting used to, but the educational experience is unmatched. If your child is accepted, this is the place to send hium/her.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm not a parent at HM, I'm a student. I attend Middle School there and entered in kindergarten. So I want to point out some things that parents 'may have overlooked' (but when you're paying approx. $39,000, what could go wrong?) Some of the teachers at HM are spectacular (I can think of two) but most of the rest are ok-ish (or worse.) Some are not too strict, which is what I'd expect, but are somewhat flaky, and don't offer any discipline or rules at all (I recall one english class that I had, right before my lunch period, where we were allowed to walk in late, with chips, soda, and/or french fries. Then, we would proceed to eat in class, climb on the desks, and write on the whiteboard. ~BustopherJones
--Submitted by a student

I graduated at the very top of the class, played multiple varsity sports etc., and went on to one of the best universities on the planet. I was shocked to learn how woefully underprepared I was for college by HM. HM will give you lots of homework and fancy facilities but will not teach you to think or problem solve.
--Submitted by a former student

Simply the best of the best. If your child is lucky enough to get accepted, it truly offers the best education money can buy.
--Submitted by a parent

Horace Mann's academics are rigorous. Hard working students thrive there. Students with a desire to succeed have the power to do so at Horace Mann because of the extremely attentive and talented faculty. The school also has fantastic extracurricular opportunities.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended Horace Mann School since she was in kindergarten. She is now in 7th grade. This school is excellent. She continues to excel and loves going to school every day. Horace Mann provides numerous extracurricular activities that supplement its program of study.
--Submitted by a parent