Bard High School Early College

this school isn't as perfect as it seems but its still a wonderful school. I am a year 2 and I've grown soo much in the past four years, intellectually and socially. I've met all types of people here and the friends that I have made, we are very close. I love how all of the teachers are very dedicated to their students and their work. A teacher is rarely absent here and they often stay after school to help their students. I wish that there was more school spirit here and I wish that we had more social events although some people do try to foster a sense of community. Academics are important but at the end of the day, we are still teenagers and it would be nice to have some of the typical high school experiences (dances,etc). Overall I enjoyed my time here and I wouldn't change my experience for anything in the world. The pros definately outweigh the cons. But think hard before you come to bard because it is not your typical high school experience. A lot of kids that started out with me in 9th grade transferred or were asked to leave because they struggled to adjust to the environment, academically and socially.
--Submitted by a student

I love acedemics, but I also like the arts (singing, acting, etc.) Is Bard a good school for me? Is there any programs for, say, singing? Is there time to do stuff out of school? Thanks!!

I attended BHSEC Queens. Was I overworked? Yes Did I enjoy the workload? Absolutely. Very rarely in one's life can one admit he/she is happily enjoying writing 8 page papers on Frued, reading political philosophy, and reviewing the elasticity chapter in your microecon textbook. While admissions counslers from other colleges might not see it, we are college students. We are treated as such, expected to deliver as such, and embrace ourselves as such.We are transformed into these "social nerds" who don't care about the stigma because we actually enjoy what were learning and develop amazing ways of maturity and can hold hour long conversations with our peers and professors about any topic. Our work ethic and character become immensely different. I currently attended Haverford College in Pa, and I love it here. Quite a few of my classmates are stressed and a little disillusioned, but once you've done year 1 and year 2 at bhsec, everything else becomes manageable (or even a little simpler!) I have friends from both bhsecs that have gone of to Williams, Brown, Vassar, Pomona, Carelton, and Rice that I'm sure they would agree with me.
--Submitted by a student

Best School Ever. Competitive but amazing! I will have free classes, cool teachers and many more students!
--Submitted by a student

I went to this school a couple of years ago and although the classes are challenging and the students are dedicated to their work it has it's faults. Most teachers don't care if you suceed. There isn't a great support system for the students who are struggling and I would say about 15% of students transfer out before their junior year. There also seems to be a huge divide in students interactions. Most students hang out with their own races and thats all. Overall I wish my experience at bard was better but I was in that 15 % that suffered. Bard wants to be so inovative that they forget to pay attention to the needs of it's students.
--Submitted by a student

i just started going to bard and so far i LOVE it! i love the people, i love the classes, i love (almost) all of my teachers, i love the enviornment, i love the way we're treated, i love that we have free periods, i love that school starts at nine, i love the class sizes.... im just so happy! i rave to all my out of school friends about it and they're all really jelous. yes, there's plenty of homework but we get plenty of time. i feel like everyone really knows what they're doing and it's SO nice to be challenged for a change.
--Submitted by a student

My daughter graduated from Bard High School Early College and loved her time there. It's just a really great academic environment that prepares kids to do anything they can dream of.
--Submitted by a parent

All three of my kids have attended BHSEC and challenged each year to develop critical thinking and their own goals that extend beyond grades. BHSEC is not an easy school, but it is an excellent one.
--Submitted by a parent

BHSEC is the BEST school I've ever attended. The teachers really know what they're doing and I actually learn so much everyday.
--Submitted by a student

Everything. the teachers are great, the kids are great, and the environment is great.
--Submitted by a parent