Unlocking Potential at Church Farm School

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Image of Harrison Smith via Church Farm School.

Four years ago, Harrison Smith, now a senior at Church Farm School, was looking for a private school that possessed many of the characteristics he had found while a student at The Benchmark School in Media – small class sizes, strong academics and support, and opportunities for growth and leadership.

The idea of a boarding school component also interested him, as he was tiring of the commute from his home in Philadelphia to Delaware County. After a few recommendations from his school counselor, he found Church Farm School in Exton to be the ideal fit. Now, Smith is looking to study neuroscience next year at Bowdoin College in Maine and has a number of accomplishments under his belt: Honor Council President, Dorm Prefect, Admission Tour Guide, Art Club Founder, and a varsity soccer and tennis player.

Last spring, he was one of just six students selected out of 800 total applicants for a summer internship program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he was able to learn more about the medical experience and environment and helped lead activities for patients “to make their days brighter.”

Smith is a strong student and campus leader, but his story is not unique. Many high-achieving young men come to CFS aware of their potential, but need an encouraging, small community in which to unlock it. Smith says learning time management strategies to balance academics, athletics, and extracurriculars is great preparation for college.

“At boarding school, there are a ton of resources, but ultimately, it’s up to you,” he said. “It’s important that you take advantage of the support systems here, build relationships, and if you see something that doesn’t exist, make it happen.”

Smith is particularly proud of the Art Club, which was an existing lunchtime extracurricular offering that he believed lacked structure.

“I’ve taken it over, and now, we work on group projects that benefit the entire school community,” he said.

For example, the club recently worked with other school clubs to spray-paint an existing cement pad outside of the Science and Math building to create a life-sized chess board (in the school’s colors, naturally).

Smith has also been proud to serve as a mentor in the dormitories as a prefect.

“It’s a great way to demonstrate leadership and responsibility,” he said.

Think Church Farm School would benefit your son? Attend the school’s Open House on Friday, Nov. 8, and you can meet current students, faculty, and administration; tour the campus currently undergoing a $15 million modernization to be completed by summer 2020; and learn about the robust boarding and day program that positions every young men for success in college and beyond.

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