Families Flock to Campus for Immersive NMH Experience

Northfield Mount Hermon welcomed families to campus Sept. 25 to 27 for Fall Family Days, offering a glimpse into students’ daily lives and campus culture.

The annual multiday event gave parents, siblings, and friends a chance to sit in on classes, attend cocurriculars and athletics events, and meet teachers, advisors, and coaches. The schedule included activities and information sessions meant to give families a holistic view of NMH and the fall semester so far.

“It's been great,” said Danielle Bedaw P’28, who took the day off from her role as a custodial supervisor at NMH to spend time with her daughter, Nevaeh Gray-Ortega. In addition to sitting in on a morning biology class, Bedaw said she looked forward to attending her daughter’s concert performance before heading to a volleyball game.

“Really, just getting to see the other side of everything, what her day looks like, has been a lot of fun,” she said.

Music teacher and performing arts department chair Steven Bathory-Peeler P’20, ’25 said the event helps parents understand how their children engage with peers and faculty outside of the home environs. 

“I always enjoyed visiting my kids’ classes to see what kind of atmosphere the teacher helps to create,” he said. “Obviously, I have a relationship with my kid, but I don't know how they are with other people. How does my kid engage? How were they with their classmates and teacher?”

Family members also bring new energy to classrooms, he added, and their questions often spark unexpected discussion.

“We're trying to kind of open the door to the parents about what's happening here, what their kids are doing,” he said. “Parents always ask interesting questions that students haven't thought of, even teachers haven't thought about.”

Classes and Head of School Update

Fall Family Days began Thursday evening with an ice cream social and a webinar presentation of “Navigating the College Admissions Process,” with college admissions expert Jeff Selingo, hosted by the college counseling team.

On Friday, families joined their students for a full day of class visits and campus activities.

“It was nice to sit in and just see the day-to-day activities,” said Deborah Roney P’27, ’28, from Wellesley, Massachusetts, who attended classes with her children, Claire and Megan. She praised NMH’s College-Model Academic Program schedule for balancing flexibility with depth of study.

Thornton Lewis P’27 of Germantown, New York, said his son, Eben, has thrived at NMH.

“He came from a very small, rural school, with very limited opportunities,” Lewis said. “So the opportunities [here] are massively large. He loves the people here; he likes the experience all around.”

After morning classes, families heard from Head of School Brian Hargrove, who highlighted NMH’s inclusivity efforts, its approach to artificial intelligence and cellphone use, and the evolving boarding school landscape.

“This school has always been about helping young people to go out in the world and to make a difference,” Hargrove said. “In order to do that, you can't just have ideas: You need to make sure you have the tools and the conviction to make that reality.”

Hargrove noted that financial aid has grown more than 50% in six years to $13 million and highlighted the school’s rising application numbers, strong reputation, and infrastructure improvements to athletic facilities. He also shared updates on This Place, This Moment: The Campaign for Northfield Mount Hermon, urging families to spread the word about NMH’s impact.

“We have a very clear vision: At Northfield Mount Hermon, we want to be a collective force for good,” Hargrove said. “I believe our mission is pretty darn important, and we're going to make sure that we're thriving for decades to come.”

Arts, Athletics, and Activities

Friday afternoon featured a recital with performances from the Select Treble Ensemble, NMH Singers, Chamber Orchestra, and NMH Jazz Ensemble. Bathory-Peeler said the recital showcased process as well as performance. 

“We’re pulling the curtain back a little, letting people peek in to see what we’re doing,” he said.

Parents also had the opportunity to learn about this year’s NMH travel program trips to Spain, Costa Rica, and Maine, before joining students for cocurriculars or athletics. Evening highlights included a reception hosted by Hargrove and the NMH Family Council, followed by a performing arts preview performance of the upcoming fall recitals and plays, and campfires with cider and s’mores in the Beveridge Bowl.

Athletics took center stage Saturday afternoon, as families cheered on NMH teams (see NMH Athletics scoreboard) and attended workshops on college athletics recruiting and financial aid, with tailgate tents and seasonal treats adding to the festive air.

Roney said athletics — specifically wrestling — were a major draw for her children to attend NMH. “They are both wrestlers,” she said. “Coach [Zachary] Bates is really building out the women’s wrestling program, and they were attracted to that.”

As students headed off for long-weekend trips or time to recharge, several parents said they left with a fuller sense of what makes life at NMH such a singular educational experience.

“The thing that stands out the most to me, from the application process to the present day, is that pretty much every school talks about creating ‘kind’ people,” said Robin Marsan of Stowe, Vermont, whose daughter Caylee is a junior. “NMH actually does that. They practice what they preach and really kind of knock it out of the park, as far as developing kids who come to the table and allow everyone to have a voice and lift each other up.”

— Max Hunt

Family and classroom photos by Matthew Cavanaugh Photography. Photos of Brian Hargrove and musical performance by Max Hunt. Athletics photos by Dan Little Photography.

See more scenes from the 2025 Fall Family Days on Flicker.