NMH Mission

Education for the Head, Heart, and Hand

Northfield Mount Hermon engages the intellect, compassion, and talents of our students, empowering them to act with humanity and purpose.

The NMH Board of Trustees developed and approved this mission statement in 2009. Board members, along with students, faculty, and staff, also look to a set of core values for guidance and inspiration: excellence, respect, integrity, persistence, creativity, and teamwork.

These fundamental values are manifested in our community through:

  • A teaching and learning culture that helps students become versatile problem-solvers, compassionate thinkers, and effective communicators.
  • An innovative academic curriculum that offers choice and challenge.
  • Vibrant, engaging, and expansive co-curricular programming.
  • Transformative responsibilities and experiences, including the work program, social-justice programs, global study, and sustainability initiatives.
  • An opportunity for and encouragement of spiritual development through religious traditions, exploration of the human experience, and appreciation of the natural world.
  • The expectation and practice of egalitarian ideals, especially honesty, civility, hopefulness, curiosity, and tenacity.
  • A commitment to cultivate a community of individuals who are willing and able to be meaningful contributors rather than mere consumers.
  • Embracing diversity in all its forms and challenging attitudes in conflict with genuine multiculturalism, equity, and social justice.

A bird's eye view

Get an interactive view of our 215-acre campus

Rob Werner ‘79

This environmental lobbyist wants to talk to you about climate change.

Gretel Schatz

I want dance students to engage their own memory and intellect.

Becca Malloy

Science isn't just talk, but it certainly helps.

Mary Hefner

I love teaching AP Bio. The kids are highly motivated.

Faculty Profiles
Mitike

This past summer, I increased my awareness of my identity by reconnecting with my native country, Ethiopia.

Ryan

“I don’t think I would be anywhere near the person I am today if it wasn’t for NMH. It’s enlightened me about so many different things, and I’ve met people from everywhere you can imagine.”

Josh

In my old school, I never saw myself as someone who could be a Division I player one day. Now I can.

David

"One of my biggest influences has been my math teacher. He built this love of math in me—specifically, the idea that math can be used to interpret the world." 

Lila

"The fact that everything is here at my fingertips has really helped me grow."

Ismini

"Almost all of our classes are conversation-based, which means that you're totally engaged in classroom discussion."

Noah

"I enjoy helping my friends, and it's given me a new respect for teachers. I may even go into teaching myself one day."

Isaac

"In VOTES, I learned how to prepare and present—skills I drew on in Washington."

Yvonne

 "This year, I'm field hockey captain. I enjoy giving advice and support."

David

“I like that you can start completely new things. You can reinvent yourself.”

Maggie

Dance has taken this creative learner on an artistic journey. 

Xiaoxian (Lily)

 “My teachers told me to use my own voice, and they pushed me to think about what I really believed in.”

Abby

"The curriculum here is hard, but it’s the right amount of hard."

Ngone

“The academics are extremely rigorous, but because of the way teachers present things, it’s like, ‘I have school today!’”

Eli
Eli

“The learning you can do in a study-abroad program can outweigh anything else you can do even at a school like this.” 

Kevin

“NMH encouraged me to explore new things, try everything, and see what’s best for me.”

Isabella

“You’ll always find a place here as long as you just be yourself.”

Melvin

“There is a community here that cares about you.”

Student Profiles