Hype Park has completely demoralized my once eager and educationally motivated child. He is currently an 8th grader in the Magnet Program and cannot wait until his time at the Academy is over! He stuck it out so he wouldn't be labeled as a failure, but his entire time at Hyde Park has been a major disappointment from what we were told to expect at this school. It is NOT the "innovative" and "hands-on" learning atmosphere that was described at his orientation. Very few of the teachers motivate the child for what they term "accelerated" learning (which in actuality is just an increased amount of homework,) and it's next to impossible to get constructive help from the teachers for children who are struggling. We no longer advocate the CCSD Magnet Program because of the heartbreak we experienced at Hyde Park and are sending all three of our kids to regular public Middle Schools and High Schools from here on out. When you consider the distance from home he faced every day, and the little value he received for his pains, AP classes at a closer location and within reach of friends are looking pretty much equivalent!

Some of the best years of my life there, with brilliant and inspiring educators at the helm of the ship. They have helped my fellow peers and I start to understand the REAL world, and the pure work that it will take to go far, and gave us the tools to go farther than we ever thought. Everyone will have different experiences; Some dislike it, some find it to be "okay", and its life changing for others. However, in my experience, I recommend it (The Academy program for Math/Science) to any student who is at least semi-serious about their future. I'm a musician, pursuing music education up in New England and Britain and looking into the Conducting and Orchestral Performance area. But that didn't matter, as these teachers taught me to question things, to really THINK, work with diligence, organize difficult messes and challenges, and to be inspired to find true meaning and value in the various pursuits this silly little cacophony of music we call life. Amazing. Simply amazing.

Hyde Park Middle School, what can I say? This middle school changed my life and gave me the opportunity to do my best. It was hard but in the end, it was all worth it. If it weren't for Hyde Park, I probably would have never received the opportunity of going to Phillips Exeter Academy. Through Hyde Park, I learned many things that have helped me succeed in life and the students there are all, for the most part, very welcoming and fun to hang out with. The teachers are some of the best teachers I've ever had. They're always willing to help you with any questions you have. And if you like playing an instrument, the orchestra at Hyde Park is the best, in all aspects. My experience with the orchestra at Hyde Park was one of a kind, traveling to other places in the U.S. and the world, competing, giving concerts, and just playing for fun. The people there also made it an unforgettable experience. So if you're in 5th, 6th, or 7th grade, I recommend Hyde Park as your middle school.