The new study hall expectations, posted on the First West bulletin board. Photo provided.
A new school year always brings new changes, and among them this year at Northwood School is the new model of study hall. Previously, study hall required students to report to certain locations on campus for their specific grade every Monday through Thursday from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. Under the previous study hall model, students were able to earn their way into a self-directed study hall through the Effort Honor Roll or the Dean’s List, enabling them to study in their room or a location of their choice, such as the library, dining hall, or living room.
With Headmaster Gino Riffle making his debut in the 2025-26 school year, new changes were brought about, including to the study hall. Students in the supervised study hall are now required to check in with their hall’s resident assistant (RA) between 7:45 and 8:00 and study in their dorm room with the door open, while faculty supervise the halls to make sure that the environment is conducive to studying. Students in self-directed study hall, attained through Effort Honor Roll, may close their doors and study in separate locations like the living room and library.
When asked, Assistant Head of School Life John Spear said that these changes were made to study hall because “We live in a residential community with adults living with students in the same community, so that is an important time for relationship and community building,” Spear said. “Having the opportunity for the dorm parent to interact with the students in a working environment is important in building that relationship,” he added.
When asked how he felt about the changes, Ryan Demers ‘27 said that he “Likes the new study hall because I feel more productive at my desk than I do in a classroom full of kids.”
When they arrived on campus and were informed of the changes, many returning students complained about them. However, upon asking students, most of them seem to have come around. “I think the new study hall is better because it allows for fewer distractions. I know many people who wouldn’t get as much work done when they were in the lecture hall because they would be surrounded by their friends and would chat instead of doing homework. So, I think being in our own rooms is very beneficial,” Sara Martin ‘26 said.
Overall, the new study hall model has sparked plenty of discussion among students – but early feedback suggests that the changes may be helping many find a more focused and productive study environment.
