Northwood is a community that provides students with many unique opportunities. Through the support of teachers and their peers, students have the chance to accomplish incredible things. It takes a unique system to provide these unique opportunities. If you were to ask any student, 99% of them would tell you that school at Northwood is unlike anything they’ve experienced prior to their tenure here. Here is what students from different countries had to say:

“The main difference between school here at Northwood and school in Spain was trying to maintain a healthy balance between school, Football and my social life. When I lived in Spain trying to get a healthy balance between these three things was really difficult as my school workload was rather large, and I’d have to do most of my work in my spare time. Also, after school finished, I would have to go to football training with my club which finished at 9:30 p.m. Here at Northwood, it’s been a lot easier to balance these things. Even though the school workload is similar, the integrated time for training and Study Halls has let me finish my studies or train without cutting into my own personal time.” Lochlan Alexander ‘27 (Spain)	“The differences between the school in China and Northwood: 1. Time spent in school is different. In China, usually the students will stay in the school for the whole day and there will be 8 classes(45min) each day plus three study halls(60min). 2.There’s only three years of high school in China, but you can reclass in high school as long as you can if your family can afford the money and time. 3. The format of the classes is not the same. There are about forty to fifty students who will be placed in a class. These students will continue to live in high school as a group for three years. Similarly, each class has a fixed teacher who instructs the students in a certain subject. They will also be part of the class as part of the group for three years.” Anthony Wan ‘26 (China)
“One difference is that the schedules are way more compact. When school is combined with sports, you get a routine that you do every day. There are not as many tests at Northwood, but a lot more homework. Also, the teachers and the rules are stricter. If you are not a hard-working person, I think that Northwood would be a much bigger struggle for you.” Jonathan Fischer ‘26 (Sweden)	“I think the schoolwork is more difficult because there’s a lot more work. The difference is the classes, like math, In Canada, it’s just math, but in the States, it’s Algebra, Calculus etc.” Sara Martin ’26 (Ontario, Canada)
“I wouldn’t say it’s harder, but the language difference makes it harder for certain classes like Math. The days are a lot different from what my old school used to be. We had 4 classes of 75 minutes from 9 am to 3:40 pm and a cycle of 20 days so our days wouldn’t be the same for 20 days compared to a week here. There is also the difference that I am boarding here, and I wasn’t at my old school, so the day never actually ends until study hall is over.” Florence Richard ‘25 (Quebec, Canada)	“Everyone is really nice, and everyone is inclusive, obviously is different that I live on the campus and there is a better level of academics.” Matias Cruz ‘28 (Ecuador)
“It’s different mostly because everyone’s here for the same reason and has a focus bigger than school. I love that sports drive the students to be the best they can be in many aspects. In my previous school people were there because they had to be, here people want to be present and work their hardest. It’s nice to always be around your teammates and going to practice everyday, before I didn’t have that.” Lily Pratt ‘26 (New York, US)

“What inspires me the most at Northwood is the opportunities I am given. For example, I was able to take a robotics course this year, and even though I have no experience with robotics, it has become one of my favorite classes, and I am very grateful to have experienced it.

“While looking at other schools as I was entering high school, Northwood stood out to me right away. I have always been aware of it through NYSEF and from my older siblings going here, and it was solidified that I wanted to go when I heard more about it. I really liked the unique opportunities that Northwood gives students and the support that student-athletes get. I feel like there is an obvious goal of academic and athletic balance and achievement that stuck out to me.

“My favorite thing about the community at Northwood is the diversity, even in such a small student body. It was definitely a huge factor in my decision when I was considering high schools. I like that my friends aren’t just the people directly in my bubble, and I have met people I wouldn’t meet otherwise. I also love the school spirit, and I think it is definitely brought out when cheering for our teams and during Winter Carnival.

As told to Natalie Gaeckle ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“I am a 3-year senior hailing from Bermuda. I am a part of the U-19 boys soccer team and hope to attend college through soccer recruitment. I am enjoying my time at Northwood and would not change it for the world. I will remember it for the rest of my life. There have been many difficulties, but the community has always been there for me.

“I came to Northwood because the head coach of the soccer team, Jon Moodey, recruited me. I met Coach Moodey when I was around 13 years old when he came to my club in Bermuda. I visited numerous schools in Connecticut, but COVID slowed the process. Years later, I got the opportunity to come to Northwood, and it was something I could not turn down.

“My favorite part of Northwood is Winter Carnival without a doubt. This is the time of the year when the school spirit is highest, and everyone comes together.

“My goals for the year are to be consistent both academically and athletically, which, after my previous two years, I feel that I have down to a T. My biggest motivation for achieving these goals is setting a good example for my younger brother [Kimani Davis, 26’], who also attends Northwood.”

As told to Jace Donawa ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Friday, October 18^th, marks the end of the first quarter for Northwood’s 2024-2025 school year. For seniors, it’s the last first quarter of their time at Northwood. I asked a few of them for their reflections on this quarter.

Cara Dempsey ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

For Cara Dempsey ‘25, the first quarter was a solid base for the year. “I hope to have an upward trajectory and feel good, but know there are improvements to be made.” Her favorite part of this quarter was her Robotics class. She had never taken a hands-on class like robotics before and enjoyed working with the tools. As for next quarter, she is looking forward to starting the ski season and training in Copper, Colorado, in November.

Teegan Wardlaw ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Teegan Wardlaw ‘25 has had an okay start to the year. “I haven’t been getting preferred grades because I’m still adjusting to my hard classes this year. I am taking AP Lit, Advanced STEM Research, Advanced Humanities Research, studio hours, and Calc.” She has also been stressed about her college applications and looks forward to submitting them next quarter. She loved meeting new people and making new friends in the first quarter. “As a senior, I want to connect with everyone at the school before I leave,” Wardlaw said.

Michael Peluso ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Michael Peluso ‘25 feels confident. “I did well this quarter and am grateful to the support system I have here at Northwood for making the start of the year as great as possible.” Mike is on the Prep team, which has won two tournaments. He has loved building a connection with the hockey team this year. Next quarter, he looks forward to improving his academic standing and submitting his college applications.

Leo Doyle ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Leo Doyle, ‘25, feels stressed about this quarter but still thinks he has managed to stay on top of his work. He has loved being back playing soccer at Northwood but is sad that this is his last year here. For Leo, he can’t wait to submit his college applications next quarter. He also wants to enjoy his last year at Northwood and make lasting memories.

“If I had to describe myself in three words, they would probably be ‘bubbly,’ ‘reliable,’ and an ‘ambivert.’

“Coming to Northwood, I think I became more open-minded and adventurous. Back home, I didn’t want to do anything except shopping and going to cafes, but here, I started hiking, and I tried rock climbing. Now I’m super open-minded about trying everything for the first time and seeing how it goes. And skiing too—I tried skiing when I got here and grew to love it so much. I’m super excited for ski season. I’m also more active now; I love going to the gym. Here, surrounded by athletes and coaches, I ended up going to the gym and lifting, and I really enjoy it since it helps with my mental health.

“Dance here is really fun. I always liked dancing, but I never took a serious course in it. When I joined the dance program here, I felt like I had a team, and I made friends, and, of course, I loved dancing as well. I got to experience the more serious side of it, which was really fun. Performing was scary, but then it eventually created more confidence for me. I started doing ballet, which is super technical and hard, so I’m still learning and improving, but I noticed that over my three years here I’ve been getting better at the techniques of ballet.

“My favorite time at Northwood so far was last year, my junior year. I love the springtime, because in the winter I get really gloomy because of the weather, but in the spring, the sun gets out and I’m always just very happy to be outside. My friend group last year, which had Ashley [Guevara ’24], Sophia Miller [‘24], and Avery [Novia ‘24] in it, was tight throughout the year. During spring, they got ready to graduate, and I was really upset but happy for them at the same time. We created so many good memories together, and it was just really fun being with them. We were going outside 24/7, going to town, skating on the oval, things like that. I love the town of Lake Placid. I think I made a lot of good memories there too, and in this room, which was Ashley’s room last year. We spent a lot of time here just hanging out together until 2 am.

“I’m an only child, but I live with my grandparents, so I’d say the family’s five, because we all live together: my parents, my grandparents, and I. Back home, in Ho Chi Minh City [Vietnam], I have long-term friendships; I’ve known all my friends since middle school, so I think I’ve been friends with them for about seven years. We have tight friendships, and we kind of grew up together.

“Coming here and making new friends was overwhelming because I used to be shy and making friends was hard. Also, because I have such tight friendships already, I wasn’t used to making new friends back home and stuck to the same friends every year. At Northwood, it’s totally different. Every year, people leave, and people come, and I learned how to be more social and be more open about making friends and just having fun with people you meet.”

As told to Sasha Luhur ’27. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“A few years ago, my grandpa told me, ‘You never know who’s watching.’ He meant this regarding hockey and recruiting and how I also need to put my best self forward to have integrity always. But over time, I have implemented it into my daily life, and it is something I live by to this day. It lives on with how I carry myself and present myself to the outside world. I think about his words often, and they have shaped my mindset to what it is today. Always improving while always being kind. Because he is right, you never know who could be watching.

“I joined Northwood last year as a junior from Saratoga Springs, NY, seeking an environment that would foster both my athletic development and academic aspirations. Next year, I am excited to attend the University of Vermont, where I will compete in Division 1 ice hockey while pursuing a future career in sports broadcasting. The aspect I value most about Northwood is the multitude of opportunities available and the unwavering support provided in every endeavor, whether on the ice or in the classroom.

“I cherish the unique atmosphere of living in Lake Placid, as these experiences are unparalleled compared to what I might find back home. At Northwood, I have encountered a community of like-minded individuals, all driven by similar passions and aspirations, facilitating meaningful connections and making it effortless to forge strong friendships.

“If someone were looking into Northwood and asked me my biggest takeaway, I would tell them it is the drive you have to have to be in a place where everyone is working for a common goal. You constantly work and find ways to differentiate yourself from the same groups. Northwood has been the best thing when it comes to experiencing and putting myself in a position to be uncomfortable, fulfilling what I have dreamt of, and making lifelong friends. We are so lucky to be here.”

As told to Eliza Quackenbush ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“My biggest fear is spiders.

“I came here mostly because of soccer. I’m a post-grad, and it’s my first year here. Coach Moodey recruited me, and I wanted to come here for some good academics and the good soccer program to set myself up for college.

“I was a senior last year at Saratoga Springs, New York. I played varsity basketball and was a starter, and we did pretty well. In the summer, I play a lot of golf. I’m a scratch golfer, which I think is pretty cool, but I’m kind of getting worse as I don’t play as much anymore. I try to mix it up as far as sports go, so I don’t burn out and because it makes it more fun.

“Saratoga is unique because of the many activities and how it brings the community together with good crowds at school sporting events, places to eat, the racetrack, parks, and golf courses, where kids even in middle and high school ride their bikes downtown to meet up, especially in the summer and after school.

“At my old school, we had a lot of athletes for basketball. We had six seniors who were in the rotation, five of whom started, so we’d get all of our friends out for a few games. We had 300, 400, 500 kids in the student section, so it’d be a packed gym, and it was super, super fun to play in front of. All the parents would come out, a lot of the town would come out. So it was awesome for basketball as well as soccer.

“It is somewhat similar here. I’d say definitely on a smaller scale, as opposed to 2000 students back at my old school, we have 200 here, but kind of runs the same. I mean, all the soccer kids try and get to the hockey games when we can, and we try and support them, and vice versa. When they’re available, they try to come to our games. I think it’s really important in a school, and it brings kids together.

“My grandma gives me a pack of Skittles after every game, whether it was basketball or soccer. She’s continued that—every game that she comes to, she gives me a pack of Skittles.

“My relationship with my grandparents is really good. My grandpa plays golf and skis, and my brothers and dad do too. We often do at least one or two golf rounds throughout the summer where we play 18 holes, and we’re all often pretty busy doing our own thing, so it’s four hours with the guys catching up, which is a lot of fun. In the winter, it’s a full-day ski trip. We drive up to Okemo in Vermont, which is their favorite mountain, and it’s a really fun time.

“I don’t question my choice to come here and do a PG year. For me, it’s the people here. Yes, it’s a grind every day, but and you’re around most of the same people, which is sometimes tough if you don’t like those people, but to have teammates that I love playing with every day, love being around every day, teachers who are really supportive who care about you and coaches as well, and all the staff and even the hockey guys and ski people. So, I love the people here, and I think that’s really helped me coming here.”

As told to Cedric Lemaire ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“When I was nine, my parents took me to Ushuaia, Argentina, where I skied for the first time. I loved every second of it. The cold air, the rush of gliding down the mountain, and the feeling of freedom on the snow. Even though I had never skied, I felt connected to the sport. Unfortunately, since I grew up in Brazil, where it’s hot year-round, skiing wasn’t something I could look forward to regularly. As much as I wanted to keep going, there was no snow back home, and I didn’t have many opportunities to travel to places where I could ski again.

“For years, skiing became just a memory. Growing up in a country without snow meant it was hard to stay connected to that passion. Skiing wasn’t popular where I lived, and I didn’t know anyone else who shared that same love for the sport. But everything changed when I moved to Northwood. Being surrounded by snow and mountains brought that excitement rushing back. About three months after I arrived, I got back on the slopes, and it felt like I had never stopped. The thrill was just as intense as during my first experience in Ushuaia.

“Despite playing soccer and not getting to ski as often as I’d like, every time I do, it’s unforgettable. One of my favorite memories is teaching my great friend, Eduardo Aguiar, who used to attend Northwood, how to ski. He had never skied before, and it was a challenge to teach him, but those couple of hours were some of the best times I’ve had on the mountain. We laughed, struggled, but most importantly, celebrated each little step as he learned, and by the end of the day, he was already improving.

“Those moments on the mountain, whether skiing solo or with friends, always remind me why I love the sport. It’s more than just the speed and the rush; it’s about creating memories, challenging yourself, and sharing experiences with others. Those are the moments I’ll continue to build and hold on to.”

As told to Li Feng ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.