I can’t say enough positive comments regarding Oliverian. It is the foundation from which I am now building my whole life. Without it, I would be lost. Thank you, Oliverian.
The day begins with wake-up at 7:00 AM; dorm parents assist with morning wake-ups. Students rise and shine, preparing for the day ahead. After a refreshing start, they head from the dorms to the dining hall to kick off their school day.
Breakfast is served from 8:00-8:30 AM in the dining hall, offering a variety of hot and cold options.
Students begin their academic day with experiential courses in our pillars: adventure, stewardship, and arts & music. Whether they are rock-climbing or hiking, throwing pottery on the wheel or learning a new song with their band, pruning a fruit tree or tending our laying hens, students are starting their day with movement, engagement, and creativity.
The academic day begins at 10:30 AM, with students attending core classes. These sessions cover essential subjects like math, science, humanities, and Spanish.
During lunch, students and faculty gather in the dining hall or enjoy meals outside, especially on a peak Fall Foliage or budding Spring day! After lunch, students return to their core academic classes. By mid-afternoon, they have time to meet with academic advisors to review their progress. This is followed by Office Hours, where students receive extra help from teachers or catch up on assignments. Twice a week, the school day ends with community meeting where the entire school gathers to share experiences and celebrate achievements.
With academic commitments complete, students have free time to relax or engage in personal interests. They might choose to participate in a club or activity, hang out in the dorm, complete homework, or take a trip into town with friends.
Dinner is served at 6:00 PM with many faculty and their families joining in with the students to start a fun evening together.
After dinner, a variety of evening activities are available. Students can participate in Learning Lab for additional study time, join clubs like Astronomy Club, or attend special events such as Trivia Night or Coffee Houses. There is always something fun happening around campus!
As evening winds down, students return to their dorms for curfew at 9:00 PM. This time allows them to settle into the dorm, connect with dorm-mates, and prepare for the next day.
Time to get some sleep and recharge for another busy Oliverian day!
Weekends offer a more relaxed schedule with opportunities for fun local excursions. Students might visit an arcade, explore thrift stores, go to the movies, tackle the nearest hiking trail, or run errands. It’s a blend of relaxation and exploration, providing a balanced break from the academic week.
At Oliverian, our school events and traditions are the heartbeat of our community, bringing everyone together. They foster connections, celebrate our shared core values, and create lasting memories that strengthen friendships and enrich our lives at Oli and beyond.
Student orientation is an exciting start to the school year, allowing everyone to connect and build the Oli community. The staff is always thrilled to get to know the amazing students! This time allows students and staff to focus on Ol’s core values of individuality and community, embracing unique perspectives while learning to balance personal needs with group harmony. By the end, students are prepared to thrive!
During the Fall and Spring, we invite families to join us on campus for a community dinner followed by a day filled with classes and activities specially prepared for families to give them a glimpse into their child’s Oli experience. This event provides a wonderful opportunity for families to connect, share their stories, and celebrate together as a vibrant Oliverian community.
During the last few weeks of school, we always dedicate one full school day to not only a day of Adventure, but a day of Adventure together as a school community! At Oliverian, we say “yes, you can do hard things!” and on this day, where many of our students, and staff, are stretched to the edge of their comfort zone, we challenge ourselves to do those hard things, climb, hike, paddle, to witness all the beauty, healing, and excitement Mother Nature can offer.
Every quarter, our Student Ambassadors host an evening dedicated to celebrating the performing arts! It’s a night where students, staff (and their families) come together to showcase their vocal, instrumental, poetic, and dance talents. From impressive solo acts to fun group performances, it’s a vibrant display of the amazing skills within our Oli Community.
The Annual Student vs. Staff Soccer Game is a highlight of the year, where the faculty and students face off in a thrilling match of skill and spirit. While the staff often come out on top, there are always moments when the students give them a run for their money (challenge accepted, anyone?!). The game is a fantastic display of camaraderie, bringing everyone together in good-natured competition. Whether it’s under sunny skies or pouring rain, the fun is unbeatable, with the rain-soaked games often turning into the most memorable and lively matches of all!
In the late hours of the night, after the first heavy rainfall of the Spring season, you’ll find a group of Oliverian folks participating in one of the oldest Oliverian traditions – Save our Salamanders. You see, after this rain, the salamander mamas make their way down to the Oliverian Brook to lay their eggs, but in doing so, have to cross the main road, risking their lives among the (occasional) traffic. Students and staff stand guard and guide these black and yellow spotted creatures across the road saving countless salamander lives and creating one-of-a-kind memories in the process.
An Oli tradition like no other is our Ski Program. Whether you have hit slopes since you were a toddler, or you’ve never set foot on a snowy mountain, all of our faculty, staff, and students are invited to take part in our Annual All School Ski (and Snowboard!) Day. And, if students want to take it a step further, we offer a ski and snowboard class on Fridays during the third quarter as well as longer weekend- and, occasionally, week-long trips to hit the slopes.
Oli Olympics is a highlight of the year where everyone—students and staff—teams up for a day of epic fun and friendly rivalry. We mix things up with games like giant Jenga, tug of war, paintball, bean bag toss, and trivia. There’s even an Olympic flame burning bright to keep the energy high throughout the tournament.
Nestled in the scenic Upper Valley of New Hampshire, we delight in celebrating all four seasons on our vibrant campus. Our Fall Fest is a seasonal highlight where students immerse themselves in festive activities like painting pumpkins, savoring apple-flavored treats, and relishing the crisp autumn air before winter arrives. As the weather warms up, we kick off Spring Fest with inflatable water slides and a range of exciting activities to mark the end of a successful school year.
Organized by our Student Ambassadors, Prom is a fantastic opportunity for all students, any grade, to experience a traditional Prom, Oli style! Each year, students pick a theme, such as Masquerade or Woodland Adventures, for the evening and put together a magical evening of dinner and dance!
A beloved tradition here at Oli, our seniors look forward to this chance to get off campus for the day in celebration of their last days of high school! Recently students traveled to Portland, ME for the day with members of our Student Life staff.
Graduation at Oliverian is a unique and deeply personal celebration, marking the culmination of an often challenging journey. This meaningful event honors each student’s accomplishments, strengths, and growth. The heartfelt recognition creates lasting memories, making Oliverian’s graduation an immensely impactful experience that resonates long after students and families leave the ceremony.
