How many students attend NMH Summer? Where are they from?

We look forward to welcoming 250 to 300 students from across the country and the globe to NMH Summer 2025. Since 1905, we’ve hosted students from every U.S. state and 130 countries; last summer alone, we had students from 19 countries. About 85% of students are boarders, with the rest attending as day students.

When is the application deadline?
Applications are accepted until June 1. Since courses fill up quickly, we recommend applying as early as possible. This is especially important for students who need a visa. (Please note: Families with students requiring a visa should apply for it as early as possible.) Once all materials are submitted, families can expect a decision by email within several days.

How do I apply to NMH Summer?
We use a web-based portal called Ravenna. You can manage your child's application through Ravenna, including delegating teacher/tutor evaluations and uploading documents such as report cards, student writing samples, and ID photos. See application instructions.

Please note: Returning students must submit a new application through Ravenna.     

How to Apply to NMH Summer

1. Create or access your Ravenna account. Add or review your student’s profile. If you already have a student profile set up in Ravenna, make sure the current grade and current school are accurate.

2. Start the application process. Choose "Apply to School" and select "NMH Summer" from the school directory. After you click the green “Apply” button, select the student and your application type. This depends on the length of the program you desire and the grade of your child. Complete the remaining fields and click “Continue.”

3. Complete the preliminary application and pay the application. Our admission team will not be able to view any of your application materials until you submit the application fee. If this fee presents a financial hardship for your family, please let us know and we will provide a waiver code.

4. Upload important documents. After you pay the application fee or submit a waiver code, you will see a list of required documents. Please follow the instructions for uploading documents and delegating teacher/tutor evaluations. Be sure to remind the teacher/tutor to check their spam/junk folder for the email from Ravenna if it's not in their inbox.

5. Application review. After you have uploaded all required documents, your completed application will be reviewed. A member of the NMH Summer admission team will be in touch with you regarding next steps.

How do I apply for financial aid?
Limited financial aid is available based on demonstrated need and is available primarily for U.S. students. Current NMH students may also apply for aid for one summer program. 

Families seeking assistance must submit a financial aid application via Clarity by 5 pm on Feb. 16, 2025. Decisions will be announced by March 7. See instructions for applying for financial aid.

What type of visa do international students need?
International students can attend on a visitor visa (B1/B2) or, if eligible, without a visa from visa-waiver countries. There’s no need for an F-1 student visa to attend NMH Summer. 

Please note: Families with students requiring a visa should apply for one as early as possible. To improve the chances of a favorable visa-application outcome, we recommend bringing a copy of your NMH Summer acceptance letter and a copy of your fully paid tuition statement to your appointment.

Can international students apply for programs other than the English-Language Immersion program?
International students who demonstrate a high level of English proficiency may apply to the four-week Summer Scholars or two-week Summer Enthusiasts. In addition to the standard application items, you must submit a graded English essay (written this academic year for your current English class, showing the teacher's handwritten comments and grade), a two-minute video of you talking about a memorable experience (you may not use a script or prompt cards), and TOEFL/DuoLingo scores. 

How are students in the English-Language Immersion program assigned to the right level?
You will take a placement test upon arrival for proper class placement.

When should families make travel arrangements?

Families should wait until students are accepted and enrolled. See travel guidelines to help with your planning, including information about arrival and departure dates.

What are the residence dorms like?
Students stay in one of six age-based dorms, with separate dorms for 7th- and 8th-grade students and for 9th- to 12th-grade students. Each dorm is led by a resident dorm head and teaching fellows, who provide guidance, support, and a sense of home. Each advisor connects closely with a group of students and is available for questions and support throughout the summer.

What are NMH Summer’s campus safety policies?
Campus safety officers are on duty around the clock, and all dorm doors are secured with ID card access. Students receive a room key and ID card at registration. The replacement cost for lost keys or cards is $50.

Dorm heads and staff are trained in first aid and CPR, and our O’Connor Health and Wellness Center is supported by local emergency services that are always available. 

What does a typical day at NMH Summer look like?
Each day is full of classes, fun activities, study sessions, advising, and free time. Weekend excursions and field trips, activities, and downtime are planned for seven-day students, while five-day students head home for the weekend. Check out our daily schedules for our 7th- and 8th-grade and our 9th- to 12th-grade programs.

What will I do in my free time?
NMH Summer students enjoy access to 746 acres of natural beauty above the banks of the Connecticut River. Campus facilities include our beautiful Schauffler Library;  the LEED-certified Gilder Center, home to NMH’s STEM programs; and the Rhodes Arts Center, home to art studios and practice and performance spaces. Our top-notch athletics facilities include two full gymnasiums, a swimming pool, the Calagione Fitness Center, the Li Wrestling Center, the Draper Riverhouse, a cross-country course and mountain-biking course, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and 10 outdoor fields. In the Blake Student Center, you can hang out, play games, or relax with friends.

What should I pack?
Review our suggested packing list for the essentials. New England summer weather varies, so pack layers. Students should pack enough clothing for at least six days. Laundry is collected weekly, with the first pickup on Tuesday, July 8.

Will I need a computer?
Yes — every student should bring a laptop, tablet, or Chromebook with Google Chrome installed, as assignments often involve digital submissions. Library computers are available for general use but won’t cover in-class needs. Wireless internet is available throughout campus, including in dorms.

Which classes require special equipment?
Digital photography students need their own digital SLR camera with manual settings. LEAD Outdoor Leadership Program students should bring a backpack, water bottle, sun protection, and suitable outdoor gear.

What items are not allowed at NMH Summer?
Due to safety regulations, certain items are not allowed, including candles, curtains, ceiling hangings, foam pads or foam mattress pads, matches, lighters, candles, fireworks, refrigerators, heaters, hot pots, popcorn makers, high-intensity lamps, irons, and weapons or knives. For a full list, please review our student handbook.

What sports equipment should I bring?
Soccer players need cleats and shin guards. Tennis players should bring a racquet and non-marking tennis shoes. Feel free to bring a baseball or softball glove for fun games!

What’s the food like?
Alumni Hall offers a variety of delicious meals, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Dining hours vary throughout the week, and the campus store and snack bar provide additional snack options.

What should I do if I have a food allergy? 
Families should note any allergies on their student’s medical forms to ensure proper accommodations.

Do I need health insurance?
Yes, all students must have health insurance that covers them while at NMH Summer.

What health information is required?
Families must submit a complete medical record, including immunizations and a recent physical, through our online healthcare portal. All students are required to provide documentation of a doctor’s physical completed within 10 months of the start of NMH Summer.

What happens if I get sick at NMH Summer?
Our school physician and staff at the O’Connor Health and Wellness Center are available weekdays and after hours when necessary. If a day student is ill, families should call the NMH Summer Office to report their absence.

What if I take prescription medication?
Prescription medications must be given directly to the O’Connor Health and Wellness Center by a parent or guardian. Medications are dispensed from the health center and cannot be kept by students in dorm rooms.

What are the COVID-19 requirements and protocols?
COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, but NMH Summer encourages following CDC recommendations. Students should remain home (if possible) or in their dormitory room if actively sick until their symptoms improve AND they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without antipyretic medications.     

In order to minimize the spread of COVID-19, as with the flu, if you are sick and well enough to be in school:

• Wear a mask while you have active respiratory symptoms such as a cough.

• Wash your hands frequently.

• Avoid individuals who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 for 10 days.

What is the absence policy?
Attendance at all classes, sports, and activities is a key part of the NMH Summer experience. Absences must be pre-approved by the NMH Summer office, except in cases of illness, when students may be excused by the school physician or nurses. Please note that excessive absences could impact a student’s experience and may lead to dismissal.

Whom should families contact with medical or health-related questions?
Contact our O’Connor Health and Wellness Center team at nurses@nmhschool.org. They’re here to support the health and well-being of every student.

How do families submit tuition and fees payments?
Once your student is accepted, you will receive an email from TADS (NMH Summer’s tuition management system) to create an account, sign your enrollment agreement, and submit your deposit. There will also be a number of forms for you to complete prior to arrival, which should be submitted no later than June 1. 

How do families put spending money into their student’s account?
To add funds for personal spending, families can use our online payment portal to set up a student spending account, which allows students to withdraw money from the NMH cashier in the school store. 

NMH spending accounts should be set up ahead of time, when paying the tuition bill, by including an extra amount designated for the account. This can be done through our online payment portal on the NMH Summer website by adding the dollar amount under “Student Spending Account.”

Students with a TD Bank card can also use the on-campus TD Bank ATM without fees. Families should plan ahead, as withdrawals from NMH accounts are only available at specific hours when the school store is open. Carrying large amounts of cash should be avoided.

How much money should I bring?
Students usually bring money for toiletries, snacks, trips, and travel needs, such as airport expenses. The amount varies from family to family but is typically between $50 and $200 per week.

How can families check their account balance?
Families may contact billingquestions@nmhschool.org for account balance inquiries.

What courses are offered for credit?
Only Algebra 1 and Geometry (marked with an asterisk in the course descriptions) are eligible for academic credit, potentially satisfying full-year course requirements. A transcript with the student’s letter grade will be provided at the end of the program, but final credit decisions rest with the student’s regular school.

How much homework will I have?
Homework varies by course. Rising 7th- and 8th-graders can expect around two hours per day, while rising 9th- to 12th-graders may have up to three hours of homework, projects, or group work. English-Language Immersion students should anticipate two to three hours of homework daily.

Are classes held every day?
Classes run Monday through Friday, with no minor courses or sports on Wednesday or Saturday afternoons or on Sundays. Some credit-eligible math courses may also meet on Saturday mornings.

Can I change my course selections?
Course changes are rare but may be possible during the first few days of the session if initiated by a teacher and approved by the NMH Summer director. Limited changes before the start of the program may be available; all requests must be emailed by a parent or guardian before May 1. No changes are allowed after the first Wednesday of the session.

Are there prerequisites for courses?
Prerequisites are listed in the course descriptions to guide students in selecting the best fit. Proficiency, rather than just grade level, is considered when assigning students to courses, with adjustments made as needed during the first days of class.

How should families address mail to their NMH Summer student?

Please use the following format:

[Student’s Full Name]
[Dormitory Name]*
NMH Summer
One Lamplighter Way
Mount Hermon, MA 01354
USA

*Dormitory assignments will be provided at registration.

How can students mail things?
Students can mail items from the campus mail room, located next to the Blake Student Center.

What should families do if they cannot reach their student?
If you’re unable to reach your student by phone, text, or email, please contact their advisor or, if unavailable, the dorm head. You’ll receive advisor and dorm head contact details at the start of NMH Summer.

Is there internet access in the dorms?
Wireless internet is available throughout campus, including dorms.

How do families contact the NMH Summer office?
The NMH Summer office is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 12:30 pm. For questions, call 413-498-3290 or leave a voicemail outside of office hours. If urgent, call the NMH Summer campus duty dean at 413-498-3326. You can also email summer@nmhschool.org.

For medical or health-related questions email the O’Connor Health and Wellness Center team at nurses@nmhschool.org.