The Oliverian School’s new promotional DVD, Experience Oliverian, was created by Tom Townsend, an advertising executive with Rogers Townsend in St. Louis, MO, and was made possible by Tom and his wife, Jeanne. Their son, Alex, was one of Oliverian’s first graduates, and they have been long supporters of the School. In presenting the DVD to Oliverian, Tom wrote to Randy regarding his motivation for doing so:
“At its very foundation, Oliverian is a unique alternative for high school students and their families. When we try to discuss what that difference is between Oliverian and a more traditional academic experience, we inevitably end up having to reduce this great, inspiring uniqueness to words that have become clichés in any conversation around secondary education. We lean on words like "boarding school," "adventure," "college preparatory," "therapeutic," “non-therapeutic,” “public school,” "private school." We say it’s great for kids who might need a therapeutic-like school, but also for kids with no need for one at all. It’s as good for scholars and athletes as it is for those with social, academic and behavioral issues. In other words, we end up with a somewhat amorphous, unwieldy answer to the question.
But that’s when we’re trying to answer rationally. The video is our chance to answer emotionally. With sound, film, and storytelling that are crafted to stay away from the buzzwords of the business, we attempt to convey some of the Oliverian Experience that can’t be contained in words or rational thought. By being less clinical, and more human, there’s a better chance that all different kinds of parents and kids can find themselves in this place, through the video. Perhaps they can see a world in which they fit without even thinking about traditional labels and categories, and get the feeling that this place is for me. Not me, the academically challenged, or me the less than confident, or me the one who needs help getting along with others. Just me.
After all, that’s how the school approaches the kids themselves every day; as individuals full of promise, no matter who they are. So why shouldn’t we do the same when we present the school to others? That is the opportunity in the video.”- Tom Townsend, Oliverian parent ‘08
If you would like a copy of the DVD, please contact Oliverian’s Director of External Affairs, Carl J. Lovejoy, at clovejoy@oliverianschool.org. We would love to think that you might share Experience Oliverian with someone who might be looking for a school such as ours. Experience Oliverian may also be viewed by clicking on the link below, as well as the link found in the right hand column of our website’s homepage.
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The Oliverian School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Oliverian School • PO Box 98 • Haverhill, NH 03765 • 603.989.5100 • info@oliverianschool.org An Alternative College-Preparatory Private Boarding School located in picturesque New Hampshire
