Student Comments
On the Hawbridge School
A Charter School and groups are different. From my experience a Charter School has someone from every group, so when groups at Charter Schools form it's with all types of diverse people. Charter Schools form groups with individuality and personality. People at Charter Schools don't try to be people pleasers because there's not enough of any one kind to try to please. Charter Schools form leaders.
- Liza
Hawbridge School gives a private school experience with no cost. Classes are small, ranging from six to sixteen students per class. The school is in a newly restored mill next to the Haw River. It was meant to be an art studio, so the lighting is wonderful. Hawbridge welcomes all sorts of students. The teachers and staff are wonderful. The teachers really care about students. Since the school is so small the teachers know about certain students' needs due to a learning disability or ADHD, and are able to comply with them. The staff knows that the life of a student can be a stressful one especially with the drama that every high school has. Another plus is that there is such a wide assortment of students. Students from any school district can come so there are kids from Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Graham, Efland, Durham, Saxapahaw, Burlington, and many more. Hawbridge is a great school due mostly to the teachers, staff, students, and surroundings.
- Caitlin
My best experience at Hawbridge School so far has been the confidence and motivation I have been receiving from my teachers. Every day they are enthusiastic about their classes and students.
- Whitney
What I've liked about Hawbridge since I came is that my grades have improved tremendously since coming. It's definitely the best school I've ever attended, with some of the nicest and friendliest teachers, faculty, and students I've ever known. I feel like my self-esteem has also improved since attending.
- Josh
I have been here for three years now and I absolutely love it. The best thing about this school is the relationship with our teachers. At other schools you don't have a personal relationship with teachers like we do here. Any time we need them they are there for us, no matter what, even if you just need a hug. I love my teachers -- they are special to me and I hope they never leave. I also love the fact that around holidays we do a lot of activities and we have a lot of fun. Our school is the best!
- Tiffany
I really like the fact that there are fewer students and with fewer students you can get more help. What I needed was more one-on-one attention. …This school has really helped me a lot.
- Brittiny
The best thing I like about this school are the students. Everyone talks to everyone else. They don't just have their own little cliqué/group of friends, like other public schools do. At my old school, nobody talked to me hardly, and I was left out of everything, and here I feel more than welcome.
- KC
The small classes are probably the thing I like best about the school. For example, my Algebra II class -- I only have ten people. If I don't understand fully, I can ask and the teacher can teach me one-on-one.
- Bryon
The thing that I like about this school is the fact that there are not that many students in the school, so therefore there's not many students in a class. Another thing I like is the lunch because we get food that people at other schools would only dream of getting. Another thing that is really great is we don't have cliqués like other schools -- we pretty much all get along.
- Hope
The best experience that I have had at Hawbridge is when I came here for the first time, they gave me opportunities that I could never have at the school I came from. They got me caught up in things that I really needed to get caught up on. And Hawbridge has very good and understanding teachers that help you a lot with things you don't understand. They don't give up on you -- they keep trying until you get what you need to know.
- Idia
The best thing about this school is that I have met great new people, and the classes are one-on-one. Everything -- how laid back it is, the teachers, the students, lunch -- everything is great.
- Charlene
Not as strict; more freedom; shorter classes; longer lunch; more one on one; fewer students.
- Brian
The class sizes are smaller than your average high school, the teachers are more concerned about each individual's personal well-being, and I get to leave school at 2:00. The creative writing course here also helped me get started on my novel that I hadn't found the time to write until I entered this class.
- Rachel
Meeting new people and knowing that the teachers are there for you and helping you get through high school and get a good career -- that's the best part of my Hawbridge experience so far.
- Melissa
What I like most about this school is that the classes are smaller, the work isn't as confusing, and we get out at 2:10.
- Brad
I would have to say the variety of people from so many places is a welcome change. I'm a social person and this school does not stifle my personality.
- Heather
What makes Hawbridge a better place than other schools is that here we can get more one-on-one time with the teachers. There aren't very many kids per class -- that's what makes it possible. I like how we call teachers by their first names. It just shows it doesn't matter what you call them, they're still the teachers.
- Laci
At Hawbridge all the teachers know my name. Know how I act. Know how well I work, and what I can do. The teachers are good at teaching. I can understand them, and they are always there for me when I need them.
- Meagan
I think the best part of my Hawbridge experience is that … I know what to expect from the teachers and when you need one-on-one help, the teachers are right by your side. They make sure that you have the capability to do your work. And that the staff here really care about you and the way you feel.
- Ashley
So far the best parts of Hawbridge are the social skills I've obtained. I like almost all of the staff this year and am getting to know most of them on a personal level. I can get help from any teacher whenever I need it even if it's not the subject they teach and there's usually something different going on every day.
- Craig
Click to go back to the top of the page.
In response to how a visit to the Ackland Art Museum helped
students to have a better appreciation for art:
I have learned to appreciate the sculptures of different countries.
- Christine
The visit helped me see all the world's varieties of art.
- Matt
I realized how pretty it is.
- Beth
Yes, because I never have seen art as old as 500 bce and I think that's cool.
- Allegra
Yes because you get ideas on new art projects.
- Anthony
It changed the way I look at art.
- Keith
It helped me open my mind a little more.
- Danielle
I learned about different media. I learned about all canvas, photography, mixed media, articulate. I also learned of many different art cultures. They are Japanese, Religious, American, African, Asian, and European.
- Nate
I did not know that earlier cultures put that much detail into their work.
- Karin
The Ackland is a nice museum, not too big, not too small. The exhibits portray the art in a clear view where people can look at it and not feel as if they are missing out on other art.
- Savannah
Definitely! It is all so awesome! I've never seen something so cool before. Everything is so different and interesting. I love it all. I'm so glad I got to come and see what real art actually is.
- Kristen
It made me appreciate other cultures.
- Heather
I would say so. I forgot that there was a lot of art in this small world. So I appreciate art a little more.
- Josh
Yes because of the variety of the art.
- Chloe
I've always had a big appreciation for art, but seeing all the Vishnu art and Krishna it made me very happy to be here.
- Katie
All the art here is very detailed and took a lot of time and is also very pretty.
- Samantha
Yes I realize all the work put into art.
- Casey
I never realized the different media and origins, but now I know.
- Lauren
Now I know how to identify and describe pottery.
- Graham
I've been able to see the time and work people have put into these art pieces.
- Kevin
I like seeing pictures and imagine what the artist wanted to draw. And, this trip made me feel that art is universal! I saw a lot of Japanese art. It was very interesting for me seeing Japanese things in America.
- Tomoka
It takes a long time to make it and it also takes a lot of imagination to create a piece of art.
- Paul
I have a better understanding of why people make art.
- Lacey