Word: putney
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...value, and even necessity, of the arts is accepted as axiomatic, and serves as a clear example of the way in which Putney uses the community as an instrument of persuasion and education. Jazz was for a long while virtually non-existent, not because of any ban, but because the prevailing school opinion looked down upon it as a lower art form, if an art at all. But despite any opposition, there is hardly a single alumnus for whom classical music is not an important part of life. Music has been important principally because of the school's dynamic musical...
Sports are not a major element at Putney for two reasons: first of all the school dislikes competition in all forms, and dislikes especially the idea of the "big game." In the second place, there is the extensive work program...
...return, the students gain the experience of various different skills, and an acquaintance, at least, with some types of work they are not likely to encounter later in life. Many students find working on the farm, for example, among the most rewarding experiences Putney has to offer. The farm used to be a more integral part of the school than it is now, but those who work on it still have a chance to become familiar with some aspects of the problem of agriculture today...
...activities--classes, work and household jobs, evening activity groups, and skiing--boys and girls take part togehter. Co-education is the most famous and controversial feature of Putney; it is also one of the most successful and realistic of the school's policies. Putney provides a more normal situation than does the traditional academy without creating any problems which would not arise in an ordinary community. Despite the popular stories concerning "free love", what Mrs. Hinton termed "boy-girl" problems are actually minor, with very little proctoring, and even less promiscuity...
Academically, Putney is prevented from any major experimentation by the increasing demands of preparing for, and getting into college. In the hope that work will be done for its own sake, rather than because of competitive ambitions, marks are kept only for college records, and are not revealed to the student, who is only told if he is failing or non-certifying; written reports are given three times a year. This system does eliminate personal competition, but students are perfectly aware that they are being marked, and that college depends upon those marks...