I was at the Abelard School for four years, covering Grade 9 through the old OAC year. I am now studying for my BA at the University of Cambridge, reading Computer Science at Clare College. I enjoyed my time at the Abelard School a great deal, and it has prepared me very well for life “after graduation.”

 At Abelard, I had the opportunity to pursue, in depth, a very wide range of disciplines. Those I chose ran the gamut from classical Latin to philosophy, French, Russian, mathematics and science. These were united by being approached as valid and rigourous mental disciplines. I remember learning about such a diverse range of subjects as being a real joy, and I remember becoming conscious that there was and is something genuinely liberating about learning; what flowery tongues have called a citizenship in a republic of ideas.

 I liked the people at Abelard; they were vibrant and interesting; and I think that had something to do with our teachers expecting us to be independent, responsible and thinking. Being treated as rational, independent people helped make us such.

 This summer, I'm working as a summer research student intern in the Computer Laboratory, the Cambridge University computer science department.  The job is fun; it's also a good way to get an idea of the various activities going on in the Lab, where I hope eventually to study for a PhD.

I continue to keep in touch with Abelard, and I'm still grateful for my time there. It was and is a special community.