A week before students arrive on campus in September, Deerfield hosted their Rising Scholars Program (RSP) for new students unaccustomed to Deer field’s rigorous academic schedule and environment. (RSP) is a four-day residential program that takes place in the days leading up to school and is designed and endorsed by the Office of Inclusion and Community Life, the Office of Admission, and the Academic Dean’s Office. RSP provides incoming students an early opportunity to experience living and learning at Deerfield.
Regarding the program’s objectives, Math Teacher and leader of RSP Sheryl Koyama said, “getting [students] used to the way teaching and learning happens in different classrooms is the biggest part of it.” Ms. Koyama originally started the program in 2006, and it has evolved to incorporate more incoming students, along with more RSP proctors and faculty members. When the program was introduced, only twenty 9th graders were invited. Since then, all new 9th and 10th graders have the opportunity to apply and the admission officers select which students they believe would benefit from RSP the most. This year, 36 students participated in the RSP program.
Regarding how RSP benefits students’ first few weeks at Deerfield, Teddy Cyr ’27, who took part in the RSP program this year, shared, “RSP made him feel good going into the first few days as he knew some faces,” and that the program made the first day of classes not feel like a first day of school.
Julie Yan ’26, another RSP attendee, added, “I was really looking forward to coming to Deerfield and meeting new people. RSP helped a lot because I met so many of my friends there.”
Cyr also highlighted the academic preparation RSP provided with mock Science, History, and English classes: “RSP showed me how much homework I was going to get, showed me how to manage it, and offered many suggestions about how to break it down,” he said.
Preyas Sinha ’24, a two time RSP proctor, said that “being able to get on campus early and meet a ton of other kids in the same exact boat is extremely helpful.” He also mentioned that the connection and relationships between RSP proctors, and RSP students are “super valuable as they add another person who can support the new students on top of normal proctors and Green Keys.”
Despite the challenging transition, Annie Egleston ’27 noted, “Looking back, I am so thankful for the relationships [RSP] has given me and for the friends I have made.”
RSP continues to operate every September and program’s leaders plan to expand their initiatives to support new students throughout the school year. Ms. Koyama outlined that meetings between RSP proctors and students would create “a real opportunity for older students to share with younger students things that are coming up in the year,” therefore extending RSP’s supportive capabilities.