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Featured Students

 

AJ
12th Grade
When I was looking for a school, I wanted a place where I could learn the way I wanted to learn. I wanted the comfort and freedom of knowing that my teachers are always there for me, that they care about me and would help me find what I was looking for.
 
That’s exactly what I’ve found at Greenhills: a caring, supportive community I can depend on anyone at Greenhills. We have a connection. Everyone has a goal and a determination to do well, but there isn’t competition to be better than someone else; it is about competing with yourself to be your best. That means, then, that I can relax and not worry about how other people are doing and how it affects me. At Greenhills we can all do different things, but whatever we do – sports, drama, Science Olympiad, or whatever else – we aren’t compared to others, just seen as the person we are.
 
At Greenhills I can be independent, I can be myself, I can think, learn and be whatever I want and people will support me for it. I love Greenhills, because it is allowing me to find out who I am.
 
A member of the twice-crowned state championship boys’ tennis team, A.J. is a team co-captain. He is also the Alcove (student newspaper) editor, and serves as a lead Gryphon Ambassador and peer mentor. Rounding out A.J.’s extensive extracurricular activities are improv club, forensics and the spring musical.
Amanda
12th Grade

Being able to pursue my passion of figure skating would certainly not be possible without the amazing support of Greenhills. All the teachers have been so understanding and supportive of my skating. When I am away on competition they either prepare the material I will miss, make it readily available online, or help me catch up when I return. Greenhills has also been kind enough to let me take courses like art, wellness and Chinese studies outside of school or during the summer so I can fulfill graduation requirements. This year the school has even designed a course for me to take independently and provided a teacher who is willing to meet in off-hours.

I knew that skating would provide a challenge for me during my high school years, but I'm so happy that we decided on Greenhills.  It is a great school with a great support staff. I feel well prepared for the next step in my life and feel as though Greenhills has played a big role in the achievement of my success. 

 A skater since the age of 7, Amanda was a gold and silver medalist at the 2009 Lake Placid Ice Dancing Junior and Novice Competitions (solo) and a 2010 U.S. National Ice Dancing Novice Competitor (with partner). In 2011 she plans to skate internationally at the Junior level. Amanda's daily schedule looks something like this:
6:45 wake up
7:15 leave for Greenhills
7:45 arrive at Greenhills
11:15 leave school (eat lunch in car)
11:35 arrive at the A2 Ice Cube, quick warm-up and skate from 11:50-1:05 and 1:35-3:05 (usually takes a short nap in between sessions)
3:15-4:05 off ice (meaning stretching, lifts, ballet, ballroom, or working on program off ice)
4:15-5:05 coach private lesson (She is the youngest junior coach at the rink.)
5:15 head home (usually run into rush hour traffic)
5:50 arrive at home, then make dinner
6:30-8:00 homework
8:00 shower, then lay out clothes for next day and prepare skate bag and backpack, more homework until bed at 10:30.

Chloe
7th Grade

I came to Greenhills from an international school in Japan, where I lived for four years. Greenhills fit exactly what I was looking for:  a small school where the teachers really know the students. I like having the one-on-one attention– not like at big schools where you might have 500 students freaking out before a test and the teacher can’t be there for them because they’re too overwhelmed and just don’t have time to help. The teachers here are always available. I have every one of my teachers’ phone numbers and emails, and if I need help with homework or a test (which I haven’t yet), I can just pick up the phone and call. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Chloe, who’s originally from England, participates in forensics and track. Last year she sat on the Middle School Student Council and attended the Alternative Spring Break trip to New Orleans. She just recently auditioned for the fall middle school play, Anne of Green Gables.
 

Danny
8th Grade

My dad is an alumnus and my sister is a sophomore here, so that’s why I originally applied to Greenhills, but I’ve loved it ever since my very first day. Greenhills is a super nice, friendly place. At big schools there’s a scary feeling when you first start, but here you literally have people who jump right up to you asking if they can be your friend. There’s no scary feeling at all. It’s also challenging academically, but I like the challenge. You get rewarded for it – there’s no feeling like you’re being left in the dust.

In adition to being a Greenhills legacy student (Dad David '81 and sister Katie '13), Danny runs cross country and is in the fall middle school play Anne of Green Gables.

Marion
12th Grade
I came to Greenhills not knowing what to expect and certainly not wanting to be a "prep school kid." But within weeks I understood exactly that what I was getting into was the right thing.
 
Greenhills is not just a school, Greenhills is a community. It is a place where students are fully cared about by every one of their teachers, who earnestly push them to their full potential.  Greenhills equips you with the people skills, the student skills, and the life skills that are so crucial in this world, skills that not a lot of people have access to in as early as their high school years. It's a place where students not only study particular subjects, but also learn to be.
 
Greenhills is also a mentality. It is a place that encourages passions and provides countless opportunities to all of its students. Here, there is a drive for finesse and proficiency in all of us, and we want our voices heard, whatever the subject.
Ross
8th Grade

I love that Greenhills is small because it means that you know everyone well and if you want to play a sport you can. I live in Northville, which means I have a longer commute than most, but it's definitely worth the hike.  I know that the extra attention I get from teachers and rigorous academics will benefit me in the long run.

Sydney
7th Grade

"Here at Greenhills everyone really cares about you. Last year in 6th grade we took a class trip to a camp in Walled Lake, and it happened to be my birthday.  I was new to the school but everyone kept wishing me  'happy birthday,' which made me feel really special. I love it here and would encourage others to come here because you can really be yourself."

Viggy
12th grade
When I first stepped through the doors into Greenhills after moving from Texas in 8th grade, I was struck by how friendly everybody was. I didn’t have to try to make friends; I just had them. This was one of the most wonderful things about Greenhills, and that friendliness continues today.
 
An ordinary school day at Greenhills is anything but. First of all, one amazing thing about this school is that it is so incredibly accommodating. When I first came to the school, I was tested in every subject so that I could continue my education from where I left off in Texas. Subsequently, after taking calculus as a junior, there was no higher-level math class available to me. The Greenhills math department simply added a new class to accommodate not only me but also the nine other accelerated students in my grade. This passion to accommodate every student extends into the world of athletics as well. I am very active in volleyball, but I was able to play tennis as a sophomore and softball as a junior, both without any prior experience whatsoever. Greenhills has made my life so exceptionally fun and exciting, all in an environment that encourages learning and development in all areas.