Scattergood is my home away from home, it’s a place that inspires me to learn and become my best self. The teachers are so supportive and always make themselves available if I need help or have questions, and each class has its own unique style of learning that you can’t find in a public school. My advisor is amazing and always makes time to take me out to the store if I need to buy food, or even just to hang out in Iowa City.

"This place fills me with a sense of self so strong it's indescribable, the lessons I've learned in and out of the classroom will stay with me for life."

“I love Scattergood because of the overall environment. For example, in classes I am encouraged to speak, and we have discussion-based classes where I feel like I am actually learning, rather than just remembering. We are encouraged to not only grow academically but as individuals, too. I love crew because it gives me not only the skills I may need for future jobs/odds and ends, but it instills a work ethic I didn't have before.”

Being immersed in a community of his peers that truly embrace him for who he is has been wonderful. The connections our son has made here, both with students and staff, have helped to shape him and will stay with him throughout his life. Before coming to Scattergood, he was in public school, where he did not find enough academic challenge. At Scattergood, the teachers have both pushed him intellectually and nurtured him as a whole person. His experience here has helped him to develop into a confident, assertive and thoughtful young man. Scattergood has truly been a bridge for him to cross from childhood into adulthood, and I know he is well prepared for college and beyond.

Scattergood matters because it provides an environment apart from the ills of our culture, one which honors the development of a whole person and the exploration of the soul. It is at once a home, a place of academic learning, and a place to learn about what really matters. 

We can't exaggerate how important Scattergood is for our son and for our family as a whole. The Scattergood experience allows him to shine in ways we never anticipated. For one, he is able to channel the talents he brought with him in new and creative ways. More importantly, the environment of supportive faculty-staff and students gives him the confidence to try and succeed at subjects, tasks, physical challenges, and social contexts he would have otherwise shied away from. No doubt about it: Scattergood has been just to place to nurture the talents and broaden the learning of our high school student. Check it out! 

We were so happy to find Scattergood when we did. My child was not happy and, therefore, not excelling with the public school experience and truly needed the peaceful community environment that Scattergood provides. From the moment we stepped onto campus for our first visit, we knew this was a special place and one which encourages individual growth alongside the challenging educational curriculum. Close proximity to baby farm animals sealed the deal for all of us. Our only negative to speak of was not enrolling earlier—my child attended during junior and senior years only and we wish this had been a full four year experience.  At the time of enrollment and looking back now, the decision to enroll in Scattergood was more important than college admission. Scattergood helped my child form into a fully-rounded, community-focused, education-loving young adult. We are forever indebted to the caring community that is Scattergood.