For eighth graders from within the district, coming into New Trier can already be an intense transition (especially with defining events like the freshman mixer).
This transition is even more daunting when it’s a move from a different city, state, or even country.
Yet, despite the initial stereotypes expected from New Trier, most new students also agreed they were exaggerated.
Ryan Escaso is a senior who moved to the district this past June, and had previously attended Whitney Young. “There’s these stereotypes of suburban schools- stuck up, and with general snootiness,” said Escaso.
But since he has started New Trier, he has not noticed any of the typical suburban stereotypes.
Gabe Kudirka, a junior who moved from Evanston this past April, said, “I was expecting New Trier to just be a lot more preppy. I was expecting it to be a lot different in just how people interact, but everybody has been really friendly.”
For Kudirka, the most noticeable difference was the west wing, a new addition for all New Trier students, not only recent transfers.
“The new wing and the cafeteria are the biggest changes that I’ve noticed. The cafeteria is really great. I’ve never had real, edible food at a school cafeteria like what there is now.”
Aleks Carter moved from Arizona in early July. Although the junior had heard rumors (via Loyola connections) of cliquishness and coldness, she came to find that “everyone’s super nice, and super friendly and welcoming. You can see it just walking down the hallway. Everyone seeing anyone they know and saying, ‘hey, what’s up?’”
The school’s unique advisory program also seems to be especially apt in welcoming students new to New Trier.
Carter said, “That’s where I’ve met a lot of girls that will ask me to hang out. That’s where I’ve felt the most welcomed, it’s just like a group of friends.”
Kudirka mirrored Carter’s views marking advisory as one of his favorite changes.
Although many transfer students felt that they could easily integrate into the school’s environment, one sentiment that many kids shared was that there is a clear diversity issue at New Trier.
Escaso said, “Whitney Young was more diverse, a lot more diverse. I think that diversity within a school is important, because different perspectives and cultures matter a lot more.”
Kudirka agreed, stating that “When I was at ETHS, the diversity within the school was never something that I had noticed. Now that I’m at New Trier, I notice that diversity is very lacking.”