Student + Parent Testimonials

This program exceeded our expectations beyond description. What couldn't be checked off in an answer box is the incredible environment that facilitated such close relationships being forged in a mere three weeks. From the moment we pulled the car up in front of the quad, the level of organization and ease with which the students were transitioned was nothing short of astonishing. The staff was incredibly helpful throughout the process. The exposure she had during these three weeks couldn't possibly be packaged and marketed; I wish it could. My husband and I had only the slightest idea of what our daughter would take with her from this experience. We were delighted that it evolved into such an influential force for her, further shaping her into what and who she will become.

I had the best time of my life. I made amazing new friends and met new people that I would have never met if it was not for Explo. It was truly an amazing experience.

Explo may be the best thing we have ever given our son.

I can't say enough good things about the Explo program. This was the second year my daughter attended, and her first time boarding (both sessions), even though we only reside about 30 minutes away. The staff and the curriculum are amazing(!) and provide a great opportunity to the participants for personal and intellectual growth. My daughter had a wonderful time and met students from many places around the world. She is counting the days until she returns next summer and is already planning to participate in Explo at Yale and Wellesley. I have recommended Explo to everyone I know! Keep up the good work!

We hold Explo, as an organization, its teachers and administrators, in the highest esteem. Explo sets the gold standard.

We discovered Explo at exactly the right time in our daughter's life. She attends an excellent public school, where she is required to fit into their boxes, and she is pretty good at it. But she is so much more than that and Explo allowed her to plumb the depths of her imagination and even spurred her on a little bit. We think it is a great program for her at this stage of the game. She is looking forward to returning next summer, and so are we.

Our daughter had a marvelous summer and we were extremely impressed with how well the program was administrated. The staff was warm, responsible, and fun. The courses were terrific. Our daughter loved everything about the program! She grew so much as a person and we couldn't have asked for a better program to launch her into her senior year of high school and her journey into college. We'd recommend this program to anyone and we hope to send our son in a few years! Thanks so much!

I just wanted to let you know that this was one of the best things we have done for our son. I'm sure the Explo experience will be unforgettable and has turned him into a better human being. It was such a challenge for him in the beginning but he caught the spirit and ended up enjoying it immensely. We are really proud of him. And thankful to you all.

Keep doing what you do now — helping kids grow and learn... with terrific role models.

Your program is well thought out and well worth the tuition. The course offerings were just right in my opinion. Everything we wanted our daughter to gain from the program was accomplished and then some. My daughter would definitely like to participate in your program next summer. Congratulations on running such a superior program!

For Caroline, it has been the self-confidence and enthusiasm that have been difficult for her in the regular school year, and these are the things that she gets at Explo. I don't think I can overstate how much she loved the program, and how much I have seen her grow as a result of it over the last two years.

Overall, it was an amazing experience for my son. This was his first overnight summer experience and he was very nervous going in. He came out a changed person — more confident, more calm and feeling like he really defined some interests. He also now has friends from all over the world!

My son attended Explo last year (6th grade) for the first time. He instantly liked it. This year (7th grade), he liked the program even more. He enjoyed the courses and activities, and he also enjoyed very much helping the staff. Thank you for giving him the chance to work as a "half-staff!!" As parents, my husband and I never felt insecure about the program. You were always quite responsive, which is very important for a family like us who sends their child from overseas. My son is completely ready to return to Explo, and looks forward to being a real staff member in the future. Thank you very much for the wonderful experience!

Explo was amazing. The classes, workshop, and staff members were great. I learned so many life skills and made a bunch of friends. I loved the diversity of Explo — every day I met someone new from somewhere different.

Fantastic program. Coming from me, this is tremendous — I have complaints about everything. You guys ran a crack operation — my son had the time of his life and I had total confidence that you were handling all situations. The obviously elaborate infrastructure made me very comfortable, ensured my son's great summer but never got in his way. Good work! We'll see you next summer.

The best experience my daughter has ever had. It was well worth it.

Kimberly had the BEST time there and she did not want to come home when it was all over. It was everything I wanted for her and more.

I've sent my kids to many programs over the years but this one exceeded all expectations. The overall Focus program structure is outstanding. Jerome's ability to educate and his knowledge of culinary arts has made a huge difference in my daughter. She remembered everything. She came home from Explo with a love and passion for the culinary arts. She puts everything she learned into action in our kitchen (with chef coat on to create the ambiance). I hope he realizes the impact he had on these kids. He really made a difference that will last a lifetime.

Explo has been a perfect fit for our son, and we are big fans. For Gabe it opened up a world of opportunity to be the person he wanted to be, and it has been crucial to his confidence and now extended network of friends.

I am not sure where to begin! I am lucky to have a child who shares a lot of stories and there were so many! I was determined to remember names but there were so many that I couldn't keep track of them all. Avi made a point of telling me that every staff member was great. I was able to read between the lines of his stories and it was obvious to me that every effort was made from the minute he got off the plane to make him feel at home. I was also very impressed with the safety standards, variety of courses, and weekend trips that were offered. This being Avi's first trip away from home I couldn't have asked for a better program with a great staff. Please thank everyone from the deans office down for a job well done.

I really love everything the program has to offer. Between meeting new people from around the world, to having responsibilities and learning to be independent and confident, Explo is a great place to go while growing up.

My son finally wanted to go to Explo (his more academic sister begged us to go and enjoyed two years of it). I was thrilled that he loved it, met fantastic people, and had a totally different, yet amazing, experience than his sister. I told him that Explo was all kinds of people (not just people like his sister), but a part of me was afraid that I was selling him a bill of goods. But, thankfully, my instincts of what I had observed during the years that my daughter attended were correct. My son loved it and got so much out of it. Though my daughter asked us to go and Explo seemed like it was perfect for her, I think my son got more from it than my daughter because he has always been more hesitant to embrace his intellectual side. So he truly tried things he never would have tried and put himself out there in a way that he would never do staying home... I think my son will now be a different person as he approaches college and life because he has a different perspective about the world and just interacting with people. I know I am going on and on, but I really think this was life-changing for him…

Thank you so much for a wonderful summer. I made so many friends while at Explo, and I had the opportunity to take classes and learn about so many unique subjects. I was introduced to so many new ideas and different forms of thinking. All of my teachers were engaging and obviously passionate about their subject. This past summer was one of the best summers of my entire life, and I want to thank you for creating such an incredible program.

Can't wait until next year! It is the highlight of their summer.

Explo was just what my daughter needed this summer — a mix of fun, friends, and the exposure to new activities and ideas. She loved every member of her living group and felt a true sense of belonging.

We're starting to begin saving now towards next year so that both kids can come. Please, please, please tell all involved — staff, advisors, everyone in the background and in the foreground — that we were thoroughly impressed by and grateful for the thoughtfulness and integrity of all involved. No better role models and friends than our son found under your guidance. THANK YOU!

Explo was even better than I had hoped. We knew Thomas was happy because we almost never heard from him. He wants to return next year. So do I!

Great experience! She LOVED it and made lifelong friends. Loved when she called home on how to do laundry, and that she and her roommate were buying a Swiffer to clean their common room!!!! She grew and matured a lot and can't wait for college now. I highly recommend the program and look forward to her brothers attending in a few years!