The general atmosphere within the academic sphere is a nurturing one filled with many enthused teachers passionate about expanding the minds of the Peddie youth from freshman to PG while encouraging their curiosities and challenging their current world views and philosophies in an effort to create a strong liberal arts background for each student in preparation for college and life beyond Peddie. Academic strengths at Peddie would definite be attributed to the STEM departments and it's strong writing program beginning with solid foundations in freshman year. I would say another strength is the selection of the teaching staff; teachers are always knowledgeable, informed, searching for ways to improve their craft to suit the needs of their students, and they are always ready to make themselves available to give the extra help some students request or may need. A big weakness academically is their language department with inconsistent levels of difficulty for each language and for being short staffed and resources, but I would attribute all of their shortcomings to the lack of funding the department receives despite having the same quality teachers. However, Peddie's biggest weakness is lack of teachers of color at the school which is something I brought to the attention of the administration. Having role models for everyone's color, creed, gender, and even sexual orientation facilitates a healthier learning environment because it create safe spaces for students to express their concerns to people they believe may have more of an understanding of their situation than others might. While it is their current biggest weakness, it is something that has improved over the last year and will improve in years to come I hope.The atmosphere amongst the students is less competitive and more collegial being that everyone understands that there are not there to compete with each other but are there to work together to enhance each other's knowledge. The competitiveness is left for the sports fields! Peddie has prepared me very well for the academic rigors of college life, it has especially helped me to get organized and prioritize as well as develop study habits that work for my sleep schedule so that I can stay ahead of the game. Overall Peddie is a wonderful place to be able to grow academically for the four most impressionable years of one's life. Advice for prospective students is to utilize all of your resource when you need help! Everyone is willing to give it, you need only say the words and take study hall periods seriously or you will be in for a lot of late nights and if you divide some of your free time for work and play you will have a lot less to do going forward! Peddie will keep you busy no doubt, but always remember to take a little time for yourself and do (reasonable) things that help you unwind at least once a week.