A memorable gap semester in New England, close-knit community and adventure

The gap year at Glen Brook was a very rich and memorable experience for our teen. It was everything we had hoped for in a gap year program as parents, and in many ways, even more. After finishing high school, our teen was feeling burned out and not quite ready for the next step. What drew us to Glen Brook was the strong emphasis on community, time in nature, and hands-on learning, all within a small, close-knit environment that values reflection and relationships. The students live together in a beautiful house, surrounded by magnificent landscapes, and have the chance to experience the magic of fall in New England with all its colors.

During the program that our child attended in the fall 2025, the students went on multiple hikes that pushed them outside their comfort zone and taught lasting skills. They worked with wood and metal, cooked meals, and took part in the day-to-day rhythm of the community. The part our kid loved most, though, was working with the animals, caring for chickens, sheep, and cows.

The Program Director, MJ, and the rest of the team are phenomenal. They are incredibly skilled at creating a supportive, tight-knit group while guiding young people through both challenges and growth. They push students in the right ways, while also providing the support and structure they needed.

We are so grateful for this experience and cannot recommend the program highly enough. It truly gives young people the space to grow, learn about themselves, and create memories that stay with them for life.