Groton "Drive-In" Provides In-Person Campus Tour

Over two weekends in March, forty-eight newly admitted families toured Groton’s campus—without leaving their cars. 

The Groton Drive-In, a blend of a driving and a video tour, welcomed families to the Circle where, due to pandemic protocols, they stayed with their vehicles except for one quick photo opportunity—but still got a good look at Groton School. 

Entering through the main gate at staggered intervals, families first were greeted by Admission team members and given a campus map with the tour route, then headed to Brooks House, the Lower School residence and first stop on the Drive-In tour, where they could pick up movie-themed snacks—after all, it was a “drive-in.” At Brooks House and every stop on the tour, they scanned a QR code that linked to a student-produced video, which took them inside campus buildings, virtually.

In addition to Brooks House, the Groton Drive-In stopped at the Dillon Art Center, the Athletic Center, the Schoolhouse, the Circle, the Headmaster’s House, Hundred House, the Dining Hall, and the Performing Arts Center.

The driving tour provided a missing piece in the pandemic puzzle of Groton admissions. “While Zoom provided a workable solution to the traditional in-person, on-campus interview, one of the major missing pieces to the application process this year was being physically present on campus—an experience which is hard to replicate virtually,” said Director of Enrollment Management Cort Pomeroy. “We felt it would be helpful to provide our newly admitted families with the opportunity to be physically present on the Circle and to see and experience our school in person.”

Mr. Pomeroy sent special thanks to the students who spent time carefully filming and editing their videos and to the Buildings and Grounds staff for beautifying the Circle after a snowy winter. Groton School's campus, designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, is known for its striking setting; it was named the most beautiful private school campus in the state by Architectural Digest. 

Families' reaction to the Drive-In has been positive, with some noting, in particular, the student-centered approach. “Choosing a school is an important, critical decision, one that is more challenging to make sight unseen,” said Mr. Pomeroy. “Before candidates say 'Yes,' we wanted as many as possible to be able to take Groton out on a test drive (pun intended) by spending time on our campus and experiencing it firsthand.”

Those who missed the Drive-In can watch the videos; footage of campus has been added to replace the in-person experience.