Went to Ateres…changed my life..I agree with everything lechlecha says..
I am not one of those girls that comes back and says wow everyone must go here..
I loved it but I understand not every sem is for every girl and it has to be a right fit so that you can get the most out of your year.
Ateres was amazing but you have to be someone who is genuinely looking for a year of introspection and figuring out who you want to be for the rest of your life.. The girls are out of town BY, but still all different types, but good, real, solid growing girls. The school is small and everyone knows eachother and the teachers know each girls which was amazing for me, although some people like bigger schools. The thing with the academics is that its not just reading Rambams and Rashis and writing reports like other schools..it is very intellectually stimulating, for girls who like to think, question, and understand, not necessarily just learn academically. Hashkafa through text, not just fluff, but sources, thats what makes the changes stick..They do have two tracks, for girls who want to work on a more academic level, and girls who would rather not have to prepare meforshim and do assignments. (I was in level aleph and didnt really do well on tests or homework, Level two was not enough of a challenge, I didnt go on a transcript and no one will ever see my terrible grades, shhh don’t tell the shadchan.)
4 Years out of seminary and still inspired 🙂
(Just my persective on Afikei from my many friends who went there, and I actually applied there as well… not so intellectual, but full of amazing hashkafa and growth, it is not considered a BY school at all.)