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North Shore Country Day recently welcomed middle school families to campus for an alumni panel, an opportunity to hear directly from students and graduates about the upper school experience and the transition to college. The conversation offered a thoughtful, candid look at academics, student life, and what comes next.

The panel, moderated by Director of College Counseling Kristen Kaczynski, brought together three recent alumni and one current senior, each at a different point in their educational journey. Neil Behl ’23, now a junior at Harvard University, Ned Sprenger ’25, a freshman at Northwestern University, and Isabel Roberts ’25, a freshman at Washington University in St. Louis, were joined by Lexie Smith ’26, a current North Shore senior navigating the college process this year.

Together, they reflected on their experiences in the classroom, on the field and stage, and within North Shore’s close-knit community — offering middle school families a window into what the next four years can look like.

Academics With Depth and Support
A central theme of the conversation was academic preparation. Panelists spoke about the rigor of North Shore’s curriculum and, just as importantly, the support that accompanies it. From small class sizes to strong relationships with teachers, each shared how learning to seek help, engage deeply with material and advocate for themselves became invaluable once they reached college.

“Because there’s such a culture of interacting with faculty at North Shore, that skill carries over really well,” Neil said. “A lot of my friends [at Harvard] won’t go to office hours, but it’s something I learned here and still use all the time.”

Several alumni echoed that sentiment, noting that the habits they developed at NSCD — meeting with teachers outside of class, managing demanding workloads and balancing multiple commitments — made the transition to college-level academics smoother than expected. Others reflected on how being encouraged to challenge themselves outside their comfort zones, particularly in subjects they didn’t initially gravitate toward, helped broaden their interests and confidence.

Exploring Interests Beyond the Classroom
Beyond academics, panelists emphasized the freedom North Shore students have to explore a wide range of interests. From athletics and Model United Nations to theater production, entrepreneurship, ceramics and Global Online Academy courses, each speaker shared examples of trying something new simply because they could.

“At North Shore, you’re encouraged to try whatever you’re interested in — even if you have no experience,” Isabel said. “That’s a lot harder to do once you get to college.”

Neil highlighted how that flexibility extends into the academic program itself. “I can’t think of another place where you’d be able to start a business and have it count as an academic class,” he said. “That kind of agency was one of the most meaningful parts of my experience.”

For Lexie, that openness translated into opportunities she hadn’t anticipated before transferring to NSCD from New Trier after her sophomore year. “There are so many things that I didn’t even realize were possible until I got here — classes, sports, experiences that I just wouldn’t have had access to at a bigger high school,” she said.

Experiential learning, including Interim Week, also featured prominently in the discussion. Panelists described travel experiences both domestic and abroad, as well as local programs rooted in service and social impact, that expanded their worldviews and left lasting impressions.

The Power of a Small Community
For many families in attendance, questions about school size and social dynamics were top of mind. Panelists spoke candidly about the benefits of North Shore’s small, relationship-driven environment, noting how well-known students feel by peers, faculty and staff.

“The teachers really look out for you here,” Ned said. “They know what you’re interested in, they want to help, and you feel that every day.”

Isabel also reflected on how the close-knit setting helps students develop important interpersonal skills. “Sometimes the closeness means you have to work through things instead of walking away — but that’s actually a really important skill to learn,” she said.

A Strong Foundation for What’s Next
The evening also underscored the success of North Shore’s current seniors as they prepare for graduation. Members of the Class of 2026 have already been accepted to more than 75 colleges and universities across the United States and abroad — a testament to the breadth of paths students pursue after North Shore and the strong support they receive from NSCD’s college counseling office.  

As the panel concluded, one message rang clear: There is no single definition of success and no single path through upper school. What North Shore offers is the space, support and opportunity for students to find their own.

For middle school families weighing an important decision, the alumni panel provided reassurance, perspective and a compelling look at what’s possible when students are known, challenged and supported every step of the way.