For many generations, a small segment of the student body at Deerfield Academy was day students predominantly from Greenfield and South Deerfield. I was one of them. We went home every night, ate lunch separately from the boarding students and were required to attend five years to prepare for college.

Rarely involved in activities other than athletics, we were considered the “daygos,” although ethnic disrespect never occurred to us when we attended. Nevertheless, by the time that we graduated, we were the beneficiaries of terrific teachers and coaches who still have a positive influence on us today. Being local kids, there is no question that we would never have boarded at Deerfield. Yet, the day student experience was still valuable — even if it took years to realize its benefits.

Frank Boyden built the school and his “ local boys” were always a priority along with boarding students whose wealthy families became the financial backbone of the school. And, by the time we graduated there were many reciprocal benefits provided between us and the boarders in sharing our respective backgrounds.

The opportunity to attend as day students, however is about to end. Soon, only local students whose parents work at the school will be permitted to attend as day students. All others will be required to either board at the school or not attend. The school professes that a more inclusive experience will be provided with generous financial assistance.

However, if prospective students today resemble us when we attended, the number who enroll will decrease substantially. Neither we nor our parents would have chosen to enroll as boarding students a few miles away. We were local kids and wanted to stay that way. And that instinct, undoubtedly, remains similar today.

The trustees who made the decision to make Deerfield exclusively a boarding school are predominantly residents of New York, Florida and California. They do not understand that several generations of local kids who attended as day students would not have enrolled as
boarders — and others will probably be the same.

We were called the “daygos” of Deerfield. Present and future generations of local kids should have the same opportunity to earn the designation — and the benefits of a great education.

Steve Kramer, Deerfield Academy, Class of 1971

Mashpee