Message from Mary Marcy

On behalf of the community of Bard College at Simon's Rock, I extend a warm welcome to you.

If you have taken the time to visit our site—and, I might add, if you are willing to read a message from the provost—then you most likely know that Simon’s Rock is unique among American liberal arts colleges.

Simon’s Rock was founded in 1966 as the nation’s first institution devoted to early college. We accept students to begin college immediately after their tenth or eleventh grade. We give them an exceptionally challenging liberal arts curriculum, an extraordinary amount of personal attention, and a strong social network of their peers. Our graduates leave with an A.A. or a B.A. and a remarkable record of experience: advanced research, original scholarship, internships, study abroad, year-long senior projects. They go on to do important, meaningful work.

If you wander through the electronic version of Simon’s Rock, you will gain a good sense of what we offer: a small, strikingly diverse community of smart, creative, self-motivated students who are passionate about ideas and hungry for intellectual engagement. A group of adults—faculty, advisers, and professional staff—who respect students' intelligence and nurture their interests. Facilities that have been recently renovated or newly built: a beautiful athletic center, a stunning arts center, fully equipped science labs, a new student center. And, crucially, a chance for students to test themselves, explore new ideas, pursue their passions, and discover the wider world.

Of course, the best way to understand who we are and what we do is to visit our campus in the Berkshires. We welcome your interest, and we look forward to seeing you.

Mary B. Marcy
Provost, Bard College at Simon's Rock