Violet will be the first to tell you: Dive In Commonwealth is hard. “It was a bit challenging,” says the member of the Dive In Class of 2026, “but the classes pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t think I could. It forced me to think deeper, work harder, and all around just made me a lot more confident in my academic abilities. Being surrounded by students who were just as eager to learn as I was, was a great gain!” Here’s your chance to get the inside scoop about Dive In Commonwealth, as Violet recaps what each summer day entails, as well as what to expect as a student. She also shares her affinity for puns and cats, the times when she has a weird amount of fun doing math, and what she would do if she was only three inches tall…

P.S. Be sure to read to the end, where Violet’s mother, Astrid, shares a parent’s perspective on Dive In!

Getting to Know You

What is bringing you joy right now?

My cat brings me joy forever. He is so cute.

When are you most enjoyably challenged?

When I work on something that, yes, is hard, but the material I am grappling with is something I understand.

What never fails to make you laugh?

I find puns incredibly funny. I could come up with my own and just spend the next few minutes silently laughing at my unfunny joke. Even if I don’t always understand them at first, I love clever word play.

What does your perfect day look like?

If I am shrunk down to about three or four inches, and I get to spend the whole day submerged in a perfume cap full of warm water, that would be my perfect day.

How do you spend your time outside of school?

I like to teach myself things I don’t really get to learn anywhere else—like one time, I tried teaching myself the entire dance to this one J-pop song. Other than that, I usually spend my time outside of school drawing, reading, or working on homework.

What was/is your favorite class (at Dive In or elsewhere) and why?

I really enjoyed the math classes at Dive In. When I finally started to understand the material—because it was all far different than what I was used to at my own school—I found myself having a weird amount of fun working out all the math problems, which I didn't think was possible. Working things out without the use of a calculator was also a new sort of challenge, but when I finally figured the problem out myself, the result was all the more rewarding.

The Dive In Commonwealth Experience

What drew you to Dive In?

I like to learn, and the Dive In program was learning over the summer. It was something productive to do over break, and it was a way to perfect my academic craft while meeting new people who liked to learn just as much as me.

What stands out in your memory when you think about Dive In?

One of the very first friendships I made in Dive In was with a girl who was coincidentally really into the same sort of niche video game I really liked at the time. A memory that stands out whenever I think of Dive In is one where my phone is propped up against a water bottle playing one of those “guess the character” videos on YouTube, and us yelling out answers while simultaneously arguing about them as if there were any real stakes to the silly game. I think it might just be one of my favorite memories of all time.

Can you walk us through a typical day in the summer program?

We started with close-reading Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings in English and discussing all the uses of figurative language we could find as well as what they might mean the author was trying to discuss. There was then recess, which was spent either eating, doing homework, or socializing while we listened to the morning announcements. Then there was math, which was spent working on problems and learning about old math equations no one has yet to be able to solve. We had lunch after that, and what followed was either a study period or SSAT prep classes. There was then one class that was different depending on the person, which always had an arts connotation. Finally, the typical day would end with either a science or humanities class.

What have you learned about yourself, and how have you changed since joining Dive In?

Joining Dive In taught me that I am capable of doing far more than what I thought I could. With hard work, dedication, and asking for help when I need it, I am able to learn anything!

How did the work you did in Dive In affect the work you did at school?

By the time we returned to school in September, the work I did at Dive In did put me quite a bit ahead of my peers. A lot of what we learn at school is forgotten by the time the summer is over, so studying and going to class throughout the break was a great way for me to retain all of that academic information, as well as learn a few new tricks that helped me out at school a ton. However, one of my favorite results of going to Dive In was how it influenced my time in English class, because every time we would have a new set of vocab words to memorize, I would already know them all thanks to all the vocabulary work we did over the summer!

How did Dive In compare to your expectations?

I honestly didn’t know what to expect from Dive In, but I think regardless, attending Dive In far exceeded my expectations. It was a bit challenging, yes, but the classes pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t think I could. It forced me to think deeper, work harder, and all around just made me a lot more confident in my academic abilities. Being surrounded by students who were just as eager to learn as I was, was a great gain! 

What is your advice for other students considering Dive In (or similar programs)?

If you truly love learning and aren't afraid of a challenge, I say go for it! It won't always be easy, but that's the fun of it. You'll grow academically, personally, and meet a whole ton of people who’ll inspire you greatly. If you're ready to work hard and push yourself, I can guarantee you won't regret applying!

The Parent Perspective

How did you find Dive In, and what was the application process like?

I found out about Dive In because one day my daughter came home from school so excited, telling me about this program that was "exactly what she needed." She said it was challenging, for smart kids like her (lol), and full of students who truly love to learn—just like her. And when she added that it was free? I was sold!

The application process was long and took time and dedication, but it was absolutely worth it. 

What made Dive In the right choice for your family?

Choosing Dive In was one of the best decisions we've made. It's rigorous and requires commitment but that's Violet: dedicated, responsible, and fully committed. It matched her personality perfectly.

What impact has Dive In had on your child?

The program has exceeded all our expectations academically. The impact has been incredibly positive and the results are noticeable. Her academic level was already strong, and now it's truly extraordinary.

What would you say to other parents who are considering Dive In for their children?

To other parents: if your child has that natural hunger to learn, along with discipline and responsibility, this is the place. You won't regret it.

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