Leadership
The world that awaits our children requires intelligent, passionate, and thoughtful leadership. That's why we empower students to be leaders here and now.
Service learning
The service learning program is designed to align intentionally with our mission statement. We help our students to focus more on the quality of their volunteer work by giving them service experiences during the school day and offering guidance in their service work outside of school. Reflection is at the center of the program and is ongoing as students negotiate a variety of experiences and feelings in their quest to help others. This is invaluable in preparing our students with a strong foundation in global citizenship, as well as just learning to lend a helping hand.
Service learning includes outside-of-school volunteering at non-profits, school-day experiences, and "Give Back to Green Acres" experiences for 6th–8th graders.
School-day service occurs across grades, and we encourage at least one outside-of-school volunteer experience for students in grades 4 and 5. Sixth, 7th, and 8th grade students are required to complete two outside-of-school volunteer experiences.
Student-led initiatives
True to our progressive philosophy, we look for and support ways for students of all ages to pursue their own paths of inquiry or take on initiatives of special interest to them. In recent years, student-led initiatives have included 5th and 6th graders writing their own musical, 3rd graders launching a talent show, Middle Schoolers creating their own clubs, action groups, and workshops (e.g., Gender-Sexuality Alliance, Marine Biology Club, Day of Action), and a kindergartener presenting to pre-k about a personal passion related to the pre-k students' topic of study—just to name a few!
Cross-grade buddies
Our school-wide buddies program, which pairs older students with younger ones (e.g., 2nd grade and 7th grade; pre-k and 3rd grade) allows even Lower School students to assume a leadership role in our community. During "buddy time," older buddies might engage their younger buddies in activities, read stories to them, or attend an assembly with them. Not only does this program draw our youngest learners into the fold of student life on campus, but it gives our upper elementary and Middle School students a sense of pride and responsibility as they practice being thoughtful friends and role models.
The benefits of being comfortable talking to adults go beyond school—it's given me the confidence to approach policymakers, officeholders, and authority figures as I advocate for change.Michael '14, Walter Johnson '18, University of Pennsylvania '22