Mission and Philosophy
Academic Excellence
Excellence in education is achieved most readily when high academic standards and enthusiasm for learning are both present in the school environment. We are dedicated to nurturing our students' natural curiosity and passion for learning.
Our program integrates intellectual inquiry, academic skills,
and creative arts with the awareness that development in each
of these areas is complementary and enhances human potential.
We believe academic disciplines should be cultivated and refined
side by side with creativity, responsibility, and self-esteem.
We encourage the development of critical thinking and writing
skills, thoughtful self-expression, and honest reflection as
part of the learning process. We strive to make sure our students
are both academically and emotionally prepared to meet each
new level of educational challenge with confidence and enthusiasm.
We offer a rigorous academic program that meets
the highest standards of college preparedness without losing
sight of the true purpose of an education. We want our students
to acquire all the necessary skills and self-discipline that
are needed for college and beyond. However, we also want our
students to have a multi-faceted education that exposes them
to a broad variety of subject areas as they discover their innate
talents and develop a love of learning that will serve them
throughout their lives.
Creative Self-Expression
Familiarity with the creative process is developed through classes in fine art, performing arts, computer art, journalism, dance and vocal music. All students study these subjects throughout their school career. We believe that understanding the creative process and practicing and expressing creativity allows the student to apply that process in any chosen setting including academics, the workplace and social situations.
We integrate academic pursuits with creative arts in the belief
that each enriches the other. The arts offer a context for students
to work cooperatively together across age and gender groupings,
and participate in activities where they can overcome fear of
presenting themselves to a wider audience, and overcoming perceived
limitations in the creative process.
Our drama, choir, and dance performances involve
virtually every student both on and off stage. These activities
give our students an opportunity for positive self-expression,
be it as a performing artist, a prop designer, a stage manager,
or a promoter. Over the past few years, the school has produced
shows such as The Baker's Wife, Pippin, Working, Fiddler on
the Roof, The Pirates of Penzance, The Matchmaker, Oliver, Romeo
and Juliet, and Chorus Line.
The school also stages an annual school-wide production of The Ramayana, an ancient Indian epic that depicts the battle of good versus evil. The Ramayana is not only a wonderful vehicle for artistic and creative expression, but also for teaching positive values, and working cooperatively on a large scale. The production is a community event, bringing parents, faculty and students together in a common enterprise.
Character Development
Positive character development is at the core of our educational program. We recognize that each student's character is influenced both by the explicit curriculum in our course offerings and the implicit curriculum expressed in the daily life of our school community.
In our academic program we focus on learning that brings forth thinking and discussions of ethical relevance. We also strive to create opportunities for students to practice positive character traits and to engage in open and honest communication through such programs as service learning, student government, communications class and the student guidance system. We encourage school-wide activities such as group travel, theater productions and athletic events in which older students are given the opportunity to mentor and care for younger students.
In the natural course of events a student discovers challenges and obstacles in life. Our staff is dedicated to helping students reflect positive ways of dealing with whatever situation is confronting them. We work closely with families and a variety of community resources to encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas around the many issues that confront youngsters in our modern society. Our goal is to help our students discover the importance of being respectful, accountable and caring to others while developing those characteristics that will make them worthy of their own self-respect.
Our school is part of a larger community that is dedicated to a spirit of non-harming, cooperation and respectful relationships. Our faculty and support community offer constant daily examples of people striving to realize positive values such as compassion, honesty, cooperation, fairness, dedication and human decency in their daily lives. In all that we do, we are attempting to train our students to lead and to serve; to take responsibility; to acquire self-discipline; and to care for one another.
