FORWARD

The Crescent Centre for Boys’ Education: Discovering How Boys Learn Best

Introduction to the 2020-2021 CCBE Report

Michael Fellin P’24 - Headmaster of Crescent School

It is my joy to invite you to review the Annual Report of the Crescent Centre for Boys’ Education (CCBE), a summary of Crescent School’s professional learning and research dedicated to serving the teaching and learning of boys. Despite the various challenges faced by schools over the past year, I am very proud of the CCBE’s continued success following their inaugural year of operation.

First, it was a year of creation. The CCBE added a fourth area of focus to their platform, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, to ensure this work has a permanent home in the Crescent community. We know there is still much work to be done and much to learn so that schools for boys are indeed places of belonging. In addition, they formed an Advisory Panel of international thought leaders to support and guide each area of focus. We are grateful for these men and women who have dedicated their time to influence the strategic direction of the CCBE.

Second, it was a year of new partnerships. Crescent School was the only Canadian school invited to participate in SPARC: a research consortium among faculty and students at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education and school leaders, faculty and students at a cohort of leading independent schools. In doing so, we have mobilized student insights and voices to improve our school culture, policies, and practices. We also became partners with ISEEN (Independent School’s Experiential Education Network), allowing us to deepen our access to experiential learning opportunities for staff. Crescent’s participation in and influence on the world of education continues to expand.

Finally, it was a year for Crescent staff to contribute to this global body of research dedicated to “discovering how boys learn best.” The research briefs shared in this report demonstrate how our faculty are improving the ways our boys learn and experience school.

Crescent School is blessed to have Dr. Sandra Boyes and Ms. Trish Cislak leading our research culture alongside dedicated staff who are eager to explore their work at a deeper level. There is much to look forward to next year as we long for greater normality, including the further development and expansion of the CCBE.