The Crescent Centre for Boys’ Education
Discovering How Boys Learn Best
FOREWORD
Reaching the fiveyear milestone is a remarkable achievement for the Crescent Centre for Boys’ Education. I wholeheartedly commend Dr. Boyes and Mrs. Cislak for their outstanding accomplishments since its inception. The CCBE was established with the clear objective of becoming a research-based professional development center dedicated to boys’ education, while also elevating our school’s status as a global leader in theories and practices for optimal learning for boys. The Center’s activities over the past year demonstrate that this goal is indeed becoming a reality.
The Men of Character Speaker Series, presented by CCBE, serves as a platform to hear from global thought leaders on boys’ education and well-being. CCBE hosted two events last year, with three distinct modules for parent education, faculty and staff, and external school leaders and educators. Both events featured exclusive content unique to Crescent School and our boy-centric focus.
Additionally, we welcomed administrators from two American independent boys’ schools (one school even brought their Board Governors!) who were eager to learn from our proven approach.
Student action research remains a vital part of CCBE through the University of Philadelphia’s SPARC program. We had four groups of Grade 10 students conceiving, designing, and implementing research projects relating to school issues within the realms of character, belonging, brotherhood, and well-being. They then presented their findings to an expert panel at the university, as well as to our faculty and staff, and Board. This insightful student work will transcend the 2023–2024 school year as the CCBE initiates a student-led School Improvement Plan incorporating the findings from all the student research conducted through the CCBE.
I would be remiss for not thanking Mrs. Trish Cislak, who retired in June 2024, for her immense support of the CCBE. Although she will no longer be part of the day-to-day operations at Crescent, we will continue to benefit from her passion working alongside our boys in her part-time role as student research coordinator.
Michael Fellin P’24 Headmaster
EDITORS’ NOTE
Welcome to the 5th Annual Report for the CCBE.
We continued to focus our efforts towards collaborative networking with like-minded schools. The give and take between research-invested schools has advanced our understanding of boys’ schools and propelled us as a destination school for role modelling the importance and impact of the CCBE.
Our student research programs have continued to thrive and this year saw the initial framework of a student-led School Improvement Plan be developed using data from all student research conducted through the CCBE.
Our team expanded once again this year to include Lisa Weldon who joined the SPARC advisory team with Sandy Boyes, Trish Cislak, and Steve Verzyden. Lisa also served as the editor of Crescent Considers.
Lisa’s connection to the CCBE was further strengthened with her acceptance into the IBSC Action
Dr. Sandra Boyes Executive Director, Professional Learning & Research
Research Program. Her dedication to the power of research to make informed decisions is evident.
Highlights of this past year included a number of CCBE-led school and conference presentations. These efforts helped to secure the status of the CCBE as a research centre that is relevant, current and collaborative. As well, student research continues to be a feature that represents our investment in student agency and empowerment. Intersession Week proved to be an important week for the researchers to be able to invest in their work ahead of their presentations at the University of Pennsylvania in April.
The two IBSC Special Interest Groups, Relational Teaching, co-lead by Sandy and Reading Cultures in boys’ schools, co-lead by Trish continued throughout the year with conference presentations at the IBSC annual conference at Harrow School in June.
Trish made the decision to retire in June 2024. She is grateful to have been a part of the CCBE since its inception and will remain connected to the CCBE with her part-time work on the student research programs. Finally, we have been fortunate to have had the expertise and guidance of Gina Valle and Roberta Longpré as we launched the CCBE. We thank them for their time on the Advisory Panel.
Mrs. Trish Cislak Head of Libraries and Research
AREAS OF FOCUS
RELATIONAL TEACHING AND LEARNING
IBSC Relational Teaching Special Interest Group (SIG) with Dr. Peter Coutis, Scotch College, Australia
Dr. Sandra Boyes
Now in its fourth year, Dr. Boyes and Dr. Coutis continue to lead the IBSC SIG on relational learning with educators from all over the world. Last year’s focus was on sharing international perspectives and individual school journeys for embedding relational learning into faculty cultures. Many of the participants had the opportunity to connect at the June 2024 annual conference in England at Harrow School. The group continues to be relevant with several new members wanting to join for the 2024–25 academic year.
PEDAGOGY
IBSC Reading Culture Special Interest Group (SIG)
Trish Cislak
For the last 18 months, Mrs. Cislak has been working with over 25 colleagues from around the world to create a vision for this special interest group on reading culture in boys’ schools. A year-long discovery took place with five different realms that impact on a school’s reading culture. A collective workshop presentation was created and presented at the June 2024 IBSC conference to showcase the challenges boys’ schools have with reading as well as celebrating impactful programming. This project will be featured in an IBSC podcast in September 2024.
CHARACTER
CAIS School Innovation Grant Recipient
Brittany Shelly
Through the CAIS School Innovation Grant program, my research explored the effectiveness of developing social-emotional and learning skills through a peer coaching program for students with an individual education plan (IEP). A group of Grade 9 students attended weekly meetings where they took on the role of both “coach” and “mentee.”
They discussed the learning obstacles they faced and shared strategies with each other to address these challenges. This required them to be vulnerable and practise positive help-seeking behaviours. Students in the program reported that having a peer group allowed them to feel less alone in their academic challenges and helped them to become more self-aware as learners.
Additionally, they reported feeling more understanding of others, having stronger leadership skills and improved learning skills. The research suggests that a peer coaching program is a valuable tool in supporting student growth and academic self-concept. Moving forward, this provides a key learning when structuring support plans for students diagnosed with learning disabilities and/or challenges with executive function.
STUDENT PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH COLLARBORATIVE
This year, we had four student research teams investigating school issues within the realms of character, belonging, brotherhood, and well-being. We commend this fine young group of boys for their thoughtful and insightful recommendations for school improvement in each of their research domains.
From September through April, the researchers met with their peers, their Crescent teacher advisor, and their mentor from the University of Pennsylvania. They spent Intersession Week collating and analyzing their data and preparing their report for the expert panel in Pennsylvania, Crescent staff, and the Board of Governors. Their findings were collated in both research briefs and research posters, which are displayed in the Crescent library. Additionally, their recommendations have been adopted into current practice for the 2024–25 school year. We encourage you to browse their findings below and in their Board Presentation 2024.
Character
How Social Pressures Affect Growth and Individuality
The ability to share and be yourself in an environment is what we have defined as “Boyhood.” Like any society, there is a degree to how much we can share due to the many pressures from peers, family, or even self-inflicted ones. Everyone faces them and our group wants to figure out the root of this topic and alter it to create the safest environment for everyone.
Research Poster
Research Brief
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Belonging and School Culture:
Understanding Gestures as a Way to Build Belonging Between Boys
Though Crescent is a relatively tight-knit community, many students turn to chirping to gain acceptance and join a friend group. This led us to research these kinds of gestures that are more conducive to belonging and other factors that can improve students’ sense of belonging.
Research Poster
Research Brief
Relational Learning
Building Brotherhood Through Onboarding
How can the student onboarding process be improved to create authentic relationships and foster brotherhood within the Crescent Community?
Research Poster
Research Brief
Well-Being
How Safe Spaces Affect the Well-Being of Boys
How do “safe spaces” support the well-being of students at Crescent? Safe spaces are defined as places around the school where students can feel comfortable to be themselves and feel safe to be vulnerable.
Research Poster
Research Brief
SHARING OUR EXPERTISE
2023–2024 CONFERENCE
PRESENTATIONS (DR. BOYES AND MRS. CISLAK)
IBSC Regional Conference, Memphis: Building Blocks for Boys, October 2023
Prior to the pandemic, Crescent School, along with alumnus Dr. Greg Wells ’89, launched an approach to student well-being based on the principles of STEM (Sleep soundly, Think clearly, Eat smarter, Move more). Now, postpandemic, the importance of mental health is at the forefront of education. Embedding STEM 1.0 into school culture ensures younger boys have the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Embedding Well-Being Into School Culture
CAIS National Leaders’ Conference, April 2024
The Crescent Centre for Boys’ Education opened in 2019 in support of developing a research culture amongst the faculty. The Centre houses our professional library and is a dedicated space for faculty members to receive research support and onboarding training. The CCBE is also responsible for facilitating thought leaders and hosting conferences. We began embedding a research culture with our students in 2020 at the Grades 10 & 11 levels through international collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania and Challenge Success. Empowering student agency has become a key feature of the CCBE. This experience has led to the creation of a student-led School Improvement Plan.
The Power of Being A Research-Invested School
IBSC Annual Conference: Harrow School, England, June 2024
Discover how Crescent School’s investment in a research institute has furthered its mission and strategic priorities. The focus on the professional growth of middle leaders and the development of student research programs has resulted in a more engaged and connected school community and informed school improvement plans.
How School-Based Research Informs Faculty Leadership and Student Agency
IBSC Annual Conference: Harrow School, England, June 2024 (Dr. Boyes)
Dr. Boyes, along with her colleague Dr. Peter Coutis, shared an overview of activities of this special interest group, including findings from a range of projects and policies designed to promote practical, visible, and embedded approaches to the relational teaching and learning of boys across middle and upper school contexts.
IBSC Annual Conference: Harrow School, England, June 2024 (Mrs. Cislak)
Mrs. Cislak collaborated with four teachers, representing five different research realms, from boys’ school to investigate the current status and importance of a strong reading culture in boys’ schools as an IBSC Special Interest Group. Their team workshop presentation focused on sharing insights, celebrated best practices and offered inspiration for how schools can promote and engage in pursuing a strong reading culture.
Reading Culture in Boys’ Schools
Schools Hosted by the CCBE
Crescent School has become a destination school for learning about educating boys. This year we welcomed the following schools to Crescent:
• Presbyterian Day School, Memphis (October 2023)
• Montgomery Bell Academy, Nashville, TN (May 2024)
• Cultivating a Community of Care in Boys’ Schools, a School Leaders’ Workshop at Crescent (February 2024)
Publications
Trish Cislak published a chapter in Student Agency Anthology
MEN OF CHARACTER SPEAKER SERIES
The Men of Character Speaker Series was launched by the CCBE during the 2023–2024 school year. These insightful events provide an opportunity to hear from global thought leaders on the education and well-being of boys. Events are three-pronged with separate components for parent education, external school leaders/ teachers, and Crescent faculty and staff. Two events were held this past year.
The Emotional Well-Being of Boys: What Our Boys Need Right Now featuring Dr. Lisa Damour, November 29, 2023
A timely conversation with renowned psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour, author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. Dr. Damour’s discussion covered:
• how parents and other adult figures can detect when boys are struggling
• the emotional support boys need from the adults in their lives
• what boys need right now to steady their bumpy yet transformational journey into men of character
Learn more about the event here.
There’s Never Been a Greater Need: Why Boys’ Schools Matter Today More Than Ever, featuring Dr. Richard Reeves, Dr. Michael Reichert, and IBSC Executive Director Tom Batty, February 28, 2024
A CCBE exclusive opportunity to hear from three world-renowned thought leaders on boys’ education on stage together. Hosted by Dr. Sandra Boyes, our three esteemed guests addressed the struggles facing men and boys today, what parents and educators can do to meet their needs, and how boys’ schools are uniquely positioned to nurture a boy’s purpose, path and passion. The experts presented their most recent work in this area and shared practical approaches to these issues.
Learn more about the event here.
Annual Report 2023–2024 crescentschool.org/ccbe
BUILDING OUR KNOWLEDGE
Crescent Considers 2023–2024
• Crescent Considers is a series of faculty blogs presented by the Crescent Centre for Boys’ Education. Professional Learning, June 19, 2024
• Micro-PL Offerings were held during the week-long, full-school professional learning week.
ON THE HORIZON 2024–2025
• Lisa Weldon, IBSC Action Researcher
• In-House AR program
• October 2024: Men of Character Speakers Series featuring Dr. Denise Pope and Mr. Jon Klieman: Dimensions of a Well-Balanced Student (Challenge Success, Stanford University)
• March 2025: Crescent’s Middle School Research Symposium
• January and April 2025 CPA Collaboration
• New CCBE Team Members Dr. David Caverley and Caitlin Tino
• We welcome two, new CCBE Advisory Panel members: Dr. Rob Loe and Dr. Brian Carwana
CCBE
The Crescent Centre for Boys’ Education Discovering How Boys Learn Best
The Crescent Centre for Boys’ Education Discovering How Boys Learn Best