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INSPIRING THE BEST
IN EVERY BOY
THE BOYS’ LATIN SCHOOL OF MARYLAND
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“At Boys’ Latin, each boy is encouraged to find his passion and develop his strengths. Our graduates leave BL well prepared for the challenges of the 21st-century, equipped with the skills and abilities to act with courage, integrity and compassion for others. At Boys’ Latin, good boys grow to be great men.” Christopher J. Post Headmaster 1
Boys’ Latin School of Maryland is the oldest independent, nonsectarian college preparatory school for boys in Maryland. 2
I N S P I R I N G B OY S
The future is now. A life takes shape quickly. At the Boys’ Latin School of Maryland, boys grow into thoughtful young men of character and compassion. Guided by a proven philosophy of education that reaches back to our founding in 1844, Boys' Latin (BL) offers a learning environment focused exclusively on boys—one that takes advantage of their natural learning styles and helps each student guide his unique gifts toward the most promising future.
BL has always been committed to providing a close-knit and supportive community that celebrates the widest possible range of expression—academic, artistic and athletic. In the extraordinary facilities of our beautiful campus in north Baltimore, boys discover an academic program that challenges them to do their best, and they find inspiration to become their best.
“To me, Boys’ Latin is part of my family. We all support each other, all the way.” Upper school student
MEN OF CHARACTER
ONE SCHOOL
PERSONAL BEST
Here, students are schooled in traits increasingly recognized as crucial among successful adults in a connected world—confidence, character and social conscience.
We educate boys K-12, but BL is truly One School. Older students mentor younger ones, and everyone plays a starring role in our close-knit learning community.
At BL, we pay careful attention to the needs of each individual boy. We respect his unique style and nurture his special gifts.
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Boys’ Latin was founded on the principle that boys learn best when their unique interests and talents are taken into account. 4
I N S P I R I N G L EA R N I N G
Growing by doing. There’s potential in every boy. We bring it out sooner. Whether it’s hatching trout and releasing them into the wild or conducting forensic science examinations at a simulated crime scene, throughout the years, learning at BL is hands on—and it happens everywhere.
In small classes and across disciplines, faculty work together to inspire each boy’s individual strengths to master every challenge. This collaborative approach is supported by the best research on how boys learn. We know, for example, that boys respond to positive reinforcement and competition, and that in such an environment, boys will achieve at their highest levels. For our highest achievers, we offer college-level courses to challenge seniors beyond regular and advanced placement (AP) coursework.
“Boys’ Latin School is an environment in which boys can mature into productive, well-rounded young men.” Mother of upper school student
EXPLORING IDEAS, EXPANDING WORLDS BL students discover through coursework and team projects, field trips and other engaged activities. They collaborate and listen. They articulate their own ideas. They discover a world where imagination takes flight.
SENSE OF SELF
ADVANCED STUDIES
In co-curricular activities in the arts, athletics, civil engagement and service, Lakers tap their innate skills and interests, and they have time to hone many talents. They can be captain of a team, the lead in a school play and president of their class.
BL graduates are accepted to the best schools. It’s no wonder. Upper school students can study in 13 AP and 38 Honors courses across disciplines. We offer post-AP, collegelevel coursework in mathematics.
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INSPIRING CHARACTER
Esse Quam Videri —
“To be, rather than to seem” The BL motto echoes the wholeness and authenticity we encourage in each boy. In fostering this growth of individual character, we provide direction by personal example. Our teachers serve as role models and mentors. Headmaster Christopher J. Post teaches a ninth-grade ethics course. All students adhere to a personal code of honor. Throughout the grades, BL nurtures the growth of moral strength and ethical grounding found in all exceptional young men—BL men.
Through coordinated efforts in academics, athletics, the arts, activities and community service, BL creates opportunities for each boy to discover the best in himself and to achieve his highest level of accomplishment in his own way.
“I’m “ really grateful for my Laker Buddy. He changed my life by helping me. I hope I can do that when I’m m older. I want to make a difference, too.” o Lower school student
ENGAGED AND GIVING
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From organizing food drives to cleaning up local watershed areas, Lakers learn to give back. Recently, the entire BL community came together for their annual Service Learning Day and assembled math flash cards, reading tools and classroom supplies for schools in Baltimore City and Sierra Leone.
WILLIAMS SCHOLARS PROGRAM The Williams Scholars Program recognizes outstanding academic achievement and proven commitment to the life of the School. Williams Scholars strive for intellectual excellence and engage in community service.
FRIENDS AND MENTORS Upper school students serve as volunteer mentors to the "little guys" in lower school through the Laker Buddy Program. BL faculty members are also advisors, mentors and coaches. Often, teachers become students' lifelong friends.
BL oers a welcoming place for boys, where positive role models stimulate a sense of mutual trust that encourages them to be their best. 7
INSPIRING TRADITION
A rich history, a bright future. BL has invested more than 160 years in the best in education for boys. We embrace new opportunities and trends with the strength of our founding inspiration. In 1844, Princeton Professor Evert Marsh Topping put forth the then-audacious theory that boys learn best when their personal interests and talents are taken into account. Next, he rented a single classroom in downtown Baltimore and founded the Boys’ Latin School of Maryland. The new school’s practical purpose was to prepare sons of Baltimore’s business leaders to enter Princeton University, and its curriculum was based on Professor Topping’s vision of academic and personal excellence.
Today, Lakers continue to pursue excellence in the classroom, on the playing field, on stage and in their communities. Our founding vision—that boys learn best when learning is active and their interests are engaged—continues to inspire us today.
B men go on to change the world. “It is my hope BL that my research will help decrease stroke and th heart attacks among people worldwide.” h David Brotman '07, Fulbright Scholar
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EXCELLENT LOCATION
IN ONE, MANY
TRADITION OF LEADERS
About 600 Lakers, boys K-12, play and grow at Boys’ Latin. The campus—41 acres of green trees, winding pathways, historic and state-of-the-art facilities—spans Lake Avenue in historic Roland Park, nearby Lake Roland.
Upper, middle and lower schools each have their own age-appropriate learning facilities and technologies. At every opportunity, we come together as One School for assemblies, celebrations and events.
BL graduates are known internationally in business, science, politics and the arts. They succeed as entrepreneurs, inventors, legislators, filmmakers, medical researchers and authors.
From a single classroom in downtown Baltimore to the 21st-century campus of today, the tradition of excellence in boys’ education continues to thrive at BL. 9
Boys respond to structure, competition and approval. Our classes are designed to help each boy realize his potential. 10
I N S P I R E D FA C U LT Y
Focus on excellence. Dedicated to excellence and committed to caring, our faculty prepares 21st-century global citizens and leaders. A school is only as good as its faculty. Our teachers are trained in the most up-to-date research on how boys learn best. They structure learning to model collaboration and participation—skills essential to 21stcentury global citizens and leaders. They also share a deeper passion—a genuine commitment to the growth of the whole boy in the classroom, on the playing field, in band practice and in life.
BL boys talk about their teachers more like family than anything else. Members of a close-knit family where everyone’s got your back, Lakers look to their teachers for much more than instruction. They become trusted mentors for life.
“Teachers at BL know when to laugh and when to be serious. They make learning fun.” Middle school student
21st CENTURY LEARNING
MENTORS AND FRIENDS
At BL, learning is collaborative and student centered. In small classes, students hone critical thinking and speaking skills. In experiential learning activities, they learn teamwork and cooperation, essential tools of a 21st-century global citizen.
BL teachers often eat in the student center, continuing a conversation from class. After school, they’ll drive the van to debate tournaments or coach basketball. On the weekend, they’ll chaperone a student dance.
BL TEACHERS, BY THE NUMBERS: • 87: full- and part-time faculty members • >50%: faculty and administrators hold advanced degree • 16: average years of teaching experience 11
100% of graduates go on to college or to a personal fulfillment experience, such as a year abroad. 12
P R OV E N P R O G R A M S
A boy-centered curriculum. As the only school of its kind in the region, BL is uniquely positioned to meet the specific learning needs of boys. Boys learn best when they are motivated to produce positive, tangible outcomes. They respond to experiential, hands-on learning that encourages them to get involved, to work and to explore together. Most of all, they thrive intellectually and socially in a setting that fosters a spirited camaraderie of community, constructive feedback and positive mentoring through proven role models.
Guided by more than 160 years of experience, modern cognitive research and a school-wide commitment to excellence, our approach is both top-down and bottom-up. Continuous professional development is encouraged and supported among faculty, and all members of the BL team are engaged in ongoing curricular refinement and improvement.
“Inspiring the best in every boy means helping him find his place to shine, his confidence. We get to know each boy for his individual talents and styles. With the help of experienced mentors and a supportive community, we bring out his best.” Christopher J. Post, Headmaster
LEARNING FROM STRENGTH Every BL boy is assessed for unique strengths and talents. Progress is continuously tracked and discussed collectively by teachers, advisors and parents.
CREATIVE SPARK
RIGHT SIZE CLASSES
The annual all-school art show celebrates creativity at all ages. The event features gallery displays of artwork, original musical compositions on the computer and instrumental performances.
• 7:1 student:faculty ratio • 14 average class size
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BRIDGING THE YEARS At BL, we are One School, as symbolized by the arching footbridge over Lake Avenue connecting the north and south sides of campus. 15
SPIRITED SPORTS
The game well played. BL boys are dedicated competitors—on and off the playing field. Like a family, we believe in teamwork. Our proud athletic tradition is supported by a time-honored Laker spirit that pervades the entire school. A heritage of great coaches, star athletes and champion teams defines the BL athletic program. Like everything about our school, the lessons of competitive athletics focus more on collaboration, good sportsmanship and healthy competition than simply on winning. More important, our program welcomes all students.
BL’s athletic facilities are widely considered to be among the finest in the region. They include two Sportexe® synthetic turf fields, the Hugh E. Gelston, Jr. '56 Athletic Center on the North Campus, the multi-functional Joseph A. W. Iglehart '10 Center and the Paul Iglehart Baseball Field on the South Campus.
““Laker athletes know that when sportsmanship and camaraderie come first, winning comes naturally.” ca Michael Thomas, Athletic Director
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THRILL OF THE GAME
12 WAYS TO WIN
HALL OF FAME
School spirit runs deep at BL. Throughout the year, students, parents, faculty and alums come together at games to cheer on Laker athletes.
Interscholastic teams compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, squash, tennis, volleyball and wrestling.
Distinguished BL athletes are recognized with membership in the Athletic Hall of Fame. BL inducts new members every two years in conjunction with the annual Boys’ Latin – St. Paul’s home football game.
Laker athletes are true scholar-athletes, dedicated to their school community and their teammates with equal passion and enthusiasm.
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INSPIRING INTERESTS
Beyond the classroom. Within every boy are many avenues worth exploring. At BL, boys discover the strength of their many talents. At BL, we believe that the development of character comes from exposure to many things. That’s why the BL experience encompasses cultural and service-based activities as well as academics. Exposure to the visual arts and music begins in kindergarten. Middle school students study voice, guitar and keyboard. Upper school students can choose to play in rock or jazz ensembles, perform in the chorus and display their artworks in the online Laker Gallery.
Service learning and community service activities are scheduled throughout the year, capped by our annual Service Learning Day every spring where the entire school works on projects related to a single theme. BL students gain self-confidence and poise through a wide range of activities, including Mock Trial, Model UN, the It’s Academic team, student newspapers, the robotics team, theater arts and much more.
“A sold-out audience at a school play directed solely by a student can really open his eyes to so what he can accomplish with the right support.” w Gina Molling, Artistic Director
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ROBOTS ROCK
ART MEETS TECHNOLOGY
The BL Robotics Team recently hosted the “Battle of Baltimore” robotics competition in the Gelston Athletic Center. They won regional robotics competitions in the FIRST World Championship in Atlanta, GA.
The new Smith Hall Center for Arts and Technology brings together art studios and dedicated gallery space with facilities and advanced tools for digital imaging, animation and video, as well as applied sciences, design and engineering modeling.
ADVANCE THROUGH RETREATS Beginning in seventh grade and continuing through their senior year, all BL students attend annual retreats where they can engage in a wide range of age-appropriate activities that teach teamwork, character and service.
At BL, learning happens everywhere, all the time. Co-curricular activities run the gamut from artistic expression to engineering prowess. And Lakers respond with enthusiasm.
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INSPIRING CONFIDENCE
Lower School: Connections and foundations Boys are born curious and joyful. In the BL lower school, we nurture this innate love of learning. We set the stage for success. The BL lower school is a warm and welcoming place. Here, young boys discover the confidence to express themselves. They solve problems, take on responsibilities and work together in teams.
Teachers actively encourage students to use their entire classroom and all of their senses as tools for learning. Their young minds are stretched during reading groups in the library. Friendships take shape in small, collaborative group activities. Positive role models—teachers and upper school “Buddies”—offer support at every turn.
Even our youngest students take the core subjects of reading, writing, math, the arts and physical education. The program includes conversational Spanish instruction K-5 and features fun activities, games and songs. Carefully monitored homework assignments teach responsibility, a skill essential to success in middle school.
““I love my classes, my friends and my tteachers. e They just make me happy.” Lower school student
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FAMILY FUN
OPEN TO DISCOVERY
ENGAGED LEARNING
During the annual Maroon & White Day, all five grades join in shared team competitions. Parents join in the game with their sons for Friday dodge ball, a lower school tradition.
Lower school teachers specialize in nurturing each boy’s natural curiosity. They are expert at channeling excited discoveries into meaningful learning moments. BL boys develop an openness to learning that lasts a lifetime.
Young students putt for short vowels, older boys search for examples of acute and obtuse angles to photograph, other students experience life on a wagon train while studying the Oregon Trail in history—in the lower school, learning is doing.
Small class sizes and nurturing teachers ensure that every student gets regular assessment and extra help whenever they need it. 21
Middle school students enter an exciting new world of clubs, community service, interscholastic athletics and social activities. 22
INSPIRING INDEPENDENCE
Middle School: Finding a focus, finding me Between childhood and adolescence, reliance and independence, the middle years are crucial developmental years. BL boys make the most of them. Through a hands-on approach to learning that emphasizes self-discovery, our middle school faculty guides students through a challenging college preparatory and arts curriculum. This is complemented by classes and activities that emphasize leadership and decision making, health and fitness, civility, relationships and character building.
We conducted extensive research into middle school learning spaces before settling on a design for our new middle school building. For the first time, grade six students experience the freedom and responsibility of having their own space. Science labs include sophisticated equipment at all grade levels. The library occupies the open and inviting heart of the building. Our entire facility is a place where boys learn to grow into themselves with confidence and openness.
“Helping boys in their middle years navigate their developmental changes while instilling good study habits and nurturing their love of learning—that is our focus.” Middle school teacher—Brandon Mollett '94
NEW FORMS OF EXPRESSION Our middle school students spread their wings—academically and artistically. All seventh-graders, for example, study both Latin and guitar.
BUILT FOR BOYS
BEST FOOT FORWARD
In the new middle school, faculty offices are located next to learning areas to encourage conversation. The Learning Commons features a 12,000-volume library and computer lab. Wi-Fi classrooms with ceiling projectors are oversized to give boys room to move.
Each year, one or more sections of eighth-grade boys are usually taking upper school classes including advanced math, Latin, French and Spanish II.
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“You will never forget your teachers, and your teachers will never forget you.�
Upper school student
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INSPIRING FUTURES
Upper School: Reaching higher, reaching within Academic excellence, service to school and community, a deeper sense of self—the challenges of upper school life offer each boy many avenues of personal growth. By any measure, upper school is where BL students come into their own, in recognizing their capabilities and the direction they want to pursue in college and in life. Having “crossed the bridge” to the North Campus and the upper school, students know that they have crossed the threshold to a new level of their BL experience—one that not only requires more from them, but also rewards them with more independence in their studies and activities.
Entering freshmen are assigned an advisor, but many choose their own for the last four years at BL. Upperclassmen enjoy a high degree of flexibility in choosing electives as well as Honors and AP courses. Student clubs and service opportunities, both on and off campus, keep a BL boy busy and engaged.
“We see ourselves as teachers of students, not just teachers of subjects.” Upper school teacher—Bill Freeman
COLLEGE COUNSELING
INTERNSHIPS
THE RIGHT FIT
Counseling begins in the freshman year and continues through the entire upper school experience. Highly individualized attention ensures that each boy is prepared to his fullest and is matched with college options that are the best fit.
Every upper school student completes a senior internship project. Some recent examples include the Baltimore Orioles, the Baltimore City Homicide Unit, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, the Wetlands Institute, Paragon Bioservices, the Baltimore Ravens, the Kennedy Krieger Institute, the Baltimore Humane Society and Amtrak.
BL graduates are prepared for any challenge, and many go on to attend some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities, including Yale, Princeton and Johns Hopkins. They also choose such specialty schools as Berklee College of Music and the United States Military Academy at West Point.
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BL alums have gone on to be Pulitzer Prize winners and successful entrepreneurs, Rhodes Scholars and firefighters, philanthropists and cartoonists. 26
MODELS OF SUCCESS
Men of talent and character. Laker alums find success in literally every profession— business, science, the military, medicine, government and the arts. Since the beginning, we have consistently produced great men of talent and character. A scan of our alumni rolls underscores this fact. One pioneered the use of penicillin, and another is an internationally recognized filmmaker. Through their support and engagement, they remind us that BL was the springboard to their achievements. Most important, they grow to become men of character and compassion.
As role models and advisors to our students, their service to their alma mater goes beyond dollars and cents. By giving back, our alumni convey the best of the BL way to new generations of Laker men.
“I love BL, and I am so proud to be a part of The Laker Legacy! I would not have become the student I am today without Boys’ Latin. My experience, both in and out of the classroom, was instrumental in preparing me for success in college, and now medical school.” Stuart Mitchell, BL '06, Vanderbilt '10, Johns Hopkins University medical student
LAKERS FOR LIFE
FORENSIC LEADER
MEETING OF THE MINDS
With some 2,000 members, the BL Alumni Association leads among Baltimore-area schools in financial support. They also support their alma mater as mentors, employers and avid Laker sports fans.
BL alum Calvin Goddard 1907 is considered the “father of modern ballistics.” Credited with perfecting bullet “finger printing,” he inspired a popular new hands-on class at BL that prepares students in forensic science.
Alums meet with upper school boys in an informal off-campus networking event to share their experiences and tips for success in college and in the workplace.
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Plan a visit. Boys’ Latin welcomes family and son visits to campus. Contact the Admissions Office or go online to boyslatinmd.com to find out when the next visiting days and open houses are planned.
You are always welcome. To arrange a campus tour with a member of our Admissions staff throughout the year, please call 410.377.5192 x1137 or email admissions@boyslatinmd.com.
THE BOYS’ LATIN SCHOOL OF MARYLAND 822 West Lake Avenue Baltimore, MD 21210 boyslatinmd.com
Boys’ Latin is a diverse and inclusive community: discriminatory acts based upon race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or any other characteristic of human variability are not permitted.
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