Branson Acceptance Brochure_Class of 2027_English

Anything is possible...

of 2027!

“I know that you will come to understand that Branson is the place where you belong, a place where you will discover and develop your passions by putting your creativity at the service of the world…”

- Chris Mazzola, Head of School

OUR COMMUNITY VALUES Courage Kindness Honor Purpose

When you come to Branson, you’ll join a supportive culture, one where we make it easier to be brave. Being brave could be advancing a new idea in class, being clutch when your team needs you, or putting yourself out there on the stage. Being brave could be connecting with someone very di erent from yourself in the broader community. Being brave could be failing but not giving up. Being brave could be asking for help.

Our mutual respect between students and teachers enables us to act courageously, with purpose, in an honorable and kind manner. On top of all that – we have a lot of fun together! We can’t wait to see you here.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ACCEPTANCE TO BRANSON

I am delighted to welcome you to this very special community. If I have not yet met you, my name is Chris Mazzola. I am the Head of School at Branson and this is my 32nd year working with high school students! I will be entering my 8th year at Branson in the fall.

Your acceptance to Branson means that you are a student of the highest quality and that your personal traits mirror our four core values: courage, kindness, honor, and purpose. Through your excellent work in school and outside of it, you have proven yourself to be ready for the challenges of Branson.

You can look forward to a variety of wonderful experiences during your four years at Branson. At times it will be difficult, but know that your hard work will not be without purpose. The faculty and I will be working alongside you to prepare you to enter an increasingly complicated world, one that needs ethical leaders who are willing to work hard to make it better. Embrace each challenge that Branson provides and know that you will have our support each step of the way.

Again, congratulations on your acceptance to Branson. It is truly an exceptional place, and I hope you will choose to enter this collaborative and inspirational educational community. I look forward to getting to know you and your family, and guiding you through high school and on to adulthood.

All

the best, Christina K. Mazzola Head of School

*If you requested financial assistance, you should have already received an email with your financial aid package. If you have any questions or concerns about your enrollment contract or financial assistance, please email Amber Johnson, Director of Finance, at Amber_Johnson@branson.org.

Dear Incoming Freshmen,

We are the class representatives for the current freshman class at Branson and, just like you, we recently faced the important decision of which high school we wanted to attend for the next four years of our lives!

Each year, Branson draws the most talented youth in the Bay Area to its beautiful campus. High five to you for making this great achievement! With a highly qualified and dedicated teaching and administration team, Branson offers endless, unbeatable opportunities for its students. We want to share the aspects that we feel most thrilled about.

Are you like us when we were just admitted: very anxious about the upcoming academic challenge in a school renowned for its rigorous academics? However, Branson’s Objective Based Grading system certainly relieves the anxiety: students won’t be given a traditional letter grade in the first semester. Instead, teachers provide them narrative feedback on their progress and show them the ropes on how to reach the proficient level of every objective. Shrugging off grade pressure, it enables us to focus on learning itself and become self-motivated to better ourselves.

Gyms and fields at Branson are studded by countless sports stars playing volleyball, basketball, golf and many more sports. Whether you are a skilled athlete or plan to explore a new sport, you can find one team that suits your needs. All three of us have joined various levels of sports teams this year, and had a blast playing and socializing with peers with similar interests.

We also have over 50 clubs and affinity groups! You can join any mix of them, which provides a great way to discover your niches and add values to our community. Meeting many new people makes you feel really involved in campus life and find your place in this beloved community.

Class of 2027, an amazing journey at Branson awaits you. We are excited to meet you this fall!

GO BULLS!

Barry, Luke, and Henry

Class of 2026 Representatives

1 THE PEOPLE!

2The small class sizes make interestingdiscussions and engaging.

8: Annual traditions – such as Day on the Green, Welcome Week, and Gospel Night – that we celebrate together.

~ 9 ~

Everyone at Branson is authentic and tries to be the best version of themselves every day.

13

10 THE CLASSES!

15Being able to choose a different path, finding new interests you didn't even know you had.

things love to 23

• 14 •

The balance that Branson has. Most schools are known for their great academics, or their great athletics, but Branson has both and more.

no.18

16: Interdisciplinary classes! Science and humanities electives.

17 THE ATHLETICS!

They are key to making friendships.

The variety of opportunities—from a multitude of clubs, to different classes, competitive sports, and many choices of art programs, Branson offers opportunities for you to find your passion and learn more about it.

• 3 • The multicolored leaves in the fall

no.4 5 THE COMMUNITY

6: Every year right before Winter Break, parents bring cookies and hot chocolate into the academic quad for all the students and teachers.

~ 7 ~ Greatacrossfriendships grades

11No matter what you excel at or what kind of person you are, everyone in the community will welcome and accept you, and you will always find people that share similarities to you.

love

from the Class of 2023

The sports teams and spirit (best student section in Marin)

19 THE TEACHERS!

They're passionate about what they do, they really care about students, and they want you to succeed.

How the Branson community encompasses individuals with different ideas and a diverse set of passions.

no.21

23IMMERSIVES!

MARCH 23 & 24

ENROLL!

Visit Ravenna and claim your spot.

Financial Aid Enrollment Agreements are due March 23 at noon.

General Enrollment Agreements are due March 24 at noon.

NEXT: WHAT’S

APRIL 17-28

TAKE YOUR PLACEMENT EXAMS:

MATH (Required)

All incoming freshmen must take a 60-minute math placement test. Most students will take the Algebra Placement Test, which is appropriate for placement into Algebra I or Geometry. Students who have completed Geometry should take the Geometry Placement Test, which may lead to placement into Algebra II. Students hoping to place higher than Algebra II should contact the department chair. Please address math placement questions to gayatri_ramesh branson.org.

AUGUST 22 & 23

JOIN US AT FRESHMAN ORIENTATION

MEET YOUR CLASSMATES AT NEW STUDENT WELCOME DAY

We are excited to host all incoming freshmen and their families from the Class of 2027 on campus at our New Student Welcome Celebration. Meet our Branson community and learn more about preparing for fall 2023. This is a mandatory event for all members of the Class of 2027, and parents are encouraged to attend too. Afterward, stay on campus to check out our annual Festival of the Arts at Branson (FAB).

LANGUAGE (Optional)

The Language Department offers Mandarin, Spanish, and Spanish for Native and Heritage Speakers. Students wishing to take the first year of any language can simply sign up for that course. Students wishing to place into Level II or Spanish for Native and Heritage Speakers must take a placement test. Please address language placement questions to jennifer_diaz@branson.org.

SCIENCE (Optional)

Incoming freshmen take Physics 1 or Physics Honors. If a student wants to take Physics 1, they can simply sign up for that course. Students wishing to take Physics Honors must take a placement test. Please address science placement questions to carl_ma@branson.org.

ENGLISH & HISTORY & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

All freshmen are automatically enrolled in English I, Modern World History, and Human Development. No placement tests are required.

ARTS (Optional)

Many arts courses suitable for freshmen do not require an audition. Students wishing to take Survey of Visual Arts, Dance I: Coed Dance, Dance for Men, Beginning Acting, or Music 1: Roots of Americana can simply sign up for that course.

Experienced instrumentalists, singers, actors, and dancers should schedule a placement audition. Please address specific placement questions to the following: Music placement: jaimeo_brown branson.org, Acting placement: maura_vaughn branson.org Dance placement: alex_escalante branson.org.

PLACEMENT TEST AND AUDITION DATES

TO BE ANNOUNCED.

Freshman orientation on campus will introduce all incoming freshmen to what it means to join the Branson community. In your first few weeks at Branson, you will participate in workshops focused on academic skills, technology use, wellness and self-care, and much more. Students will also meet faculty, staff, and members of the Branson community.

Be Prepared

course sign-ups to summer reading and welcome events.

Bookmark our “Welcome, Class of 2027” page on branson.org

We’ll post updates there throughout the spring to keep you informed.

Over the summer, parents/guardians will receive access to our MyBranson student information system and our Magnus Health portal.

Your family will start to receive school communications later this spring about upcoming events such as our Festival of Arts at Branson (FAB).

2023-24 SCHOOL CALENDAR

2023

Aug 22 & 23

Aug 28

Sept 4

Oct 11

Nov 20-24

Dec 21-Jan 5

We hope you enjoy

Freshman Orientation

First Day of Classes

Labor Day Holiday

Freshman Parent/Advisor Conferences

November Break

Winter Break Classes Resume

Midwinter Break

Spring Break

Memorial Day Holiday

Last Day of School/Graduation

Nathalio Gray, Assistant Head of School for Mission Advancement nathalio_gray@branson.org

Ellie Skewes-Cox, Associate Director of Admissions & Class Dean ellie_skewes-cox@branson.org

Marisha Rodriguez, Assistant Director of Admissions marisha_rodriguez@branson.org

Will Kennedy, Admissions Associate will_kennedy@branson.org

Meet new people (teachers and students), try new things (clubs and classes), and engage in the community!

Tips

They’ve learned a lot this year. Here’s what they have to say!

Meet with your teachers! They all want the best for you and will encourage you to meet with them, so it will only benefit you!

Be open to new experiences. Use your free periods wisely for getting ahead on work or scheduling meetings or for scheduling quizzes/tests!

Stay CURIOUS!

for Success from your peers at Branson

Consider playing a sport in the fall season of your freshman year – it allows you to meet a group of your peers before school even starts, and provides a group of familiar faces on campus.

Be proactive and on top of work. Always meet with teachers. If you are struggling with material, just know the teachers have your back.

Reach out for support when you need it.

Branch out from whatever group of friends you find yourself in at the start of freshman year.

Find a good balance of work and socializing

Check your Branson email often so you don’t miss out on what’s happening.

Photos: Robin Jackson, Wedge Creative,