TH E COLLEGIATE S C H O O L
v i e wb o o k
CONTENTS 6
Overview & Mission
8
Lower School
12
Middle School
16
Upper School
20
Curriculum
22
Athletics
24
Visual & Performing Arts
26
STEAM Initiative
28
Our Shared Values
30
Faculty & Staff
32
Responsible Citizenship
Collegiate School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin.
H E L LO, W O R L D ! Our graduates have been saying, “Hello, world!� for more than 100 years. Hello, adventures. Hello, meaningful work. Hello, service to others.
AT COLLEGIATE SCHOOL, young people make lasting friends and find lifelong passions. Here, challenging opportunities for scholarship and citizenship lead to new discoveries about ourselves and our places in the world. Within our supportive, inclusive and creative community, students are encouraged to try new things using what they’ve learned and confidence gained from past successes.
They learn together about winning and losing and how to handle both with grace and grit. Each endeavor yields lessons that make them better prepared to go forward with minds and hearts ready to take on challenges presented by life in the 21st century.
M INDS THAT H E ARTS THAT
seek. serve .
Collegiate is an independent school for boys and girls from Junior Kindergarten to 12th Grade. Yes, we prepare students for college – and have done so since 1915. But, more importantly, Collegiate fosters in each young person a desire to know more, and to find his or her place in the world. Teachers at Collegiate get to know students well as they work with them in small classes and individually, tailoring their instruction to every unique mind. As young learners experience our balanced, comprehensive and connected curriculum, their intellectual curiosity grows. They’re given the freedom to pursue special interests in the classroom or as extracurricular projects. From 2nd Graders running their own African Market to raise funds to buy books for students in Cameroon to seniors debating moral issues in the Ethics Bowl, engaging projects and activities that have real life relevance prepare the next generation of caring citizens and creative thinkers. By the time our students graduate, they know themselves well. They’ve discovered their preferences, passions and strengths, and they are ready for competitive college and university experiences that will help them learn and grow even more.
6 | O ve r v i e w & M i s s i o n
OUR MISSION Collegiate's mission is to create a diverse and inclusive community of learners committed to a challenging and supportive educational experience that will foster the intellectual, moral, emotional, and physical development of each student. Since our founder Miss Helen Baker welcomed her first 75 girls in 1915, thousands of students have become the “good citizens� she encouraged all to be. Collegiate graduates are expansive thinkers prepared to engage the challenges of a rapidly changing world. They are leaders possessed of minds that seek and hearts that serve.
FA S T FAC T S Identity: An independent, JK-12, college preparatory, coeducational school founded in 1915, located just west of Richmond in Henrico County. Diversity & Inclusion: A community that supports the value of all students and faculty. Opportunities include student affinity groups, diversity conferences and programs, and curriculum-based offerings celebrating cultural, religious and other unique qualities. National Merit Scholars: 75 students have received National Merit recognition over the last five years. Financial Assistance: Collegiate strives to meet 100% of demonstrated need. Endowment: Currently invests $60 Million. Facilities: Mooreland Campus, 55 acres located on Mooreland Road. Robins Campus, located four miles away, 67 acres developed for athletic purposes. And the Collegiate School Aquatics Center, located in Chesterfield County, College Placement: 100% of graduates attend four-year colleges. O ve r v i e w & M i s s i o n
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lower school JK– Grade 4
8
LET ' S START AT TH E
beginning
EVERYONE STARTS OUT LEARNING THE BASICS – how to stand in line, how to be kind to one another and how to take turns at recess. Our youngest Cougars also study Mandarin Chinese, attend Town Meetings and hunt for dinosaur bones. Childhood is a time of discovery and play, and we are mindful of maintaining a healthy balance of both. In a typical day, Lower School students move between reading, social studies and math instruction given by classroom teachers, and lessons in art, music, engineering and coding, physical education, and world languages. They are provided innovative experiences as they explore and connect the disciplines. Our commitment to inquiry based learning allows students to engage and linger on a subject. We relish this time as we reach well beyond content and teach our students how to ask good questions, gather relevant information and reflect on what they have learned. Our teachers encourage deep thinking and provide opportunities for skill development that is truly uncommon. Our children are active participants in warm, welcoming classroom communities and are an integral part of the larger school community.
A TIME TO NURTURE From the first day when our youngest students arrive carrying their brand new Collegiate tote bags, our teachers tune in to their ups and downs, passions and talents. Above all, right through the 4th Grade, our Lower School faculty work to establish a sense of community, friendship and trust where students learn to negotiate new paths – whether it be the first time on the Fort Cougar monkey bars or figuring out fractions – with resilience and a positive perspective. With support from classroom teachers, a caring guidance counselor, and our Lower School nurse and resource teachers, students find themselves in a safe place to try new things with confidence. L owe r S c h o o l
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B E YO N D TH E C L A SS ROO M While Lower Schoolers can count on regular engagement with reading, world languages, math, social studies, engineering, art, music and physical education, they also have options to do more of what they love. They can arrive at school early to participate in any of these activities: Morning Art, reading in the library, or a visit to the Math Lab where they select strategy games that require logic, visual-spatial reasoning, or creativity to solve. They may go to the Lower School Garden where the science teachers show students the joy of nurturing plants and insects, and teach about the benefits of eco-friendly gardening practices. Afternoon options include the 2nd Grade Junior Lego Team and 3rd & 4th Grade Dance Club.
10 | L owe r S c h o o l
E STA B LI S H I N G VA LU E S Starting in Junior Kindergarten our students learn what it means to be a good citizen of the school community and beyond. Collegiate’s values guide us and are incorporated into classroom time every day as dedicated teachers seek to deepen their relationships with our children and families. Throughout the year, the entire Lower School focuses on one value at a time – for example, respect – taking time in class to talk about its impact on the way they live their lives.
97
3
percent school-wide retention
world languages beginning in Lower School: Mandarin Chinese, French & Spanish
L owe r S c h o o l
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middle school Grades 5–8
12
ALL
fired up
.
MIDDLE SCHOOL IS A WORLD OF EXCITEMENT AND CHANGE – new side of campus, new lockers, changing classes, team sports and a cool new library of their own. Yet it is filled with the same intentional focus on integrated academics and nurturing guidance to help our students better understand themselves and the community in which they live. Boys and girls receive instruction in single-sex classes throughout the day, yet join forces in specialty subjects such as art and music. They also learn and grow collaboratively during service learning endeavors, in student government roles and during extracurricular opportunities. Our Middle Schoolers pride themselves on the relationships they form with their classmates and teachers. Upon this foundation of respect and belonging, our students gain the confidence to discover the kind of individuals they want to be, and how they can contribute to the world at large.
COO R D I N ATE E D U C ATI O N During these years of rapid transition, most academic classes for our Middle Schoolers are separated by gender to allow teachers to focus intensively on students' developmental and academic needs. One of a handful of JK-12 schools in the nation to offer this coordinate Middle School structure, we’ve found both students and teachers love it because it gives boys and girls room to grow, speak up and be themselves. Middle School
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FR I E N D A N D A DVI SO R Our advisory program, supported by our Guidance and Academic Services staff, provides a more intimate setting to ensure each student’s social, emotional and intellectual needs are being met. Starting in 5th Grade and continuing through 12th Grade, assigned advisors meet regularly with students one-on-one and in groups. Twice a year advisors gather with parents and students to discuss progress and, throughout the year, are always available to help with course selection and everyday needs.
PA RT O F A TE A M Young athletes in 7th and 8th Grades may participate in team sports merely by signing up. This no-cut approach gives them a chance to learn the rules, develop their skills and gain experience in competition. Cub Sports is the perfect place to try something new, build confidence and enjoy the camaraderie of being part of a team.
96 65 percent of our 7th and 8th Graders participate in Cub Sports
14 | M i d d l e S c h o o l
the number of community partners impacted by Middle School students each year
E X PA N D E D O P TI O N S Group activities like grade-level and advisory projects, team sports, and service initiatives strengthen the sense of community, cultivate collaborative skills and promote friendships. And by 8th Grade, students are ready to explore some of the more multi-faceted activities offered: They can perform onstage or manage the theater tech needs of their class play, get involved with community service off-campus or even take a trip abroad to experience an entirely new culture.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CA P S T O N E Envision Richmond, an 8th Grade program, uses the City of Richmond as a classroom. Students engage with community leaders directly, focus on challenging urban issues – like shelter for the homeless and James River access for people with physical disabilities – and use a process called design thinking to devise real-world solutions. To date, two studentproposed ideas are being considered for implementation.
Middle School
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upper school Grades 9–12
16
TH E
home stretch
THE LAST FOUR YEARS FLY BY! Collegiate’s Upper School experience is based on an in-depth college-preparatory curriculum. Hallmarks of our program include small class sizes, advisories, and the support of guidance counselors, learning specialists and a team of college counselors. From building a robot to leading assemblies, advanced opportunities for growth in academics, arts and athletics give students the freedom to explore new things or dig deeper into what they love and expand on their knowledge base.
AC ADEMICS Having fulfilled required coursework, Upper School students may choose from a wide variety of electives, with extensive offerings in all subjects. There are options for acceleration and opportunities to earn college credit by taking AP (Advanced Placement) classes in core curriculum areas. Students’ flexibility to create their own academic experiences is an important part of our efforts to prepare them for college life.
46
Honors and AP courses offered annually Up p e r S c h o o l
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I N D E PE N D EN C E By senior year, our students are ready for the responsibilities of writing and directing their own plays, running the International Emerging Leaders Conference – 45 students from at least 10 countries visit each fall to collaborate on solutions to global environmental issues – and choosing vocations to explore during their Senior Projects.
A SA M PL I NG OF ELECTIVES
The autonomy involved in these activities prepares
Human Anatomy
them to be independent leaders in the world they’ll
AP Micro & Macro Economics
inhabit after graduation. And we think it’s best that
Theater Production and Design
they have opportunities to experiment with leadership while they’re here because we want them to impress
Forensics
not merely when their experience is going according
Fine Craft Furniture
to plan, but also when things go awry – being able
AP French Language and Culture
to rely on resourcefulness, grit and resiliency is
History: America in the 1970s
important to their future success.
Honors Mandarin Chinese V The Postmodern Novel AP Computer Principles Honors Latin V: Virgil / Caesar STEAM Collaboratory: Engineering and Robotics Literature of the Wild West Filmmaking and Video Editing Math Modeling
18 | Upp e r S c h o o l
L E AR N I NG TO L E A D
COLLEGE GUIDANCE
Upper School students are given many opportunities to lead by representing their peers in clubs and councils and as team captains. They can propose new activities that reflect their interests in service, recreation and intellectual challenges. From Model UN, FIRST Robotics and Honor Council to student publications, Thespian Society and language clubs, there are many ways for students to get involved and play key leadership roles.
Navigating the college admission process can feel overwhelming. Beginning in 9th Grade, our College Counseling Office serves as a personal guide to both students and parents. The staff regularly visits college admission offices all over the country – to gather valuable information for our students and to educate those schools about Collegiate. Upper Schoolers also benefit from application and essay workshops conducted by admission deans and visits from college representatives to our campus throughout the school year. Our goal is to help seniors find their best college/ university fit.
51
National Merit Semifinalists over the past 14 years, the most in our independent school region
4
full-time college counselors with combined 50 years of experience in the profession
Up p e r S c h o o l
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cornerstones
OF A COLLEGIATE EDUCATION
Collegiate offers an academic program that is developmentally appropriate, challenging and well balanced. Our thoughtfully crafted continuum starts with the basics and ends with an integrated approach to complex subject matter. These core components unite the Collegiate experience across all three school divisions.
Lifelong fitness of body and mind is fundamental.
H E ALTHY Collegiate’s JK–12 emphasis on physical fitness is comprised of daily recess and twice-weekly PE classes in the Lower School, daily recess and PE classes six out of every eight days in Middle School, and a two-season team/fitness requirement in the Upper School. And because we believe that mindfulness is an important tool in every aspect of life, we teach all students how to focus and live in the moment.
Class sizes allow teachers to get to know each child well.
IN D IV ID UA L IZ ED Small classes at every grade level make learning personal. As new material is introduced, teachers and resource specialists watch for different learning styles. Our Academic Services experts work on specific skills with students using a variety of methods to help them succeed. Parents play an important role, too, supporting the effort to create an optimal learning experience.
STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) makes sense.
P RO G RE SS IV E From wooden blocks to robotics, from keystrokes to coding, we’re thinking ahead and teaching 21st-century skills. Lego play, maker spaces and classes like AP Computer Science get students designing, calculating, and building with an eye towards the future.
Project-based learning enables students to learn by doing and sharing with each other.
H ANDS - ON It starts in Lower School where students research topics that interest them – like birds, zoo animals or the Chesapeake Bay watershed – and then share their findings with their peers, often through a collaboration among disciplines with movement, technology and art woven into one engaging lesson. Project-based learning continues through senior year with students enjoying many options to learn by doing.
"At the core of daily school life stands the unwavering commitment to know every child well. This straightforward and profound commitment is powerful because it works." –Steve Hickman, Head of School
World language instruction starts in Junior Kindergarten.
Critical thinking skills drive success.
M AGNIFIQUE
A N A LY T IC A L
Our youngest students begin with Spanish and can continue with Mandarin Chinese and French through Lower School and beyond, adding Latin to the mix in Middle and Upper Schools. Instruction emphasizes oral proficiency so our students will be able to speak up as they interact around the world.
Reasoning, assessing relevance, connecting dots – these are key elements in our curriculum. For future success in the workplace, critical thinking is vital. We foster the ability to sift through vast amounts of information and find what’s important, draw conclusions and justify decisions. Our students practice thinking critically until it’s second nature.
C uCurriculum r r i c u l u m | | 21 21
ACADEMIC SCHOLARS ARE ALSO ATHLETES, ACTORS, ARTISTS, MUSICIANS AND ENTREPRENEURS. FROM JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN ALL THE WAY THROUGH THEIR FINAL YEAR, OUR STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DISCOVER NEW WAYS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES.
15 average number of athletic college commits per year to NCAA
80
number of athletic teams
22 | At h l e t i c s
ON THE
field
OF PL AY COLLEGIATE’S ATHLETIC PROGRAM HAS THE GREAT ADVANTAGE OF TOP-NOTCH FACILITIES IN THREE LOCATIONS – Mooreland Road Campus (three gyms, synthetic turf field, track and practice fields), Robins Campus (baseball stadium, tennis center, 12 fields, indoor workout space, trails) and the Collegiate School Aquatics Center (three pools). Through expert instruction, conditioning and the attention of full-time training staff, our athletes are strong competitors. Above all, players and coaches are committed to our century-old tradition of good sportsmanship.
Athletics | 23
24 | Vi s u a l & P e r fo r m i n g A r t s
“The Collegiate community encourages students to feel comfortable trying a variety of new things, some of which may not seem to go together. When I was a senior, my peers and mentors supported me in being parts of both the football team and the fall musical.” – Samuel Sommers ’15
creative
AC TS
NEARLY EVERY ACTIVITY AT COLLEGIATE INVOLVES CREATIVITY IF IT’S DEFINED AS THE EXPRESSION OF IDEAS AND THE PROCESS OF PROBLEM-SOLVING. IN THE TRADITIONAL SENSE – making art, singing, playing instruments and performing – we offer many ways to discover one’s talents and share them with peers and families. From 1st Graders learning lines for their plays to seniors presenting plays and dance and instrumental music concerts, performing builds confidence and pride. Our annual campus-wide Art Walk showcases visual art pieces, works that are made in our state-of-the-art studios for woodworking, ceramics and painting.
224 students Grade 3–12 in a dance company each year
4
art rotations in Grades 5-8 including studio art, music, drama and woodworking
Visual & Performing Arts | 25
26 | STEAM Initiative
ALL
together
NOW
STEAM AT COLLEGIATE MEANS AN INTEGRATED LEARNING APPROACH TO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS WITH FREQUENT, INTENTIONAL COLLABORATION WITH THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES, JK-12TH GRADE. Across divisions, students take a design-based approach to problem solving. This consistent methodology applies when solving a Lego challenge, improving a robotic drive train, or creating a digital 3D design. By tying the threads of different disciplines together, our students learn to apply a broad range of tools in all areas of the curriculum to achieve innovative goals.
STEAM Initiative
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OUR
shared VALUES
We live our core values every day – from signing our honor pledge on schoolwork and tests that we’ve neither given nor received help, to initiating a service project to aid others. Our mission is to make our values real in all we do.
28 | O u r S h a r e d Va l u e s
LOV E O F LE A R N I N G
HONOR Trust in each other is at the core of our
When great teachers are excited to share all
community – no locks on the lockers, a student-
they've learned, they dream up lessons that
run honor council. When you can trust the
ignite a similar spark in their students. There
people around you, you can reach deep within
are no limits to what young scholars become
and find the courage to take risks, possibly fail,
eager to discover and do when a love of learning
uncover hidden passions, and then at the end
is authentically shared and exchanged in the
of it all, step out into the world with the strength
classroom. This is our daily goal.
to challenge, to create and to make a difference. With honor.
E XC E LLE N C E
R E S PEC T
Striving to be the best you can be – whether on
It’s a Monday morning, and all seats are filled in
the field, the stage, in the classroom, or off
Oates Theater for Upper School assembly. A student
campus – it’s part of the Collegiate DNA. And it’s
stands at the podium, presenting her senior speech
not just about grades and game scores. It’s about
about a subject close to her heart. She finishes, and
meeting the highest of standards of character,
the entire audience rises to give her a standing
employing empathy, showing compassion and
ovation. Regardless of the situation at hand –
living a life that’s morally sound. That kind of
whether it’s a heartfelt thank you, a piece of poetry,
excellence. And it’s more than an expectation …
a funny lesson learned, or a musical production –
it’s a way of life.
our students care about and support each other.
CO M M U N IT Y Our commitment to community is both in-house and far-reaching. While the Collegiate experience instills a sense of spirited belonging across grade levels and disciplines, we are also mindful of the broader context of our place in the world. We support each other on campus, and we lend a hand in communities ranging from within our Richmond area to far reaching global destinations. O u r S h a r e d Va l u e s
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Our teachers
DO WAY MORE THAN TEACH.
Reflecting our commitment to the independent school model of adults as teachers, mentors and leaders of extracurriculars, our enthusiastic and highly qualified faculty members are at the heart of every school day. They truly love teaching and find creative ways to describe, instill, explain, demonstrate, and involve when covering material ranging from basic reading skills to complex linear algebra. They lead study and service trips around the world, coach teams, assist with choosing classes and finding answers, mentor clubs and councils, and make time in the day to meet with students needing extra help. 30 | Fa c u l t y & S t a f f
“I’m so fascinated by my students and how they create a community together. It’s truly a culture of learning – academically and in how they learn and grow as individuals. Being a part of it has been a humbling experience.” – Sandy Ting, Middle School Teacher
71 percent of teachers hold advanced degrees
Fa c u l t y & S t a f f
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32 | R e s p o n s i b l e C i t i z e n s h i p
citizenship
OUR GUIDING PHILOSOPHY AT COLLEGIATE, WE BELIEVE THAT BEING A GOOD CITIZEN – OF ONE’S CLASSROOM, SCHOOL, NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE WORLD BEYOND – IS IMPORTANT. Conduct, character and meaningful engagement are elements of citizenship that we emphasize in all we do. Inspired by founder Helen Baker’s words, we’ve started a Responsible Citizenship initiative, uniting eight ideals that infuse everything we do. These tenets join outstanding scholarship to create the Collegiate Experience, featuring values and practices we hope will last our graduates a lifetime.
“I hope you have learned many things … besides the very important facts outlined in various books … I would have you live for humanity’s sake. I would have you be good citizens in the widest sense…” – Helen Baker, Collegiate Founder to the Class of 1919 Responsible Citizenship
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RE SP O NSIBLE C IT IZ EN S HIP : TY I NG IT TO GET HER Our school’s promise is to nurture and equip our students as scholars and citizens. The Responsible Citizenship Initiative brings together eight vital areas of school life under one umbrella to ensure that each grade level builds on the foundation of the previous one, supporting students’ growth JK-12th Grade. The initiative is immersed into the academic program to help build a cohesive curriculum.
GLO BAL E NGAGEMENT Empowering students to become global citizens through true engagement with their world, and instilling a world view that emphasizes the importance of continual informed awareness of global conditions and perspectives.
SERVICE LEARNING Integrating meaningful service with formal instruction and student reflection to enrich the learning experience.
ECO N O M IC L I T E RAC Y Learning how markets work and how individuals make choices to manage their resources, and being able to use knowledge and skills to manage finances effectively.
34 | R e s p o n s i b l e C i t i z e n s h i p
I N C LU S IO N Respecting and valuing the contributions of all members of a community, and developing the skills to thrive and lead in a diverse society.
ETH I CS Empowering students to employ empathetic understanding and compassionate consideration of others to critically assess situations, work through reasoned decision-making and arrive at morally sound solutions.
CI V IC ENGAG E ME N T Preparing our students to be informed, engaged citizens through experiencing individual and collective action to promote civic literacy, address issues, and build community locally and globally.
SU STAINABILI T Y Valuing and understanding the interconnectedness of human and natural systems and taking action so that they may thrive.
E N T REP REN EU RS H IP Exploring opportunities to combine business knowledge and skills to make a sustainable social impact.
Responsible Citizenship
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YOU ARE
ready
THROUGH THEIR YEARS AT COLLEGIATE, OUR STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO EXPLORE, EXCEL, AND LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKES. This range of experience teaches them resilience – to dig in and try again with support from those around them. They are given many opportunities to take the lead. They are challenged to think for themselves, make their own choices and forge their own paths. In college, and in their lives far beyond school days, our graduates draw on all of these skills to achieve amazing and impressive things. We’re proud to watch them step forward with a confidence that they can achieve anything and say, “Hello, World!”
Come explore with us.
103 North Mooreland Road Richmond, Virginia 23229 804.740.7077 www.collegiate-va.org