Private Education Guide

Private Education Can empathy be taught?

Local private schools hope so, and they are sharpening their focus on community service and engagement

BY CHRIST Y NADALIN

cnadalin@eastbaynewspapers.com

With a desire to better understand each other and connect on an issue relevant to their world both inside and outside school, students at The Providence Country Day School selected empathy as the focus of the School’s third anual Community Curriculum.

Unique to PCD, the Community Curriculum was created to offer another learning opportunity outside traditional coursework that allows students and faculty to explore relevant and meaningful topics with special school-wide assemblies, guest speakers and small, peer-to-peer group discussions. Previously, the community has focused on identity (race and gender) and family heritage. Last spring, PCD upper schoolers seized on their perception of a global need for more empathy — in both social and political arenas — and teed up this year’s dialogue.

“Both in our own school community and outside, we’ve seen conversations become more divided; people are less eager to genuinely understand where those who are different from them are

Pennfield's Buddy Program pairs older students with younger students, for monthly fun and educational activities. coming from. As a result, conversations can become less productive and more hostile,” said Brady Wheatley, director of student life, diversity, and inclusion at Providence Country Day School. “We aim to prepare our students not just for school, but also to enter the world. They need to

have the skills to understand one another and be empathetic toward people whose opinions, life experiences or identity groups are different from their own.”

Each month, students will have opportunities to explore what it means to be empathetic in their regular classes, one-

on-one with their advisors, within small, peer-led discussions groups, and as an entire school community with special assemblies and speakers. The Community Curriculum is multi-disciplinary and will

See EMPATHY Page 1

Practical Life | Language | Sensorial | Mathematics | Geography | Science | Arts | Outdoor Learning

Montessori Nature School Applications for Fall 2018 enrollment — preschool ages 3-5 — begins October 1, 2017 tel: 401.624.1947 | 4 Commons, Little Compton, RI

Page 2 Private Education Guide 2017

EMPATHY: School curriculums focus on helping others From Page 1

ment. Many students gladly give more than 20 hours and have, for example, created a special summer reading program at a public library for children with reading challenges, volunteered over 160 hours as a junior counselor at a summer camp, or volunteered to help encourage and support Special Olympians in their summer training programs.

be enlivened in all areas of school life — from athletic team practice to art projects.

Empathy is even a significant theme in the fall production, “Priscilla Dreams the Answer,” to be performed in late October.

Special guest speakers this month include Sociologist and Penn State University Professor Samuel Richards and Laurie Mulvey, co-founder of the World in Conversation Center for Public Diplomacy at Penn State University. They will lead a presentation and workshop on radical empathy and offer student leaders the opportunity to become trained in facilitating group discussions for peers.

‘Global Citizenship’ at Lincoln

‘Joy, Understanding and Respect’ PCD is not alone. The Pennfield School in Portsmouth, which serves a student body from Pre-K to Grade 8, starts early letting their students understand what it means to be part of a community. The school’s mission, “Joy, Understanding, and Respect,” is evident in several of the school’s initiatives, like their Buddy Program, where older students are paired up

Beekeeping is just one facet of The Pennfield School’s Sustainability Education curriculum, which also includes a partnership with Green Animals' Outdoor Classroom. with younger students, meeting monthly to work together on a variety of fun and educational activities. The partnerships benefit both younger and older students by building self-esteem, communication,

and empathy skills.

Service is also a focus of the Pennfield curriculum. Rising eighth-grade students perform 20 hours of community service over the summer, a graduation require-

At The Lincoln School in Providence, the recently-established Center for Justice, Peace and Global Citizenship serves as a conduit for information, action and support for issues pertaining to diversity and inclusion at school, providing a way for students, parents, faculty, and staff to come together and engage with the greater school community. Center-led initiatives include the Morgan Stone '00 Day of Justice, International Women's Day and the Walking With Community Partnership Program. In addition, the Center facilitates Lincoln's Global Citizenship programs to India, Cuba, and the United Nations in New York City, which facilitate conversa-

See FACING PAGE

Education with impact.

Tuition within reach.

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Open House Saturday, November 4th, 10am gordonschool.org/openhouse Nursery through eighth grade East Providence, RI 401-434-3833

Private Education Guide 2017 Page 3

Teaching through service, experience and peers From FACING PAGE

PCD students read, write and talk about empathy. selves in another's shoes before trying to swoop in and help, give an answer or console.”

SUNDAY 10.22.17

LOM HI

S

A EN

St. Philomena School INVITES YOU TO OPEN HOUSE!

Juniors in Sharon Hanover’s English class have started the integration of the community curriculum by discussing their

ST. P

tions pertaining to social, political, and historical issues.

This sense of community does not end with graduation. Lincoln holds an annual Alumnae Day of Service, in which graduates come together on a shared project.

The most recent Day of Service saw alumnae in Providence, Boston, Chicago and the Bay Area taking part in local projects, with the Providence alumnae joining forces with current students to assist local refugees through AHope, Dorcas, McAuley House, and the Refugee Dream Center.

Back at PCD, math teacher Brad Clarkson has already tasked his students with thinking about this year’s theme by assigning a new writing assignment— ‘How can I show empathy and respect in a math classroom this year.’

“My goal is for students to realize that we all deal with things differently and that we all face individual challenges,” said Clarkson. “Some of those challenges are shared challenges, but others are uniquely personal and we need to take the time to step back, pause, and think about putting our-

own understanding of the concept of empathy, reading a series of short stories, and writing their own stories inspired by the theme. Hanover believes the students have started the class with a mature grasp of the central ideas, and she looks forward to introducing the class to literature that features a diverse set of characters and beliefs. She explains that it is only by understanding the circumstances that inform each person’s perspective that we can begin to understand those with whom we share the world.

Student Life Director Wheatley believes a measure of success for the community curriculum this year will be demonstrated as students continue to learn about their peer’s experiences and can better articulate different views and ideas respectfully.

“The students benefit from realizing that some issues aren’t just statistics — that their friends or someone they care about is having difficulty with something. When we can personalize the conversations, it helps build our close community at school and it also helps prepare our students for entering the world outside of PCD.”

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Page 4 Private Education Guide 2017

Now’s the time to start finding a new school

Follow this typical timeline for selecting a private or independent school

While each school follows its own schedule, here is a typical admissions timeline.

August (of the year before you want your child to attend) n Define your ideal school n Find schools that match your child’s needs n Research and ask questions of schools on your preliminary list

September n Attend local school fairs to gather material and impressions from multiple schools n Browse schools’ websites to learn more about their programs and philoso-

phies n Request admissions and financial aid material by phone or online n Review admissions materials to determine which schools to visit n Create a calendar of pertinent admission and financial aid deadlines for the schools to which you are considering applying n Ask elementary schools about their test schedules and make appointments n Register for any standardized tests required for admission n Review the test websites to learn about procedures and test dates, see sample questions, and purchase test-preparation books n Call schools to schedule individual tours, class visits, interviews, and “shadow days”

October n Continue scheduling tours, interviews,

Find more photos at eastbayri.com 24/7

class visits, and standardized or schoolbased tests n Visit schools during open houses, attend information sessions, and take tours n Finalize the list of schools to which you

will apply n Take required standardized admission tests

November n Continue scheduling tours, inter-

views, class visits, and standardized or school-based tests n Continue to watch for open houses you may want to attend n Request teacher recommendations from your child's current school n Start working on applications, financial aid forms, student questionnaires, and essays

December n Continue to watch for any open hous-

es or school events of interest n Request transcripts at the end of your child’s first semester n Complete applications, questionnaires, and essays

January n Pay attention to deadlines: Most applications are due in January or February, along with test scores, references,

transcripts, and financial aid forms

February n Don’t miss deadlines: Most schools’

applications are due in February at the latest n Visit schools and/or have your child participate in a student shadow day

March n Watch for school decisions starting in

mid-March n Watch for financial aid decisions n If your student is accepted by multiple schools, decide which school your child will attend

April n Sign and return enrollment contracts

and send deposits

May to September n Attend events and activities for new

parents and students

— Courtesy of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), nais.org

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Questions to ask schools: Finding the right fit If you’ve defined your ideal school and found schools that fit your criteria, it’s time to learn more about the schools on your list.

Review each school’s website and request an admissions packet.

Don’t hesitate to call the admissions office with questions, even if you’re not sure whether you plan to apply to the school. It is in everyone’s interest to help you ensure that the school is a good fit for your student. Here are just some of the questions you may want to ask: n What is the school’s mission or educational philosophy? n Is the school accredited, and if so, by what accrediting agency? n How many students does the school have? How diverse is the student body? n What is the student-teacher ratio? n Do the teachers have degrees in the subjects they teach? n Is the atmosphere competitive or more nurturing? n What kinds of students do best at the school? n What types of learning experiences are available—in class, on the playing field, in extracurricular activities, in leadership programs and community service? n How does the school get parents involved? What do parents typically do? n How much is the tuition? n Are there other charges, such as for books, lab fees, transportation, and so on? n What financing options or financial aid does the school offer? n What is the financial aid applica-

tion process? When are the deadlines? nWhat is the process for applying to the school?

When your child has special needs Many students have diagnoses such as ADHD, anxiety, learning delays, physical disabilities, or behavioral issues. Other children have special talents they want to nurture or learning styles that require additional time or resources in the classroom. Whatever your child’s special needs, it’s best to talk about them honestly and early in the process.

Consider asking the school if you can speak with two or three parents of children who have special needs similar to your student’s. Ask these families: n How does the school endeavor to meet your child’s needs? n What do you see as the school’s strengths and weaknesses? n How would you most like to see the school improve?

If your child is not admitted, it may mean the school doesn’t have the facilities or expertise to meet your child’s needs. In that case, the school wouldn’t be right for your child anyway.

Keep notes on every conversation you have, and look for consistency in the answers. This information should help you narrow your list of possible schools.

Then, you can plan to visit the schools on your list, and see for yourself whether they are a good fit for your child.

— Courtesy of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), nais. org

Private Education Guide 2017 Page 5

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Page 6 Private Education Guide 2017

Make the most of school visits

If you’ve defined your ideal school and narrowed that list by asking the school questions, it’s time to see for yourself what the schools are really like.

All schools have their own timelines and procedures for family visits. Check the school’s website or call the admissions office to ask when and how they recommend families visit the school.

child on a school visit, ask yourself: n Is your child able to separate from you fairly easily? n How are his or her verbal communication skills? n How does the child do in a group?

Ask what the school day is like and how the school program’s size and structure will fit your child. You want to know what the school offers, and more importantly, whether your child is ready for what the school has to offer.

The Open House The majority of open houses occur in the fall, although some schools schedule one just after the first of the year. n Look for a calendar or open house dates on the admissions section of the school’s website, or call the admissions office n Check to see if you need to register, or if you can just drop in n Find out if there will be a formal welcome during the open house and what time it will occur. This presentation is an ideal opportunity to hear the school head and admissions director talk about the school n Remember, an open house is not the right forum to ask in-depth questions —

Visiting Boarding Schools

it’s too crowded and busy. Jot down questions as you think of them, so you can ask them later, during a personal tour or interview

School Tours As you tour the school, take notes on

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your impressions about: n The quality and condition of school facilities n The various programs offered that may interest your child n What the students, teachers, and other families are like If your tour is conducted by a current student, try to ask: n Where else did you apply? n Why did you choose this school? n If you could change anything about this school, what would it be and why?

Visiting Preschools and Elementary Schools When you schedule a tour, ask what happens during school visits. Teachers may invite your child into the classroom, either with you or without you. This may be a chance to see if your child seems best suited for a full day, for mornings only, or whatever schedule the school offers.

Before deciding whether to take your

Even if a boarding school is far away, a personal visit is the best way to inspect facilities, meet the staff and faculty, see how classes are conducted, and find out what the other students are like. If a visit is impossible, ask the school for the names of families from your city or area who’ve been involved with the school, so you can talk to them.

As with any school visit, keep good notes of your thoughts and experiences. What impressed you? What fell short of your expectations? You want to determine: n Will your child be supported here? n What is expected of students from day to day? n Where can your child shine in areas of strength and improve in weakness? n What students do on the weekends?

Are there any school-sponsored weekend activities?

Your child will not only be learning, but living at the school, so read the student handbook carefully. What are the general rules? What are the disciplinary policies?

What is the school’s definition of academic honesty? Ask the admissions staff what kinds of disciplinary problems the school has dealt with in the last year.

— Courtesy of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), nais.org

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Private Education Guide 2017 Page 7

Questions to ask schools about financial aid You’ll find a lot of information about financial aid on the school’s website. If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to call and ask. n What are the deadlines for admission and financial aid? These deadlines are often different, so be sure you know when to submit each. n What is the school’s approach to financial aid? Most schools believe that families are responsible for financing their children’s education to the extent they are able. Under NAIS’s Principles of Good Practice, financial aid is meant to help students who cannot afford independent school tuition without it. Financial aid funding is limited, and many families apply. Consider all possible sources to cover school costs, and apply for financial aid only if you truly cannot meet all the costs on your own. n How many students receive financial aid, and what is the average grant? The answer will be different at each school. n Does the school require a minimum contribution from families? Some schools will provide full financial aid. Others expect every family to pay something.

n What types of financial aid does the school offer? In addition to grants, ask about loan programs, tuition payment plans, and merit scholarships. n What additional information will you need to submit? Some schools require a copy of your income tax return. Ask whether to send it to the school or to SSS. n What if we own a business or a farm?

You may need to provide additional information to support your financial aid application. n What if the parents are divorced? Ask how separation or divorce affects your financial aid eligibility. n What about next year? Many schools require families to reapply for aid every year.

Don’t hesitate to be honest with financial aid counselors. It’s their job to help you, and their decisions rely on the information you provide. If you don’t get all the financial aid you need, ask them to help you find other ways to afford your child’s educational expenses. n Are there costs in addition to tuition?

Additional costs may include fees, books,

supplies, uniforms, trips, transportation, clubs, and sports.

— Courtesy of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), nais.org

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Page 8 Private Education Guide 2017

Navigating tech choices for school use

Technology is essential in the daily lives of students. Whether it’s kids learning their ABC’s or graduate students pursuing advanced degrees, technology has transformed the way lessons are taught and learned.

Statistics support the notion that technology in the classroom is irreplaceable. According to data from the tutoring resource PracTutor, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and various colleges, 98 percent of schools have one or more computers in the classroom. In addition, 77 percent of teachers use the internet for instruction, while 40 percent of teachers report students use computers during instructional time in the classroom.

Many instructors now assign homework that must be completed online.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development looked at computer usage among 15-year-olds across 31 nations and regions. Many students in high-performing nations reported spending between one and two hours a day on a computer outside

of school. Because computers are so necessary in and out of the classroom,

families and students may want to revisit their options before buying new devices.

Desktop computer

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Desktop computers used to be the goto for families and students, and there are still many reasons why desktops make sense. In addition to their relatively inexpensive sticker price, desktop computers allow students to customize their packages according to their needs and get a powerful operating system in the process. New and advanced processing speeds also mean that many desktop computers can be relied on for educational purposes while also being fast enough to handle recreational gaming.

One of the main disadvantages of desktop computers is their lack of portability. Desktops are not easily moved, and if repairs are necessary, it can be a hassle to have them fixed.

Over the last decade, laptop computers have become more popular than desktop computers, largely because of their portability. Laptops are designed to be taken from place to place, so students can use them for note-taking in the classroom and then studying at home.

Although laptop processors have just about caught up to desktop processors,

they may be lacking the processing pop unless consumers are willing to pay more for laptops with high performance. Another shortcoming of laptops is that they generally have smaller screens than desktop computers, which can make working on fine details more challenging.

Tablets Tablets offer the most in terms of portability. They’re lightweight and small and offer a wealth of access in a compact package. Today’s tablets offer much more than the first such devices to hit the market. Some can run apps and equivalent programs that were once exclusive to desktop and laptop computers. Tablets also tend to be less expensive than desktops or laptops.

Where tablets may fall short is in the peripherals. It’s difficult to connect backup drives and other accessories to tablets. However, with advancements in cloud-based storage, this may not be an issue. Also, note-taking on virtual keyboards may be more challenging, and working on tablets’ small screens can be tiresome over time. Convertible tablet/ laptops are now emerging to bridge these gaps.

Shopping for a new computer can be complicated, but basing purchases on need rather than want can help guide the process.

Private Education Guide 2017 Page 9

GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS School

Grades

Enrollment

Avg. class size

Tuition

Open House

All Saints Academy PK-8 135 15 Stop in anytime.

915 West Main Road

$3,740 to $7,550 Middletown 401/848-4300 allsaintsacademy.org Antioch School PK-8 90 10 618 Rock St., Fall River $4,500 to $5,100 508/673-6767 antioch-school.org

Nov. 20, 1-3 p.m.

March 11, 1-3 p.m.

Aquidneck Island Christian Academy K-12 55 14 321 East Main Road Portsmouth $5,500 to $9,500 401/849-5550 aica-classical.org

Call for an appointment.

Barrington Christian Academy K-12 205 18

Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

9 Old County Road Barrington $9,900 to $15,200 Barrington

401/246-0113 bcacademy.org Bishop Connolly High School 373 Elsbree St. Fall River 508/676-1071 bishopconnolly.com Bishop Hendricken High School 2615 Warwick Ave. Warwick 401/739-3450 hendricken.com

Grade 8 250 16 $10,000 (L.E.A.P. program) and 9-12

8-12 950 22 $14,400 (all boys)

580

19

Oct. 22 at noon-3 p.m.

Nov. 19 at noon-3 p.m.

$10,000

Nov. 5, 1-3 p.m.

Community Preperatory School 4-8 142 18 $16,000 135 Prairie Ave. Providence 401/521-9696 communityprep.org

Nov. 5, 2-4 p.m.

Bishop Stang High School 500 Slocum Road North Dartmouth 508/996-5602 bishopstang.com

9-12

Oct. 18, 5-8 p.m.

Nov. 12, 1-3 p.m.

Photos of events, people, etc. available for purchase at eastbayri.com

Page 10 Private Education Guide 2017

GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS School

Grades

Enrollment

Avg. class size

Tuition

French-American School of R.I. PS-8 200 18 $15,800 to $18,200 75 John St., Providence 401/274-3325 fasri.org

Open House Nov. 4, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Friends Academy Early childhood-8 210 12 $12,000 to $26,500 1088 Tucker Road North Dartmouth

508/999-1356 friendsacademy1810.org The Gordon School Nursery-8 370 12-15 $10,500 to $33,000 45 Maxfield Ave., E. Providence 401/434-3833 gordonschool.org

The Grace School K-7 120 15 1000 Eddy St., Providence 401/533-9100 6-12

Tours daily

Nov. 4, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

$9,400

20

Call for more info

$13,000 to $15,000

Oct. 22, noon-3 p.m.

Lincoln School 1-12 (girls) 400 14 301 Butler Ave., Providence Nursery-K (coed) 401/331-9696 lincolnschool.org

$22,800 to $35,500

Nov. 5, 1-3 p.m.

The Montessori Centre of Barrington 18 months through K 75 303 Sowams Road Barrington montessori-centre.com 401/245-4754

$7,000 to $18,000 depending on program, hours and days

LaSalle Academy 612 Academy Ave. Providence 401/351-7750 lasalle-academy.org

1,500

Nov. 5, 1-3 p.m.

Varies by age

Call for appointment.

PCD_EBay_9_17_Layout 1 9/18/17 2:43 PM Page 1

Changing the Game...One Student at a Time Open House • Saturday, November 4 • 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | 401.438.5170 | www.providencecountryday.org

Photos of events, people, etc. available for purchase at eastbayri.com

Private Education Guide 2017 Page 11

GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS School

Grades

Enrollment

Avg. class size

Tuition

Open House

Moses Brown Nursery-12 770 14 250 Lloyd Ave., Providence 401/831-7350 mosesbrown.org

$16,400 to $35,500

Oct. 21, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Ocean State Montessori School PS-6 100 20 100 Grove Ave., E. Providence 401/434-6913 oceanstatemontessori.com

$7,500 to $12,000

Nov. 19, 1-3 p.m.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School PK-8 150 15 $5,100 to $5,600 127 State St. Bristol 401/253-8455 olmcri.org PS-8

Pennfield School

170

16

$7,100 to $20,600

110 Sandy Point Ave., Portsmouth

Jan. 28, 11:30-1:30 p.m.

Oct. 27, 8-10 a.m.

Dec. 8, 8-10 a.m.

401/849-4646 pennfield.org Portsmouth Abbey School 9-12 360 12 Boarding: $58,300 285 Cory’s Lane, Portsmouth Day: $37,500 401/683-2000 portsmouthabbey.org

The Prout School 4640 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield 9-12 450 22 $14,000 401/789-9262 theproutschool.org Providence Country Day

6-12

660 Waterman Ave., E. Providence

225

12

Oct. 28 Call to register.

Oct. 22, 1-4 p.m.

Nov. 9, 6-8 p.m.

$31,000 to $35,000 Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to noon

Jan 10, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

401/438-5170 providencecountryday.org TPS_EBN_PrivateSchool_Layout 1 9/19/17 10:36 AM Page 1

NEW THIS F

BISHOP CONNOLLY

HIGH SCHOOL

JOY

•

UNDERSTANDING

•

RESPECT

Open House Friday, October 27 • 8 a.m.

To RSVP, call 401-849-4646 or email contact@pennfield.org FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE

PRESCHOOL ( AGE 3) – EIGHTH GRADE •

www.pennfield.org

OPEN HOUSE

AL

Wednesday | 5 to 8 pm

OCTOBER 18

ENVIRONM L! STUDIES P ENTAL ROGRAM SWIMMIN G | BAND STAGECRA FT

Sunday | 1 to 3 pm

NOVEMBER 12 FOR MORE INFORMATION Anthony Ciampanelli, Director of Admissions 508.676.1071 x333 | aciampanelli@bchs.dfrcs.org 373 Elsbree Street | Fall River, MA | BishopConnolly.com

Page 12 Private Education Guide 2017

GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS School

Grades

Enrollment

Avg. class size

Rocky Hill School PreK-12 300 12 530 Ives Rd., East Greenwich 401/884-9070 rockyhill.org

Tuition

Open House

$5,600 to $34,800

Sacred Heart School K-8 160 20 56 Purchase St.,

East Providence 401/434-1080 sacredheartepri.com

$3,750

Call for details.

Sally Borden Program 3-8 45 8 $33,000 at Friends Academy 1088 Tucker Road North Dartmouth 508/999-1356 friendsacademy1810.org School One 220 University Ave., Providence 401/331-2497 school-one.org

9-12

80

9

Oct. 22, 1-3 p.m.

Nov. 5, 1-3 p.m.

Tours daily.

$20,800 to $47,200

Call for details.

Inspiring

St. Andrew’s School 6-12 and PG 220 10 Day: $38,800 63 Federal Road, Barrington Boarding: $58,600 401/246-1230 standrews-ri.org

St. George’s School 9-12 370 10 Day: $41,300 372 Purgatory Road, Middletown Boarding: $60,000 401/847-7565 stgeorges.edu

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Developing

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Building

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Confidence

The Bishop Stang Difference Open House November 5 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Placement Exam December 2 or 9 8:00am - 11:30am

For event info visit bishopstang.org

Private Education Guide 2017 Page 13

GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS School

Grades

Enrollment

Avg. class size

Tuition

Open House

St. Luke School PS-8 225 20 10 Waldron Ave., Barrington 401/246-0990 stlukesri.org

$6,600 to $6,900

Nov. 5, Jan. 29, 12:30-2 p.m.

St. Margaret School PK-8 200 20 42 Bishop Ave., Rumford stmargaretsch.org 401/434-2338

$4,000 to $8,100

Call for details.

St. Mary Academy Bay View PK-12 750 18 $6,800 to $15,300 3070 Pawtucket Ave. (all girls)

Riverside 401/434-0113 bayviewacademy.org

St. Michael’s Country Day PS-8 200 12 $12,800 to $25,000 180 Rhode Island Ave. Newport 401/849-5970 smcds.org St. Philomena School PK-8 430 25 324 Cory’s Lane Portsmouth 401/683-0268 saintphilomena.org

$3,800 to $9,200

Oct. 29, noon Nov. 19, noon Jan. 18, noon March 11, noon

Call for details.

Oct. 22, noon-2 p.m.

St. Raphael Academy 9-12 440 18 $12,300 Oct. 1, noon-3 p.m.

123 Walcott St. Pawtucket 401/723-8100 saintrays.org The Wheeler School Nursery-12 800 12 216 Hope St.

Providence 401/421-8100 wheelerschool.org

$17,000 to $35,200

The Wolf School K-8 60 8 215 Ferris Ave., East Providence 401/432-9940 thewolfschool.org

Call for more info

Oct. 21, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Oct. 22, 1-3 p.m.

The Prout School

Page 14 Private Education Guide 2017

The Prout The SchoolProut School The Prout

A Catholic, Diocesan, Coeducational, College-preparatory High School A Catholic, Diocesan, A Catholic, Coeducational, Diocesan, Coeducational, A Catholic, Diocesan, Co

College-preparatory College-preparatory High School High School College-preparatory High

be a Crusader!

be be a Crusader! a Crusader! be a Crusa

Open House: Oct 22, 1-4pm & Nov 9, 6-8pm

more information: be aForCrusader!

Open Open House: House: Oct 22, 1-4pmOct & Nov 9,22, 6-8pm1-4pm Open &House: Nov 9, Oct 6-8pm 22, 1-4pm &

Sharon DeLuca, Director of Admissions & Enrollment For more For information: tion: For more informa sdeluca@theproutschool.org / more (401) 789-9262 xinforma 514 Open House: Oct 22, 1-4pm & Nov 9, 6-8pm Sharon Sharon Director DeLuca, ofRI Admissions Director & Enrollment of Admissions Sharon& DeLuca, Enrollment Director of Admission 4640 Tower HillDeLuca, Rd, Wakefield, / www.theproutschool.org

Finding balance with extracurricular activities

sdeluca@theproutschool.org sdeluca@theproutschool.org / (401) 789-9262 x 514 / (401) sdeluca@theproutschool.org 789-9262 x 514 / (401) 7 4640 4640 Tower Tower Hill Rd, Wakefield, Hill RI Rd, / www.theproutschool.org Wakefield, RI4640 / www.theproutschool.org Tower Hill Rd, Wakefield, RI / www

For more information:

Sharon DeLuca, Director of Admissions & Enrollment sdeluca@theproutschool.org / (401) 789-9262 x 514 4640 Tower Hill Rd, Wakefield, RI / www.theproutschool.org

Open House SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 8:30-11:30 am

Nursery - Gr 12 | Coed | Independent 216 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906 401.421.8100 WWW.WHEELERSCHOOL.ORG

Many students thrive with packed schedules — but not all; Parents need to recognize the signs Many high schools, colleges and universities emphasize their goals of producing well-rounded students. Extracurricular activities teach students important life lessons, provide them

opportunities to socialize and often stimulate their minds and bodies in ways that differ from the stimulation provided in the classroom.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau states that, in 2014, 57 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 17 participated in at least one after-school extracurricular activity. Children are

See FACING PAGE

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR GRADES 5-8

Come Together.

Go Far.

LEARN ABOUT OUR Dedicated Faculty Small Class Sizes Financial Aid Availability

135 PRAIRIE AVENUE | PROVIDENCE, RI 02905 401.521.9696 | WWW.COMMUNITYPREP.ORG

Parents need to watch for cues From FACING PAGE more likely to participate in sports than clubs or lessons, such as music, dance and language, but each of these activities can be beneficial to students’ development.

Students who participate in extracurricular activities may want to limit their participation to 20 hours per week. This is according to a group of professors from Stanford University and Villanova University who have been collecting data on the issue since 2007. In their report “Extracurricular Activity in HighPerforming School Contexts: Stress Buster, Booster or Buffer?”, Jerusha Conner and Sarah Miles found that 87 percent of kids who would be considered to have packed schedules were perfectly happy unless they were doing more than four hours a day.

The “over-scheduling hypothesis” may be overhyped. This is the concern that too much organized activity participation leads to poor developmental outcomes. This hypothesis also suggests that hectic schedules also undermine family functioning, detract from schoolwork and possibly increase the risk of copycat behaviors and excessive competitiveness. However, in the study “The

Over-Scheduling Hypothesis Revisited: Intensity of Organized Activity Participation During Adolescence and Young Adult Outcomes,” researchers J.L. Mahoney and Andrea Vest determined that, controlling for demographic factors and baseline adjustment, extracurricular intensity was a significant predictor of positive outcomes and unrelated to indicators of problematic adjustment (e.g., psychological distress, substance use, antisocial behavior) at young adulthood.

Even though extracurricular activities are largely positive — even when schedules are packed — parents need to be aware of the diminishing returns of too many activities. This is something called the “threshold effect.” Benefits from extracurriculars can level off when too many activities are being juggled. If a child is experiencing anxiety, sleeplessness or depression, or seems overly stressed, it could be time to reduce students’ time spent doing structured activities.

It’s essential that families use the cues given by kids to assess what students can handle. And children should be encouraged to be honest with their parents about their extracurricular activities as well.

Apple Blossom Preschool & Early Learning Center

Private Education Guide 2017 Page 15

The best part of going to School One?

Being Yourself.

SCHOOL ONE is a small progressive high school on the East Side of Providence.

Our hallmarks: a robust arts program; a creative curriculum; an inclusive and vibrant community; and a great track record with college and art school admissions.

OPEN CAMPUS: Wednesday, October 25 Wednesday, January 31 Wednesday, March 21

220 University Ave. Providence, RI 401-331-2497 | school-one.org

Empowering students to Learn with Confidence.

Lead with Character. Achieve Lasting Success.

401-245-2775 • appleblossomri.com Supporting Families & Inspiring Childcare 136 County Road, Barrington, RI

Preschool (age 3) - Grade 8 • Tuition Assistance Available 180 Rhode Island Ave., Newport • smcds.org • 401-849-5970

RHODE ISLAND 2017 PRIVATE L O O SCH FAIR The Rhode Island Private School (RIPS) Fair is designed to bring guests together with school professionals in a relaxed and pleasant setting. Interested potential students and their families will have the chance to learn more about several schools in one convenient visit.

Participating Schools include:

WEDNESDAY, OCT

5:00 - 7:00PM

Apple Blossom Preschool Bishop Connolly

Bishop Hendricken

Bishop Stang Roger Williams Park Ca Community Preparatory School RI FayProvidence, School The Grace School

The Gordon School

FREE EVENT

Hyde Schools

Lincoln School

Middlesex School

Montessori Childrens House Moses Brown

ForCharles the line up of schools and mor Mount Saint Academy information visit ripsfair.com Northfield Mount Herman Pomfret School Providence Country Day School Rectory School Rocky Hill School School One

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11th 5:00 - 7:00PM

St. Philomena School

Roger Williams Park Casino

The Wolf School

Providence, RI

FREE EVENT

St. Andrew’s School Wheeler School

Visit ripsfair.com for an up to date list, we’re adding schools daily.