learn many different ways intelligent infinite array smile serious flexible dialogue active arts small huge collaboration conversation guidance accountability nuanced robust subtle daring hands-on love work projects internships service arts synthesis drumsticks paintbrush camera every child more than games cheer joy live strong analytic thinking writing verbal skills problem solving warmth love giving to others kindness everywhere everyone flexible dialogue active fun small huge conversation collaboration learn many different ways infinite array smile serious intelligent creativity guidance discover accountability robust nuanced arts open fly hands-on work projects internships service fellowship more than games discover love strong analytic thinking writing drumsticks paintbrush camera every child cheer fly live creativity problem solving verbal skills kindness warmth giving to others intelligent everyone learn many different ways subtle big ideas
FIELD GRADUATES
shine.
Dale Johnson, Head of School at 2011’s graduation ceremony
I want to commend you for having the bravery to go to a high school where the mission statement you now know so well—Self-discovery, Skills of Mind, Generosity of Heart— doesn’t include a verb. A teacher was once asked to describe Field students. “They’re not quite like the other children,” he quipped. And then, chuckling, he continued with sincere warmth. “There’s something different about Field kids that’s hard to describe. There’s a spark.”
This is true. You are not like the other children. And Field is not like the other schools.
You did not have AP courses to take. No bell system told you when class was over or beginning. Your lockers didn’t need locks. You had to take art and play sports. And you had to think. And you had to write. And you had to debate. And you had to problemsolve. And you had to create.
And you did.
You worked hard because it was demanded of you—but most often because you were inspired. You rewired your own brains. Your achievements speak to your journey of self-discovery. Your experiences created the tools you will take with you, the skills of mind. And your friendships and commitment to each other and to our community demonstrated exceptional generosity of heart.
Dale Johnson joined The Field School as a teacher in 1990 after graduating from Williams College. He became Head of School in 2004.
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MISSION
FIELD MISSION
self-discovery y skills We know that the central job of adolescence is for young folks to discover who they are—
love
what they
, where they’re strong and where they’re not, what
lifts them up
and when they need to ask for help. We teach the skills they will need for tomorrow:
analytic thinking, writing, problem-solving, and the verbal skills of discussion, debate, mediation and listening. And our community teaches every day that
warmth, and giving to others are the ties that bind us. 2
kindness,
of mind generosity g y of heart
At Field, our mission is everywhere and known by everyone.
3
A FIELD EDUCATION
isn’t an endurance A Field education lights the spark of
4
real academic inspiration.
EDUCATION contest. A Field education is a
dares
students to ask questions and to venture opinions. A Field education
conversation and collaboration among teachers and students. A Field education connects
ideas in logical ways. It is
A Field education is
nuanced and patient rather than a rush of memorized facts.
robust and serious and
flexible
. It is the education you want
for your kids in a world that values subtle and daring thought. It prepares students for (and sends students to) the Ivy League—and just about every other league—without the crush of AP classes.
5
TEACHERS Highly
intelligent
and steeped in their subjects, our teachers
are most serious about knowing their students.
Flexible and friendly,
they are more likely to be caught in the midst of a one-on-one writing conference than in a lecture. Field teachers stress dialogue and debate. They craft lessons in which students are
6
active
and participating rather than merely being “sponges.�
FIELD TEACHERS
connect. Here’s what students say: “At Field, you always know the teachers are on your side.”
7
FIELD STUDENTS
are exceptional. p 8
STUDENTS There is no one kind of Field student. We are proud to attract
highly intelligent
students who learn in many different ways. They are painters and readers, runners and best friends, writers and mentors—in an
infinite array
of combinations. They are hungry for small classes and drawn to
big ideas. They value each other’s differences
and find commonality across seeming barriers.
Field students
smile upon arriving at school.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL
THE FIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL
builds
Our middle school holds students close so they can think
grandly .
Daily advisory meetings provide academic guidance and personal accountability. Patient teachers
how to learn rather than mere facts. Mentors from the higher grades offer peer guidance that matters. And learning comes from a variety of sources: hands-on focus on teaching students
work, projects, internships, service, arts, and fellowship. 10
confidence. The Field Middle School even as it
understands young teens as they are—
builds who they are becoming.
11
FIELD CLASSES
average g only y 11 At The Field School, small is
12
huge
.
CLASSES
1 students. We deeply believe:
Small
is beautiful.
Small means that Field
teachers know every student as an individual—how each thinks and learns and strives.
Small means that every student has a voice every day. Small means that every question is treated as a gift. Small means that every day is a dialogue and every teacher is an ally.
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CURRICULUM
We know our subjects inside out— and we choose material that inspires
fascination
and intensity.
Our name comes from the belief that, provided coherent
fields of knowledge, students will develop a passion and knack for synthesis.
Field offers challenging mathematics (past calculus), probing
historical study, three foreign languages
(Spanish, French, Latin), writing intensive literary seminars, and
“why?”
science that insistently asks
At Field, the curriculum serves the
14
learning process, not the other way around.
THE FIELD CURRICULUM
is thoughtful g . 15
DIVERSITY
16
is who we
DIVERSITY The Field School is a
community of all kinds of families
from varying racial, cultural, religious, and economic backgrounds.
celebrate
define our school through the distinct identities and proud We
individuals and
and varied voices of all. Field teaches from multiple perspectives to a
variety of learning styles, educating across boundaries.
are. The Field School believes in
multicultural education,
preparing students to thrive in a global society.
17
ATHLETICS
have FIELD ATHLETICS
Everyone needs to move, to have fun, to come together.
Our volleyball teams jump and spike, but mainly they
cheer. Our baseball teams hit and field,
but mainly they live every moment of the game. Our basketball teams shoot and rebound, but mainly they take off
fly. In soccer or tennis, yoga or Ultimate Frisbee, the objective is to work together for something bigger than than winning: health, friendship, , and the biggest smiles we can find. and
18
creativity
heart. Field sports are
more than games.
19
FIELD ARTS
are every y At The Field School, the arts serve every part of
20
every child.
ARTS
day y. We have always known that the arts make kids smarter and happier.
A slab of clay in a pair of hands makes algebra easier. and a joyful shout help a brain to conjugate verbs. A A
Drumsticks
paintbrush dipped in azure brings focus and calm.
camera is a prism that helps students see more clearly and write with more precision. 21
CULTURE The Field School knows that a great education is not drudgery. The best schools require that students struggle with real
challenges.
But they also know that kids thrive when they are pushed to be
creative, to solve tough but gripping problems, to speak their minds, and to encounter the world with
That’s why our classes are and making art are
active
joy .
places, why playing games
open to every student every day, why our daily activity
period includes both study and fun, and why our faculty is more likely to
beam than to wag a finger.
Field is that
22
rare place: a school that students can’t wait to come to each day.
THE FIELD CULTURE
thrives on jjoy y. 23
APPLYING
Applying to The Field School: First: We ask that you visit the school as part of a smallgroup parent tour (call us at 202-295-5839 to set one up, September-January 15th) or during one of our information sessions (www.fieldschool.org has the schedule).
Second: Apply online at www.fieldschool.org if you like what you see. The deadline is January 15th.
Third: We will call you to set up a school visit and conversation with you and your student.
Fourth: The paperwork: two teacher recommendations, school transcripts going back two years, testing (any one of the SSAT, WISC IV, or ISEE), a Parent Questionnaire, and a student essay assigned on the day of the visit. See our website for details and downloads of forms.
Field Credentials: • The Field School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. • The Field School is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, Independent Education, the Black Student Fund, and the Latino Student Fund. • The Field School is a wholly independent, non-sectarian school, governed by a Board of Trustees. • The Field School was founded in 1972 and moved to 2301 Foxhall Road, NW, Washington, DC in September 2002.
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BY THE NUMBERS
320
11
100
10.5
65
3
57
2
36
1
students, each unique
percent participation in arts and sports
teachers, patient and inspiring
different college placements for 68 graduates
students per class
acres in our idyllic nation’s capital
foreign languages
weeks of internship each year
community
sports teams, with no student ever “cut”
3
2301 Foxhall Road, NW 202.295.5800
Washington, DC 20007
www.fieldschool.org
hands-on work projects internships service arts fellowship drumsticks camera paintbrush smile serious flexible active huge dialogue arts learn many different ways intelligent infinite warmth conversation guidance fly every child accountability nuanced robust daring subtle fun every child live joy more than games cheer problem solving warmth love giving to others strong writing analytic thinking verbal skills service more than games fellowship discover infinite array everywhere everyone kindness flexible smart conversation dialogue small live collaboration synthesis open learn fellowship active learn many different ways smile serious creativity collaboration intelligent guidance joy