WORDS THAT CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
A GUIDE FOR BRAVE AND BRILLIANT GIRLS, IN 16 WORDS AND 14 LISTS
KENT PLACE SCHOOL EMPOWERS GIRLS TO BE CONFIDENT, INTELLECTUAL, AND ETHICAL LEADERS WHO ADVANCE THE WORLD.
That’s our mission statement: 16 words that can change the world.
We bring our mission to life every day, on an inspiring campus, in a diverse community. Our classes and programs are built to serve girls: to respond to their needs, to meet their ambitions, to call on their strengths, to expand their vision of what’s possible.
The results: They embrace their own potential — and learn how to fulfill it. They gain the courage that comes from facing a challenge. They discover that the world is bigger than they had known — and they discover that they have the confidence and the capacity to make a bigger impact than they had imagined.
They grow into the people they most want to be, the people the world most needs: brave and brilliant girls, ready to create a brighter future.
CONTRIBUTORS
The lists in this book were compiled with the help of — and include the voices of — Kent Place students.
From the PRIMARY SCHOOL: Adeline, Ayah, Chelsea, Dior, London, Maya.
From the MIDDLE SCHOOL: Abby, Aila, Amina, Elijah, Kirsten, Mame, Maya, Mira, Piper, Sofia, Tanseem.
From the UPPER SCHOOL: Adaora, Anaika, Anyra, Christiana, Elina, Elizabeth, Ella, Elyse (“CC”), Grace, Helen, Iman, Isabella, Katie, Morwen, Olivia, Pilar, Sophia B., Sophia M., Sophie. Major thanks to all of you!
15 KEY FACTS
670 STUDENTS IN PRESCHOOL TO GRADE 12, from 70+ communities
54% STUDENTS OF COLOR
7:1 STUDENT-TOFACULTY RATIO
80% OF FACULTY hold ADVANCED DEGREES
28% OF FACULTY POSITIONS held by PEOPLE OF COLOR
100% OF STUDENTS graduate with an ETHICS EDUCATION
THE NATION’S ONLY K–12-BASED ETHICS INSTITUTE with Regional and Nationally Ranked Middle School and Upper School Ethics Bowl Teams
100% OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS involved in COMMUNITY SERVICE
16 VARSITY ATHLETIC TEAMS
THE ONLY NON-SECTARIAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL IN NEW JERSEY
26-ACRE CAMPUS in the heart of Summit, New Jersey
FOUNDED IN 1894
COMPREHENSIVE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS FACILITIES, including dance studio, music wing, black box theater
STATE-OF-THE-ART STEM FACILITIES, including Fabrication Lab, Innovation Lab, Math Studio, STEM Lab, Computer Science & Engineering Lab
FULLY EQUIPPED ATHLETIC FACILITIES, including turf fields for softball, soccer, lacrosse, flag football and field hockey, Field House, and tennis courts
5 THINGS THAT MAKE KENT PLACE KENT PLACE
01 THE COMMUNITY!
Abby: “Everyone has different experiences. You learn so much from the students.” Maya: “I’m comfortable going to any teacher, any student, for help of any kind. I know the name of most of the Upper Schoolers and some of the Primary Schoolers.” Amina: “I don’t think there are words to describe it. It’s a little like déjà vu. It feels just right, like you’ve known it all along.”
02 THE LOVE OF LEARNING
Katie: “You hear conversations in the hallway: ‘I’m so excited, we’re getting to learn this thing in math!’” Elijah: “It’s a place where everybody can learn — not just students but also teachers.” Elizabeth: “You see it out of the classroom too. People delve into so many different extracurriculars. No one’s just an athlete or a science kid or a theater kid.”
03 THE CHANCE TO BE YOURSELF
Ella: “Everyone is encouraged to be their authentic self. It’s such a supportive environment. No one likes to hide.”
Isabella: “Every teacher knows you for who you are.”
Dior: “We’re open to everyone. We accept you for who you are. If you’re different, you’re not different.”
04 THE OPPORTUNITIES
Elijah: “I’m thinking about all the ways you can explore — which helps you get to know yourself and what you actually like.” Amina: “I heard an alumna say: ‘This is where girls learn to occupy their space.’ That’s how I think of Kent Place: You can find the space where you’re supposed to be and just go there. There are so many unique opportunities. You have things like ethics and theater and an entrepreneurship elective in Middle School — who has that? We do.”
05 THE FACT THAT IT’S A SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
Mame: “A lot of people call the KPS community a sisterhood. We make sure everyone feels included.”
Adeline: “You can be honest with your feelings; you don’t have to be afraid. If you tell people what you’re thinking about, they can help you.” Ayah: “I love how close everyone is. Your peers are your sisters; you can depend on them for guidance.”
WAYS TO DEFINE A LEADER 7
01 PASSIONATE
Adaora: “It starts with passion. Without that, you can’t be authentic. I joined a club, and I knew I wanted to make it better. So I stuck to it, pursued it, did everything I could to reach that goal.”
02 COMMUNITY-MINDED
Katie: “A leader leads for others. We ask what would help the team, the community, the organization.”
03 AN ACTIVE LISTENER
Maya: “Don’t just talk and say my idea’s better. Listen to everyone.” Ella: “Try to understand the people you’re working with. You have to be eye to eye.”
04 COLLABORATIVE
Isabella: “You’re not better than someone else just because you have a title. Know when to take control and when to step back. See the best in other people, so you know the best way to go forward.”
05 IMPERFECT!
Ayah: “It’s OK to make mistakes. Mistakes help you do better the next time. Never give up.” Adeline: “Take risks. And find a role model. If you’re scared to do something, you can look up to your role model and find the courage to do it.”
06 SELF-AWARE
Dior: “Think before you speak. You’re responsible for what you say and do — and for what your team is saying and doing.” Adeline: “Other people are looking to you for help. Be the person you’d want to go to for help.”
07 ORIGINAL
Elizabeth: “You can be a leader even if you’re not in a named role. You don’t have to have a C on your jersey to be a leader on the ice. Go outside the borders; take your own initiative. The big question is: Are you leading when no one is expecting you to?”
WAYS TO TAKE A SMART RISK 4
01 LEARN FROM AN EXPERIENCE
Olivia: “When I was a sophomore, I ran for VP, which is a position that usually goes to juniors because they have more experience. I knew I was going to lose — and I did! Four other sophomores ran and lost too. We ran because we care, we want to learn, we want to grow. That’s the culture here. Later I ran for VP again and won.”
02 SPEAK UP
Mame: In fifth grade, my twin sister and I were asked to speak in front of a crowd at Thanksgiving Assembly. I learned to speak up and be more of a leader. Since then, I’ve been taking more leadership roles.”
03 TAKE AN UNFAMILIAR CLASS
Helen: “I could have played it safe in my junior year. But I wanted to try computer science, so I took App Development. There were four people in the class. I loved it; it opened my mind to a whole different field. Now I want to do more with computer science.”
04 STRETCH YOURSELF A LITTLE MORE
Sophie: “I joined an all-male fire department. I was already an EMT on my town’s EMS squad — but the fire department was a little daunting. I wouldn’t have tried to join if I hadn’t been at Kent Place. At school, I’ve developed the mindset of trying for something even if you lose. I know I have support if I need it.”
7 WAYS TO BE BOLD AND CREATIVE
01 JOIN THE CHAMBER DANCERS
Helen: “There are a lot of opportunities to dance: the Middle School group, Dance Ensemble, senior choreography projects. But joining the Chamber Dancers as a ninth-grader meant a lot to me. I was able to connect with seniors right away. And it gave me different kinds of dance experience than I’d had before.”
02 MAKE AND SEE GREAT ART
Chelsea: “I love my art classes. You can be as creative as you want.” Grace: “I’m a fan of the Kent Place art shows. They allow you to be exposed to new forms of art.”
03 TRY SOMETHING NEW
Tanseem: “I took an elective in bookbinding. We connected the art form to Japanese culture and even to economics and science — how paper was invented and produced.”
04 TRY OUT FOR A PART
Ayah: “Last year I was shy in theater class. This year, I tried out for a pretty big part in our play — Caliban in The Tempest — and I got it. The community has made me comfortable being uncomfortable.”
05 DISCOVER A LOVE OF FILM
Grace: “I love photography — so taking Film Art seemed like a good next step. We studied the progression of photographs to the first moving picture — and then we went into things like the French New Wave. The class made me want to get into film even more.”
06 EXPLORE DIGITAL ART
Morwen: “I’ve always been interested in art. I see so many people online drawing digital art — so I was excited to try it in a visual arts class. We learned to use all these new tools; in one project, we made our own phone background. I’m still finding my style. But now I see so many possibilities.”
07 BUILD COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ARTS
Adaora: “I play the violin in the orchestra. To me, STAR — our winter concert — is a highlight of the year. There’s something about the atmosphere — you feel the community on your shoulders. A lot of alumnae are there, which makes me think of how much Kent Place is in people’s hearts, how many people the school has touched. I feel like I’m part of something bigger.”
STORIES ABOUT LIFE-CHANGING TEACHERS 6
01 BEING SEEN
Dior: “I started at Kent Place in fourth grade. My homeroom teacher helped me adjust, especially in math. She used everything as math; she’d find examples around the classroom. She really saw what I needed and found a solution.”
02 THE TURNAROUND
Anyra: “My ninth-grade history teacher had a profound impact on me. I was timid and shy and hard on myself — and she came in with such energy and enthusiasm. I didn’t do well on our first quiz, and I was so nervous when I went to meet with her. But it turned into one of the most amazing conversations. She said she was holding me to a high standard. She gave me life lessons about being kind to myself. She taught me how to use my own voice when I write. Now she’s an advisor, and I’m planning to pursue history in college.”
03 THE NUDGE
Anaika: “In ninth grade, a teacher told us about a summer entrepreneurship program. Some classmates and I put together a plan for a business called Greenie Grub. The idea was to partner with local restaurants to find a use for food that was one or two days past its sell date — which would help solve food insecurity and food waste. I loved that experience and wanted to bring it to Kent Place. So I started a chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America. And it all started with a nudge from a teacher.”
04 THE WAKE-UP CALL
Grace: “My 10th-grade English teacher turned me into the junior I am today. I was in Ghana for the first two weeks of that year. When I came back, I had all this work to make up. My first English assignment was horrible. And the teacher said: ‘You have to keep going.’ I got a C in that first trimester. She kept building up my confidence — telling me I can do it, I have the skills, I need to apply myself. At the end of the year, I got an A in the class. I credit her for giving me the work ethic I have now. She gave me a wake-up call, and I’m so glad I got it.”
05 MAKING IT REAL
Sophie: “My biology teacher is amazing at connecting the material to the real world. When I was deciding how to spend my summer, I chose to work in science — and she’s the reason why.”
06 THE SUPPORT
Iman: “My advisor has always encouraged me to take leadership positions. She’s always in my corner. I was junior class president, and I took the initiative to go to an administrator and request that we receive extra conference time with our teachers. I could see the impact it made. My classmates knew they could get additional guidance and support during a stressful year.”
WAYS TO WIN 7
01 BE INCLUSIVE
Christiana: “I took winter track on a whim. At my first meet, I wasn’t totally sure what I was doing. The older students were so sweet, so inclusive. They cheered me on, told me how good I was. That feeling led me to where I am today — captain of the winter and spring varsity track teams.”
02 LEARN FROM GREAT COACHES
Elyse (“CC”): “When I was younger, my club field hockey team practiced at Kent Place. I still remember when the school’s athletic director — who’s also the field hockey coach — walked up to me, shook my hand, and asked me to apply to Kent Place. Her tone, the way she carried herself — it was so inspiring.” Sophia M.: “My coach is the first person I went to when I knew I wanted to play in college. She got me so organized!”
03 CREATE A CULTURE
Iman: “When I started playing volleyball in Middle School, I had no confidence. I was scrawny, I wore sports goggles. Now that I’m a captain, I know how much it means to have a team culture where you appreciate everyone’s talents. As a leader, it’s a huge thing to me to support and encourage people when they make mistakes. I want them to know that I see their effort, I believe in them, I’ve been there too.”
04 LOVE TO COMPETE
Sophia M.: “We really enjoy the competition. We’re not afraid to push one another. To play your best, you need to feel the pressure, the nerves, the excitement.”
05 KNOW YOUR LIMIT
Pilar: “I love to win, and our coaches love to win. But not at all costs. One of my coaches says: ‘Each day, give 100 percent of what you have today. If you only have 20 percent, give 100 percent of that.’ It’s not smart to push yourself past a healthy physical limit.”
06 FIND THE WILL
Elyse (“CC”): “Before every field hockey game, all the starters get in a circle and link thumbs and say: ‘For those who have the will to win can never be beat.’ Then we yell ‘Yeah!’ and let go at the same time. It looks cool, it sounds scary, and the connection we feel in that moment is so strong.”
07 DO THE WORK
Pilar: “In my first year on the team, I scored my first goal on my birthday. I felt a sense of pride not only for myself but for Kent Place. The school set me up for success. My teammates, my teachers, my coaches — they made sure I was ready to take on the challenge. I felt like my hard work had paid off. By representing myself, I was representing Kent Place.”
MOMENTS WHEN YOU FEEL THE POWER OF COMMUNITY 5
01 CULTURAL EVENTS
Sophia B.: “Student groups will do performances or bring outside speakers or hold discussions. I went to one held by the Jewish Cultural Society; it was a deep conversation about identity.”
02 ADVISORY
Pilar: “Advisory gives you a built-in group of friends and an adult who can help you make the most out of your experience. My advisor always encourages me to try new things: ‘Even if you don’t succeed, the effort matters.’” Elyse (“CC”): “In my sophomore year, my advisory did a big Thanksgiving feast, where everyone brought a dish — mac and cheese, mashed potatoes.”
03 LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE
Kirsten: “I took Spanish, which was a new language for me. I went to the teacher for help — but I also got a lot of help from my friends. That made me see how strong the community is. People are there for you.”
04 HALF-DAY BEFORE WINTER BREAK
Isabella: “We all come in our pajamas and sit in the Great Room, squished like sardines. The fireplace is on, and we have bagels and hot chocolate and watch a movie. I love the coziness.”
05 THE FIRST DAY
Katie: “This is a smallish moment, but it means a lot to me. On the first day of school, a bunch of seniors hold signs saying ‘Welcome to KPS’ and ‘Welcome Home’ and things like that. And every year, it makes me feel like: ‘Yeah. I belong here. I’m home.’”
5 CLASSES THAT ARE CHALLENGING IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY
01 CALCULUS BC
Isabella: “It was so hard! I had to look for support. I went to the teacher, I went to other teachers, I went to the Math Studio. I learned so much about how to use my resources, how to keep going through something hard. It was a really positive experience.”
02 ENGINEERING, ETHICS, AND ENTERTAINMENT
Iman: “For our big final project, I built a piano with metallic paint that was supposed to conduct energy and sound. It ended up not working as well as I wanted it to, but I still learned so much. That’s what I like about STEM at Kent Place: It’s not just about the result — it’s about how you grow in your thinking throughout the process.”
03 ENGLISH 11
Christiana: “It gives you access to all these perspectives and experiences. And my teacher added so many life lessons. At the end, you do the Cumulative Humanities Project, where you analyze a book using English and history. It usually includes a trip to the Rutgers library. So many people help you with it: librarians, advisors, teachers in any department. I loved the whole experience.”
04 CIVICS AND LEADERSHIP
Katie: “In eighth grade, we did debates in history. I love debating — I’m on Mock Trial — I was super excited for it. The debates were politically focused to get you used to arguing a point you disagreed with. I hated that idea! I felt like I was betraying myself. I did all my research and prepared all my notes, but I told the teacher that I wasn’t sure I could do it. She told me that I might not like it, but it’s important to see the other side of an issue and understand where people are coming from. In the end, I improved my debate skills — and my people skills.”
05 BIOETHICS
Elizabeth: “It was a research course. I worked with a mentor from Georgetown, wrote a 35-page paper on overpopulation and the ethics of population controls, and made a presentation to the local hospital’s bioethics board. One of the most important things I learned was the value of listening. I’ve always been confident and talkative. But people had such different perspectives on my topic, it forced me to listen. To get the most out of a conversation, you don’t have to have the most airtime. In a lot of ways, listening is more powerful than talking.”
WAYS TO PRACTICE WELLNESS 5
01 RUN AND DANCE!
Adeline: “P.E. is one of my favorite classes. They play music and explain the games. We have all these different units and try different sports. I love running and dancing to the songs.”
02 WORK TOGETHER
Piper: “I was captain of Middle School field hockey. A lot of people on the team were just starting to learn the sport. I loved combining people at different skills levels and discovering common bonds. We even did a spirit day where the Middle School and Upper School teams competed in different activities and cheered each other on.”
03 EMPATHIZE WITH PEERS
Aila: “One activity that helps me de-stress is Peer Ed. Peer Ed is a time that freshmen get to share with a group of selected seniors once every other Wednesday in small groups. During this time, we talk about a variety of things. Not only does this time help me meet new people, but it also creates bonds with people who I can share my experiences with and be empathetic toward theirs.”
04 CONNECT LEARNING AND LIVING
Christiana: “We have a Learn. Live. program in every division. In the Upper School, it’s Learn. Live. Lead. It’s about making connections between your mind and body, between learning and living. It covers so much: ethics and justice, nutrition, and self-defense. You get so much knowledge that you can use throughout your life.”
05 FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE AND HAVE FUN!
Tanseem: “As the workload is getting heavier, it is important to de-stress, organize your thoughts, and of course, have fun! Our guidance counselor handed out gratitude journals at the beginning of the year, helping me focus on the positive things. The Upper School also had Spirit Week, where we did fun challenges and dressed up as daily themes. My friends and I coordinated costumes, participated in the cosmic bowl, and were very competitive in the Harry Potter Kahoot!”
MIND-EXPANDING STEM EXPERIENCES 5
01 ENGINEERING
Abby: “Engineering was my favorite elective of all time. We worked on environmental problems. The experiments and projects were so amazing — we made shoes out of cardboard. It really opened my eyes. Now I want to be an engineer. Engineers can do anything! You see what people need, and then you make things to meet those needs.”
02 CODING
Christiana: “In Computer Science Principles, we did so many projects and came up against so many challenges. And we found our way together. I’m most proud of making a playlist generator. It takes your mood and your preferred song length and filters that information into a list of songs you might like. It made me think: ‘Hmm, I might want to do this in college.’”
03 PLATE TECTONICS
Tanseem: “We split into groups and chose a landform. My group chose volcanoes. We explored different volcanoes and made a huge presentation about them. It went beyond the science of volcanoes; it was also about history and culture and geography. My favorite volcano was Krakatoa because I was learning about Indonesia too.”
04 GOING BEHIND THE SCENES
Sofia: “STEM is incorporated into the curriculum. So I took a class called Behind the Scenes, where we built props for a production of Mary Poppins. And in our Science Expo, my group made eco-friendly buildings.”
05 GATHERING DATA
Dior: “We were studying anatomy in science. When we were doing the circulatory system, we practiced taking our heartbeat at home and made a graph about it. I was running around in circles, my brother was so mad at me — but I got my heartbeat data. A scientist has to do what a scientist has to do.”
6 WAYS WE SEE YOUR BRILLIANCE
01 TAPPING POTENTIAL
Ella: “In my other schools, I’d been categorized as a STEM student. But my history teacher saw something in me. She said: ‘You could be good at this. I see potential in you. I want to help you.’ That made a huge difference.”
02 CHANGING THE NARRATIVE
Elizabeth: “In fourth grade, I had the narrative that I didn’t like math and I was going to be bad at it. We had a math team that competed statewide. And my teacher said: ‘Oh, you should definitely do this.’ That encouragement changed the trajectory of my life. Since then, I’ve taken a special interest in math, and I’m planning to pursue it in college.”
03 OVERCOMING FEAR
Katie: “I love theater so much. I’ve done it my entire life. In my eighth-grade year, they were doing a musical. Well, I can’t sing. I was fully planning on not auditioning. I didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of the director, who already had a high opinion of me. The director didn’t force me to audition, but she strongly encouraged it. I got a role — not a big one — and ended up smiling through the whole experience.”
04 MAKING THE PUSH
Adaora: “I was thinking of applying to the Bioethics program, but I felt like I might not be able to handle it. My advisor would not let me leave the room until I agreed to apply. With that extra push, I did it. I got into the program, and it has been one of the highlights of my time here.”
05 INSPIRING A LEADER
Isabella: “I tend to be more introverted. When I thought about running for a government office, I thought no one would vote for me. But my advisor gave me a lot of confidence. And in the Upper School, there’s an atmosphere of running for things no matter what the outcome is — you do it for the experience. Well, I won in my first year, and then I kept getting elected.”
06 MAKING YOUR OWN WAY
Anaika: “I designed an independent study where I coded and developed a global news aggregator. The goal is to eliminate domestic bias about foreign news. The project came out of my experience in Model UN and Ethics Bowl, both of which taught me how to see the world through multiple perspectives. This is all part of a journey. I taught myself how to code; I took AP computer science; I’ve got an internship at a tech startup run by a KPS alumna. I think of computer science as a tool for making change in the world.”
THE GUIDE FOR BRAVE AND BRILLIANT GIRLS
ESSENTIAL
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS, PEOPLE, AND
PLACES
THE TOP 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT KPS
01 WE’RE ROOTED IN RELATIONSHIPS
Our students make lifelong friendships, work with faculty mentors, and learn from friends and soon-to-be friends alike. At the heart of our academic community is our Advisory Program, which is built around small groups of students, each led by a faculty advisor. Advisory groups support students at each stage of their emotional, social, and intellectual development, addressing concerns and questions, anticipating challenges, and providing encouragement.
02 WE EMBRACE CHALLENGE — AND OPPORTUNITY
Our academic program meets students where they are, introduces them to new challenges and opportunities, and gives them the freedom and the inspiration to fulfill their potential. Computer science and engineering in the Primary School, civics and ethical leadership in the Middle School, interdisciplinary coursework and independent research in the Upper School — these are a few of the ways we invite students to become their full, flourishing selves.
03 WE STAND FOR ETHICS AND LEADERSHIP
Ethics and leadership are woven throughout our curriculum and threaded through clubs, advisory groups, and summer programs. Our groundbreaking Ethics Institute — the first of its kind at the primary and secondary school levels — sponsors a range of initiatives that cultivate ethical thought and action. Our renowned Girls’ Leadership Institute informs our students’ leadership skills development and bolsters leadership within the greater community by hosting one- and two-week summer enrichment programs for girls entering grades 4–10.
04 WE BUILD A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE BELONGS
In and out of the classroom, in formal and informal ways, we do the essential work of creating a safe, inclusive space for every member of our community. One result: Our graduates are able to work across cultures, honor the variety of human experiences, and have a deep understanding of equity and justice.
05 WE STRIVE FOR WELLNESS
Our Learn. Live. program follows students throughout their time at Kent Place, giving them the skills and the courage to advocate for themselves, strengthen the connection between mind and body, and appreciate the ways in which they’re growing and changing. Students also take advantage of our robust physical education and athletics programs. The goals: achieving balance, finding purpose, and cultivating resilience.
PRIMARY SCHOOL GRADES K–5
THE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
We believe that a girl’s first school experience should set the standard for the years that follow — a standard of joy and wonder, engagement and exploration, courage and creativity. Our integrated curriculum, taught by experienced faculty who know how girls think, feel, and learn, provides a foundation for academic excellence in all fields of study. Daily leadership opportunities — along with Morning Meeting, classroom presentations, class trips, computer science, world languages, and more — give our girls the tools and self-confidence they’ll need to successfully navigate the Middle and Upper School years.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES
In Math Lab, our before-school co-curricular opportunity, Primary School girls can explore math through genetics, origami, financial literacy, and more. Artists and writers can produce art and writing for our literary magazine, Spark. In our Computer Science & Engineering Lab, students use their STEM skills to ideate, prototype, and iterate designs to solve problems such as how to fabricate the best playdough and how to code a game promoting eco-friendly behavior.
OUR SPACES
In our warm, bright, welcoming school, we have spaces you’d expect: dynamic classrooms, a library, an art studio, a music room, and indoor and outdoor play areas. But we also have spaces that feel wondrous: a log cabin, an archaeological dig site, a butterfly garden. And because the KPS campus is a multidivisional campus, our Primary School girls have access to the Middle and Upper Schools first-class science, arts, and athletic facilities.
CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY
We put technology to smart, strategic use. Students in kindergarten through grade 2 have access to classroom iPads. Students in grades 3–5 join our 1:1 (one device to one student) classroom Chromebook program and are given a Kent Place School MyKPS and Google account to connect with academic class pages. In addition, all students have access to a state-of-the-art Computer Science & Engineering Lab, where coding, robotics, and problemsolving come alive. And we use additional tools in all classrooms, including interactive whiteboards, interactive projectors, DTEN video conferencing, and document cameras. Instruction is delivered utilizing cloud-based software and tools that support specific curricular goals.
EXPLORING OURSELVES AND OUR WORLD
At Kent Place, our curriculum is designed to help students learn not only about the world around them but also about themselves. We prioritize a healthy and balanced school climate in which each member of our community can thrive. In helping students to learn about themselves and others, we, in turn, celebrate each student’s personal identity and background. Our commitment to each member of our community lives in our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives and is further emphasized through the study of World Language, exposure to cultural art forms, field trips, and guest speakers. Our students learn to identify strengths in themselves and in others and create a community based on respect, empathy, and teamwork.
CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
Learning happens everywhere. That’s why we offer a full slate of clubs and performance groups, including Eco-Team, Math Lab, Kaleidoscopes (an affinity group for students of color), Tap Ensemble, and Hummingbirds Chorus. These programs give shape and meaning to the time students spend outside of class, build camaraderie, and give students their first experience as both a leader and a member of a community.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
We know that social, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth are interconnected; when you’re strong in one area, you’re prepared to be strong in the others. Our Learn. Live. Wonder. program leads students through a range of age-appropriate themes and activities that help them learn through inquiry, live a life of curiosity, and wonder and explore the world. Physical education courses feature confidence-boosting games and dances, healthy eating, and Mini Dragon Athletic Clinics in selected sports — an inclusive, high-spirited introduction to playing together.
AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT
We offer an adventurous selection of after-school enrichment programs: chess, Chinese language, musical theater, arts and crafts, Math Lab, music lessons, and sports clinics. Kent Place Kids gives busy families a hand, offering supervised special activities and homework help from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on school days.
PARENT PARTNERSHIPS
Parent involvement and partnerships are integral to our students’ success. All Kent Place School parents belong to the Parents’ Association, and all are invited to participate in communitywide groups such as the Diversity and Equity Parent Group (DEPG) and committees such as the Primary School Used Book Sale, Grandparents and Special Friends Day, and Family Fun Day. Parent Book Clubs and Ethics Institute discussions are some of many opportunities for parents to participate and learn from our community. Each classroom has parents serving as class representatives, as well as other volunteer opportunities during the school day. Our weekly newsletter, KPS Navigator, provides updates on community happenings and ways to get involved.
MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES 6–8
THE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
It’s designed to meet students where they are and support and challenge them along their journey. We offer plenty of structure, but we also give girls a new degree of responsibility for their education. Our multicultural curriculum offering a combination of traditional academic courses and innovative co-curricular subjects helps girls explore emerging interests, embrace new ideas, and respond to new challenges.
SIXTH-GRADE SEMINAR
A year-long course that introduces students to skills, practices, and ideas that will serve as a shared foundation in Middle School — and beyond. Students explore five subject areas: ethics, leadership, identity, computer science, and entrepreneurship. The result is an intentional, experiential expansion of each student’s horizon.
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
Grade 6 students are enrolled in Thinking Outside the Box, a onetrimester course that challenges students with a series of non-routine and open-ended problem-solving tasks from across the core Middle School content.
THE STEM EXPERIENCE
Each course in our required science sequence is built around an overarching question: How does the structure of a cell relate to how the cell functions? What role does energy play in the Earth’s systems? Why are things different? In computer science and engineering courses, students move from being consumers to ethical producers of technology. All of our STEM courses (and clubs!) are about more than skills and content; they’re about gaining the confidence to identify as a mathematical and scientific thinker.
ELECTIVES
Students in grades 7 and 8 explore elective courses of their choice in three pillars: Ethics & Leadership; STEM: Innovating for Our Future; and Wellness, Identity, & Social Justice, which allows them to explore new interests and expand existing ones.
RECENT ELECTIVES
Ethics & Leadership Courses
Public Speaking
It’s News to Me
Ethics I and II
Leadership Seminar
STEM: Innovating for Our Future Courses
Advanced Robotics
STEM Humanities
Money Matters
Behind the Scenes
STEM for Engineering
Genius
Wellness, Identity, &
Social Justice Courses
Creative Writing & Personal Identity
Health & Wellness 7 and 8
Identity 7
Peer Mediation
Mindfulness & Meditation
The Play’s the Thing
Mock Trials
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
All students complete an arts course each trimester. Our professional arts staff supports the continued development of creativity and imaginative expression in our students and provides a variety of opportunities for their individual exploration of the arts.
COURSES INCLUDE
Behind the Scenes
Visual Art & Digital Photography
Dance Makers
Let’s Face It
Playmakers
KENT PLACE SCHOOL COMMUNITY CONVERSATION NORMS
These guidelines are for every member of our community: students, faculty, staff, and families.
Each addresses the individual’s dual role as both speaker and listener.
Speak your truth and listen to understand others.
Understand impact versus intent.
When possible, seek to “call in.”
Consider when to step forward and when to step back.
Show leadership by taking positive risks and practicing empathy.
CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
During designated periods of the week, Middle School students scatter to our many communal spaces around campus to meet with clubs, plan publications, engage in community service and student government, and more. All students are invited to lead or join clubs of interest during three club cycles each year, and our clubs reflect the diverse interests of our students. Our clubs span a range of interests, from creative writing to robotics. Our Kaleidoscopes Mentorship Program brings together students from all three divisions who self-identify as children of color to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Middle School students continue to dive into identity through a combination of affinity groups, regular workshops and assemblies, guest speakers, and required coursework. Our Peer Mediators facilitate conversations with classmates about relevant social issues.
SELECTED MIDDLE SCHOOL CLUBS
Baking Club
Book Club
Community Service
Diversity Club
GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance)
Handlettering Club
Key Club
Middle School Newspaper Club
Middle School Math Club
Middle School Robo Dragons
Outdoor Games Club
Student Government
FORMING A STRONG SENSE OF SELF
Helping students understand their strengths and their place in the world is a big task but one that the Kent Place Middle School faculty and staff succeed at every day. Through leadership development, which happens in the classroom, during clubs, and on the athletic fields, students build character and confidence by identifying and prioritizing their own values and belief systems, which they then use to make ethical decisions. They collaborate to develop empathy and community awareness for a strong foundation that strengthens their capacity to lead within school and the greater community. Our goal? Empower Girls. Advance the World.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Our Learn. Live. Grow. program continues in Middle School. Led by faculty and staff who are experts in child development, students explore the connection between healthy relationships and social development, examine their perception of gender and body image, and continue to develop a strong sense of self. Through group discussions, role plays, research, and technology projects, students learn to find their voice, live a life of creativity, and grow the heart-brain connection.
ATHLETICS
Our gyms and fields are classrooms, too. Students in grade 6 are exposed to sports that we offer as an athletic team in grades 7 and 8. They take part in our challenging physical education program, climbing rock walls, playing tennis and other games, testing and improving their strength, all in preparation for our athletics program, which begins in grade 7. Students in grades 7 and 8 can join any of our 10 inclusive interscholastic teams; more than 90 percent of them choose to do so. Our coaches help students flourish as athletes and as members of our community — no matter the student’s background — and ensure that all students on our teams grow to love the thrill of competition and teamwork.
MIDDLE SCHOOL INTERSCHOLASTIC TEAMS
Basketball
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
UPPER SCHOOL GRADES 9–12
THE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
It’s lively, varied, vigorous, and designed to meet the demands of our mission. It’s guided by expert teachers and powered by the diversity of our community. We encourage students to test their abilities, set ambitious goals, and find support in every corner of the school, from the Math Studio to the Writing Center, from a learning support coordinator to individual advisors.
LEARN. LIVE. LEAD.
Learn about yourself and others. Live a life of balance and joy. Lead others to do the same. These are the tenets of the Learn. Live. Lead. and Peer Education programs in which all ninth-graders participate. Twelfthgrade Peer Educators are trained to facilitate discussions and mentor ninth-grade students during their transition to the Upper School. Topics include utilization of resources, promoting healthy decision-making, developing study skills, and responding to peer, family, and academic progress. We know that wellness is a condition for successful learning and leadership — and we seek to cultivate and model it at KPS.
CUMULATIVE HUMANITIES PROJECT
A rite of passage in grade 11 — an immersive, independent, interdisciplinary research project that combines literature, history, and the arts. Students choose a topic in history and a related novel — then analyze the relation between the two and synthesize the work of scholars in each field.
STUDENT-DESIGNED RESEARCH
An elective in our Science Department offered to students in grades 10–12. Students choose a topic, and with the mentorship of a faculty member, develop a research program, including a scientific literature review, experimental design and implementation, data collection, and data analysis. Recent topics include heat impact on DNA, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and biodiesel. An extraordinary opportunity to be a working scientist.
ADVISORY
Our Student Advisory Program takes on special meaning in the Upper School when students are wrestling with momentous personal and academic decisions. Every student has an advisor who will nurture relationships within her small group for all four years. Advisories meet weekly for conversations and activities regarding academics and their four-year plan, as well as school values, such as leadership, honor, service, and diversity.
BIOETHICS PROJECT
A defining experience for selected students in grades 10–12. Developed by our Ethics Institute, the Bioethics Project is an intensive two-trimester course that includes a summer internship, mentorship by a leader in the field, and a presentation at our annual Bioethics Symposium. Students conduct independent research and work together to explore complex questions dealing with privacy and personal freedom, fairness, and access to health care.
RECENT COURSE OFFERINGS
2D Visual Design
Acting Workshop
App Development I: User Experience
Art History
AP Calculus BC
The Books They Told You Not to Read
Chinese I
Engineering and the Arts
AP Environmental Science
Ethics and the Visual Arts: Art as Protest
AP French Language and Culture
Functions and Trigonometry
Human Anatomy & Physiology
AP Latin
Media Literacy
Music Theory I and II
Multivariable Calculus
Photography I and II
Revisionist Literature
Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Spanish V: Women’s Voices in Hispanic Literature
Women’s Studies
COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND MENTORS
When girls experience positive role models and mentors, they develop a stronger sense of direction and well-being. Pathways open up and their own bravery and brilliance become clearer. At Kent Place, we invest in each other and aim to foster a strong sense of sisterhood. Students in grade 12 mentor students in grade 9, Upper School students mentor Middle School students, and our vast network of alumnae support all of our students by creating internships, passing on career wisdom, and volunteering with the Ethics Institute and for panel discussions. Anything is possible when women and girls support and learn from each other. Simply put: Empower Girls. Advance the World.
CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
Our students join (and lead!) more than 30 clubs, affinity groups, societies, publications, and global and ethical initiatives. Committees such as Senate and Judiciary form school policies and adjudicate on school rules. Athletic Association, Social Committee, and Student Affairs plan major events such as dances and Spirit Week.
SELECTED STUDENT GROUPS
American Sign Language Club
Art Club
Arts Committee
Asian & Pacific Islander
Cultural Association
Ballast (newspaper)
Black Cultural Association
Cargoes (yearbook)
Computer Science Club
Diversity Council
Engineering Club
Environmental Club
EconLife
Ethics Bowl Club
Fashion and Beyond
Film Club
French Club
Gender Sexuality Alliance
Girls Learn and Make a Difference
Girls Outdoors
Girls Who Code
Investment Club
Jewish Cultural Society
Junior State of America
Latinx Cultural Association
Lit Loose
Math Club
Mock Trial
Robotics
Science Club
Spanish Club
Treblemakers
SERVICE
Service is part of our culture. More than 90 percent of Upper School students voluntarily participate in community service projects; during an average school year, they complete more than 7,000 hours of service. These opportunities encourage students to think early, deeply, and often about giving their time and talents to helping others. Ongoing community partners include Bridges, El Centro Hispanoamericano, Eliminate Poverty Now, Family Promise, Habitat for Humanity, MEND Hunger Relief Help, Overlook Hospital, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare, and Summit Helping Its People.
ARTS
Creative thinking and artistic expression are essential to the Upper School experience. The arts — including robust programs in music, dance, visual arts, and theater — reinforce, reinvigorate, and even reinvent themes in other fields. We offer a wide range of performance opportunities: an orchestra, instrumental chamber ensembles, two dance groups, at least two mainstage plays, and four choral ensembles.
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
In a community that is supportive and joyful, the Upper School experience at Kent Place prepares students for college and for life by living its mission: to empower girls to be confident, intellectual, and ethical leaders who advance our world. We accomplish this by providing programs and resources to help students explore their leadership potential, strengthen their self-esteem, and turn plans into action. Students build skills in several essential areas: communication, social and emotional intelligence, vision and goal setting, ethical decision-making, leadership styles, and cultural competence.
ATHLETICS
About 75 percent of our students participate in one of our 16 varsity sports. They play to win — and they learn to see winning as something bigger than a score. To us, it’s about communication and collaboration, discipline and teamwork, personal responsibility and collective achievement. We send scholar-athletes not only to all-conference, all-county, all-state, and all-star teams but also to top Division I and III schools. A few recent team highlights: NJISAA Prep A Field Hockey State Championship, NJISAA Prep A State Volleyball Championship, NJISAA Prep A Cross Country Champions, UCIAC Watchung Tennis Conference Championship, and many student athletes selected for All-Conference, All-County, All-League, and AllState Honors.
UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETICS
Basketball Cross Country
Fencing
Field Hockey
Flag Football
Golf
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
Winter Track
BRAVE AND BRILLIANT FUTURES
PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE
This portrait outlines 10 goals we strive for as we shape our students’ experience. The portrait changes as the world changes.
01 She will have a breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding in all disciplines.
02 She will be able to express herself with confidence and a sense of purpose in written, oral, and digital forms.
03 She will be able to apply quantitative, scientific, and technological methods to gather and evaluate data that will inform her opinions and decisions about historical and contemporary issues.
04 She will be proficient in more than one language.
05 She will have developed an ethical framework and learned how to navigate complex ethical dilemmas.
06 She will have developed, practiced, and showcased her own unique leadership style, advocacy skills, and voice.
07 She will have developed cultural competency in either travel, service, communication, or another form that will expand her global presence and make a positive impact.
08 She will recognize the value of artistic expression as an essential part of contemporary life.
09 She will value involvement and action utilizing creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, invention, and innovation.
10 She will have established a plan for lifelong health, wellness, and fitness.
KPS ALUMNAE
Our alumnae produce Peabody Award-winning television shows, try precedent-setting cases, treat lifethreatening diseases, found venture capital firms, run multinational nonprofits, and — yes — teach the next generation of brave and brilliant leaders. They’re also a major resource for our current students. They serve as mentors, aid in career planning, and host networking events so our seniors and recent graduates can share in their success — in college and in life.
COLLEGE ADVISING
We know our students as complete human beings, help them explore their goals and ambitions, and ensure that their next step allows them to flourish. We work with students at every phase of the college process: developing a balanced college list, providing workshops on essay writing and interviewing techniques, reviewing applications, and everything in between. The results: The Class of 2024 will attend 49 colleges (37 private, 12 public) in 20 states, the District of Columbia, and Scotland.
COLLEGE MATRICULATION
2021–2024
Colleges where multiple KPS
Graduates matriculated
Amherst College
Barnard College
Bates College
Boston College
Bowdoin College
Brown University
Bucknell University
California Institute of Technology
Carnegie Mellon University
Chapman University
University of Chicago
Clemson University
Colgate University
Columbia University in the City of New York
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Duke University
Emerson College
Emory University
Georgetown University
Hamilton College
Harvard University
Johns Hopkins University
Lafayette College
Lehigh University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of Miami
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
New York University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
University of Notre Dame
Oberlin College
University of Pennsylvania
Princeton University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University of Richmond
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
University of Southern California
Syracuse University
The George Washington University
Tufts University
Tulane University of Louisiana
Union College (NY)
University of Oxford
University of St Andrews
Vanderbilt University
Villanova University
University of Virginia
Wake Forest University
Washington University in St Louis
Wesleyan University
William & Mary
Williams College
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Yale University
ADMISSION AND FINANCIAL AID
ADMISSION
We’re proud to say that there’s no typical Kent Place girl. In fact, we know that a diverse community is smarter, stronger, and more innovative than a community where everyone looks and acts and thinks the same. That said, Kent Place students tend to share some similar qualities. They’re boundlessly curious. They see a challenge as an opportunity to learn. They look for ways to bring people together. They find joy in collaboration. They take pride in their own work, and they take pleasure in the work of others. They’re willing to fail — and eager to learn from that experience. They care about the future; they see beyond themselves; they’re determined to make a difference.
FINANCIAL AID
We’re all about opportunity. We believe a great education should be accessible to girls from all walks of life. So we’re committed to providing grants (which don’t need to be repaid) to families who demonstrate financial need. We also offer a tuition payment plan that allows families to make payments in monthly installments throughout the school year. Important note: Our ability to offer need-based aid is a direct result of the generosity of the Kent Place community — including parents, alumnae, and trustees. Every generation of KPS students stands on the shoulders of the previous generation.
NEXT STEPS
To learn more, ask questions, or begin the application process, please go to kentplace.org/admission. If you’d like to see what’s ahead for Kent Place, we invite you to read our strategic plan; you can find it at kpsempower.org.
VISIT US!
We’d love to meet you. A visit could be the start of something great. Please see our website (kentplace.org) for the most current visiting information.
01 MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Sophia B.: “I want to matter. I’m passionate about climate change and plastic pollution and solving those issues through engineering. But I don’t just want to be one thing. I’m also interested in music and French. Life is an interdisciplinary experience. That’s a mindset you develop here.”
02 MAKING THE WORLD MORE ACCESSIBLE
Elijah: “I know the privilege I have as a hearing person. I’d like to learn sign language — other languages, too — and make it more accessible.”
11VISIONS OF THE FUTURE
03 BEING A SENIOR
Adaora: “I’m excited to be a senior — to be the biggest fish in the pond, to have a first-year sister, to be a person people can look up to. I’ve definitely had people at Kent Place who’ve played that role.”
04 ARCHITECTURE
Chelsea: “I love designing things, and I love math and art. When you combine those fields, you get architecture. The Parthenon in Greece, skyscrapers in cities — I get inspired by old and new architecture.”
05 KEEP EXPLORING
Sofia: “What you want to be and do changes so much. In fourth grade, I wanted to be an engineer like my dad. But then there’s astrophysics…”
06 ECONOMICS AND FINANCE
Elizabeth: “There aren’t a lot of women in C-suite positions. My macroeconomics teacher talks about breaking glass ceilings. I see myself taking a leadership role.”
07 HELPING OTHERS
Tanseem: “My history class made me think about life in other countries. And then my biology class made me think about helping others. Both of those experiences are making me consider a career working with an organization like Doctors Without Borders.”
08 PERFORMER
Adeline: “I want to be three things: songwriter and singer, actor, and dancer. I love rhythms, I love singing and making songs.”
09 DOING WHAT YOU LOVE
Helen: “I want to do something that makes me happy. At Kent Place, I see so many people who are passionate about what they’re doing. That’s influenced me to change my attitude toward the future. I don’t need to go to college with a single plan in mind. I can follow my passion.”
10 STAYING OPEN
Sophie: “It’s OK to change your path. I came into high school thinking I wanted to be a doctor — then I realized that I didn’t. In the fall, I took a women’s studies course where we looked at race, gender, and class. I’d like to apply that to health in college, then maybe go to business school. I predict an ever-changing career.”
11 CHANGING A FIELD
Grace: “I want to change the field of medicine. Minorities are often treated unequally; a lot of policies and studies are racially biased. It’s my calling to do what I can to fix the world for me and for people after me. That’s my responsibility, that’s my job. Kent Place gave me the skills to do it.”
PIECES OF WISDOM FROM OUR ALUMNAE 6
01 PURSUE YOUR UNIQUE PATH
“My job title didn’t even exist five years ago. Kent Place taught me to be fearless in the pursuit of my own unique path. In five years, your studies or your job may ask you to grapple with problems and demand skills I can’t even dream up. At Kent Place, you’ll chart a course that maximizes your interests and talents.”
Sarah Hammitt Colasurdo ’00
Senior Climate Resilience Specialist
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
AB, Princeton University ’04
MCP, MIT ’10
02 RAISE YOUR HAND
“Kent Place taught me to raise my hand without looking to see who else had one up. I felt empowered to take charge of my education and create opportunities for myself. There were many instances where I gave the wrong answer, and I certainly did not succeed in everything I tried. But I learned from every experience in which I put myself out there, met new people, and even inspired others to raise their hands as well.”
Bela Parekh ’14
MD, University of Michigan Medical School ’24
McKinsey & Company, Senior Business Analyst
BA, BS, University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School ’18
03 “DIFFICULT” DOESN’T MEAN “IMPOSSIBLE”
“Kent Place is where I learned the difference between difficult and impossible. Just because work was hard, it didn’t mean I was incapable of understanding it or excelling at it. My teachers never allowed me to be one-dimensional. Quite the opposite — they let me know when they thought I was capable of more.”
Jachele Vélez ’07
Associate, Covington & Burling LLP
BA, Columbia University ’11
MA, Georgetown University ’14
JD, Columbia Law School ’17
04 EMBRACE YOUR (DIVERSE!)INTERESTS
“At KPS, I was encouraged to accomplish anything that I set my mind to. I was involved in theatrical productions, a member of Dance Troupe, and on the Biology Team. I loved the KP Spanish classes and became a Spanish major in college. After completing medical school, I was elected chief resident of my program. I currently am medical director of a practice where I treat dancers. I have also spent time volunteering at mobile medical clinics in Haiti and rural West Africa. Don’t be afraid to reach for all your goals, no matter how diverse they seem to be.”
Brinda Kantha ’91
Physician, Total Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine
BA, Franklin and Marshall College ’95
DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine ’00
05 REMEMBER YOUR FOUNDATION
“At Kent Place, I conducted extracurricular research and pursued entrepreneurial work in what I genuinely wanted to explore. For me, that was technology: It held solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. Throughout college, I worked with dozens of technology startups to imagine the society of tomorrow. I’ve explored machine learning for drug discovery, hyperspectral imaging for early crop-disease detection, blockchain-based carbon credit markets. The intellectual curiosity I developed at Kent Place has been my foundation.”
Jessica Li ’15
Chief of Staff, Beacons Harvard University ’19
06 YOUR VOICE MATTERS
“Confidence and self-acceptance come from practice. At Kent Place, I held leadership roles at the yearbook and in the senate. I learned that I have a voice and that it matters. Today I’m the founder and creative director of a women’s online clothing store predicated on the idea of self-expression. Everything I do — from the creative side and customer experience to buying and seeking partnerships — is an exercise in staying true to myself and using my voice.”
Schuanne Cappel ’03
Founder and Creative Director, Uncoverd BA, Boston College ’07
TURN HERE FOR 16 WORDS THAT WILL INSPIRE YOUR FUTURE.