Laurel's Center for Research on Girls

Putting the world’s best research to work for girls.

LAUREL SCHOOL’S CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON GIRLS

est . 1896

Dream. Dare. Do.

“Learning about fossils in a classroom is great, but I’d much rather find one in the ground than look at one in a book.”

Abigail, Laurel Eighth Grader, reflecting on her experience during the Seventh Grade Archeological Dig Immersion Week

Laurel School’s mission is:

To inspire each girl to fulfill her promise and to better the world -and there may be no better example of the mission in action than Laurel’s Center for Research on Girls (LCRG).

“My teacher taught me it’s okay to make mistakes. It doesn’t mean I’m not good at something…I’m just not good at it yet!”

Ruby, Laurel First Grade Student

Founded in 2007 by Laurel’s Head of School, Ann V. Klotz, LCRG is directed by Dr. Lisa Damour and is guided by a panel of national experts.

In ten short years, LCRG has become a nationally recognized resource for independent schools. LCRG studies how girls learn, think and feel and shares its ground-breaking findings with girls’ parents, educators and advocates.

Most important, LCRG shapes the education of every Laurel student.

“Laurel’s Capstone Experience gives you the opportunity to create your own narrative. It’s all about discovering yourself and who you want to be and how you want to impact the world.”

Ajah, Eleventh Grade Capstone Candidate

Putting the world’s best research to work for girls.

The results of LCRG come to life at Laurel in every grade, every day-influencing curriculum, driving academic programming and helping girls thrive.

Primary School (Kindergarten-Grade 4) The youngest Laurel girls are taught about resilience from the moment they step foot on campus as wide-eyed Kindergarteners. Throughout Primary School, each Laurel girl learns and embraces LCRG’s five components of resilience: creativity, growth mindset, purpose, self-care and relationships.

Growth mindset, in particular, is a focus from Kindergarten through Fourth Grade.

Laurel School teaches that effort is a girl’s best friend. While girls with a fixed mindset believe that they either have a skill or they don’t, girls with a growth mindset believe that they can develop their skills through practice and persistence.

Research shows that growth-mindset students academically outperform their fixed-mindset peers.

Middle School (Grades 5-8) Research points to experiential learning as the best way for girls to master new concepts, learn problem-solving skills and expand their thinking. In Middle School, Laurel faculty take experiential learning deeper than ever before with Immersion Weeks at Laurel’s beautiful 140-acre Butler Campus in Russell Township.

During Immersion Weeks, Fifth through Eighth Graders participate in a comprehensive exploration of an interdisciplinary concept or theme. Each theme incorporates all core subjects, including English, science, mathematics, social studies and art. These compelling experiences empower Laurel faculty members to not just teach girls in the traditional sense, but provide opportunities in which girls can learn by doing.

Upper School (Grades 9-12) Research from LCRG demonstrates that having a strong sense of purpose can strengthen a student’s commitment to her academic work and improve academic achievement. With this information in mind, Laurel launched the Capstone Experience for Ninth through Twelfth Graders.

This innovative program provides select students with opportunities to tackle real-world challenges while building mentor and peer relationships. Capstone cultivates purpose and leadership using one of four lenses—Civic Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Global Studies, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics). Over three-and-a-half years, Capstone candidates explore topics through guided research, intellectual discourse, relevant internships and purposeful travel. Using expert guidance from mentors and support from peers, each participant pursues a Research Focus based on her individual interests.

In cultivating a sense of purpose, meaningful relationships and leadership skills, Capstone prepares each Laurel girl to fulfill her promise and to better the world.

Dream. Dare. Do.

“LCRG conducts, disseminates and puts into practice research that connects exceptional academic outcomes with social and emotional wellbeing. The value of LCRG is central to each Laurel girl’s experience.”

ANN V. KLOTZ, HEAD OF SCHOOL AND FOUNDER OF LCRG Ms. Klotz has over 30 years experience in educating girls and is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post.

“The work of LCRG is simple-we collect the best information available and put it to work for girls, their parents and their teachers.”

DR. LISA DAMOUR, DIRECTOR OF LCRG Dr. Damour wrote the New York Times’ best-selling book Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions Into Adulthood, writes a monthly column for the New York Times’ “Well Family” blog and is a regular contributor on CBS This Morning.

More about LCRG: Founder: ANN V. KLOTZ, HEAD OF LAUREL SCHOOL Director: LISA DAMOUR, Ph.D. Assistant Director: TORI CORDIANO, Ph.D. Advisory Panel of national experts including: • Eileen Anderson-Fye, Ph.D. - Case Western Reserve University • Anne Curzan, Ph.D. - University of Michigan • JoAnn Deak, Ph.D. - An internationally-recognized expert on girls • Carol Gilligan, Ph.D. - New York University • Michael Manos, Ph.D. -T he Cleveland Clinic • Sally Shaywitz, M.D. - Yale University • Catherine Steiner-Adair, Ph.D. - Harvard University

LCRG’s work has been featured in these popular publications: • Cleveland Magazine • Education Week • Independent School Magazine • The Huffington Post • The New York Times • The Wall Street Journal • The Plain Dealer • TIME Magazine • Your Teen Magazine • And more…

LCRG-Sponsored Research has published in these Academic Journals: • American Journal of Play • Journal of Adolescence • Journal of Adolescent Research • Journal of School Psychology • Peabody Journal of Education • Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts • And more…

To learn more about Laurel and our Center for Research on Girls, come visit!

Dream. Dare. Do.

Admissions @ LaurelSchool.org 216.464.0946 LaurelSchool.org LYMAN CAMPUS One Lyman Circle, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122 BUTLER CAMPUS 7420 Fairmount Road, Russell Township, Ohio 44072 /LaurelSchool

@LaurelSchool Photography: DOWNIE PHOTO Copyright © 2017 Laurel School