Os ldfields c h oo l 1500 Glencoe Road Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 www.OldfieldsSchool.org
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Oldfields is….
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Os ldfields c h oo l
A school for girls who are intellectually curious, are willing to challenge themselves, and try new things. • A school with a rigorous yet supportive academic environment that provides every opportunity to experience success and to reach full academic potential. • A school where leadership roles, athletic excellence, and academic accomplishments are everyday occurrences.
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Oldfields School
Embracing Tradition and Innovation to Ensure Each Girl’s Success
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Mission
ldfields is committed to the intellectual and moral development of young women. In a culture of kindness and mutual respect, we encourage each student to make the most of her academic and personal potential. We seek to guide each student to grow in character, confidence, and knowledge by encouraging her to embrace the values of personal honesty, intellectual curiosity, and social responsibility. Oldfields accomplishes its mission through tradition and innovation to ensure each girl’s success. In the pioneering spirit embodied by the School’s founder Anna Austen McCulloch, Oldfields offers each student the opportunity to explore her specific academic talents, while mastering traditional core subjects. Students have the flexibility to craft individualized and in-depth study as part of a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. Evolving and wide-ranging co-curricular activities in athletics, the arts, and community service foster leadership and personal growth. A diverse and nurturing student life–full of Oldfields traditions and new discoveries–provides both day and boarding students the opportunity to form a strong school spirit and lasting friendships. We believe each of our students is exceptional. We strive to provide them with every opportunity to uncover their intellectual potential and explore their personal interests. Oldfields instills the fundamentals of its motto—Fortezza, Umilitade, e Largo Core - Courage, Humility, and Largeness of Heart—in generations of outstanding young women as they start their life paths to be compassionate citizens and dynamic individuals.
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History
nna Austen McCulloch founded Oldfields in 1867, when she began educating the younger members of her family and a few local children in her home. From this modest beginning began a lasting educational institution: Oldfields is Maryland’s oldest girls boarding school. Oldfields was the first school south of the Mason-Dixon line to emphasize traditionally “male” activities, such as athletics and science. Under Mrs. McCulloch’s leadership, Oldfields
was one of the first girls schools to introduce chemistry into its curriculum. In 1878, Oldfields pioneered one of the first riding programs in the country, and in 1912, a gym was built, one of the first at a girls school south of the Mason-Dixon line. Mrs. McCulloch’s friends described her as a woman of “large humanity with the curiosity to know, an appreciation for excellence, sympathy for goodness, and charity for error.” She was a pioneer in education for girls, and her legacy is felt in every detail at Oldfields, including our mission statement, educational philosophy, and traditions. From one woman’s vision has grown Oldfields , a school that embraces tradition and innovation, that values the individual child, and provides every opportunity to ensure each girl’s success.
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Traditions
ldfields is a school full of traditions. These traditions tie generations of Oldfields girls together and build a strong school spirit. Each serves as a healthy and appropriate rite of passage, through which memories are made, leaders are born, and lessons are told. At Green and White Night, new girls are welcomed into the Oldfields family and assigned to either the Green team or the White team. Green and White teams take part in friendly competitions throughout the school year, such as the hunt for the elusive Thing-a-Ma-Bob. Being part of a team has never been so much fun! The Senior/New Girl Picnic is hosted by the senior class to welcome new students. At Garden Party, a 100 year-old tradition, the whole school attends a delightful English tea party just before graduation. Commencement is a silent ceremony, involving the whole student body, with the girls wearing long white dresses. Each graduating student writes a Ten-Year Letter predicting her future, which she then reads at her ten-year reunion. Newer Oldfields traditions also build largeness of heart. All graduating students make a presentation to the whole school sharing an experience or challenge that has led to personal growth. May Program is two weeks of hands-on learning and discovery outside the classroom. These are just some of the traditions that make Oldfields a special place to live, to learn, and to discover personal growth. These traditions are rooted in history, but they are an important part in the daily life of each Oldfields student.
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Oldfields School
Embracing Tradition and Innovation to Ensure Each Girl’s Success
O
Mission
ldfields is committed to the intellectual and moral development of young women. In a culture of kindness and mutual respect, we encourage each student to make the most of her academic and personal potential. We seek to guide each student to grow in character, confidence, and knowledge by encouraging her to embrace the values of personal honesty, intellectual curiosity, and social responsibility. Oldfields accomplishes its mission through tradition and innovation to ensure each girl’s success. In the pioneering spirit embodied by the School’s founder Anna Austen McCulloch, Oldfields offers each student the opportunity to explore her specific academic talents, while mastering traditional core subjects. Students have the flexibility to craft individualized and in-depth study as part of a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. Evolving and wide-ranging co-curricular activities in athletics, the arts, and community service foster leadership and personal growth. A diverse and nurturing student life–full of Oldfields traditions and new discoveries–provides both day and boarding students the opportunity to form a strong school spirit and lasting friendships. We believe each of our students is exceptional. We strive to provide them with every opportunity to uncover their intellectual potential and explore their personal interests. Oldfields instills the fundamentals of its motto—Fortezza, Umilitade, e Largo Core - Courage, Humility, and Largeness of Heart—in generations of outstanding young women as they start their life paths to be compassionate citizens and dynamic individuals.
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History
nna Austen McCulloch founded Oldfields in 1867, when she began educating the younger members of her family and a few local children in her home. From this modest beginning began a lasting educational institution: Oldfields is Maryland’s oldest girls boarding school. Oldfields was the first school south of the Mason-Dixon line to emphasize traditionally “male” activities, such as athletics and science. Under Mrs. McCulloch’s leadership, Oldfields
was one of the first girls schools to introduce chemistry into its curriculum. In 1878, Oldfields pioneered one of the first riding programs in the country, and in 1912, a gym was built, one of the first at a girls school south of the Mason-Dixon line. Mrs. McCulloch’s friends described her as a woman of “large humanity with the curiosity to know, an appreciation for excellence, sympathy for goodness, and charity for error.” She was a pioneer in education for girls, and her legacy is felt in every detail at Oldfields, including our mission statement, educational philosophy, and traditions. From one woman’s vision has grown Oldfields , a school that embraces tradition and innovation, that values the individual child, and provides every opportunity to ensure each girl’s success.
O
Traditions
ldfields is a school full of traditions. These traditions tie generations of Oldfields girls together and build a strong school spirit. Each serves as a healthy and appropriate rite of passage, through which memories are made, leaders are born, and lessons are told. At Green and White Night, new girls are welcomed into the Oldfields family and assigned to either the Green team or the White team. Green and White teams take part in friendly competitions throughout the school year, such as the hunt for the elusive Thing-a-Ma-Bob. Being part of a team has never been so much fun! The Senior/New Girl Picnic is hosted by the senior class to welcome new students. At Garden Party, a 100 year-old tradition, the whole school attends a delightful English tea party just before graduation. Commencement is a silent ceremony, involving the whole student body, with the girls wearing long white dresses. Each graduating student writes a Ten-Year Letter predicting her future, which she then reads at her ten-year reunion. Newer Oldfields traditions also build largeness of heart. All graduating students make a presentation to the whole school sharing an experience or challenge that has led to personal growth. May Program is two weeks of hands-on learning and discovery outside the classroom. These are just some of the traditions that make Oldfields a special place to live, to learn, and to discover personal growth. These traditions are rooted in history, but they are an important part in the daily life of each Oldfields student.
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About Oldfields
Providing Every Opportunity to Reach Your Full Potential
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ldfields is an independent, nonsectarian college preparatory day and boarding school for girls in grades 6 – postgraduate. Located in Baltimore County, Oldfields is situated on a bucolic campus of 130 acres, rich with modern amenities and historical importance. Its many campus buildings include the original clapboard “Old House,” in which the visionary educator Anna Austen McCulloch began lessons for young ladies in 1867. Oldfields history is also rich in a tradition of innovation. Oldfields was one of the first girls schools to introduce chemistry into its curriculum. In 1878, Oldfields pioneered one of the first riding programs in the country, and in 1912, a gym was built, one of the first at a girls school south of the Mason-Dixon line. Today, Oldfields boasts superbly appointed classrooms equipped with interactive technology, including modern science laboratories and art studios. The George S. Nevens, Jr. Library has more than 12,000 volumes, open communal space, private study rooms, computers for student use, and on-line access to thousands of premiere e-books and music through the State of Maryland’s library system. Daily all-school meetings and student performances are held in the spacious David Niven Theater. Oldfields also offers complete riding facilities including a state-of-the-art indoor riding ring, 30 stalls, two outdoor rings with sand or sand and rubber footing, a cross-country course, and miles of trails in the heart of Maryland’s steeple-chase country. Students live in one of four spacious and well-appointed dormitories. Oldfields is also proud to be certified as a Maryland Green School, in recognition of the School’s environmental education incorporated in its curriculum, best “green” management practices, and its concern for community environmental issues. The Oldfields faculty is renowned for its commitment and passion for teaching. An impressive 67% of Oldfields faculty members hold advanced degrees. More than half have worked at the school for longer than five years. Reflecting their commitment to the
School, more than 75% of the faculty and their families reside on campus. The Oldfields student body reflects the diversity of our world, with day students and boarding students hailing from as many as 15 states, 10 foreign countries, and the greater Baltimore area. A multiplicity of world views and personal perspectives add to the richness of every day life at Oldfields. Oldfields seeks students who are intellectually curious and are willing to challenge themselves and try new things. An Oldfields student is as likely to be a nationally-ranked badminton player as a budding scientist. For each concert pianist, there also lies a future civic leader. Oldfields seeks to provide a nurturing and supportive learning environment for each individual girl to experience personal success.
Os ldfields c h oo l 1500 Glencoe Road • Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 • (410) 472-4800 • www.OldfieldsSchool.org
Oldfields at a Glance www.OldfieldsSchool.org
Founded 1867 Head of School T aylor Smith Previous affiliation for 18 years as teacher and Assistant Head of School
Accreditation & Affiliations A ssociation of Independent Maryland Schools, Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, National Coalition of Girls Schools, National Association of Independent Schools
Student Body 8 0% boarders; 20% day students. Students from as many as 15 states and 10 foreign countries Admission A pplication and fee, personal essay, school recommendation form, two teacher recommendations, official transcript, and standardized test results (SSAT, PSAT, ISEE, TOEFL or WISC/Woodcock Johnson) Tuition $ 44,700 grade 8-12 boarding; $27,400 upper school day; $21,650 middle school day Financial Aid 23% of students receive financial aid Faculty Average tenure of 10+ years; 67% with advanced degrees
Faculty to Student Ratio 1:5
Average Class Size 8
Curriculum A pproximately 60 upper school courses, including honors courses and special seminars; opportunity for individualized or advanced coursework based on outstanding talents or interests; intensive fine and dramatic arts programs; annual May Program providing experiential study opportunities on and off campus
Technology A ll students required to own a laptop and may use them in the classroom or in the dorms. Internet-ready classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards and multi-media technology
Athletics T en interscholastic teams, renowned riding program, personal fitness, yoga and dance programs
Student Life A pproximately 20 student-run clubs. Opportunity to start new student organizations based on student interest
Green Initiatives C ertified Maryland Green School, student developed and led ecOSchool, organic community garden, EcoWeek activities, and campus-wide recycling program
College Placement 100% of seniors accepted to colleges and universities Campus 130 rural acres
Os ldfields c h oo l 1500 Glencoe Road • Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 • (410) 472-4800 • www.OldfieldsSchool.org
Academics
College Preparatory with Room to Explore
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ust inside the green and white gates that welcome you to Oldfields School, you will find a vibrant, diverse community of learning. Four girls huddle around their physics instructor as they demonstrate the elasticity of springs. Down the hall, hands shoot into the air as a class debates The Catcher in the Rye. A girl stops in the hall for an impromptu meeting with her faculty advisor. At Oldfields, the intimate academic program and small class size enable each girl every opportunity to experience success and to reach her full academic potential. A student-focused curriculum means academic strengths can be explored to the fullest. If you are a ninth grader and are ready for Algebra II, this can happen. If you need academic help, you’ll get it, without a wait. Every Child Can Flourish at Oldfields This path to success begins on your first day at Oldfields. You are assigned a faculty advisor with whom you meet every morning. Each student also meets with the Academic Dean to discuss her academic plan, not just for the current academic year, but for her entire upper school experience. While there is a minimum graduation requirement of 21 credits, there is no “cookie cutter” course schedule. The academic needs and personal interests of each individual child are considered, and then the student, in consultation with the Academic Dean and her faculty advisor, devise an individualized course schedule. The student and the Academic Dean also discuss each year’s coursework within the framework of a four or five year academic plan. The result is a course of study that is well-considered and rigorous for that child. At Oldfields, we believe that every child can flourish if given the right opportunity. Oldfields offers a traditional college preparatory curriculum, with nearly 60 different course offerings in core subjects such as English, foreign language, history, mathematics, science, and fine arts. Honors course work is offered starting in the 10th grade. Students in Honors Courses prepare for and are encouraged to take the appropriate Advanced Placement or SAT Subject Test. Independent Study is available to outstanding upperclassmen subject
to approval by a faculty advisor, department head, and the Academic Dean. New course offerings are always evolving based on our ever-changing world and student interests. Courses are a full-year and are awarded one credit. Classes meet in 80-minute class periods. Students typically enroll in five to six courses for the academic year. Unique Learning Opportunities Students are also required to attend a grade-level seminar, comprised of a year-long course that explores an age-appropriate topic, such as financial literacy for freshman or applying to college for juniors. Every student also participates each year in May Program, a two-week experiential, interdisciplinary learning extension that complements the academic program. At least 10 different May Program courses are offered each year, including study abroad, local, and real world opportunities. Community service plays an important role in many May Program offerings, and students are required to participate in at least one May Program in community service. Outstanding Faculty Oldfields is proud of its faculty–a passionate and devoted group of outstanding teachers. An impressive 67% of Oldfields academic faculty members hold advanced degrees. More than half have taught at Oldfields for five years or more. Oldfields provides many opportunities for professional development so that the teachers have every opportunity to succeed in the classroom. Over 75% of the faculty and their families live on campus. They form strong bonds with the students and provide a comprehensive support network so that each student can reach success. As a student at Oldfields, you cannot just get by or slip through the cracks. Whether you are a day student or boarder, entering as a 6th grader or a senior, Oldfields offers a dynamic, caring academic environment that centers on each student’s strengths, passions, and interests. At Oldfields, we provide every opportunity for each girl to reach her full potential and experience success.
Os ldfields c h oo l 1500 Glencoe Road • Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 • (410) 472-4800 • www.OldfieldsSchool.org
Student Life
A Time for Lasting Friendships and Personal Discovery
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esidential life at Oldfields plays an important role in fostering the Oldfields motto of Courage, Humility, and Largeness of Heart in each girl who steps through the school’s green and white gates. Full of traditions and new discoveries, residential life at Oldfields is rich in diverse opportunities for trying new things, learning to be a supportive and contributing member of a school community, and becoming an independent and well-rounded individual. Most importantly, life at Oldfields is full of the compassion and warmth of family. Whether you are a boarder or a day student, you are embraced as part of the Oldfields family. If you are 20 miles from home or have traveled across continents to attend Oldfields, you will receive the support you need to feel comfortable and to succeed in your academic and residential life. Friendships form across grades and cultures. If you feel worried about an exam or stressed out by your homework, you will always have an adult or friend to talk to. Oldfields students put it best – there are no social cliques at Oldfields and every one feels part of the family. Life as a Boarding Student Each boarder and her roommate share a comfortable and spacious room in one of the four dormitories. Each dormitory has supervision from four dorm parents, comprised of Oldfields’ faculty and staff, three of whom live in the dorm. A dorm parent is on duty each night and every weekend, and his/her door is always open for students to drop by and have a cup of tea, share a tidbit from their day, or for a pep talk and support. Evening study hall is required for each boarder, from 7:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. Late study is available for juniors and seniors with permission from the dorm parent. Oldfields combines the wide-open spaces of Maryland’s horse country with proximity to city life in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York. This best-of-all worlds location enriches the Oldfields experience with an incredible diversity of outside speakers, field trips, service
projects, and internships, and allows Oldfields to provide students with terrific options for weekend activities. Dances and group events with nearby independent schools provide a chance to meet friends outside of school. Life as a Day Student Day students are fully integrated into the school community. Day students are assigned dormitory affiliations and identify with their dorm mates for dormitory dinners, holiday parties, and dorm activities. Day students are welcomed to stay overnight on campus at any time. In an important leadership role, an upper classman is elected the Day Student Coordinator and communicates the social, emotional, and academic needs of day students to the school. Oldfields has plenty of trails and open spaces if you need a place for quiet contemplation. On campus, there are comfortable gathering spots to hang out with friends, such as the spacious George S. Nevens Jr. Library, Gookies Student Center, Rosa’s Room or Miss Nan’s Library equipped with Internet access. Student life at Oldfields is full of traditions, old and new, that build a strong school spirit and a collective sense of belonging. A wide variety of co-curricular activities, including athletics, student clubs, riding, community service, dance, and theater keep each Oldfields student engaged outside of the classroom. Co-curriculars are part of the daily schedule, and students are encouraged to join many activities. At Oldfields, every student has ample opportunity to get involved. Enthusiasm and commitment are the only requirements! The compassionate and caring environment among students, with supportive faculty and staff, encourages students to take risks, to try new things, and to flourish. Residential life at Oldfields plays a pivotal role in producing generations of graduates in the spirit of the school’s founder, Anna Austen McCulloch—girls of remarkable optimism and adaptability, full of courage and confidence.
Os ldfields c h oo l 1500 Glencoe Road • Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 • (410) 472-4800 • www.OldfieldsSchool.org
Middle School
Each Girl’s Success in Grades 6, 7, and 8
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ldfields School is proud to offer a middle school for girls in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Following the Oldfields philosophy and mission, the middle school at Oldfields offers a rigorous academic curriculum in a culture of kindness and mutual respect so that each girl can reach her full academic and personal potential. At Oldfields, every opportunity is made to ensure each girl’s success. At no other time in a girl’s life does she grow and change as much as during the middle school years. For that reason, Oldfields has developed a middle school curriculum in a single sex environment that enables girls to find success, build confidence, and create a strong sense of self. By the end of 8th grade, each Oldfields middle school student is ready for the academic challenges of upper school, equipped with excellent study skills and the confidence for further learning. Every Resource to Achieve Academic Success Middle school students receive the academic attention and emotional support that have been the hallmarks of an Oldfields education for more than a century. If a girl has a specific academic talent, she receives enrichment or extra challenge. Students who need more attention to develop strong academic skills receive support from the Oldfields learning specialist. Mastery of core subjects and a high level of intellectual inquiry are the goals for every kind of learner. Each middle school student receives every resource to achieve academic success. Core curriculum subjects include English, Social Studies, and STEM, melding science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Curriculum also includes foreign language, physical education, the performing arts, and visual arts. The faculty at the Middle School at Oldfields understands this unique time in a young person’s life. They are compassionate, devoted, and play a pivotal role in helping girls on their path of intellectual and personal discovery. More than half of Oldfields middle school faculty members hold advanced degrees. The Middle School Day Middle school students start their day at 8:00 a.m. with a quick check-in with their faculty advisor, hear morning announcements, and have an opportunity to relax with their advisor and fellow
advisees. After advisory, the girls join the rest of the school community at Morning Meeting in the theatre for spirit announcements, such as short skits and musical performances. Next, middle school students begin their classes. Class periods are 50 minutes long. At midday, students break for a delicious and nutritious lunch. The extensive menu is designed to satisfy either gourmets or less adventurous eaters. After their afternoon classes, students return to their advisors for the last 15 minutes of the academic day to receive reminders, end of day news, and pack-up assistance, if necessary. Diverse Afternoon Activities Every afternoon, middle school students participate in student clubs or sports. Like all activities at Oldfields, the emphasis is on fostering a lowpressure and friendly environment. Every girl feels welcome to try new activities and explore her personal interests. Oldfields’ 130 acre campus provides a beautiful backdrop for co-curricular activities. To fulfill the physical education requirement, students participate in a team sport that may include soccer, field hockey, basketball, or lacrosse. Oldfields School is in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland League, and the middle school is eligible to play other independent middle schools in the area. Middle school students also participate in age-appropriate student clubs. Following sports or clubs, students are allowed to do homework or other supervised activities while waiting for parent pick-up. Students also delight in participating in a rich history of Oldfields traditions that build school spirit and create a supportive and welcoming environment. These include Green and White spirit competitions, Big Sister/Little Sister, and the May Program, which consists of two weeks of experiential learning at the end of the school year. At a time when public education is hampered by high-stakes testing and budgetary cutbacks, Oldfields is excited to open its green and white gates to a younger group of girls. Oldfields is seeking girls who are eager to try new experiences and to fulfill their full academic and personal potential. We pledge to help every child succeed and to fulfill the promise of each girl’s success.
Os ldfields c h oo l 1500 Glencoe Road • Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 • (410) 472-4800 • www.OldfieldsSchool.org
Riding Program
Combining Competitive Excellence and a Love for Riding
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he Oldfields Riding Program has maintained a tradition of excellence since its inception more than 100 years ago. As with every aspect at Oldfields, the Riding Program is tailored to the specific needs of the students–including comprehensive instruction for the girl who wishes to compete, as well as for the girl who rides for pleasure. The riding facilities at Oldfields are excellent. They include 30 stalls, a new indoor riding arena with state-of-the-art footing (completed fall 2010), two outdoor rings with sand or sand and rubber footing, a cross-country course, and miles of trails in the heart of Maryland’s steeple-chase country. Girls can board their own horses at the stable or ride one of the School’s 25 well-trained school-owned horses, including warmbloods and thoroughbreds. Many of the School’s horses have been graciously donated over the years by alumnae. The Riding Program is designed to create a wellrounded rider by providing mounted lessons, as well as instruction in stable management. Mounted lessons are tailored to different levels of riders and include a choice of hunter-jumper or combined training. The lessons are conducted in the rings, on the cross country course, and on the trails. Each term, lessons are scheduled based on each student’s riding ability and individual academic schedule. Oldfields trainers have more than 25 years of combined professional riding experience. Competitive Excellence for Advanced Riders For the advanced and intermediate riders, classes focus on refining the riders’ positions while learning more intricate flatwork, and then applying this flatwork to their technique over fences. All of the intermediate and advanced riders are given the option to compete in their chosen discipline. The show riders train for equitation and hunter-jumper competitions. The riders focusing on combined training work in the disciplines of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. Riders have the opportunity to show from the local level through the “AA” rated shows. Oldfields riders have shown at some of the most well-attended horse shows on the Eastern
seaboard, including HITS Ocala, HITS Culpeper, Lexington Spring Festival, Lexington National, and the Virginia Intermont Classic, just to name a few. Riders of all levels are encouraged to try out for the Oldfields Riding Team, which competes in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), a national league of independent and public secondary schools, and private stables. Members of the Oldfields Riding Team travel throughout the year to represent Oldfields at IEA events, and the team has an outstanding record in competition. Since Oldfields began competing in the IEA in 2005, the team has qualified each year for zone finals and, from there, twice for national finals. For the Love of Riding As much as Oldfields prides itself on its excellent riding team, it equally prides itself on developing new riders and instilling a love for the sport in beginners. For the student who has never ridden, she is grouped into classes of three or less. The beginner classes focus on establishing a correct basic position, learning elementary rein and leg aids, and then applying these techniques on the flat and over small fences. The beginner riders are given the opportunity to show once they have achieved a solid understanding and application of the basic principles of riding and can control the horse effectively in a group setting. Our beginner riders who have elected to compete in both in-house and regular shows have found great success. The Oldfields Riding Program produces alumnae who are life-long advocates of the sport. Riding Program alumnae include an Olympian, many accomplished trainers, and award-winning breeders. Oldfields welcomes riders of all levels from a variety of backgrounds and strives to help each rider develop into a true horsewoman who rides well, appreciates each horse as an individual, and understands the fundamentals of the sport. Oldfields riders are known for their talent, their commitment, their compassion for the horses, and their genuine love of the sport.
Os ldfields c h oo l 1500 Glencoe Road • Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 • (410) 472-4800 • www.OldfieldsSchool.org
Athletics
Fostering Athletic Excellence in Each Girl
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thletics have been central to the educational philosophy at Oldfields for more than a century. In fact, Oldfields was one of the first girls’ schools to pioneer an athletic program in 1878. In keeping with the School’s philosophy and mission, Oldfields athletics emphasize the value of each individual and respect for others. We stress teamwork, sportsmanship, personal commitment, reachable goal setting, and an appreciation for lifetime activity. Each student is required to be involved in an athletic activity on campus for each of the three seasons. Involvement can be in the form of a team sport, riding or co-curricular offerings in dance, theater, fitness and conditioning, or yoga. All offerings meet five days a week and are considered regular school commitments. Every student must participate in at least one team sport each academic year. Interscholastic Sports Ten interscholastic varsity team sports are offered and coached by Oldfields faculty members. In the fall, the sports include cross country, field hockey, tennis, soccer, and volleyball. Basketball and indoor soccer are the winter team sport choices. Badminton, softball, and lacrosse are offered in the spring. Oldfields’ athletic facilities are excellent. Its 130 acre campus allows for five regulation-size, natural grass fields for field hockey, lacrosse, and soccer. Oldfields also boasts a newly skinned softball field, restored in 2010. There are also five pristine hard tennis courts. Teams compete in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland. All Oldfields sports teams are highly competitive. In fact, each season several Oldfields students are named to All-Conference teams or designated as All-Stars. At the same time, each student is welcomed to participate in any team sport, regardless of previous experience or ability. At Oldfields, opportunity to try new experiences in a supportive environment is paramount, and this also translates to the athletic program and team sports.
Riding, Dance, Fitness, and Yoga For those seeking alternative athletic choices, Oldfields also boasts a world class equestrian program open to beginners and highly competitive riders alike (see the Riding Program information sheet for more details). In the areas of co-curriculars, dance welcomes beginner to advanced levels in modern, jazz, and ballet. Yoga and fitness and conditioning are led by qualified faculty instructors and trainers. Oldfields understands that a student may be passionate about an activity or sport that the School does not offer in its regular curriculum. In such cases, Oldfields is willing to accommodate that student’s outside commitments so that she may pursue her particular activity or sport. This is done on a case by case basis and is subject to review. The Baltimore area is rich in athletic resources. In recent years, Oldfields has arranged for talented athletes to participate in programs at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club and other such world-class facilities. At Oldfields, we believe that the lessons and skills learned on the playing field enrich a student in the academic classroom, in the dormitory, and in a girl’s adult life. We are proud that all of our girls at Oldfields are scholar athletes. Healthy competition that welcomes athletes of all abilities helps to build a strong school spirit, and plays a large role in ensuring each girl’s success.
Os ldfields c h oo l 1500 Glencoe Road • Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 • (410) 472-4800 • www.OldfieldsSchool.org
Performing Arts
Personal Exploration through Dance and Theater
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ldfields believes in the critical link between learning in the arts and core curriculum subjects. The School’s comprehensive program in the Performing Arts allows each girl the chance to be involved and to learn through a wide range of dance and theater opportunities–whether she is a beginner or an experienced artist. As part of the graduation requirements, Oldfields students are required to take at least one year of fine arts, including either performing or fine arts. Many students go far beyond the minimum requirements. As part of the physical education requirement, students may choose to participate in the co-curricular dance program or theater in lieu of a team sport. In addition, Oldfields presents an annual Arts Week, five days of fine arts and performing arts workshops and demonstrations for the entire school, featuring performances by practicing artists and professional dancers and performance troupes. Oldfields performing arts faculty are practicing artists and integral members of the teaching staff. Oldfields Dance As part of the curriculum, Oldfields offers classes for beginners, intermediate, and advanced dance students, that include elements of ballet, jazz, and modern dance. There are also courses in choreography. Many times a year, students have the chance to choreograph and to perform before the school. As is the hallmark of an Oldfields education, every opportunity is made for girls who have little or no dance experience, as well as for those who have special talents and extensive dance training. All Oldfields dance participants become confident in their newfound physical skills and knowledge. Trips to professional dance performances in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore are arranged whenever possible to expose our dancers to the greater world of dance. Oldfields Theater The Oldfields Theater Program is a wonderful way to become well-versed in every aspect of putting on a theatrical performance, including acting, costuming, and stage and lighting design. Three major productions are put on each year, including a fall comedy, a winter drama, and a spring musical.
“Acting Intensive” and “Directing and Production” are offered as course credits each year, and include intensive study of playwrights and their dramatic texts. Independent study is available for students with a serious interest or talent. Major productions are chosen to dovetail with academic programs. For example, in 2009, students produced Voice of My Own by the contemporary playwright Elinor Jones which depicts the struggles of female writers, such as Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, and Sappho, whose works the students studied in English classes. Other recent productions have included The Fantasticks, The Katrina Project: Hell and High Water, Steel Magnolias, and Regarding Electra. Students also participate in the Oldfields Playmakers, a student-run theater troupe that performs on campus and in the greater-Baltimore area throughout the year. Private music lessons can be arranged to accommodate students in a wide variety of instruments from the many talented musicians and music conservatories that abound in the greater Baltimore area. Recitals are arranged twice a year so that students can share their musical talents with the entire school. Whether students enter Oldfields with little or no experience in the performing arts or with years of expertise and training, every effort is made to expose Oldfields girls to a wide variety of dance, theater, and music. The girls gain the satisfaction of being part of a different kind of team, develop creative problem-solving skills and build leadership skills that carry over to academic settings, and allow for personal discovery and growth that can last a lifetime.
Os ldfields c h oo l 1500 Glencoe Road • Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 • (410) 472-4800 • www.OldfieldsSchool.org
Fine Arts
A Focus on Artistic Discovery and Process
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he Fine Arts have long been an essential part of an Oldfields education, starting when art study was taught by the School’s founder Anna Austen McCulloch in the late 19th century. In following with the School’s philosophy, Oldfields seeks to foster the creative potential in every student through a dynamic and diverse fine arts department. Oldfields boasts course offerings in drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, applied design, and the digital arts. The School’s excellent art facilities include expansive, naturally-lit art studios, a wet darkroom, and a state-of-the-art digital lab that provides each student the opportunity to work with the latest design software. Each devoted and talented fine arts faculty member is a practicing professional artist. Every year, Oldfields graduates apply to and are accepted at the nation’s top art schools, such as the Rhode Island School of Design, Maryland Institute College of Art, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Pratt Art Institute, and Rochester Institute of Technology. Oldfields has produced generations of prominent and career artists. For every potential professional artist, there is a student whose Oldfields experience is enriched by her new discovery of the fine arts. In conjunction with the Oldfields mission statement, every opportunity and support is given to each student enrolled in a fine arts class. The main focus is on artistic discovery and process. A true artist is one who is completely in tune with her artistic process. At Oldfields we are mindful of this step in a young artist’s development. This supportive environment has resulted in remarkable interest— more than 60% of current Oldfields students are enrolled in Fine Arts courses. Fine Arts courses are academically challenging, and all incorporate art history and critique as part of the syllabus. Honors courses are also offered and prepare advanced students for the AP exam in visual arts or to prepare a portfolio of advanced work. There are written assignments in addition to studio work. Student work is displayed anonymously, and
advanced students curate a gallery show of their own body of work. The goal is to provide a full immersion into the fine arts. Each year, the Fine Arts department along with Performing Arts department hosts Arts Week, five days of fine arts and performing arts workshops and demonstrations for the whole school, featuring performances by practicing artists, professional dance and performance troupes. All students can elect to participate in the Art & Design Club, an active co-curricular offering that meets weekday afternoons. Students also produce Tidbit, the annual art and literary magazine. Ask for a copy of this student publication, which showcases the diverse and incredible talents of Oldfields students. There are numerous cross-disciplinary opportunities with other departments; for example, students can design costumes and programs for theatrical productions. Oldfields is always developing schoolwide community art activities that involve the entire student body. For hundreds of years, Oldfields has developed students’ creativity and expression as part of a full life. Talented student artists are provided with vast opportunities and skills for further study. For all Oldfields students, we hope to provide the fundamental building blocks for a lifelong interest in the arts.
Os ldfields c h oo l 1500 Glencoe Road • Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 • (410) 472-4800 • www.OldfieldsSchool.org
May Program
Two Weeks of Hands-on Learning and Discovery
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lbert Einstein noted, “The only source of knowledge is experience.” The Oldfields May Program allows students to experience the world outside of the classroom and to apply academic learning to real world situations. It also challenges them to take what they have learned in the real world and use those experiences in the classroom.
For nearly 40 years, May Program has been a hallmark of an Oldfields education. Held at the end of May, May Program is a two-week session of experiential and interdisciplinary learning that complements the academic curriculum. Girls can choose from a wide-range of May Program offerings, including travel abroad, local and real world opportunities, and hands-on learning. Every girl at Oldfields is required to participate in May Program each year and one May Program over the course of four years must be a community service program. Oldfields’ outstanding and committed faculty members design and lead the May Program courses, allowing them to showcase a personal interest or expertise outside of the traditional curriculum. Every year, students are offered a different and diverse range of May Program opportunities. The hardest part about May Program may be choosing only one course each year! Here is a sampling of recent May Program courses: d Argentina Language and Cultural Immersion
Students spend time in Buenos Aires tracing the footsteps of the world renowned Argentine writers Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cortázar. They then spend a week of home stay with local families, while peforming community service during the day, such as working with a youth center to pour the foundation for a dining hall, working in organic gardens, painting schoolrooms, or assisting local teachers. The trip ends with an outing to witness the Iguazú Fall, one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls.
d Freedom Ride
Students spend the first few days on campus researching the Civil Rights Movement and then travel for the remainder of the two weeks, visiting landmark sites of momentous civil rights events in Selma, Montgomery, Birmingham, Little Rock, Jackson, Memphis, and Atlanta.
d Outdoor Experience
Girls gain a greater appreciation for the world around them and develop the outdoor and survival skills needed to safely explore and interpret the biodiversity of the Piedmont Plateau. Using Eden Mill Nature Center as their base of operations, the girls gain hands-on instruction in canoeing and kayaking, hiking, camping, and caving. Students learn first aid and basic survival skills, such as map and compass reading, use of a GPS, and orienteering.
Juniors and seniors have the chance to design an individualized, independent May Program. Working in consultation with a faculty member, girls develop a project that is unique to them. Many upperclassmen choose to explore areas of college study or a potential career path. Past projects have included working as a veterinary aide, being part of a Congressional campaign committee, training at the Earthwatch Institute, and interning in surgical pathology at Johns Hopkins University. May Program can be considered one of Oldfields’ newer traditions, but it is already an important and cherished part of an Oldfields education. Girls relish the seriousness of purpose that these real world experiences give to their high school education. Students gain knowledge that sets them apart when they apply to college. They discover interests that eventually become careers. May Program is an opportunity for self-discovery, leadership, and confidence-building; another step in ensuring each girl’s success.
Os ldfields c h oo l 1500 Glencoe Road • Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 • (410) 472-4800 • www.OldfieldsSchool.org
College Counseling Helping Each Girl Find the Right Fit
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t Oldfields, college counseling is an in-depth, detailed process so that each senior can find the college, university, or post-graduate path that fits her best. With the college counselors, each Oldfields senior takes responsibility for her higher education plan. The process begins junior year, when students meet weekly with the Director of College Counseling in small groups. They explore educational and career interests, create resumes, learn about different types of colleges and college environments, and discuss every element of the application process, including interviewing, standardized testing, and the components of an application. In the winter, juniors meet with their college counselor individually, to develop their college lists. In April, the students attend a college fair of more than 200 colleges and universities. Admissions representatives from 40 colleges and universities visit Oldfields each year. A tour of select colleges and universities on the East Coast with college counselors is also offered to sophomores and juniors as part of the May Program. By the end of junior year, students leave for summer break with a short list of colleges and universities in which they are interested.
Senior year, students meet with their college counselor one-on-one, as a class for an application workshop day in October, and on a drop-in basis. The college counselors’ doors are always open, and support is available until each senior has completed her application process. Open and frequent communication with parents and families is also key. Parents may attend Fall Family Weekend college sessions, schedule on-campus meetings with the college counselor, or communicate by phone or email. Each family receives a senior mid-year prediction letter with the counselor’s assessment of the student’s chances of admission at the colleges to which she has applied. Each senior is provided access to Naviance Succeed, an Internet-based college counseling program, to guide students and track their progress through the search and application process. Families are provided with accounts on Naviance Family Connection. This individualized and detailed college counseling process brings its own satisfying reward. In spring 2010, each Oldfields senior who applied to a college or university had been accepted to at least one institution of higher learning of her choice.
Below is an abridged list of college acceptances for Oldfields seniors from 2007-2010. Bold indicates enrollment. Agnes Scott College American University Amherst College Auburn University Barnard College Bates College Bennington College Boston University Brandeis College Brown University Bryn Mawr College Case Western University Catholic University College of Charleston Colgate University Cornell University Denison University Dickinson College Duke University Earlham College Emerson College Emory University Florida State University Franklin and Marshall College Furman University George Washington University
Georgetown University Gettysburg College Goucher College Hamilton College Haverford College Hobart and William Smith Colleges College of Holy Cross Ithaca College Kenyon College Laboratory Institute of Merchandising Lawrence University Miami University of Ohio, Oxford Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) Mount Holyoke College New York University Northeastern University Oberlin College Occidental College Parsons School of Design Penn State University Pepperdine College
Pitzer College Pratt Institute of Art Rhode Island School of Design Rochester Institute of Technology Sarah Lawrence College School of the Art Institute of Chicago Seton Hall University Skidmore College Smith College St. Olaf College Stevenson University Swarthmore College Syracuse University Union College University of Alabama University of Arizona University of CaliforniaSanta Barbara University of CaliforniaSanta Cruz University of Colorado University of Connecticut University of Delaware University of Maryland
University of Mary Washington University of Miami (FL) University of Michigan University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Rochester University of St. Andrews (Scotland) University of San Diego University of Southern California University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Wisconsin University of York (UK) Washington College Wellesley College Wesleyan University Wheaton College (MA) College of William and Mary Wofford College College of Wooster
Os ldfields c h oo l 1500 Glencoe Road • Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 • (410) 472-4800 • www.OldfieldsSchool.org
Os ldfields c h oo l 1500 Glencoe Road Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 www.OldfieldsSchool.org
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Oldfields is….
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Os ldfields c h oo l
A school for girls who are intellectually curious, are willing to challenge themselves, and try new things. • A school with a rigorous yet supportive academic environment that provides every opportunity to experience success and to reach full academic potential. • A school where leadership roles, athletic excellence, and academic accomplishments are everyday occurrences.
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