Brimmer US Viewbook

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UPPER SCHOOL

Brimmer and May is a PK–12 all gender day school that upholds high academic standards while implementing innovative ideas in a supportive and student-centered community. We develop lifelong learners who are informed, engaged, and ethical citizens and leaders in our diverse world.

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Inspired to Learn

Encouraged to Explore

Empowered to Lead

We inspire students to be active learners, confident problem-solvers, and critical thinkers who work both independently and collaboratively.
We encourage students to engage their curiosity, expand their creativity, explore their interests, develop their voices, and strive for their personal best.
Equity
We empower students to embrace opportunities, develop their intellect with character, and lead in the global community. Our Core Values Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Kindness, and
THERE ARE BIG SCHOOLS. THERE ARE SMALL SCHOOLS. BRIMMER BALANCES THE BEST ATTRIBUTES OF BOTH TO CHALLENGE, NURTURE, AND EMPOWER OUR STUDENTS.

THE BRIMMER ADVANTAGE

Ideal in Size and Scope

Brimmer is big on academic resources and offerings for students in PK to Grade 12: From core subjects to creative arts to social-emotional skill building. From interdisciplinary study of world cultures and languages to hands-on STEAM-related design and service learning. (Have you seen our Curriculum Guide?!)

Yet our smaller scale is perfect for fostering a sense of community and a culture of equity. Meaningful relationships enhance teaching and learning here. Our size is ideal for nurturing the intellectual development and personal potential of each student.

Our School-wide emphasis on personalized education reaches its culmination in the Upper School. With unique Signature Diploma Programs and numerous academic opportunities to choose from, you will distinguish yourself by pursuing your individual academic interests. With the kinds of clubs, activities, arts, and athletic options that bigger schools have, here you’ll find greater opportunities to not only participate but also establish yourself as a leader. Whatever it is that you have to offer—and we’re betting it’s a lot—you can make your mark in our community.

THE BRIMMER ADVANTAGE?

That’s about the size of it.

WHY BRIMMER’S UPPER SCHOOL?

Unique, Like You

Brimmer’s curriculum is truly remarkable. You can explore a broad range of academic disciplines, dig deeply into areas of interest, and demonstrate excellence through advanced work. In projects across the disciplines, here you will collaborate in exciting ways with classmates. In independent work you’ll showcase your own original thinking and individual talents. You’ll be called upon to think and to act. You will immerse yourself in the world of ideas and meaningfully engage with the world around you.

Brimmer’s community is special too. Forget about cliques and categories, limits and labels. At Brimmer “athletes” get parts in the play and “artists” make plays on interscholastic teams. We’ll encourage you—and provide opportunities—to try everything on your way to discovering your best, most authentic self.

From academics to extracurriculars, in the classroom and School community, the Brimmer experience is designed to be student-centered and personally fulfilling.

FIRST-RATE COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM HAS VALUE ADDED: YOUR CHOICES FROM AMONG MANY OPTIONS ENSURE IT’S TAILOR-MADE FOR YOU.
OUR
BRIMMER’S CURRICULUM IS BOTH SOLIDLY TRADITIONAL AND AWESOMELY INNOVATIVE. IT’S WHAT YOU NEED COMBINED WITH WHAT YOU WANT, TAUGHT BY TEACHERS WHO KNOW YOU WELL.

ACHIEVE

Brimmer offers courses in various branches of science, different levels of math, and a range of electives in the humanities. Your advisor will help you tailor the perfect schedule to keep pushing you forward.

EDUCATION IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT. BY MAKING A COMMITMENT TO ONE OF OUR SIGNATURE DIPLOMA PROGRAMS YOU WILL MAKE YOURSELF PROUD AND MAKE YOUR TRANSCRIPT POP.

SPECIALIZE

Brimmer’s graduation requirements for every student make for a broad and balanced education. For those seeking to pursue an intellectual passion, our Signature Diploma Programs confer specialized knowledge, skills, and experiences.

IDEAL SPACES FOR EXPERIMENTATION + TECHNOLOGY, TOOLS & MATERIALS + YOUR IMAGINATION = ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.

THE HASTINGS CENTER

Here is what you are likely to see in the Hastings Center: Architectural design challenges, fun with physics, and projects and products that have been conceived and fabricated by Brimmer students. The facility includes an Innovation Space for setting up experiments, tinkering, and problemsolving; a Maker Space with the cutting-edge technology and highly useful mechanical tools to fabricate your

inventions; and a Digital Media Classroom with a green screen and tools for digital video creation and editing, both for academic work and student activities. Here’s what’s invisible but very much present in the Hastings Center: The transferable skills you’ll develop, like creative and critical thinking, persistence, and innovative problem-solving.

Your Brain, Powered by STEAM
YOU’RE MORE THAN YOUR GPA. BRIMMER’S EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES WILL CONNECT YOU TO OUR AMAZING COMMUNITY AND HELP YOU DEVELOP STRENGTHS AND INTERESTS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU HAD.

EXPAND

By embracing opportunities to engage in school life—from clubs, Student Government, sports, and arts to service and other kinds of community engagement—you expand your notions about who you are and what you can be.

PLAY: DO A SPORT OR ACTIVITY FOR FUN. COMPETE: CONTRIBUTE TO AN INTERSCHOLASTIC TEAM. WIN-WIN: EXCEL INDIVIDUALLY AND RELISH BEING PART OF SOMETHING GREATER THAN YOURSELF.

SPIRITED ATHLETICS

You Can Do This

When you were little, playing outside with friends after school was one of the best parts of your day. Why not now? Through Brimmer’s athletics program you can play every day, take games seriously, and make great memories with friends. From recreational sports to stay active (think yoga, skiing, and spin classes) to varsity teams vying for championships

(see the banners in our gym), Brimmer offers a range of opportunities to improve your overall fitness, hone sport-specific skills, and experience the unique camaraderie of athletic activity. Whether you are a novice ready to try a new sport or a superstar headed for NCAA glory, we’ve got a team (or two, or three) for you!

AT BRIMMER YOU CAN EXPRESS YOUR CREATIVE ENERGY THROUGH A VARIETY OF ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES. NO BARRIERS FOR BEGINNERS, AND NO BERET REQUIRED.

ARTS FOR EVERYONE

Share Your Voice and Vision

At Brimmer we encourage creative thinking, creative expression, and plain old creation across the disciplines. You’ll flex those parts of your brain every day, especially in visual arts, music, and theater arts courses. We offer a huge range of electives—from the basics, like Ceramics or Stagecraft; to the specific, like Fashion Design, Graphic Art, or Songwriting & Composition; to the advanced,

like AP© 2-D Design; to the wildly fun, like Improvisation and too many to mention!

Everyone takes art, everyone makes art. Multiple drama productions, publications, performances by music ensembles, and exhibits are highlights of each year.

Dedicated artists can really focus on their craft through the intensive Creative Arts Diploma Program.

WE ARE EMPOWERING CITIZENS FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY. OUR STUDENTS CHALLENGE THEMSELVES IN THE SCHOOL SETTING, THE COMMUNITY, AND THE WORLD.

PROVE

When you’ve had many opportunities to prove—and improve—yourself, you gain a confidence that stands up to future challenges.

TO PARAPHRASE ZORA NEALE
YOU’VE GOT TO GO THERE TO KNOW THERE. BRIMMER STUDENTS DO JUST THAT THROUGH WINTERIM, AN EXPERIENTIAL, CULTURAL, AND SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAM.
HURSTON:

Let’s Go

WINTERIM

Do research: On a place, its culture, its geography, its history, its societal issues. Understand what you want to learn and why. Then, go: On an international or domestic trip. See for yourself. Reach out to others. Understand and engage on a deeper level.

During Winterim, a number of programs are offered. Your

group might travel to Southern France to learn about art and architecture. Another group might work with an NGO in the Dominican Republic to mentor elementary students there. Finally, reflect: On what you’ve learned and experienced, how it has changed you, and what your role in the world can be.

OUR PRIORITY IS FULFILLING OUR MISSION OF DEVELOPING LIFELONG LEARNERS AND CONTRIBUTORS TO A GLOBAL SOCIETY. NOT SURPRISINGLY, OUR STUDENTS HAVE A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO COLLEGE.

SEE THE FUTURE

A Message from Head of School

Judith Guild

Many students who are about to start high school can’t quite imagine their future self at graduation. I offer this picture: As a Brimmer senior you will have completed an inquiry-based academic program featuring active, experiential learning—both in our classrooms and laboratories and beyond our campus. You will have practiced and developed skills in communication, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and

creative problem-solving. You will have charted your own course of study, thanks to Brimmer’s global focus, curricular breadth and depth, and unique opportunities for individual achievement. Finally, in your college applications you will have confidently articulated the strengths and accomplishments that make you stand out. That’s how Brimmer can change someone’s future. I know because I’ve seen it.

“BRIMMER DELIVERS AN ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS PROGRAM WHILE MAINTAINING A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT–AN EXCELLENT PLATFORM FOR STUDENTS TO CHALLENGE THEMSELVES.” UPPER SCHOOL PARENT

This viewbook contains both pre-pandemic and current imagery. Visit brimmer.org to learn more about our response to the pandemic.

© Design: Peapod Design, Norwalk, CT Copywriter: Leslie Virostek Photography: Peapod Design and David Barron
BRIMMER AND MAY SCHOOL 69 MIDDLESEX ROAD | CHESTNUT HILL, MA 02467 617-566-7462 | BRIMMER.ORG

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