SCHOOL PROFILE 2016-2017 School and Community Severn School, founded in 1914, is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school located in Anne Arundel County, between Baltimore and Annapolis, 36 miles from the United States Capitol. Admission is selective. Qualified students are admitted without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, economic status, religion, physical ability, or sexual orientation. Severn School is accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools and approved by the Maryland State Board of Education. The school holds membership in NAIS, NACAC, AIMS, CASE, CEEB, ERB, ACCIS, and NASSP. Mission Severn School challenges its students to pursue excellence in character, conduct, and scholarship, to marshal the courage to lead, and to develop the lasting desire to serve and achieve. We believe this is best realized in a community where adults model these qualities and where each student is known and valued.
ability to synthesize ideas and to create new fields of inquiry in the application of several skills and knowledge bases that they have developed in their time at Severn. The project culminates in a presentation to the Severn community. Approximately ten students each year are selected to be Fellows. Malone Schools Online Network – Severn School is a member of the Malone Schools Online Network (MSON). MSON provides upper-level students at the twenty Malone Schools with a variety of courses offered in an online classroom that enhances each member school’s existing curriculum. Each course takes a blended approach, combining synchronous instruction (real-time video conferencing seminars) with asynchronous instruction (recorded lectures and exercises students complete outside of the class). These courses appear on the Severn transcript with a “Course ID” of MSON.
Students and Faculty There are 835 students in grades PS through twelve. The graduating class totals 102. In the Upper School, 81% of the teaching faculty hold an advanced degree. The Upper School faculty-to-student ratio is approximately 1 to 9 and the average class size is 12.
Calendar The school year is divided into two semesters that end in midJanuary and early June. The day is divided into five 60 minute periods, and the schedule operates on a seven period rolling basis. Time is reserved at the end of each day for extra help and activities.
Graduation Requirements Students in 9th grade carry six credits, five of which must be in core academic areas. They also pursue a year-long, uncredited Health & Wellness seminar which does not appear on the transcript. All students should carry six courses (at least five academic) each semester. Students with two AP courses (or one AP and two honors courses) have the option of taking only five classes. Students are not permitted to take more than six courses in a semester.
Advanced Courses and Weighting All courses are college preparatory. Honors and Advanced Placement courses are given an extra value of .33 and .67, respectively, to determine a weighted grade point average. All MSON courses are given an extra value of .33 or .67. Grades appear on transcripts as earned, before any weight is applied. Students are invited into advanced courses, and rarely carry more than three AP courses per year.
Graduation from Severn requires a minimum of 21 credits, distributed accordingly:
Grade Point Average A cumulative, weighted GPA is computed after each semester, and includes all grades earned in all courses at Severn School.
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English – 4 Mathematics – 3 Foreign Language – 3 History – 3
• Lab Science – 3 • Fine Arts – 1 • Electives – 4
Students must participate on an athletic team or pursue an approved athletic activity each year, and be certified in CPR before they graduate. All Upper School students are required to fulfill a community service requirement each year.
Rank in Class Due to the small size and strong quality of our graduating classes, we do not rank our students. Postgraduate Plans Typically, 100% of our seniors enter four-year colleges or universities upon graduation.
All seniors (other than Fellows, see below) complete a two-week Independent Senior Project in May, which is then presented to the School.
Honor Code Severn School abides by its Honor Code, created by the students to foster and maintain a culture of trust in our community. Students pledge not to lie, cheat, or steal. The faculty pledge to uphold the Honor Code and its guidelines.
Distinctive Curricular Features Severn Fellows Program – Rising seniors may apply for this year-long, independent, intellectual pursuit. Fellows enter into this experience with the understanding that their project will receive neither a grade nor academic credit. Students are encouraged to demonstrate their
Reporting Disciplinary Actions Severn School does not report disciplinary infractions to postsecondary institutions. Students will disclose and explain any serious disciplinary infractions, in accordance with Severn’s Honor Code.
Students also complete a four-year leadership seminar sequence upon graduation. These seminars meet ten times each year.
Douglas H. Lagarde, Headmaster • Beatrice Fuller, Upper School Head David Brunk, Co-Director of College Counseling, d.brunk@severnschool.com • Kimberly Coughlin, Co-Director of College Counseling, k.coughlin@severnschool.com