AN UPDATE ON ACADEMICS from Associate Head of School Chris Anderson

As we approach the final days of the 2022-23 academic year and the feelings of accomplishment and optimism that accompany the coming months, I would like to thank all members of our community for the parts you played in moving us forward. This year, our Sewickley Academy community experienced tremendous academic growth and progress.

With the overwhelming publicity surrounding the benefits and pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence and the looming deadline for this communication, I was, admittedly, tempted to turn to AI to see what it might produce. I first sought out Google’s Bard, only to find I was put on a wait list for new users and would likely miss my deadline had I waited for admission. Next, I tapped Open AI’s Chat GPT. I found the output to be mildly impressive, but rudimentary and lacking the excitement and buoyancy that exists within our community and lies ahead for education. I suspect our students are finding similar results as they test out this new tool – one that will likely improve significantly in a short period of time.

The advent of this developing technology brings forth the question of what we should target to prepare our students for a worldwide environment that is evolving at a faster pace than we have seen in decades. Our solution has been to simultaneously focus on the basics while recognizing the importance of the development of soft skills. To that end, we began the year with a new academic schedule that significantly increased the amount of time spent in core classes, allowing more time for depth and breadth of instruction accompanied by increased student collaboration and exploration. Additionally, we increased student advisory, support, and enrichment services, concentrating on personal development, academic guidance, and student potential.

This year, our Lower School introduced new literacy curricula with strong and consistent threads extending across the grades for a seamless educational experience. Students are realizing gains in both literacy and math proficiency, with significant movement both out of support services and into enrichment experiences. Middle School students now have the benefit of time in skillbased labs, additional competition clubs in science and mathematics, a new advisory program, and innovative, deeply enhanced computer science courses. In the Senior School, students are benefitting from an expanded computer science curriculum, 50 different senior school clubs, our first ever Esports team, increased data-driven communications to students and families, and a career week featuring alumni who are experts in their fields. Through Global Online Academy, our students have access to fascinating courses that broaden our curriculum and invite students into virtual classroom experiences with peers from around the world.

Next year, our kindergarten program will expand to full-day for all, the Middle School will explore the possibility of a hands-on STEM trimester, and the Senior School will add a onecredit computer science requirement. To support this shift, we will add courses including Game Design, Web Development, and Artificial Intelligence. Our AP program will add Computer Science Principles and both Macro and Micro Economics. The science department will bring back its popular Anatomy & Physiology course, while our mathematics department will re-envision its curriculum to include Data Analysis and offer trimester electives in Finance, Inferential & Descriptive Statistics, and the History of Mathematics. Finally, in order to more fully prepare our future world leaders and citizens, Global Studies will become an official department with new core and elective courses.

The impact of technology and the role of education are constantly and rapidly evolving. It will require increased dedication and vigilance to keep pace with this evolution. It is critically important that we keep an eye on the marketplace’s most in-demand skills and work vigorously to develop these talents in our students, embrace the changes that lie ahead, and hold tight to our core values. Our students must learn to both excel and simultaneously improve in their knowledge and skill.

I look forward to the immense possibilities that lie ahead and invite you to reach out with your thoughts and contributions.