start here.
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go anywhere.
can you imagine‌ a school that prepares its students for a lifetime of success? A school that inspires young people to grow up socially and emotionally, as well as intellectually? A place where inspiration, support, and commitment are alive and present every single day? A space where a child can share questions and answers in a diverse, dynamic, and engaging environment? We can!
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“The demands of the future require schools today to combine both the elements of a
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traditional liberal arts education with the additional skills we know students will need: adaptability, creativity, imagination, and cross-cultural competency. Thoreau said it was OK to build castles in the air so long as you put the foundations
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under them. The robust foundation of W W W . S E W I C K L E Y . O R G
a Sewickley Academy education, which reflects our commitment to our core values of character, educational vigor, diversity, and community, is enhanced by an intentional focus on developing in our students the habits of mind and the disposition to work both independently as well as collaboratively with others to build their castles in the air.” Kolia O’Connor Head of School
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character
Character counts, and not just on the large stages of public and private life, but in the small, mostly invisible transactions that take place daily among us. These values are not easy to measure, yet we place them in the position of primacy among those core values that define who we are.
“ON MY HONOR…” A high standard of honesty, respect, and integrity is expected of each Academy student. These pledges, made by all Academy students, seek to define that standard.
Community of Respect Pledge
All members of the community pledge to treat one another with kindness, honor, and respect in all situations. We are a community that listens to one another, helps each other exceed academic and personal expectations, and contributes confidently and positively to society.
Honor Code
Upon entry into the Senior School, students sign the Honor Code, pledging not to lie, cheat, or steal. The student-led Honor Council educates the community about the code and also maintains and enforces it.
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“I believe the environment at the Academy plays an important role in fostering the development of character. It offers academic rigor, the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, and the open exchange of ideas
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and opinions. Also, it is a place where the talents unique to each student are celebrated. These elements all contribute to improved discernment, which in turn serves to reinforce or define a student’s character. This is exactly the type of
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educational environment my wife and I W W W . S E W I C K L E Y . O R G
wanted for our two sons, and it is also why our sons have both been ‘lifers’ at SA.” Rick Parent
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educational vigor
Our curriculum is designed to nurture curiosity and keep wonder alive in a child’s ever-changing mind. We believe intellectual, athletic, artistic, social, even emotional challenges help young people discover what drives and defines them – and develop their strengths and talents to the highest levels. Expectations are high, but we are committed to helping students succeed. Between classes, during free periods, after school – you will find teachers and students huddled in classrooms, reading rooms, or libraries working through a math problem or discussing a poem read in class that day.
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THE SCHEDULE
“If I ever had a question, I only had to ask my teachers who gladly gave up their time to help. If I ever wanted to a meeting and I was welcomed into the group. If I ever wanted to start something new or evoke a change, I only had to take the initiative and people were willing to listen and help.”
Sportsmanship and the ability to win and lose with grace and humility are at the core of the athletic program. Participation on the field, court, course, and in the pool offers students a way to meld academic pursuits with those that open doors to friendships, leadership, consensus-building, and teamwork. Each team has a no-cut policy that provides every student the opportunity to succeed in athletics. Teachers, coaches, and advisors support students as they learn to prioritize commitments and organize their time.
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Kate ’10
ATHLETICS
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join a club, I only had to show up to
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The schedule in each division is developmentally appropriate and focused on the needs of diverse learners. The Lower School schedule allows homeroom teachers extended segments of time to provide the flexibility needed to teach core subjects. The Middle and Senior School schedules work on a rotation of classes where each class meets at a different time during an eight-day cycle. At the end of the school day, faculty in all three divisions are available to provide extra help to students.
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THE ARTS Classes in dance, theater, studio art, and music are vital components of our curriculum. Whether it’s drawing self-portraits, working as stage crew for the spring play, or learning an etude on a new instrument, all students make an artistic contribution during their time here.
COLLEGE GUIDANCE During the junior year, families begin meeting regularly with their student’s college guidance counselor to begin exploring college choices. Great care is given to each student during this process, so she may identify the colleges and universities that best match her interests and strengths. Representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities visit the campus each year, and 100 percent of graduates continue their education at a four-year college or university.
Read more about our programs at www.sewickley.org/programs. 5
Sewickley Academy inspires and their hearts, minds, and hands to collective potential in the service
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educates students to engage cultivate their full individual and of a greater good.
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diversity
Dismantling pre-conceived notions takes courage and intellectual risk, both of which lie at the heart of a great education. Sewickley Academy provides a nurturing environment comprising different voices and experiences to help students explore their full potential as individual learners and members of a broader community.
GLOBAL STUDIES PROGRAM The Global Studies program challenges students to look beyond themselves and their immediate environment to become effective leaders and productive citizens of the world. Beginning in Pre-Kindergarten, students are exposed to world languages, and as they progress through the program, they experience multiple models of global diversity through interdisciplinary courses, projects, and travel. By engaging in the many aspects of the program, students in all grades experience and learn to compare and value ideas, customs, and beliefs that are different from their own.
“Sewickley Academy is committed to diversity and the celebration of different backgrounds, talents, interests, and opinions. Through many different cultural clubs, students are offered opportunities to discuss and take action on inclusion issues inside and outside the school community. Working on issues of inclusion and equity is an ongoing process, but we, as a community, continue to make powerful strides.�
Jeremiah Jackson Director of Diversity
For more information on diversity initiatives, please visit www.sewickley.org/diversity.
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GLOBAL STUDIES CERTIFICATE
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Senior School students have the opportunity to pursue a Global Studies Certificate through a combination of interdisciplinary course study and an international immersion experience. The certificate program allows students to focus intensively on the development of collaborative skills, fluency in one or more languages, and an appreciation for cross-cultural exchanges that provide the foundation for an informed consideration of issues such as the geopolitical implications of international business and the economics of the global marketplace.
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Learn more at www.sewickley.org/ GScertificate.
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community
A collective whole that fosters respect for oneself and one’s neighbors – that is an empathic environment. Our students are taught to lead and think with compassion, in the service of the greater good. They are changing the world one connection at a time.
SERVICE LEARNING Through meaningful service and curriculum that focus on respect for the collective conscience, students are inspired and taught to lead humbly and to be exemplary in their service to others. Students in all grades participate in service learning with our service learning partners.
“From planting an orchard of American chestnut trees to working with a local community in the Ecuadorian rainforest, service learning projects can occur in the classroom, in the local community, or anywhere on the globe. The projects allow students to make connections between their studies and events occurring in the world, take ownership of decisions, and practice teamwork.” Tracy Senior School teacher
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AT HOME AND SCHOOL
BEYOND SA
TRADITIONS OF GIVING Since 1838, a tradition of philanthropy and service has been the bedrock of the Academy community. From parents making calls at phone-a-thons, to students collecting food for the local food pantry, to alumni establishing a scholarship fund for Academy students, every gift advances the mission of Sewickley Academy. Thus, we strive to reach 100% participation each year in The Fund for Sewickley Academy (the school’s annual fund) by asking every member of our community to contribute, regardless of the size of gift.
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When graduates leave our doors, they join a network of more than 4,000 alumni who span the globe. Astronauts, doctors, chefs, world travelers – our alumni enter the world beyond the Academy as determined, courageous, and caring individuals. Read some of their stories at www.sewickley.org/ SAalumni.
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Parents play an extraordinary role at the Academy by becoming involved in a variety of programs that support the education of their children. There are many ways to contribute to the community, whether it’s helping in the classroom for activities, serving on the committee for the Annual Auction, or volunteering with the Home & School Association.
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one school, one campus
Senior School students welcome Kindergarteners on the first day of school. A middle schooler tutors a fourth grade student in math as part of the Cross Age Tutoring program. A senior prepares for a day of teaching classes in the Middle School as part of Senior Teacher Day. A first grade class decorates the lockers of the lacrosse team to cheer them on for the big game. These activities are all part of the fabric of our PK-12 one-campus experience. We value and deliberately integrate opportunities for cross-age interactions. Our older students know they are role models to the younger ones, and our younger students know they have a friend to show them the ropes. On a single campus, we learn from one another every day.
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“The ease of dropping all of my children at one location in the morning (and at the same start time) is fabulous. But even more than the logistical simplicity, I love the sense of community that the school embodies by having all students on one campus. We couldn’t be happier!” Lisa Parent
Imagine a school where character building is priority and 97% of seniors S E W I C K L E Y
are admitted to one of their top-choice colleges. Imagine Kindergarteners painting Picasso and a star athlete as the lead
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in the play. Imagine an athletic program that wins four WPIAL championships in a year and has a no-cut policy for every team.
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Imagine a student body that travels globally and performs 8,000 hours of
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community service locally.
It Happens Here. Learn more and apply today at www.sewickley.org.
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3 15 Academy Avenue . Sewickley, PA 15143 www.sewickley.org | 412.741.2235
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