The Tatnall School Viewbook 2020

TATNALL Independent Education for PK3 to Grade 12 Since 1930

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36

2.9

10

110

AP & HONORS CLASSES

ACRE CAMPUS

3

CERTIFIED NATURE HABITATS

$

MILLION IN FINANCIAL AID

OMNIA IN CARITATE Our motto, Omnia in Caritate (All Things in Love), best describes the atmosphere you will find here. We encourage you to arrange a visit with us to learn more about this remarkable family school. During your visit, expect to encounter educational excellence, passionate teachers, joyful learning, friendly smiles, and an authentically warm Tatnall welcome.

ATHLETIC TEAMS

ATHLETIC FIELDS

37 CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

62

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Our Promise At Tatnall, we inspire students to explore and excel so they can engage the world with courage, intelligence, passion, and purpose. We provide a strong, balanced foundation with exceptional academics, outstanding athletics, unparalleled arts, and authentic relationships. We develop minds, build character, and create community — one student at a time.

Our Beliefs

At The Tatnall School, we believe that: • Providing an evolving, balanced, and relevant curriculum

values student achievement, creates opportunities for growth, nurtures innovation, fosters lifelong learning, and ensures personal health and well-being

• Maintaining a community founded on the values of altruism,

honesty, and respect enables students to discover what is “true, pure, lovely, and of good report,” as directed by the Tatnall Mission

• Offering a wide array of activities gives students valuable

opportunities for participation and personal development

• Respecting, appreciating, and supporting our faculty

and staff preserves a highly qualified and dynamic educational team

• Establishing authentic student/faculty relationships

upholds the principles of productive family involvement in our students’ education and development

• Providing sufficient resources supports and enhances

the learning environment

• Acknowledging, encouraging, and celebrating each

person’s gifts fosters a diverse school community

• Developing and maintaining shared school traditions

strengthens our community

• Engaging our alumni, families, and friends in the ongoing

activities of the school and using their skills, experiences, and resources supports the educational process

• Preserving and enjoying our unique natural setting

highlights the importance of environmental sustainability

• Fostering global awareness prepares our students

to succeed

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EARLY CHILDHOOD PK3 - K

LAYING THE FOUNDATION

Tatnall’s Early Childhood Approach

The Early Childhood Program at The Tatnall School balances

• Structured learning balanced with exploration and discovery

While Developing Confident Lear ners character development with active exploration to encourage kind, thoughtful, curious individuals.

• W e nurture children in the PK3 program to grow in their understanding of cooperation and friendship within a developmentally appropriate academic environment.

• A t the PK4 level, we promote learning through guided

• Developmentally appropriate curriculum in language arts, math, science, and global studies

• Small and whole-group instruction to enrich and support every child • Responsive classroom approach at all grade levels • Emotional intelligence curriculum and public speaking practice

exploration, incorporating both structured and

• Outdoor learning and play every day

discovery-based learning experiences adapted to each

• Character development

child’s needs. We introduce children to key academic concepts and skill development in the areas of language arts, global studies, science, and math.

• W hen children reach Kindergarten, we build upon the PK3 and PK4 curriculums, balancing social, emotional, and academic development for the whole child to prepare students for the next step in the Lower School.

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A DAY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD AT TATNALL 7:30–8:00 a.m.

Morning Extended Care

8:20–8:30 a.m.

Opening Exercises

2:45 p.m.

Full-Day Dismissal

8:00–8:15 a.m.

Arrival

12:30 p.m.

Half-Day Dismissal

3:00–6:00 p.m.

Afternoon Extended Care

CURRICULAR HIGHLIGHTS CULTIVATING LIFELONG LEARNERS • P honological awareness and letter recognition through visual, kinesthetic, and tactile activities • N umber concepts, geometry, and patterns with algebraic thinking, measurement, and data • E ducational specials that introduce academic foundations in science, Spanish, music, art, developmental gym, karate, and chess • W riters’ Workshop – independent and collaborative writing

OUTDOOR PLAY DISCOVERING THE WORLD AROUND US The Tatnall School believes that outdoor play is vital for the healthy growth and development of young minds and bodies. Children will make frequent use of Tatnall’s three nature habitats (certified by the National Wildlife Foundation), go on hikes through its wooded trails, and explore the outdoors through all four seasons.

INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY PREPARING CHILDREN FOR A DIGITAL WORLD At The Tatnall School, children use technology to practice good digital citizenship. This includes working with iPads, computers, and SMART boards. Children will develop the important skills of technological literacy, lateral thinking, problem-solving, and hand-eye coordination.

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LOWER SCHOOL GRADES 1- 5

DISCOVERY & GROWTH in the Lower School

Tatnall’s Lower School is a place of exploration, self-discovery, innovation, and active learning. Students develop the ability to learn independently in a supportive environment as they become accomplished readers, writers, scientists, musicians, and mathematicians.

Grade 1 Students embark upon an academic journey that emphasizes cooperative learning, reading and writing workshops, and differentiated groupings and activities. Teachers actively engage students in cross-curricular and interdisciplinary learning approaches.

Grade 2 Teachers introduce foundations of planning and organization, approaching mathematical algorithms, and gaining a greater understanding of global citizenship.

Grade 3 Students experience increasing independence and expectations around study skills, organization, self-reliance, and homework, accomplishing tasks all with guidance from teachers. As they

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engage in process-oriented composition and an interdisciplinary approach to long-term projects, students are also equipped with a 1:1 Chromebook they will use for the remainder of their time in Lower School.

Grade 4 Students learn to develop computer code, organize long-term projects, practice test-taking strategies, and build skills to write thesis-driven essays.

Grade 5 Students begin to master higher-order thinking as they prepare for the next step in their education. The curriculum includes a semi-departmentalized schedule so students learn to manage class changes and assignments.

INNOVATIVE CURRICULUM Students will: • Engage in progressively advanced text-based analysis to build predictive, summative, and comprehensive reading strategies.

• Benefit from a writers’ workshop approach to build strong organizational and language usage skills in written communication.

• Remain active throughout the academic day, engaging in multisensory lessons in a variety of individualized and group-based settings.

• Practice computation, number sense, and problem-solving, applying those mathematical principles to crosscurricular and real-world situations.

• Engage in a project-based science curriculum that employs the scientific method and hands-on, kinesthetic learning at every level.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Experiential learning involves not only learning by doing, but also reflecting on the doing. Our program includes: • Student-created mini-societies and the opportunity to engage with economics and entrepreneurship.

• Project-based, cross-curricular interdisciplinary initiatives.

• A Tinker Lab featuring 3D printing spaces and resources dedicated to exploration and creativity.

• The Stock Market Challenge to reinforce cause-effect and analytical skills in real-world scenarios.

• Collaborative music and physical education programs to help students experience the connection of brain and body.

• A fine arts program that exposes students to multiple artistic media.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT Students will: • Take part in service learning through several on- and off-campus projects and initiatives at the Ministry of Caring, the Emmanuel Dining Room, and more.

• Experience hands-on opportunities to problem-solve and collaborate during cross-curricular projects.

• Develop conflict-resolution skills and strategies to express thoughts and feelings in a variety of situations.

• Learn to take ownership of their education, developing selfadvocacy, time management, and organizational skills.

• Develop and put into practice skills to challenge bullying, bias, and discrimination in themselves and others.

• The World Peace Game, a hands-on political simulation that teaches students the complexity of geopolitics and the importance of collaboration.

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MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES 6-8

BUILDING CONFIDENCE

Signature Experiences

The curriculum in Grades 6–8 at The Tatnall School balances challenge with

Our students are exposed to countless educational and social opportunities that result in a memorable Middle School experience:

and Character in the Middle School

support, and innovation with structure, to further develop students’ rapidly evolving personal and academic talents. Through dynamic teachers, interdisciplinary learning experiences, co-curricular activities, a focus on world language, fine arts, and music, the Middle School at Tatnall builds confidence, helps students make connections, and cultivates a vibrant community of learners.

Grade 6 Students begin their Middle School academic studies through a 1:1 Chromebook program that integrates technology to make the most of the classroom experience and help students continue to develop effective study habits and organizational skills.

Grade 7 Through rigorous academics, students build confidence and expertise in their study skills and academic habits.

Grade 8 Students become the leaders of the Middle School, further honing their critical thinking skills while mastering thesis-driven writing, scientific analysis, and accelerated mathematical concepts. Grade 8 prepares students for the next level by fostering self-confidence, character, and creativity.

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• French, Spanish, and Latin folktale performances • Bird identification project (featured in The Washington Post) • Sludge lab capstone for chemical analysis • Make a Difference (MAD) Dash Community Service Project • Stream water analysis project in conjunction with Stroud Water Research Center • 8th-Grade Speech • 22 Middle School field trips: from Washington, D.C., to the UN in N.Y.C., to France and Spain • 7th-Grade PALS program with Kindergartners • 8th-Grade Fall Musical

CULTIVATING COMMUNITY • A highly individualized advisory program forms an academic support system through which students will engage more fully with the school community, form effective study habits, and develop intellectual curiosity.

• Multiple service projects benefiting the Wilmington community and beyond and help students develop a greater sense of connection.

• Student-centered clubs and activities, including student council, empower students to develop leadership skills.

• Students have their first opportunity to participate in 16 interscholastic sports, instilling in them the values of teamwork and sportsmanship, as well as respect for self and others.

MAKING CONNECTIONS • Students participate in interdisciplinary projects and experiential learning initiatives with a focus on environmental sustainability both locally and globally.

• Connecting the classroom to the world around us, local trips to Washington D.C. and N.Y.C., as well as international travel, deepen classroom learning.

• Students research, create, and present interdisciplinary projects in conjunction with the Delaware Museum of Natural History and the Delaware Art Museum.

• Students partner with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to track and study bird migration along the East Coast.

BUILDING CONFIDENCE • Students will engage in robust public speaking opportunities, from Opening Exercises to the culminating 8th-Grade Speech.

• Students build skill sets and knowledge, applying them beyond the classroom through interdisciplinary research projects and creative initiatives.

• Students will learn to develop confidence and value risk-taking through participating in classroom instruction. tatnall.org 11

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UPPER SCHOOL GRADES 9 -12

LOOKING FORWARD

and Moving Ahead in the Upper School Leadership and active learning abound in Tatnall’s rigorous college preparatory program. Built upon intellectual inquiry, interdisciplinary learning, and collaborative innovation, the program enables students to challenge themselves through 29 AP and Honors courses while serving as exemplars of scholarship and character to the rest of the school.

Graduates depart as confident, successful young people prepared to distinguish themselves in the world beyond Tatnall.

INDEPENDENT SCHOLARS

The Tatnall School’s Independent Scholars Program provides students the autonomy to direct their own learning. By participating in the program, students make important interdisciplinary connections across the curriculum. Tatnall students can pursue their individual passions and interests. Recently, students have researched topics such as: • Urban Planning Design for Wilmington’s Revitalization • Exploration of Plastic’s Harmful Effects Through Study of Hormone Disruptors • Music Theory and its Applications to Composition for Media • Study of Gene Editing Techniques Using CRISPR Technology to Manipulate DNA Sequence of Bacteria

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POINTS OF DISTINCTION • 36 interscholastic sports • 37 student-centered clubs & activities • 29 AP & Honors courses • 141 students recognized as AP Scholars since 2015 • 22 students recognized by PSAT NMSQT program since 2015 • Most Scholastic Art Awards in Delaware in 2017 and in 2018 —152 total awards and 41 Gold Key awards • 62 state championships • 14 Gatorade Player of Year Awards • DIAA Sportsmanship Award 2015-2019 • Focus on global citizenship through international exchanges and a 40-year commitment to AFS Intercultural Programs

INNOVATION AND DESIGN LAB The Innovation and Design Lab at The Tatnall School is a space for students, teachers, and classes to design and create. Design thinking and creativity are critical skills for the success of all learners. The Innovation and Design Lab supports the development of these skills through their infusion into the larger curriculum. Using the lab’s 3D printers, laser etcher, woodcarver, and various electronic and mechanical tools, Tatnall students engage in high-level problem-solving, learning to persevere through challenges and setbacks to achieve meaningful results that they take pride in.

LEADERSHIP Tatnall participates in the highly selective, nationally recognized Global Youth Leadership Institute, whose four-pillar program fosters collaborative leadership, multicultural identity, religious pluralism, and environmental sustainability. Two annual signature experiences—a personal leadership exploration in New Mexico and environmental sustainability in Costa Rica— culminate in student-developed Leadership Learning Plans. In the final stage, student groups create and implement action plans to lead positive change at Tatnall as well as in the wider community.

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP Through a curriculum that represents a global perspective and features international exchanges and travel, students step outside of their comfort zones, take risks, participate in over 50 hours of service, and engage in genuine, globally focused experiences on and off-campus.

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ATHLETICS, INNOVATION & THE ARTS

LEADERSHIP & LIFE Beyond the Classroom

At Tatnall, the opportunity to learn and grow in preparation for college and for life is not limited to the classroom. Athletics and the Arts are vital parts of the balanced Tatnall experience. Students in Grade 7 through Grade 12 participate in at least two sports per year and have access to four basketball courts in two gymnasiums, the 4,300-square-foot Shea Fitness Center, 10 athletic fields, six tennis courts, and three outdoor pools. Tatnall also provides a wealth of opportunities in arts and music. Making use of three art studios, students have created projects that have won the most Scholastic Regional awards of any school in the state of Delaware.

In the multimedia music lab, students perfect their musical craft and songwriting talents. In the Laird Performing Arts Center, they put on dozens of performances throughout the year. Tatnall students are leaders in life beyond the classroom.

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DESIGN THINKING & INNOVATION Research confirms what The Tatnall School has known for decades: Interdisciplinary and cross-curricular studies lead to scholastic, developmental, and cultural growth. Tatnall has a firm commitment to teaching and learning that spans the academic disciplines while incorporating experiences beyond the classroom. This provides students countless opportunities to develop as young scholars and confident, independent thinkers as they apply their learning to real-world challenges.

VISUAL ARTS

THEATER & MUSIC

Tatnall’s award-winning art curriculum focuses on cultivating each student’s unique creative voice. Our distinguished art faculty believes that the critical and creative processes inherent in all artistic endeavors support and enhance those same skills beyond the studio. The Tatnall School’s art program provides students with a wide scope of art experiences to promote innovative use of materials, creative exploration, and proficient application of technical skills across a variety of media. Tatnall art students learn the vocabulary and historical context of specific media, subjects, and styles as they push the boundaries of their imaginations and develop a personal vision.

Recognized as one of the best in the region, Tatnall’s theater program encourages students to fully engage with new disciplines, cultures, and the world beyond the Tatnall campus as they enthusiastically bring stories to life. Theater spans all four divisions and helps reinforce teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, each student has the chance to continue to develop and broaden their interest in the arts.

Music is an integral part of the lives of every student at The Tatnall School. The program, which incorporates a diverse range of instrumental and vocal instruction across all four divisions, inspires a passion for composition and performance.

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STATS AT A GLANCE

29

AP & HONORS CLASSES

1.5M

$

IN ART SCHOLARSHIPS OVER LAST 7 YEARS

110

+

COLLEGES VISIT TATNALL EACH FALL

20

%

OF GRADUATES SIGN ON TO PARTICIPATE IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

90

%

ENROLL AT TOPCHOICE SCHOOL

2x - 3x

ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE ACCEPTANCE RATE AT TOP COLLEGES SUCH AS BC, NOVA, RICHMOND, NORTHEASTERN, F&M, NYU

Tatnall’s College Counseling Approach The Tatnall School’s College Counseling Office takes a personalized approach to identifying a list of schools that best matches the talents and interests of each student. With guidance from Tatnall’s two college counselors every step of the way, students get to know themselves in preparation for getting to know colleges and universities.

We begin in Grades 9 and 10 with group meetings, during which students will discuss goals and aspirations for the future. Next, during the junior year, college counselors organize individual meetings throughout a structured program that gives students ownership of their college search and the tools to conduct it. The search is a guided journey of self-exploration during which students are supported every step of the way as they seek out the best institution to foster their individual talents and interests.

No matter where students attend college, the education they receive prepares them to excel in the world beyond Tatnall.

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A COMPREHENSIVE

COLLEGE COUNSELING

10-STEP COLLEGE SERIES

1.

PSAT Return & Winter Overview

2.

Get to Know Yourself/SelfReflection Exercises

3.

Introduction to the Ciaflo System & College Search

4.

Autobiography Development to Help Prepare Their Personal Statement

5.

Exploration of College Visit Opportunities

6.

Introduction to the Role of the College Essay in Applications

7.

In-Depth College Essay Exercises

8.

The Role of Teacher Recommendations

9.

College Essay and Application Workshops

“ T he Tatnall college counseling process was above and beyond my expectations on the level of effort and information provided.”

— Parent of 2019 graduate

10. Student/Parent College Night

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Highlighted List of College Acceptances 2015-2019 ——

American University

Georgetown University

Boston College

Gettysburg College James Madison University Johns Hopkins University La Salle University, Honors Lehigh University Louisiana State University Loyola University, Maryland Mass. Institute of Technology Middlebury College New York University North Carolina State University Northeastern University, Honors Northwestern University Oberlin College Pennsylvania State University Purdue University, Honors Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island School of Design Rice University Ringling College of Art & Design Rochester Institute of Technology Saint Joseph’s University Savannah College of Art & Design

Berklee College of Music Boston University

Bryn Mawr College

Bucknell University

California Institute of Technology Carleton College

Carnegie Mellon University Clemson University Colby College

Colby-Sawyer College Colgate University College of William & Mary Columbia University Dartmouth College Davidson College

Dickinson College

Drexel University, Honors Duke University Elon University

Fordham University

Franklin and Marshall College

Georgia Institute of Technology

School of the Art Inst. of Chicago Stanford University Stony Brook University, Honors Swarthmore College Syracuse University Temple University The Ohio State University Trinity College Tufts University Tulane University United States Military Academy United States Naval Academy University of Chicago University of Delaware, Honors University of Maryland, Honors University of Miami University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh, Honors University of Southern California University of Virginia Vanderbilt University Villanova University Wake Forest University Washington & Lee University

Bold indicates matriculation

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“ O ut there is an entire world waiting to be discovered—beckoning in the distance.

Through our time at Tatnall, we have scratched the surface. Now it’s up to us to venture out into the world—to embrace it, to change it, to improve it, to make your mark upon it.”

– Chase A. Reid ’18, M.I.T. ’22

BECOME A

HORNET

!

Exceptional Academics | Outstanding Athletics Unparalleled Arts | Authentic Relationships

Thank you for your interest in The Tatnall School!

We are proud to provide the complete educational experience for students from PK3 to Grade 12.

Tatnall Education: alances innovation and rigor through our exceptional • B academic program • Develops grit and leadership through our outstanding athletics • Cultivates creativity and confidence through our unparalleled arts • Fosters empathy and resilience in authentic relationships

How to Apply Step 1: Fill out an Inquiry Form online via The Tatnall School website.

Step 2: Schedule an Admissions Visit for your prospective division (Early Childhood, Lower School, Middle School, Upper School).

Step 3: Complete the Online Application Form.

Step 4: Send signed permission for release of records and teacher

recommendations to The Tatnall School Office of Enrollment and Financial Aid.

The Tatnall School offers a robust need-based Financial Aid program to make the Tatnall educational experience accessible to the greatest number of families possible. If you are interested in applying for needbased tuition assistance, please visit www.solutionsbysss.com/ parents. You can also feel free to call the Office of Enrollment and Financial Aid at (302) 892-4296 or email admissions@tatnall.org.

The best way to learn about the many opportunities The Tatnall School provides is to visit our beautiful campus, witness our dynamic classes in action, and experience the warmth of our community.

SCHEDULE YOUR

VISIT TODAY! tatnall.org 21

TATNALL

TRANSPORTATION

The Tatnall School attracts a geographically diverse student body from 42 towns in four states in a 40-mile radius. This geographic distribution, combined with Tatnall’s shuttle transportation program, enables more than 550 students to experience Tatnall’s exceptional academics, outstanding athletics, unparalleled arts, and authentic relationships.

Tatnall provides shuttle transportation to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and current pickup locations are designated below: DELAWARE • DART Odessa Park & Ride, Del. Route 1 and Del. Route 299, Middletown Royal Farms, 865 South Old Baltimore Pike Road, Newark • NEW JERSEY • Woodbury Public Library, 33 Delaware Street, Woodbury • Mullica Hill Library, 389 Wolfert Station Road, Mullica Hill • ACME Supermarket, 1619 Center Square Road, Swedesboro STUDENTS FROM 4 STATES WITHIN A

PEN NSY LVA NI A Avondale Chadds Ford Cochranville Folsom Garnet Valley Glen Mills Kennett Square Landenberg

40

Lincoln Univ.

Media Philadelphia Rosemont Thornton Wallingford West Chester West Grove

mile radius

NEW JE RSE Y Logan Township Mullica Hill Pennsville Pilesgrove Mickleton

Sicklerville West Windsor Woodbury Woodstown Woolwich

DELAWARE

M A RY LA ND Chesapeake Bay Elkton North East

Bear Centreville Claymont Dover Greenville Hockessin Middletown

Montchanin Newark New Castle Rockland Smyrna Wilmington

1501 Barley Mill Road Wilmington, Delaware 19807 (302) 998-2292 admissions@tatnall.org www.tatnall.org