2022-2023
VIEWBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Meet Our Head of School.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Be Curious.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Explore our award-winning Project-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum.
Be Innovative.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 We focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM).
Be Creative.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Art encourages students to follow their creativity and passions.
Be Adventurous.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Field study is meaningful and enriches the learning occurring in the classroom.
Be Prepared.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Our College Prep program is as individualized as our curriculum.
Cougar Fast Facts.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
And Remember,
Be Your
BesT Self
Welcome to The Clariden School Home of the Cougars, The Clariden School is a dynamic collegepreparatory school that challenges each student to achieve excellence within our intentional, inclusive environment. Within just a half hour of lively and diverse cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington, our central location in Southlake, Texas enables us to provide our students with countless opportunities for field study and research. With a student-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, our students work closely with their teachers, both in the classroom and in the field. There is no shortage of opportunities and resources available for students to excel inside and outside the classroom. Our holistic approach to teaching and high-quality co-curricular opportunities allow students to pursue their passions and interests conveniently on campus. Clariden students are unbounded thinkers, constantly pushing to solve problems and grow as leaders. Here, students can be greater, be curious, be creative, be challenged, and be prepared. Come join us to learn what it means to be a Cougar.
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MISSION STATEMENT We offer nextgeneration learning to a global community of independent thinkers by igniting curiosity, encouraging innovation, and discovering genius.
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Letter from the Head Dear Prospective Families, I would like to personally thank you for taking the time to research Clariden, visit our campus, and learn about our award-winning Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) curriculum. Choosing the right school is a very personal decision based upon the goals you have for your child’s education, and we are excited at the potential to work alongside your child as they grow and learn. Clariden is well known for its intentional learning methods, PBL and STEAM emphasis, and challenging curriculum. Here are a few things you may not know about Clariden: •
Clariden values developing students with strong character just as much as it values strong academics.
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Clariden’s character-building curriculum is founded on, what we refer to as, Cougar PRIDE: Politeness, Respect, Integrity, (Self-) Discipline, and Embracing Opportunity.
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Clariden faculty really know their students and build meaningful relationships with each child.
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Clariden’s curriculum, projects, field studies, travel opportunities, competitions, and distinguished faculty make for great learning outcomes for our students.
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Clariden has a 100% graduation rate, with 100% college matriculation.
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Clariden students’ ACT and SAT scores are above the State and National averages.
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Clariden students’ grade point averages (GPAs) are high, yielding significant scholarship money.
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Given that our students engage in a variety of learning experiences, their co-curricular activities reflect well roundedness and uniqueness.
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The majority of our students are studying above grade level and excel within Clariden’s learning environment, where fostering the love of learning happens authentically on all levels.
We encourage you to explore Clariden’s website (www.claridenschool.org) and check out our Facebook and Instagram pages, as all of these resources will give you a great feel for what it means to be a part of the Clariden community and for your child to be a Clariden Cougar. Thank you again for taking the time to explore Clariden. We are eager to meet your child and work in partnership with your family. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us as you explore all of Clariden’s offerings and apply for admission. All my best,
Dr. Jamie Segraves, Head of School
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BE CURIOUS Project-Based Learning (PBL) is an active learning approach in which students dynamically explore real-world problems and challenges to acquire deeper knowledge. Too often, traditional learning
never ventures beyond the realm of the purely academic and the physical classroom space. Project-based learning connects students to the world beyond their classroom and prepares them to welcome and meet challenges present in the real world. Instead of short-term memorization and surface knowledge, project-based learning provides an opportunity for students to engage deeply with the target content, bringing about a focus on long-term retention. Projectbased learning also simulates the way problems are solved in the workforce: through team effort, exploration, testing, and conclusions.
“Having witnessed PBL within my own classroom, I see the benefits that it brings to even the youngest of children. Each child dives deeply into a particular subject through real-life exploration and hands-on experiences. We invite experts in the field to visit us, or we take wonderful field study trips to bring the subject close to hand.” – Anne Todd
Cougar Prep Educator
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BE INNOVATIVE Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) lessons are designed to give students hands-on learning experiences that challenge them to think critically and value
mistakes and learn from them. Students are encouraged to create, build and think “outside the box” as they learn 21st-century skills vital to success in life. Communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical-thinking skills are incorporated into the curriculum along with STEAM field study. 2019-2020 VEX IQ Excellence Award & State Finalist Middle School Team, VEX Robotics’ VEX IQ Squared Away Competition
2019 National 1st Place Winner
Clean Energy Division – Super Wind Turbine, United States Super STEM Competition (USSSC)
“Theoretical Physicist, Richard Feynman, once said, “You learn something by doing it yourself, by asking questions, by thinking, and by experimenting.” The Makerspace is a unique part of our school that empowers students with limitless opportunities to learn through hands-on applications of science and engineering.“ -Marcus Simmons
Upper School Educator
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BE CREATIVE Creativity is the heart of invention and innovation.
At Clariden, we teach fundamental techniques, inspire experimentation, encourage cultural awareness, and believe in students’ artistic endeavors. Our hope is that every student develops a lifelong passion for the arts, regardless of the discipline they are working in. Our Arts Department encourages students to follow their creativity and passions, use the arts as a language of expression, and maintain an undiluted desire to explore and create. Here are a few ways Clariden incorporates the Arts: •
Exploration in art through literature and PBL incorporation.
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Yearbook photography, layout, design, and publishing.
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Set design for all school productions.
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Cinematography training for our annual student film festival.
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Exploration in character, game and digital illustration.
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Graphic design, marketing, and branding for our STEAM and competitive projects.
“The Performing Arts are inextricably linked with Project-Based Learning. Students gain key knowledge and life skills by actively engaging in tangible, personally meaningful experiences. When students prepare and present a performance, whether it be in music, theater, or dance, they are boosting their creativity, self-discipline, critical thinking, and selfesteem. As a STEAM school, it is vitally important to emphasize the “A” of Arts as being just as crucial as any other educational branch. “ -Kirsten Simmons
Performing Arts Educator
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BE Adventurous We believe that moving outside one’s normal environment provides rich educational experiences. It enables us to broaden our global
perspectives, build new relationships, practice skills, and apply knowledge obtained in the classroom to the outside world. Travel builds independence, confidence, cooperation, curiosity, and adaptability. It teaches humility as we encounter the unknown and empathy as we reveal the common human condition. These are essential skills that contribute to the development of moral leaders and global citizens. All field study trips are optional and require parental approval. Field study programs follow the highest standard of our school safety guidelines and are attended and supervised by Clariden educators. How is field study different from a field trip? Field study is different from a field trip because the student is actively engaged, prepares for the field work prior to going, and will follow through after returning to the classroom. The basics have been learned and now the application and inquiry take place.
Where does field study take place? Field study takes our students to local day trips across the DFW metroplex, across the state, within the U.S., and internationally. Each trip is meaningful and enriches the learning occurring in the classroom.
“Clariden’s travel program encourages the development of global citizens as we ignite curiosity through the unique hands-on experiences we are able to create through our network of contacts. While in London we were able to visit many of the typical tourist sites, as well as participate in STEAM challenges in both forensics and engineering, but I was also able to coordinate with a fellow paleontologist to allow our students to gain access to the collections of the Natural History Museum. Clariden students were able to hold the first T. rex specimen ever found, something that not many paleontologists have even had the opportunity to do. “ -Rissa Westerfield
Upper School Educator
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BE Prepared At Clariden, our College Prep program is as individualized as our curriculum. Being a small private school, we have the opportunity to work one-on-
one with each junior and senior student as they work through the college research process. Our college counselors know their students: their aspirations, strengths, and uniqueness. Counselors offer personalized support to students and their families, meeting with them regularly and assisting them through the research and application process. Our goal is for each Clariden student to find and be admitted to a college or university that meets their personal interests and ambitions. •
The college counseling process spans all four years of Upper School (9th-12th grade).
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College admissions officers are welcomed to campus (virtually or in person) to meet with our students.
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100% of our students enroll in college or university.
“Our College Prep program is as individualized as our curriculum. Being a small private school, we can work one-on-one with each junior and senior student as they work through the college research process.” -David Matthews
Lead Upper School Educator
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Mission statement
BE A COUGAR
We offer next-generation learning to a global community of independent thinkers by igniting curiosity, encouraging innovation, and discovering genius.
MAKERSPACES IN EVERY LOWER SCHOOL CLASSROOM
AFFILIATIONS
8:1
student : teacher ratio Character Education:
COUGAR P.R.I.D.E. Politeness
- TAAPS - TPSA MEMBER
100%
GRADUATION & COLLEGE ENROLLMENT
- TEA
5-time Winner Tops in Tarrant
by Society Life Magazine
Respect Integrity (Self) Discipline
23-Acre Campus
MASCOT
COUGARS 15
FI E L D ST U DY
Embracing Opportunity
STUDENTS OF COLOR
49% Local Statewide National International
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND 2022 1ST & 4TH PLACE AT REGIONALS
Centrally located in
GRADES OFFERED
SOUTHLAKE, TX
PRE-K - 12TH 30 min Dallas
SAT
29 min
Avg Class of 2022
166 TOTAL ENROLLMENT
AWARD-WINNING CURRICULUM
1326
Fort Worth 26 min Irving
PROJECT-BASED LEARNING US SUPER STEM COMPETITION (USSSC)
10%
ACT
Avg Class of 2022
Students Receiving
29
Financial Aid
2019 WINNER Clean Energy Super Wind Turbine
8,000 SQ FT
MOTTO:
New STEAM building
“AND REMEMBER, BE YOUR BEST SELF”
VEX IQ ROBOTICS CHALLENGE
AWARD-WINNING CURRICULUM
2020 WINNER EXCELLENCE AWARD MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAM
PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
- SCIENCE LAB - MAKERSPACE - 4 CLASSROOMS 16