experience
Tow e r Hi l l
Multa Bene Facta
Many Things Done Well Tower Hill School prepares students from diverse backgrounds for full and creative engagement with a dynamic world. Academic excellence is the foundation of a Tower Hill education. But there is so much more. On the fields and courts, the stage and studio—with friends, teachers and coaches— students are immersed in an environment that inspires them to reach for their best in every endeavor. To do many things well.
OVERVIEW Founded in 1919, Tower Hill provides a superior academic curriculum balanced with creativity through the arts, healthy attitudes through athletics and responsibility through service to the community. Located on a beautiful 44-acre campus in northwest Wilmington, Tower Hill is a coeducational private school for ages 3 through Grade 12 with the reputation as one of the top schools in the region. Combining personal challenge with individual support, our excellent teachers build in students a strong foundation for lifelong learning and global citizenship. Students are engaged in a variety of innovative educational experiences that foster analytical thinking, artistic expression and growth in character and integrity. A warm and welcoming atmosphere makes learning fun and exciting. Tower Hill embraces and celebrates all cultures and beliefs, strengthening the sense of community and expanding our students’ abilities to learn from one another. Twenty-eight percent of our enrollment represents students of color, including Upper School students from abroad. Global Initiatives, Service Learning and Social Justice programs provide students with meaningful opportunities to broaden their horizons and make lasting connections. Athletics and physical education are an essential part of the school day for all grade levels. Talented and dedicated coaches teach physical fitness and sportsmanship as well as the fundamentals and strategies of sport. We offer all of our students, who vary in their interest and ability, the opportunity to participate in quality programs that appropriately challenge them to stretch their limits of endurance, self-confidence, leadership and cooperation. By the time our students graduate, they are exceedingly well prepared for life in college and beyond.
experience
DISCOVERY
CREATIVITY
ENGAGEMENT
Lower School
TOWER TOTS (AGES 3-4) THROUGH GRADE 4 Our Lower School embraces the enthusiasm and curiosity of youth, most importantly instilling in young children a love of learning. The program seeks to expand students’ natural inquisitiveness through exposure to a broad range of experiences guided by a dedicated and kindhearted faculty. While we closely evaluate the growth of each child, some of the most important results that we desire from our Lower School students are questions and smiles. ACADEMICS: Our children are actively engaged in their own learning in a nurturing and supportive environment. Faculty work to enhance what is within each child to help them to find their own voice and place in our school community. At Tower Hill, we emphasize the importance of individual accomplishment and the power of collaborative effort. In doing so, it is our goal to develop inquisitive and creative minds, a firm foundation of academic skills and a passion for learning in each child. CHARACTER: At Tower Hill, we believe that character is composed of those values that lead to selfrespect, dignity, reverence and the concern for the lives of others. We know that the development of character emerges in early childhood and continues to develop throughout one’s lifetime. Character education is an important part of the curriculum for our youngest learners. Students are introduced to age-appropriate character traits that are important to their personal growth as well as their growth within the community. SERVICE LEARNING: Tower Hill School, in keeping with our mission to develop character and citizenship, commits to providing schoolwide service that extends the gifts of the THS community to the betterment of all. Through service learning opportunities, our students begin to develop a sense of responsibility and commitment toward the greater good, experience a wide and diverse range of ideas, people and situations, and recognize their capability to help others in need.
A DAY IN 3RD GRADE 8 a.m.
Homeroom
9 a.m.
Math Lab
9:50 a.m.
Reading
10:40 a.m.
Physical Education
11:10 a.m.
Lunch
12 p.m.
Chorus
12:45 p.m.
Science
1:50 p.m.
Spanish
2:20 p.m.
Homeroom
2:50 p.m.
Dismissal, After Care or
Enrichment Additional specials that rotate into the schedule include art, technology, woodshop and music.
experience
COLLABORATION
INNOVATION
OPPORTUNITY
Middle School
GRADES 5 - 8
The Middle School helps each student discover and develop his or her own special talents while at the same time refining the essential skills needed to function in a challenging academic environment. The coursework responsibilities grow, and electives are introduced. Classes are small, each student has an advisor and the reporting system allows for specialized narratives at narrowly spaced intervals—all of which helps assure parents that the progress of their child is being closely followed. A strong counseling program reinforces the work of the advisor and provides parents with additional resources within the school. The academic program is supplemented with daily physical education and athletics, a full fine arts curriculum, field trips of many kinds and exploration into extracurricular activities. Character-building and service activities take up a bigger part of Middle School students’ schedules. From weekly nondenominational chapel to community projects, students learn the value of looking beyond themselves and making positive contributions to society. Emphasis is placed upon effective and compassionate communication, consideration and tolerance of others, the development of teamwork and the strengthening of one’s value system.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM Grade 5 and 6
English, reading, math, history, science, language (Latin, Mandarin, French and Spanish), art, music, performing music group (band, strings, chorus or jazz band), computer, physical education Grade 7 and 8
English, math, history, science, language (Latin, Mandarin, French or Spanish), art, music, performing music group (optional), computer, athletics (three seasons: football, cross country, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, swimming, squash, wrestling, fitness, indoor track, baseball, golf, lacrosse, tennis, track)
experience
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE LEADERSHIP
TEAMWORK PORTRAIT OF A Graduate
Kevin Turner ‘16 The George Washington University ‘20
“Upon graduating from Tower Hill, I have acquired many abilities and skills that will help me be successful in college and everyday life. From the rigorous curriculum, I have learned important skills such as concise, fluid writing and productive time management. Furthermore, the values Tower Hill instills in students transcend those learned in the classroom and reach into developing strength of character. Throughout high school, I have learned to be a much more mature and accountable student who is a self-advocate in my education. Through various group projects and team sports, students also learn to work in groups as both as leaders and collaborators. Overall, the Tower Hill graduate is a very well-rounded individual with the ability to be successful in academics and society.”
Upper School GRADES 9 - 12
The Upper School at Tower Hill is a college-like atmosphere that helps achieve our most important goal: crafting a high school educational experience that shapes leaders, bolsters moral values and balances hard work with a healthy, optimistic and fun outlook. Students are encouraged to maximize their potential in all areas, and the true benefit of a Tower Hill education is realized throughout a lifetime. Tower Hill offers a varied and challenging course of study that is grounded in a fundamental liberal arts curriculum and augmented by creative and contemporary elective courses that are not only college-like in their rigor, but also in their variety. In place of AP courses, Tower Hill offers advanced and accelerated classes designed by faculty that better accomplish our educational aims and prepare students for the kind of in-depth, self-directed learning that is expected at the college level. That said, students still take and score very well on AP exams. Between core requirements and electives that help feed their curiosity and nurture their personal interests, Upper School students are at maximum intellectual engagement. Our annual Forum Lecture Series exposes students to prominent speakers ranging from politicians and community leaders to authors, scientists and university professors. This program mirrors the type of public affairs symposia found at many colleges and universities. Every Upper School student benefits from a solid support system to help him or her succeed. Our Upper School Advisory program develops honest relationships between students and teachers and offers meaningful opportunities for active citizenship, leadership and cooperative group experience. Advisory serves as a forum for the sharing of ideas relevant to school life, team building and service to school. Upper School is a time when activities outside the classroom matter most to our students. Competitive athletics, advanced artistic pursuits, meaningful service commitments, the exciting process of planning for college—these are some of the most stimulating, memorable years in our students’ lives.
COLLEGE ENTRANCE: • 100% of graduates attend 4-year colleges • College Counseling begins in 9th Grade • $2 million in merit-based college scholarships • Admission to Amherst, Brown, Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame, Stanford, Swarthmore, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, Yale and other top colleges and universities. ACADEMICS: • SAT – Critical Reading – 611; Math – 647; Writing - 619 • ACT – 31.4 • Upper School advanced courses in biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, modern European history and music theory are taught at the AP level and beyond, as are advanced history and English electives. • Semester marking system
AT A GLANCE GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION: • Founded in 1919 • Independent, coeducational day, age 3 – Grade 12 • Accredited by: Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) • Member of National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Delaware Association of Independent Schools (DAIS), Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools (ADVIS), Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE), Independent Curriculum Group (ICG) • Total Enrollment: 735 • Diversity: 28% students of color • Average Class Size: 15 FACILITIES: • 44-Acre Campus • Woodshop Makers Space • State-of-the-art Math and Science Center • Astrological Observatory • Performance Theaters • Art and Dance Studios • Ceramics Studio • Photography Lab • 2 Playgrounds • 2 Libraries • Music Building with Practice Spaces COMPETITIVE ATHLETICS: • 64 State Championships • 22 Varsity Sports • Lighted Fields • Baseball Stadium • Indoor and Outdoor Tracks • 2 Gymnasiums • 2 Turf Fields • 2 Grass Fields • Tennis Courts • Wrestling Room ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS: • Service Learning • Global Initiatives and International Travel • Student Leadership • Social Justice • Summer Camp • After School Enrichment • Before and After School Care
Tower Hill School 2813 W. 17th Street | Wilmington, Delaware 19806 302-575-0550 phone | 302-657-8366 fax | www.towerhill.org ADMISSIONS OFFICE 302-657-8350 phone | 302-657-8366 fax |thsadmit@towerhill.org