Salisbury, Indian Mountain, and Hotchkiss integrate world-class athletics and academic rigor

In Day 2 of my western Connecticut prep school campus visits, I’m admittedly overwhelmed by the diversity of program offerings in this region. Connecticut is not a big state but is dense with prep schools. Today I visited Salisbury School, Indian Mountain School, and The Hotchkiss School.

SALISBURY SCHOOL

Salisbury serves 300 male students from around the world. The science center included a wonderful library, a physics lab, a chemistry lab, and a separate biology lab. My tour guide expressed that he wasn’t too keen on attending an all-boys school but realized that girls would be a distraction. Besides that, the school hosts dance each week so he’s still able to intermingle with girls socially.

The first stop on my tour was the boathouse, which is a sight to behold. It’s big, clean, and houses all the boats rowed by their world-class rowing program. An administrator proudly stated that “We grow rowers!” highlighting that many young men join the team with little to no experience. However, many advances to D1 level crew teams. The other athletic facilities were just as impressive . . . squash courts, hockey rink, lacrosse fields. Not to mention that their football team is strong in its division.

Salisbury understands boys, how to teach, how to engage, and how to nurture them both academically and socially.

INDIAN MOUNTAIN SCHOOL

There are 85 guitarists among the 180 students in the upper school. 140 musicians overall!There are 85 guitarists among the 180 students in the upper school. 140 musicians overall!
There are 85 guitarists among the 180 students in the upper school. 140 musicians overall!

Indian Mountain School is a junior boarding school that I was excited to visit in person. In my prior conversations with administrators, I sensed that it was a special place for students to develop into their own. The lower school has students in grades PK-4, while the upper school ushers students in grades 5-9 through early adolescence. Students will typically board in grades 7th, 8th, and 9th. For the teachers, administrators, and other staff, this really is a life commitment/decision. The responsibility is even greater in supporting these youth.

The team of adults who work there, live on campus, coach, and organize activities provide all the support services imaginable. The support services are balanced with student leadership opportunities. Students are given just as many opportunities to take risks. Each class experiences an outdoor adventure that bonds them in unforgettable ways. The overall thrust of the community was character development.

An administrator shared a quote in his office, which speaks to the character and quality of Indian Mountain School: “In all things, a lesson.”

THE HOTCHKISS SCHOOL

The flags adorning the Hotchkiss dining hall showcase the 69 countries represented on campus.
The flags adorning the Hotchkiss dining hall showcase the 69 countries represented on campus.

Hotchkiss is a school that you have to see to believe. Admittedly, I was overwhelmed by its campus size, facilities, and student involvement. A surprise day-off was announced prior to my arrival, so, as you can imagine, the students were happy and taking advantage of the many opportunities to order food, leave campus, or play games on the field.

The students I met were involved in so many activities – athletics, theatre, community service, as well as AP coursework. There are about 500+ students at Hotchkiss but its size rivaled most small colleges I’ve visited. An administrator described it as a “small school within a large school.”

From the science center to the fine arts offerings to the radio station to the Olympic-sized swimming pools to the school-owned farm, students have unlimited opportunities to explore and discover their interests. The academic rigor at Hotchkiss is well-known so students must learn fairly quickly how to balance their coursework with all these other enticing offerings.

Etienne LeGrand on Closing the Achievement Gap in Atlanta

A popular term in our education lexicon today is “achievement gap.” Believe it or not, this term was first used in the 1960s, then after 1970, it started to appear more in popular press as well. With the introduction of No Child Left Behind at the start of the millennium, it’s almost become a household phrase.

We most often hear about this achievement gap in the context of the wide test score disparity between white students and black students. A persistent achievement gap can have severe consequences for schools as well as entire communities. More importantly, although it may be an educational indicator, it takes the resources of teachers, administrators, parents, businesses, and community-based organizations to tackle this pervasive problem throughout our education system. As a naïve doctoral student several years ago, I thought that the so-called achievement gap would be eradicated by now. Each year, we learn that there is more work ahead and many bright beacons in this fight are in our communities.

Etienne LeGrand, who is the co-founder and President of the WEB DuBois Society in Atlanta joined The Education Doctor Radio show to discuss some promising initiatives she leads. My hope is that as we hear the work that’s being done in her community it will stimulate and encourage others to implement initiatives in their own community, whether they are located in Bangor, Maine, San Diego, CA or Grand Rapids, MI.

Listen to how your WEB DuBois Society is Closing Achievement Gap in Atlanta

What Race to the Top means for your Family

Education news wires were abuzz today with the announcement of the new winners of the Race to the Top, Round 2 funds. States are vying for these funds as they see other sources to support education reform have dwindled over the years. In the process of applying for this substantial award, states have invested considerable time and resources. The grant was already released with guidelines and limitations on the parameters for using the funds. The reforms may focus on one of these areas

  • Data systems
  • Standards and assessments
  • Effective teachers
  • School turnaround

Early this year in the first round, two states – Tennessee and Delaware – won $600M to implement new initiatives in their respective states. The Round 2 winners announced today were Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Rhode Island. These states are splitting $3.4 billion to make education reforms.

If you attend school or have children who attend school in one of these winning states, please review your state’s application. There is a chance that these reforms may have an influence on your child’s classroom. Below are links to each state’s website where you can find more information about the reforms that will take place in your state.

With each of these applications, the next consideration is how these reforms will be implemented within the context of their districts and communities. For example, a new report was released this week about the state of education for African-American boys in school districts around the country. In NYC, only 9% of African American boys in 8th grade are reading at grade level. Scary. So, how will these RTT funds be used in the context of what these students’ needs are? (Things that make you go. . . “Hmmm.”)

If you have questions about the grants, reforms, or other, please don’t hesitate to send me an email.