Darrow School: Difference between revisions
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==Mission Statement== |
==Mission Statement== |
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At Darrow School, we are dedicated to serving students with diverse backgrounds and abilities, building on each student’s individual talents and interests to inspire enduring confidence for success in college and in life. |
At Darrow School, we are dedicated to serving students with diverse backgrounds and abilities, building on each student’s individual talents and interests to inspire enduring confidence for success in college and in life. Which is the best thing to get at a school. |
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Our challenging and individually focused college preparatory curriculum features a unique combination of classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and environmental consciousness. Our beautiful mountainside campus, a National Historic Landmark, is rich in its Shaker heritage and provides an ideal setting. |
Our challenging and individually focused college preparatory curriculum features a unique combination of classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and environmental consciousness. Our beautiful mountainside campus, a National Historic Landmark, is rich in its Shaker heritage and provides an ideal setting. |
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Revision as of 16:12, 11 December 2008
| Darrow School | |
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| File:Darrow School Logo.gif | |
| Address | |
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110 Darrow Road New Lebanon, New York 12125 Columbia County United States | |
| Information | |
| School type | Independent, Boarding |
| Denomination | Non-denominational |
| Founded | 1932 |
| Oversight | Board of Trustees |
| Chairperson | Alexa Seip |
| Head of school | Nancy M. Wolf |
| Staff | 52 |
| Teaching staff | 31 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 110 (avg. 2005-7) |
| Average class size | 9 |
| Student to teacher ratio | 4:1 |
| Language | English |
| Campus size | 365 acres |
| Houses | Ann Lee Cottage, Brethren's Workshop, Hinckley, Neale House, Meacham |
| Colour(s) | Maroon, White, and Gray |
| Athletics | Baseball, Basketball, Cross-Country, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee |
| Athletics conference | HVAL, NEPSAC |
| Mascot | Darrow Ducks |
| Accreditation | Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools |
| Publication | 'The Peg Board' |
| Endowment | $2.5 million |
| Affiliation | NAIS, TABS, NYSAIS, NYBSA, CRISA |
| %Faculty with Advanced Segrees | 57% |
| Average Teaching Experience | 10.9 years |
| Number of States Represented | 13 |
| Number of Countries Represented | 8 |
| Website | www.darrowschool.org |
Darrow School, an Independent co-educational high school for grades 9-12 in New Lebanon, New York, offers a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum that emphasizes strong critical thinking and writing skills in all subject areas. The school has been recognized as a pioneer in the field of hands-on learning with teachers using a real-world approach to learning that makes learning applicable to students lives. The campus is located on a 365-acre (1.48 km2) National Historic Landmark in the Berkshire Hills, which are a southern extension of the Green Mountains of Vermont.
History
Until 1948, Mount Lebanon was home to the largest Shaker community in America. More than a decade before the last of the Shakers left the village, they set in motion plans for a school, and in 1931 contacted New Lebanon admiralty lawyer Charles Haight to make their idea a reality. In 1932, the Lebanon School for Boys opened its doors, utilizing many of the original Shaker buildings as classrooms; meeting, dining, and athletic facilities; and dormitories for both students and teachers. The School was renamed "Darrow School" in 1939 in honor of the Darrow family who had first settled the land and had provided support and leadership in the early years of the Shaker community. In 1970, Darrow School began to accept female students and hired their first full-time female faculty member, Nancy Wolf, who now serves as Darrow's Head of School.
Throughout the School’s history, although some accommodations have been made for modern living and learning, all renovations have been conducted in consideration of the Shaker principles of simplicity, function, beauty, and stewardship of both the historic site and the earth. In the late 1980s the school was forced to sell much of its original Shaker furniture to meet budget deficits. Then, in the spring of 1991 the board of trustees voted to close the school at the end of that term. Parents of the 106 students enrolled in the school and alumni acted quickly to raise over a quarter of a million dollars. Weeks later the board voted unanimously to reverse its decision and Darrow got a second chance.
Mission Statement
At Darrow School, we are dedicated to serving students with diverse backgrounds and abilities, building on each student’s individual talents and interests to inspire enduring confidence for success in college and in life. Which is the best thing to get at a school.
Our challenging and individually focused college preparatory curriculum features a unique combination of classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and environmental consciousness. Our beautiful mountainside campus, a National Historic Landmark, is rich in its Shaker heritage and provides an ideal setting.
Students
Average Enrollment (2005-2007)
110 students
85% boarding, 15% day
55% male, 45% female
Geographic Distribution
| 13 States: Connecticut Georgia Maryland Massachusetts Maine New Jersey New York North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania Texas Virginia Rhode Island Washington, D.C. |
spacing data | 7 Countries: Angola Gabon Jamaica Japan Republic of China South Korea Ukraine |
Academic Program
Overview
Each student takes 5 or 6 courses each semester. Each course section, averaging nine students, meets four times per week.
Hands-on Learning
Darrow’s faculty use a variety of hands-on learning experiences to elicit students’ understanding of new or unfamiliar concepts. Hands-on experiences can also be used to formulate student assessments. Also referred to (or practiced as) applied, active, inquiry-based, or experiential learning; hands-on learning emphasizes learning by doing—the acquisition of knowledge and skills outside of books and lectures. Hands-on learning can occur through work, play, and other life experiences.
Tutorial Program
The Tutorial Program is a one-on-one skill-based program designed to guide all Darrow students through the process that helps them become proficient and independent learners who are prepared for college. Tutors, who are often referred to as academic coaches or mentors, assist students with study skills such as materials and time management, note taking, active reading, test preparation, and test taking. Most students meet with faculty mentors twice each week, while some meet four times per week.
Sustainability and Stewardship
Darrow follows in the Shaker legacy of sustainability and stewardship. The academic program focuses on the responsible management of environmental, social, and economic resources. In 2005, Darrow School was recognized by the National Association of Independent Schools with a Leading Edge Honoree Award for curriculum innovation.
Course Offerings
| English 9th Writing & Literature I 10th Writing & Literature II 11th American Literature 12th African-American Literature 12th Environmental Literature 12th Latin American Literature 12th Poetry Since 1945 12th Russian Literature 12th Women’s Literature 12th Writing Reflections |
ESOL ESOL Language Arts ESOL History ESOL Science |
Foreign Language French I French II French III French IV/V Spanish I Spanish II Spanish III Spanish IV/V |
History 9th Multicultural Studies 10th Western Civilization 11th United States History 12th Civil Rights 12th Environmental Economics 12th Ethics 12th History of Exploration |
| spacing between data | |||
| Math Algebra I Geometry Advanced Geometry Algebra II Advanced Algebra II College Math Pre-Calculus Calculus Advanced Calculus |
Music Chorus Ensemble Music In Our Lives Music Theory |
Science 9th Environmental Science 10th Chemistry 11th Biology 12th Advanced Environmental Science 12th Astronomy 12th Ornithology 12th Physics 12th Stream Ecology |
Visual Arts Art History Ceramics I Ceramics: Figure Ceramics: Smoke and Fire Design 2D Design 3D Drawing Furniture Design Advanced Furniture Design Painting Photography I Photography: Portraiture Photography: Traditional and Digital Portfolio |
Athletics
| 8 Competitive Team Sports: Cross-Country Soccer Basketball Baseball Softball Tennis Lacrosse Ultimate Frisbee |
spacing data | Noncompetitive Afternoon Activities+: Outdoor Education Skiing and Snowboarding at Jiminy Peak Weight lifting and Fitness Theater |
+Mountain Biking, Fencing and Martial Arts, and Horseback Riding have been offered, based on faculty availability and student interest.
Extracurriculars
Hands-to-Work
Each Wednesday morning, the entire school goes to work chopping wood, making apple cider and maple syrup, gardening, recycling, and engaging in many other useful and needed projects. An outgrowth of the Shaker motto “Hands to work, hearts to God,” this program sets aside time to foster the dignity of labor and cooperative effort. It is also emblematic of Darrow’s commitment to genuine hands-on learning and provides opportunities for individuals to develop interests and abilities and connect with one another outside of the classroom.
Performing Arts
Theater
There are three full theatrical productions a year—two major plays produced by the Darrow Theater Workshop. These include wide-ranging choices such as musicals, Shakespeare, comedies, and one-acts, as well as original scripts by teachers and students. Then in December, the popular Winter Revels concert, in celebration of the winter solstice and holiday season.
Music
Darrow offers Chorus, Instrumental Ensemble, Music in Our Lives, and Music Theory as part of the academic curriculum. There are also other opportunities for students to be involved in music throughout the year for those who have an extracurricular interest. Students can sign up to receive weekly private voice or instrument lessons with local professional musicians. Music practice rooms are open for formal or informal use.
Weekend Activities
Trips to movie theaters, malls, restaurants, museums, rock-climbing venues, sporting events, concerts and more.
Admissions
Application Process
Darrow School has a rolling admission policy and offers midyear enrollment in January on a limited basis. Files are reviewed by an Admission Committee. Application information can be found at Darrow School Admissions
Financial Aid
At Darrow, financial aid is granted on the basis of need, which is determined by the School and Student Services (SSS) for Financial Aid in Princeton, New Jersey. Information about financial aid at Darrow can be found at Darrow School Financial Aid
Awards
In 2005, Darrow School was recognized by The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) with a Leading Edge Honoree Award for its curriculum innovation, specifically in the area of sustainability. The School’s Sustainability Program is an important feature of the academic program and examines the relationship between people and their resources.
Notable alumni
- Sterling Brinkley, Former Managing Director at Lehman Brothers, current chairman of EZCorp
- Charles "Pete" Conrad, Apollo 12 commander and third man to walk on the moon. Darrow Class of 1949.
- Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, Sportscaster and radio personality. Darrow Class of 1979.
- Sam Harper, Screenplay writer of Cheaper by the Dozen and Cheaper by the Dozen II. Darrow Class of 1979.
- Jane Feldman, photographer and writer of several children's books including I am a Dancer and I am a Skater.
- Christopher Lloyd, Actor who appeared in "Taxi" and "Back to the Future".
- Indianapolis Mayor William H. Hudnut III