McLean School of Maryland

McLean School of Maryland
Address
8224 Lochinver Lane Potomac , MD USA
Coordinates	39°2′21″N 77°10′4″W
Information
Type	Private Preparatory School
Religious affiliation(s)	Non-sectarian
Established	1954
Head of School	Darlene Pierro
Faculty	120
Enrollment	350 (grades K-12)
Average class size	10
Student to teacher ratio	6:1
Campus	Suburban, 9 acres
Color(s)	Blue and White
Athletics	11 interscholastic sports 25 interscholastic teams
Athletics conference	Potomac Valley Athletic Conference
Mascot	Mustang
Tuition	$25,000/Year (Kindergarten) $30,440/Year (Lower School) $33,160/Year (Middle School) $35,615/Year (Upper School)
Website	www.mcleanschool.org

McLean School of Maryland is an independent, non-denominational, co-educational college preparatory day school located in Potomac, Maryland for grades K through 12. It was primarily grades K through 9 until the early 2000s when it created the high school portion of the school (with the first graduating class in 2003). The mission of McLean School has always been to serve a broad range of students including those with learning issues. McLean offers students a traditional curriculum delivered in a non-traditional fashion that focuses on the meta-cognitive process.

School Profile

History

Lenore and Delbert Foster established and headed McLean School in 1954.

After the Fosters retired in 1978, a group of parents, faculty and staff formed a non-profit corporation for McLean School and relocated to the present Lochinver Lane campus in Potomac, Maryland.

Facilities

McLean School of Maryland is situated 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Washington, DC, in Potomac, Maryland. McLean's 9 acres (36,000 m²) along a residential side street are surrounded by homes and townhouses.

The main structure of 47,000 square feet (4,400 m²) was built in the early 1970s as a Montgomery County elementary school. McLean took possession in 1978, and in the 1990s completed a 10,800-square-foot (1,000 m²) gymnasium. In 2000 McLean renovated the building, adding classrooms to the Middle School and building a new three-story wing to house the Upper School. McLean School's campus today includes:

• Two fields for soccer, softball, and lacrosse.
• A playground and equipment for children.
• 60+ classrooms (with computer access) that house around 10 students each.
• Three large, up-to-date computer labs.
• A lounge for high-school students.

Academics

English: Three Years.
Senior Humanities: One Year.
Foreign Language: Two years of one language. A third year is strongly recommended.
History: Three years, one of which must be United States History. Four years are strongly recommended.
Literature: Three years.
Mathematics: Four years including Algebra 2/Trigonometry.
Physical Education: Two years.
Science: Three years. Four years are strongly recommended.
Arts: One credit of art, music, and/or drama. More are strongly recommended.
Computer: Fundamentals of Computer Literacy (or waiver if proficient).

Course Load

Students in Upper School are required to carry a course load of six year-long academic classes (English, literature, foreign language, history, mathematics, and science). They must take physical education (or an independent physical education contract) for 2 years, and select courses in art, music, computer, and other electives to complete graduation requirements.

Arts

Students have the opportunity to take classes in painting, sculpture, drama, music, film, animation, graphic and web design. Students in every grade are encouraged to tap into the power of the arts as a vehicle for expression.

Lower School emphasis is placed on the elements of art and basic color theory, as students explore a wide variety of subject matter, media and techniques. Also in Lower School students attend general music classes twice a week. Classes expose students to the various styles of music, give an historical overview of music and teach basic symbol- and note-reading and writing. Music classes offer opportunities for expression and interpretation through movement, singing, listening and ensemble work. In addition, each grade 3 and 4 student has the opportunity to join either the Chorus or the String Program during one other period of the week.

The Middle School arts program continues on the foundations started in the Lower School. Students encounter more challenging projects in Middle School, as they experience more sophisticated use of media, creative concepts, art terminology and problem-solving. Innovative class assignments include formal subject matter like still life, and perspective drawing landscape, and portraits, painting as well as formal techniques in perspective drawing, observation drawing, and abstractions. Formal techniques in printmaking, photography collage, and ceramics are also introduced. The music curriculum promotes music literacy, history and appreciation. Students in grades 5 and 6 attend general music classes twice a week. Classes focus on refining note-reading skills through ear training and written assignments. Vocal and instrumental repertoire presents students with opportunities to interpret, analyze and critique compositions. Grades 5 and 6 students become acquainted with concepts, in-score symbols and compositional components as they explore music from various time periods and parts of the world. Students in grades 7 and 8 may elect to participate in the Middle School band or the Middle School chorus. The curricula for these applied music classes allow students to participate in an instrumental or choral ensemble that focuses on the development and refinement of performance skills and technique. Musicianship is developed through concepts of notation, phrasing and dynamics. One year’s prior playing experience is recommended for band participants.

Upper School students experience a rich and varied elective curriculum that utilizes and expands upon skills developed in Middle School. Foundation skills and terminology are re-emphasized and built upon to the advanced level. Various two and three-dimensional media including pencil, charcoal, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, and oil on canvas, collage, printmaking and ceramics are components of the program. Sculpture media, including wood, wire and clay, are used in the three-dimensional art component of the program. Computer-generated graphics and illustration are also part of the curriculum. Students are exposed to more advanced creative disciplines while gaining a greater understanding of design and planning procedures. The Upper School Visual Art program encourages individual style and artistic interpretation in both representational and abstract subjects. The Upper School music curriculum offers three semester electives. Students continue to develop musicianship and performance skills in Upper School Chorus, Jazz Band and instrumental ensemble courses. The choral elective concentrates on the refinement of vocal skills through the practice and performance of a wide range of repertoire. Strong emphasis is placed on the improvement of score reading, stage presence, poise and execution. Chorus students advance their appreciation of vocal music through solo and ensemble work. Instrumental electives focus on the refinement of technique, note-reading and part-following skills while playing traditional band instruments. Instrumental skills are developed using methods books, jazz charts, class and student compositions.

Athletics

From day one, McLean Lower and Middle School students enjoy Physical Education every day. This fun break from the rigors of study helps students learn to find enjoyment in physical activities and good-natured games.

The focus on athletics and spirited competition increases through the grades, as students develop physical skills, formulate strategies and learn sportsmanship. Health education is introduced, with an emphasis on maintaining a healthy body as well as a healthy mind.

Outside of the curriculum, McLean fields a variety of sports teams every season. Students experience camaraderie, community and teamwork as they face other schools in the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference. Best of all, McLean’s small size gives every student the chance to belong to a team and learn both the importance and joys of participation.

McLean Boys Varsity Basketball Team won the PVAC Basketball Tournament and regular season title during the 2012-13 season.

SummerEdge

From producing a blockbuster movie to conducting eye-opening science experiments, SummerEdge at McLean School of Maryland offers something fun and exciting for everyone. With full-day and half-day sessions for pre-kindergarten through grade 12, students of all ages and learning styles are sure to increase their edge in reading, writing, math, science and beyond.

You’re on the verge of an extraordinary opportunity. Take the next step and discover the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. www.summeredge.org/

External links

http://www.mcleanschool.org/