Breck School
Breck School | |
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Location | |
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Coordinates | 44°58′52″N 93°20′35″W / 44.98111°N 93.34306°W |
Information | |
Type | Private |
Motto | Community |
Religious affiliation(s) | Episcopal |
Patron saint(s) | James Lloyd Breck |
Established | 1886 |
Head of School | Edward Kim[1] |
Faculty | 106 |
Enrollment | 1,189 |
Student to teacher ratio | 11:1 |
Campus | 1 campus, suburban setting |
Color(s) | Blue and Gold |
Athletics conference | Tri-Metro Conference |
Mascot | Mustang |
Website | www.breckschool.org |
Breck School is an independent college-preparatory preK–12 school in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. It was founded in 1886 and is affiliated with the Episcopal Church. The school includes a Lower School consisting of grades preschool through four, a Middle School consisting of grades five through eight, and an Upper School consisting of grades nine through twelve. Breck School is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools.
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/2009-0611-006-BreckSchool.jpg/300px-2009-0611-006-BreckSchool.jpg)
Breck was established in 1886 in Wilder, Minnesota and named after Episcopal missionary Reverend James Lloyd Breck. The school moved to 2095 Commonwealth Ave in Saint Paul under the direction of Rev. Charles Haupt, in 1916. In 1920 it moved to 2102 Carter Ave., just a few blocks away in Saint Anthony Park. Then, in the fall of 1922 it moved a few more blocks west to Como and Hendon (now a part of the Luther Seminary). In 1938, the school became an exclusively boys' school, and military curriculum was added. This military aspect was eliminated in 1959. Girls were reintroduced in 1952 in grades one to three, and eventually throughout the school in 1967. A fire destroyed the original Chapel of the Holy Spirit at the school's River Road location in Minneapolis in 1979. In 1981, the school moved to its present location in Golden Valley at the campus of that city's former middle and high school, which were closed after a school district merger. Breck celebrated its centennial in 1986. That same year, John C. Littleford was succeeded by interim headmaster Kathryn Harper. Sam Salas served as headmaster from 1987 until retiring in June 2007. Edward Kim succeeded Salas as Head of School in July 2007. For more on Breck's history, see the Breck History article at its website.
Academics
Breck is an academic institution, excelling particularly in science, history, language, and the performing arts. Numerous students have gone to colleges such as Harvard University, Yale University and Stanford University. Seventeen percent of the classes of 2002–2006 were National Merit Scholars.[2]
Advanced Research programs
Breck features Advanced Research programs in its Science, History and Mathematics departments; these programs offer students the opportunity to do graduate-level work at institutions such as the University of Minnesota and present their results at national and international competitions. In the class of 2007, two Advanced Science Research students were semifinalists in the international Intel Science Talent Search competition; more students have gone to other prestigious events.[3] Advanced Science Research students also have the opportunity to meet prestigious researchers, such as Dr. Norman Borlaug, the 1970 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.[4]
The Advanced History Research Program, the only one of its kind in Minnesota, offers talented History students the chance to conduct cultural research around the Minneapolis metro area; through this program, they gain experience writing publication-quality papers and giving seminars on their results.[5]
The Advanced Mathematics Research Program, new in 2011, combines sophisticated quantitative research with service. Students work at a nonprofit or government agency on problems that benefit society. In its first year, students are working with the City of Golden Valley on questions related to housing assessment and with a nonprofit agency that serves Iranian-Americans.
Technology
Breck School was one of the first schools in the Minneapolis area to adopt a full "one-to-one" laptop program. In the 2006-2007 school year, each student received an Apple laptop computer for use at school and home; these laptops are used on a daily basis in Breck Middle and Upper School classrooms, and to a lesser degree in fourth-grade classrooms.[6][7] Some Breck classrooms are equipped with Smart Board technology that enhances the learning environment.
Language programs
Breck School has one of the most well-established language programs in the state. Breck's language programs, including Spanish, French, and Chinese, extend from preschool to 12th grade.[8][9] The Mandarin Chinese program, the first in the state, was created by Margaret Wong; her accomplishments have received high praise from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, which states that "Wong has been the most influential figure in developing and spreading Chinese language education in Minnesota."[10]
Extracurricular activities
Performing Arts
Breck's Performing Arts program is regarded[who?] as one of the finest in the state. Breck's theater department presents four official shows per year, as well as various student-directed performances. Students from fifth grade and up have the opportunity to participate in Breck's theatrical productions, as well as Breck's music and dance performances. The theater department is run by Tom Hegg, an award winning drama teacher and author of the well-known books A Cup of Christmas Tea and Peef. The department has produced numerous accomplished actors and theater staff including actors Wayne Wilderson and Marisa Coughlan and comedian Erik Stolhanske, a member of the Broken Lizard comedy troupe.
Charlie Korsmo, who starred in movies such as What About Bob?, Dick Tracy (1990 film), Hook (film), and Can't Hardly Wait, was an active member in the Performing Arts Department, and part of the 1996 Breck Class. Korsmo retired from acting while attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and later went on to work for the United States Government in Missile Defense technologies, and also for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Jimmy Stofer, a 2001 graduate, went on to play bass for The Fray for 2 years, and is now a member of the band Rose Hill Drive.
Visual Arts
Breck has a large Visual Arts department, including numerous studios and art staff. Notably, artist Michal Sagar teaches Upper School art at Breck, as does respected potter Jil Franke. Art at Breck begins in preschool and can extend all the way to the 12th grade; Numerous Breck students in the Middle and Upper Schools have been recognized by national art institutions for their work.
Student newspaper
Breck's high school newspaper is The Bugle. In 2004, it received 3rd Place in the Star Tribune/Minnesota State High School League Newspaper Challenge. Breck's middle school also has a literary magazine, The Stampede. This features art and papers from students in the Middle School.
Mock Trial
Breck is home to one of the top mock trial teams in Minnesota. In recent years, they have competed in the state tournament several times, placing fourth in 2007, second in 2009, and winning the state competition in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The 2010 team went on to win the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Philadelphia, PA and remained undefeated while competing against teams from 42 states and six countries. The team continued their success in 2011, where on March 9th Breck defeated Edina for their second straight state title and earning a spot to go to Arizona to defend the national championship, where after losing 6 seniors from the national championship team, finished as the 8th best team in the nation. On March 7, 2012, Breck became the first team in Minnesota mock trial history to win three consecutive state championships.
Other programs
Breck School also has a Breck Summer Program, which begins during the first week of summer vacation
Community involvement
2008 U.S. Senate debate
On Saturday, October 11, 2008, Breck hosted the second debate between U.S. Senate candidates Republican Norm Coleman, Democrat Al Franken, and Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley. The debate was aired locally on KARE-11 TV and nationally on C-SPAN. Several hundred local community members watched the debate live inside the Breck Cargill Theater and more than 200,000 Minnesotans watched the debate on television.
Wednesday service
Upper School students travel to various service sites across the metro each Wednesday. Wednesday service gives students an opportunity to serve the community and gain a new perspective on local issues. The students spend two hours of the day helping the elderly and the inner city youths of Minneapolis and the surrounding areas.
Athletics
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/2009-0611-005-BreckIce.jpg/300px-2009-0611-005-BreckIce.jpg)
Breck School is part of the Tri-Metro Conference in the Minnesota State High School League and has won 20 state championship titles in ten sports. Several players from the hockey and football programs have gone on to play for Division One programs. The boys hockey team took the state championship in 2009 and 2010. The girls' hockey program was established in 1994; it won the Minnesota state consolation tournament in 2007, and 2nd place in the state tournament in 2008 and 2010, and won the state championship in 2012. The boys basketball team also took 2nd place in the state tournament in 2006. For a complete list of athletic accomplishments see the Breck Trophy Case at the school's website.
State Championships | |||
---|---|---|---|
Season | Sport | Championships | Year(s) |
Fall | Tennis, Girls | 1 | 1996 |
Soccer, Boys | 1 | 2005 | |
Football | 2 | 1996, 2003 | |
Winter | Hockey, Boys | 4 | 2000, 2004, 2009, 2010 |
Hockey, Girls | 1 | 2012 | |
Basketball, Girls | 1 | 2004 | |
Swimming and Diving, Boys (Co-op with The Blake School) | 2 | 2009, 2010 | |
Spring | Golf, Boys | 1 | 2004 |
Tennis, Boys | 6 | 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2009, 2011 | |
Track & Field, Girls | 2 | 1996, 1997 | |
Total | 20 |
Awards
School | Award | Year |
---|---|---|
Lower School | U.S. Department of Education "School of Excellence"[11] | 1988 |
Middle and Upper Schools | U.S. Department of Education "Blue Ribbon School"[11] | 1993 |
Notable alumni
- Frank Mars 1901, creator of the Milky Way and other candy bars
- Walter Bush '47, former owner of the Minnesota North Stars, member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and recipient of the Olympic Order
- Richard Proudfit '49, founder of the non-profit, Feed My Starving Children
- Stanley Hubbard '51, Chairman and President, Hubbard Broadcasting
- Bradford Parkinson '52, inventor of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology
- Paul Johnson '53, gold medal Olympian and member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame
- Hugh Roberts '69, retired EVP and President, International Commercial, Kraft Foods, Inc.
- R.T. Rybak '74, Mayor of Minneapolis[12]
- Alice Goodman '76, poet
- Spencer Reece '81, author and poet
- David Williams '83, Olympic athlete in Judo and NBC commentator, 2008 Summer Olympic Games
- Wayne Wilderson '84, television actor[13]
- Mike Mattison '87, lead singer, Derek Trucks Band
- Erik Stolhanske '87, actor/comedian[14]
- Alec Soth '88, photographer
- Craig Finn '89, frontman of the band The Hold Steady
- Marisa Coughlan '92, actor[15]
- Adam Herschman '94, actor[16]
- Charlie Korsmo '96, actor[17]
- Dominique Byrd ’02, Tight End, Seattle Seahawks
- John Curry ’02, goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins
- Blake Wheeler, right wing for the Winnipeg Jets[18]
References
- ^ "Edward Kim Appointed Head-of-School-Elect"
- ^ College Profile
- ^ "Students are Semifinalists at Intel Science Talent Search"
- ^ "Nobel Prize Winner Visits Breck"
- ^ Upper School Information
- ^ Upper School Laptop Program
- ^ Middle School Laptop Program
- ^ Upper School Curriculum Guide
- ^ Lower School Curriculum Guide
- ^ Star Tribune, 10/16/06
- ^ a b Awards
- ^ R.T. Rybak
- ^ Wayne Wilderson at IMDb
- ^ Erik Stohlanske at IMDb
- ^ Marisa Coughlan at IMDb
- ^ Adam Herschman at IMDb
- ^ Charlie Korsmo
- ^ Jets Roster on http://jets.nhl.com
External links
- Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from May 2009
- Educational institutions established in 1886
- Elementary schools in Minnesota
- High schools in Minnesota
- Middle schools in Minnesota
- Private schools in Minnesota
- Episcopal Church in the United States of America
- Schools in Hennepin County, Minnesota