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Leading Edge Program 2006 Honorees
The NAIS Leading Edge recognition program honors NAIS member schools and school subscribers (new independent school and international school subscribers only) at varying enrollment levels for their outstanding programs. Here is a list and profile of each school honored by the Leading Edge program for 2005-2006.
Curriculum Innovation
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Hamilton School at Wheeler (Providence, RI)
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Westover School (Middlebury, CT)
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Latin School of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
Equity and Justice
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Purnell School, (Pottersville, NJ)
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Marin Academy (San Rafael, CA)
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University School of Nashville (Nashville, TN)
Environmental Sustainability
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Montessori School of Maui (Makawao, HI)
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Kimball Union Academy (Meriden, NH)
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Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, NH)
Global Understanding
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St. Timothy's School (Stevenson, MD)
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Glen Urquhart School (Beverly Farms, MA)
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La Jolla Country Day School (La Jolla, CA)
Curriculum Innovation
Hamilton School at Wheeler, Providence, RI
Head of School: Dan B. Miller
Program Contact: Jon Green, jongreen@wheelerschool.org
In 1988, the Wheeler School invested $1 million to start the Hamilton Lower School as a "school within a school" to serve its students who needed support with learning differences. The unique program offers specialized academic instruction, then combines Hamilton and Wheeler students for electives. The Hamilton Middle School, begun in 1996, is both physically and philosophically integrated with the Wheeler Middle School, helping to prepare students for their transition to high school. Hamilton student success is due to both innovative teaching practices and the school’s complete integration with Wheeler.
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Westover School, Middlebury, CT
Head of School: Ann Pollina
Program Contact: Ellen Twomey, etwomey@westoverschool.org
Recognizing the dearth of women in the fields of computer science and engineering, math and science teachers at the Westover School teamed up to create "WISE: Women in Science and Engineering." WISE students engage in hands-on engineering problem-solving projects, study Java script to prepare for the AP computer science exam, and create an independent research project. Girls who successfully complete the WISE program are granted automatic admission to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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Latin School of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Head of School: Donald R. Firke
Program Contact: Linda Hennelly, lhennelly@latinschool.org and Kathleen Gruber, cgruber@latinschool.org
At the Latin School of Chicago, the two lower school counselors don't sit in their offices waiting for a student with a problem to walk in. Instead, they meet with each class weekly to address goals through discussion, role-play, projects, cooperative activity, and analysis of group process. Students develop a personal relationship with their counselor. And the school benefits from a preventative mental health and social-emotional learning curriculum, rather than emphasizing response to individual crisis.
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Equity and Justice
Purnell School, Pottersville, NJ
Head of School and Program Contact: Jenifer Fox, jfox@purnell.org
The Purnell School prepares girls with learning or social differences for college. The central philosophy of the school is that being that different does not mean "less than." Each week, on Affinities Wednesday, teachers, students, and administrators shine a spotlight on one student. Together, they brainstorm ways to connect the girl's interests and strengths to her learning. By building on each girl's passions and talents, this program has helped Purnell students go further than they ever imagined.
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Marin Academy, San Rafael, CA
Head of School: Bodie Brizendine
Program Contact: John Grennan, jgrennan@ma.org
The idea for the Conference on Democracy began in lunch-line conversation between a history teacher and a science teacher at Marin Academy. It is now an annual two-day event that involves the whole school community. Students hear from experts (including award-winning authors and poets) and debate social justice issues such as voter rights, environmental sustainability, and youth activism. It's more than just an extended part of the curriculum; it furthers the school's mission to challenge "each person to accept the responsibilities posed by education in a democratic society."
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University School of Nashville, Nashville, TN
Head of School: Vincent Durnan, Jr.
Program Contact: Jeff Greenfield, jgreenfield@usn.org
The Little Rock Heroes project at the University School of Nashville is a dynamic English and social studies program. Fifth-graders study the U.S. Civil Rights Movement by focusing on the experiences of the Little Rock Nine, the first brave African-American students to attend the newly integrated Central High School in 1957. By reading newspaper clippings, studying the progression of U.S. laws, hearing from a woman that was one of the “Little Rock Nine,” and visiting Central High, the students learn how young people can effect social change in society.
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Environmental Sustainability
Montessori School of Maui, Makawao, HI
Head of School: Cynthia Winans-Burns
Program Contact: Heather Hardcastle, cwburns@momi.org
It began with the construction of a simple community garden at the Montessori School of Maui. Nine years later, the Earth Education and Living Classroom program guides the school to use the entire campus as its classroom. Whether working with worms in the garden, harvesting seeds from an endangered tree, or advising on the construction of four new classrooms, students cultivate a lifelong love of nature.
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Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, NH
Head of School: Michael J. Shafer
Program Contact: Dean Goodwin, dgoodwin@kua.org Union Academy initiated its environmental education program in 1995 to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. Its inquiry-based approach forces students to think for themselves and invest in outcomes relevant to the environment. As it weaves throughout the curriculum, the program motivates students without overwhelming them, inspiring everyone to take positive steps toward a sustainable future.
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Phillips Exeter, Exeter, NH
Acting Head of School and Program Contact: Thomas Hassan, thassan@exeter.edu
Four years ago, there were only a handful of individuals actively promoting environmental sustainability on the campus of Phillips Exeter Academy. Today it's a truly shared effort – from students to staff to the board of trustees. Working as a team, the Exeter community has saved 1.5 million gallons of water and thousands of dollars in electricity bills and has converted vehicles to use non-toxic fuel. And each year, they participate in a healthy – and fun – energy-saving competition called the Green Cup Challenge.
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Global Understanding
St. Timothy's School, Stevenson, MD
Head of School and Program Contact: Randy Stevens, rstevens@sttims-school.org
The Global Immersion Program at St. Timothy's School integrates the school's curriculum with experiential learning. The program has brought international authors to campus to discuss human rights. In 2006, a student presentation and debate on genocide will be followed by a visit from Paul Rusesabagina, the inspiration for the movie, “Hotel Rwanda.” Students have also traveled as far away as Africa to witness firsthand the effects of poverty, AIDS, and sustainability. Such experiences help St. Timothy’s fulfill it mission to prepare girls become global leaders of tomorrow.
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Glen Urquhart School, Beverly Hills, MA
Head of School: Raymond C. Nance
Program Contact: Barbara Kelley, bkelley@gus.org
In the fall of 2004, the Glen Urquhart School started its mission to aid 600 poverty stricken orphans in rural Honduras. All year long, in Spanish classes (from kindergarten through eighth grade), students study Honduras and collect donations and supplies. The program culminates with an eighth-grade trip to the Rancho Santa Fe orphanage over spring break. The experience serves as new motivation for mastery of the Spanish language. More importantly, the school embraces it as an opportunity for students to learn more about the world – and themselves.
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La Jolla Country Day School, La Jolla, CA
Head of School: Judith Glickman
Program Contact: Susan Nordenger, snordenger@ljcds.org
To create the Kids to Kids program, La Jolla Country Day School teamed up with Project Concern International, a nonprofit health and development agency. After studying Nicaragua, sophomores travel to rural Jinotega, where they visit a well baby clinic, help with a school feeding program, and work with teachers and parents to rebuild a school. The entire school joins the spirit of volunteerism and philanthropy, sewing book bags for Nicaraguan children and raising money to improve schools there. Students learn first hand the power of sustainable development work.
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