2024 Breck Viewbook

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breckschool.org

Confidence in knowing.

Knowing your strengths as well as your weaknesses.

Knowing where you are and where you want to go next.

Knowing how you learn and how to push yourself further. Knowing the world is always changing, and that you can change the world.

Get to know Breck

When you know, you know.

Welcome

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Welcome to Breck, a preschool through grade 12 independent, Episcopal, collegepreparatory day school for the creative and the curious.

Our Mission

Core Values

We create confident learners who lead lives of intellectual curiosity, self-knowledge, and social responsibility.

Compassion

Inclusivity

Honor the dignity of all human beings.

Foster a just and welcoming community.

Excellence

Respect

Strive with integrity for the highest standards.

Value each other’s unique talents, spirit, and potential.

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Breck School

Together greatness It’s our families, faculty, staff, and alumni all working toward a common purpose — to create an inspiring and nurturing space for every student. To care for them, challenge them, and help them understand who they are and who they want to be. Every person plays their part and together, we’re Breck.

Our Community

r towards s.

To us, community isn’t merely a collection of people. It isn’t just a place. It isn’t even a noun.

Community is an action.

It’s in our nurture.

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Breck School

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Where care meets challenge.

Patient Guides & Brilliant Educators Success and challenge are both temporary, but the relationships we share last a lifetime. Which is why, at Breck, our expert faculty are dedicated to forming deep relationships with every student. Through our small class sizes, personalization and press, and our commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, we uncover how students learn and what each one needs to achieve their goals. Because when we understand each student, we can partner with them to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

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A Learned & Lasting Legacy At Breck, we see the achievements of our alumni as a proud reminder of what’s possible when we all work together. We’re honored that our graduates remain as dedicated to our school as we were to them.

Our network of alumni is essential to our community and provide the support, connections, influence, and inspiration to help our students thrive.

Invested Friends & Empowered Families Family is integral to our community and the education we provide.

Our faculty partner with families to challenge and support students in the classroom and at home through strong communication, student-parent-teacher partnerships, Parent Education About Kids (PEAK) learning workshops, and more.

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Breck School

We designed our campus around a simple idea: Where we learn shapes how we learn. The spaces we inhabit, and the people we share them with, are as vital as any test or quiz.

GREAT·NESS

Noun [greyt-nis]

def. The quality of being notable or distinguished. ex. We move together towards greatness.

Fourteen Grades, One Campus

A Steadfast Journey

Here, we all learn and grow together — preschool through grade 12. From classrooms to common spaces, high ropes courses to robotics labs, every inch of our campus is alive with curiosity and creativity.

Breck is filled with vibrant spaces and places to gain perspective, be challenged, and grow.

This way of living and learning together is the truest reflection of our Episcopal identity — that through the knowledge and experience of each other’s unique talent, spirit, and potential, we demonstrate to one another empathy and care for our community. We strive to create a sense of belonging for all of our students. That means we allow our lived experiences of different faiths to influence and deepen the development of our own beliefs and ideas.

Breck Upper School students gather in the chapel as a community to support their peers during senior speeches, a beloved tradition.

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Breck School

Limitless Opportun Which is why we teach students to see every moment as a learning opportunity. Whether in class, on stage, hanging out with friends, or focusing on the task at hand — every single second at Breck is a chance to grow and a chance to embrace learning. When that happens, a world of limitless opportunities awaits.

Our Opportunities

s nities.

Campus meets world.

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The process of learning is as important as the outcome.

Breck School

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Purpose.

Full.

At Breck, we urge every student to pursue knowledge in and out of the classroom.

Community Engagement Sparking a student’s engagement and contribution to their larger community is essential at Breck. Through acts of service, our students learn and grow while helping organizations do the same.

It instills the core values of compassion, inclusivity, and respect, ensuring that each student enters the world prepared to work for its betterment.

Deeper Learning From Lower School Explore Block to the vast selection of Middle School electives, Breck students pursue academics focusing on inquiry, curiosity, and growth. These experiences of in-depth exploration culminate in our highly regarded Upper School Advanced Research programs where students engage in college-level research projects, working in labs and professional settings.

What are you into?

What gets you on your feet and your mind on the move?

In every division, there are myriad opportunities for students to participate. From student clubs, councils, to affinity groups, we place special emphasis on supporting a thriving set of diverse, student-led extracurricular activities.

Being an Episcopal School offers yet another opportunity for students to engage in their development of identity and empowerment of voice.

Our World Languages program exposes our students to new people, cultures, and ideas. It enhances our capacity to speak languages and develop a lifelong appreciation for other people and cultures.

Ready for any field.

Athletics

The playing field is as vital a space as any classroom.

Which is why we stress the value of a strong body as well as a strong mind and foster in every student a healthy love of competition, teamwork, and play. Our coaches and athletic staff are teachers — each one dedicated to building a sense of camaraderie, leadership, dedication, and personal growth.

Over 80% of our Middle and Upper School students take part in at least one of our 27 cocurricular programs.

Whether on the field or the court, in the pool or on the ice, there’s a place for every student to play and grow together — all located right here on our Breck campus.

Wonder is what’s next.

Breck School

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At Breck, we’ve made the arts an essential element of our curriculum — not merely to broaden a student’s mind, but to sharpen it as well.

Through the performing and visual arts we learn to think and communicate creatively.

We learn to challenge old ideas and imagine new possibilities. The arts help us listen and share. They teach us to understand ourselves and give us the courage and skills to share our story with the world.

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Whether it’s with charcoal or clay, paint or pixels, every Breck student has the opportunity to express their creativity.

Here, our students learn and create together in our art studios that are filled with inspiration from practicing artists: their teachers. Students at every level are immersed in the arts and urged to risk, try, fail, and succeed — pushing themselves and their imaginations well beyond what they ever thought possible.

From dancing on stage to performing in the orchestra — we think every student should have the chance to perform.

From preschool all the way through grade 12, students develop their creative muscles in our performing arts classes while learning from professional, working artists.

Throughout their time at Breck, students are able to progress through all of the levels of dance, musical, and theatrical arts.

Our Mission

At Breck, we create confident learners who lead lives of intellectual curiosity, self-knowledge, & social responsibility.

Intelle curio Expands creativity and innovation and builds problem-solving skills

Develops confidence and independence to lead in an ever-changing world

At Breck, your curiosity leads you to uncover new opportunities and perspectives. Through conversations with expert faculty members and the support of your peers and the Breck school community, you can delve deep into your interests, create something new, and flex your problem-solving skills.

Your curiosity leads you to develop your own independent spirit and learn to not only ask questions, but to also question the answers so you can be prepared to take on the challenges and grab hold of opportunities in our ever-changing world.

CU·RI·OS·I·TY

Noun [kyoor-ee-os-i-tee]

ectual osity Cultivates a love of learning At Breck, we fuel a continuous cycle of exploration and discovery from preschool through graduation.

By creating a deep and enduring appreciation for the process of gaining knowledge, we are confident that Breck students will take with them one of life’s most important gifts: a love of learning.

def. The desire to learn or know about anything. ex. Curious minds know.

“From spending hours working in a lab for science research to writing English essays and poetry, at Breck, I’ve had the chance to dive into so many different venues.

With teachers who inspire me to learn and resources that encourage me to think, my curiosity has thrived, driving me to explore the connections in these distinct spaces.”

Ivy, Upper School Student

KNOWL·EDGE

Noun [nol-ij]

def. Familiarity with a subject or branch of learning. ex. Knowledge in knowing.

Se know

Reveals your strengths and builds self-confidence When you really know yourself, you can recognize your strengths and talents. Understanding who you are is the key to building self-confidence and growing as a person.

Fosters emotional intelligence and improves decision-making When armed with self-knowledge, you gain the wisdom to understand your own emotions and the feelings and the nuances that drive others. Understanding how emotions impact you and others helps you solidify who you are, your values and beliefs, so you can make choices that stay true to yourself.

elfwledge Encourages lifelong learning When you know who you are, you know what really inspires you. The genuine appetite for experience and learning stay with you no matter where life takes you.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself in Middle School. Knowing my strengths and what strategies work to push through something I am stuck on has helped me be a better planner, writer, and learner.”

Linus, Middle School Student

RE·SPON·SI·BLE

Adjective [ri-spon-suh-buhl]

Soc respons

def. Accountable for one’s own power.

ex. We’re responsible for the future we make together.

Develops empathy and encourages civic engagement A commitment to social responsibility teaches us to consider the needs and well-being of others, which spurs us on to get involved in our neighborhood and participate in civic engagement with those we share community with every day.

Promotes ethical decisionmaking and leadership When we think beyond ourselves, we are more likely to consider the effects of our actions, and we are moved to collaborate with others to lead and make ethical decisions that benefit us all.

cial sibility Fosters a sense of purpose and encourages global awareness It is hard to find a higher purpose than contributing positively to society. We believe our students have opportunities to learn about and invest in their world. From partnering with neighbors to strengthen our local community to impacting change on a global scale, Breck students are building toward a future common good.

“Social responsibility means you care for those around you. I like helping people because I want to make the world a better place.”

Amran, Lower School Student

We are a community of high-achieving, motivated students & faculty focused on intellectual inquiry, engagement, & bridging educational research with classroom practice.

Growing minds want to know.

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Breck School

Peter Clark Center As one of only two centers of its kind in the nation, the Peter Clark Center for Mind, Brain, and Education is dedicated to understanding how and why young minds learn best. Our faculty blend research from the fields of psychology, cognitive science, and education with their own classroom expertise into new and dynamic practices — enabling us to personalize a student’s experience and continue to set the standard of how we teach and learn for years to come.

Confident Learners

Transformed Learning

When a student understands how to learn better, they’re able to think bigger, bolder, and more freely. They gain the confidence to advocate for themselves, grow, and succeed.

Intellectual growth is built on the bond between students and their teachers and is created through dedicated collaboration, trust, and hard work to ensure our students know they are in a vibrant learning environment.

Informed Teaching Curious minds are never at rest. Nothing is more important than a desire to know. We work with every teacher to reach all students to create confident learners for life.

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Melrose Center There are few issues more essential than those of equity, leadership, and exploration. The Melrose Family Center for Leadership and Equity is where we all — students, faculty, and staff — explore those issues together.

Through school-wide programming, affinity groups, leadership programs, community partnerships, professional development, and more, we work together to learn, grow, and engage in critical conversations about identity, equity, and social justice for the benefit of one another and our larger community.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Think about your thinking.

At Breck we engage in conversations that reflect our values of inquiry, inclusion, and reason. Through relationships, we grow our intellectual curiosity and ability to engage differences in belief and experience. Our culture of valuing all of our community members extends beyond our classrooms into the hallways, dining rooms, and community spaces. We commit to a practice of discourse with dignity that develops both listening and speaking skills, as well as the courage to express our authentic selves.

This practice aligns with our school’s mission and values of developing engaged and respectful individuals.

We know that a thriving community is one that is diverse, embracing the richness of varying perspectives while honoring the dignity of every human being. We believe our commitment to creating an inclusive community will prepare our graduates to lead in the world around them.

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Breck School

A commu of knowin Knowledge isn’t something we collect. It’s something we continuously pursue. From the first day of preschool to the day the seniors toss their graduation caps, Breck students learn to learn — gaining the confidence in knowing who they are, what they can do, and who they can become.

Divisions

unity ng.

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For a campus with so many diverse minds, big ideas, and vibrant imaginations, we are united by our mission and values.

Insights in sight.

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Preschool & Kindergarten Learning is shaped by our experiences, in and out of school, across our lifetimes, and is integrated with every aspect of human development.

Children in Preschool and Kindergarten are capable of deep learning. And at Breck, we are uniquely positioned to cultivate their learning and growth. Children are incessantly testing their world to understand how it works. Our early-learning experts guide children through hands-on activities, problem-solving tasks, and interactive discussions to develop deeper understanding.

Children are allowed to explore their curiosities, wonder about the world around them, and engage in critical thinking. The experiences our children face early in life impacts the development of their brain architecture, which creates the foundation for their future learning and behaviors.

Our educators meet the needs of each student as students travel through this developmental journey.

Divisions

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Lower School Our community is built on the relationships our educators create with each child — knowing their strengths and their opportunities, their wonderings, and their fears.

“In the Lower School at Breck, we understand that we teach students before content. By creating connections, we can stretch, challenge, and teach our students in unique and special ways.”

Kim Schafer, Grade 4 Teacher

Our Lower School students, fueled by a vibrant learning community, engage in deep learning opportunities in an environment of trusting relationships and strong partnerships.

Informed by research, our teaching and daily experiences are tailored to the developmental needs of children, giving them agency and ownership of their learning throughout the day.

We believe it’s essential for children to see the impact they can have on the world — whether it be an act of kindness, a generous heart, or a helping hand.

Reflecting our mission of social responsibility, Lower School students learn their role at Breck and across communities through civic engagement, community partnerships, and our beloved peerto-peer buddy program that connects students across grade levels.

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Middle School This is a time of great growth and change.

Which is why we emphasize a student’s understanding of who they are and how they learn.

During Middle School, students are guided toward who they want to be.

Not just as students, but as budding engineers, athletes, environmentalists, and artists.

To do this, every Middle Schooler participates in our MindWorks program.

Designed by the Peter Clark Center to help explore and understand the nuances of their own learning, MindWorks uncovers students’ strengths, identifies areas for growth, and teaches them strategies that improve their skills, develop their interests, and feed their desire for new challenges. Through the strength of this community and experiential learning opportunities, students learn to appreciate their place in the world and understand their role in supporting the common good.

The result is far more than just a student with better grades.

It’s a better grade of student.

“I have so much gratitude for Breck.

I’ve discovered my talents, passions, and friendships in a safe and loving school community.”

Aziah, Upper School Student

Divisions

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Upper School Through our innovative curriculum, state-ofthe-art learning spaces, and vast array of opportunities, grades 9 through 12 continue to develop skills, broaden minds, and empower enthusiasm.

Upper School faculty continuously build unique connections with each student, allowing them to challenge, inspire, and drive deep, authentic learning.

Through independent research, interdisciplinary classes, and post-AP courses, students are challenged to explore new ideas and emerging fields of study. This, along with our fully integrated community partnership program, research-informed teaching, and inclusive community, means Upper Schoolers are prepared for every challenge and opportunity to come.

Armed with the skills to compete, the confidence to lead, and the empathy to serve, students graduate with a genuine understanding of the complex world they are entering.

Toge we kn

ether, now.

WON·DER

Noun [wuhn-der]

def. Something of surprise and astonishment. ex. We’re driven by wonder.

Guiding the way.

College Counseling

Extraordinary is our ordinary.

Counselors serve an essential role in our community. They’re not just counselors.

They also teach, advise, and lead in our community partnerships. They’re an integral part of campus life and are here to listen, reflect, and guide our students through their education.

There is no higher mission for our counselors than to help students fully understand their own story.

So, beginning in sophomore year, we foster individual relationships with each one — and give them the time, attention, and skills they need to tell it.

Counseling Resources Counselors assigned in grade 10 Evening programs for students and families each semester beginning in grade 10 Coffee conversations for grade 11 and grade 12 parents and evening programs Application Case Studies program for grade 11 students On-campus test prep

Over the Last Five Years

189 36 Colleges and Universities Attended

in 36 States and Washington D.C.

5

3

along with 5 different countries

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with 3 Morehead Cain Scholars in the mix

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and 20 Division I Athletes, and an NBA First Round Draft Pick.

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Our cr stand John Culliton ’11 makes a name for himself at EV company, Lucid Motors

Rachel Hardeman ’98, Ph.D., founds Center for Antiracism Research

Allison O’Toole ’89, CEO of one of the nation’s largest food banks

An ace driver and senior technical specialist of Lucid’s chassis and vehicle department for Lucid Motors.

Culliton’s passion for design and engineering started in Advanced Science Research.

Hardeman was named one of Time magazine’s TIME100 Most Influential People in the World for her work at the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity (CARHE) at the University of Minnesota.

O’Toole serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Second Harvest Heartland, one of the largest food banks in the country. Her current goal?

Eliminate hunger completely in Minnesota.

Distinguished Alumni

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rowd ds out.

Jamie Ehrdahl ’07 named host of Good Morning Football on the NFL Network Before becoming host of Good Morning Football, Ehrdahl was a former sideline reporter for the NCAA Football and Men’s Basketball.

David Roddy ’19 drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies

Taylor McCanna ’12 becomes an Aerospace Engineer for NASA

Roddy was a first-round draft pick in the 2022 NBA Draft for the Memphis Grizzlies and is currently a small forward for the Phoenix Suns.

From being a part of Breck Robotics’ inaugural season to becoming an Aerospace Engineer for NASA’s Aircraft Operations Division, McCanna trains astronauts in the same jets used in the Apollo days.

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Breck School

When you choose Breck, you choose more than just a great education. You’re embracing a journey into an adulthood filled with unexpected opportunity and boundless possibility.

It is Breck’s policy to administer its educational programs — including admission and financial aid — without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national or ethnic origin, or disability.

Get Connected To learn more about life at Breck, visit breckschool.org.

To speak with a member of our Admissions team, call our office at 763.381.8200 or email admissions@breckschool.org.

763.381.8200 | breckschool.org

Financial Aid We believe that the journey should be open to everyone. Which is why, every year, we distribute over $8.5 million in financial aid.

Visit our website at breckschool.org/ admissions/financialaid to learn more.

Apply Today To start the process, find out more at breckschool.org/apply .

Breck School 123 Ottawa Ave N Golden Valley, MN 55422

763.381.8200 breckschool.org