Viewbook 2009

The Mission of CH-CH Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School is a college preparatory, day and boarding school that embraces differences in learning style and culture in a richly diverse and supportive community. We challenge young men and women to realize their individual potential, experience academic success, and develop moral strength and personal integrity.

785 Beaver Street • Waltham, MA 02452 Phone 781-314-0800 • Fax 781-894-5205 www.chch.org

Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School

785 Beaver Street • Waltham, MA 02452 Phone 781-314-0800 • Fax 781-894-5205 • www.chch.org

Positively Unique With a history that goes back more than 175 years, Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School is a small, coeducational day and boarding school for students in grades 9 to 12 and postgraduate. Located on a 37-acre, beautiful suburban campus, we offer small classes and a strong college preparatory curriculum, in addition to arts, athletics, and other exciting opportunities for personal discovery.

But if you’re thinking CH-CH sounds just like many other independent schools, read on. We’re an innovative school offering some distinctly different approaches and experiences so students actively engage in their learning.

CH-CH Facts • Student body of 180 • Coeducational: 50% male, 50% female • Faculty/student ratio is 1:5 • Grades: 9-12, Postgraduate • 60 faculty and staff members, 35% of faculty live on campus • Day students: 55% • Boarding students: 45% • International students: 25% • 95% of our graduates attend a four year college • Academic support program • 10 miles from Boston • Weekly online progress reports

We Teach The Way Students Learn Which would you choose to demonstrate your understanding of historical events? A dramatic monologue…an analytical essay…a sculpture of mixed media...? Your answer gives teachers insight into your strengths as a learner.

“The teachers have inspired a passion for learning in me.”

– Nick K., Junior

DAY

7:32 a.m. Breakfast with Friends

8:00 a.m. Math Class

Boarding and day students alike come to the dining hall before first period to eat and socialize with friends. Faculty members are there, getting their morning coffee, happy to chat with you about everything from last night’s homework to your ideal career to the prospects of the Red Sox.

You’re studying polynomials, and you’re feeling pretty confident about the homework problems, thanks to yesterday afternoon’s Extra Help period.

9:21 a.m. All-School Assembly You’re going to the all-school assembly, where a senior you know from your dorm is giving a Senior Presentation about summer relief work in Guyana.

On other days this week you’ll use this period to have your formal advisory meeting or participate in a club like Student Government or Nature Club.

Teaching to Students’ Strengths Many schools say they treat students as individuals, but not all schools are committed to teaching them the way they learn. At CH-CH we are. We have built our educational approach on the fundamental belief that students learn in different ways and have different strengths in demonstrating what they have learned. We start with perceptive, inventive faculty members.

Teachers identify ways to encourage each student to use his or her strengths to overcome weaknesses, and devise strategies to engage students in the ways they process information best. For example, in a CH-CH classroom, you might find students playing a ball-throwing vocabulary game, giving students a way to listen, touch, and see the words.

A Different Kind of Class Day Our innovative approach affects not just what individual teachers do. It’s also how we’ve structured our class day. Each academic class meets three times a week, and the class periods are 75 minutes long. Don’t worry, you won’t get a teacher lecturing the whole time. Instead you might have a brief presentation by the teacher, followed by a class discussion, and then an activity where students work in small groups.

Multiple Intelligences

Meaningful Experiences

Writing a traditional essay is one way for students to express what they know. But the research-based Theory of Multiple Intelligences illuminates how different kinds of learners have different ways of showing what they know.

At CH-CH, Multiple Intelligences informs our innovative educational approach. So, yes, a student here might write an essay using new vocabulary. Another student might create a collage that evokes the meanings and feelings of the same set of words. Still another student might incorporate those words in a song.

10:00–10:11 a.m.

10 a.m. – 11:15a.m.

Your English class is learning about imagery and how it’s used in The Odyssey. To kick things off, the teacher elicits the definition and some examples.

At CH-CH students engage more deeply in each class and have fewer class periods to prepare for each day. We think the “rush” should be the thrill students feel about really getting Newton’s Second Law of Motion or about performing— from memory—a part in a French skit in class.

It shouldn’t be the frenetic pace of switching gears every 45 minutes and squeezing all of your academic subjects into one day.

10:12–10:23 a.m.

Working independently: some students read silently, while others read with a partner or listen to an audiotape to find examples of imagery in the book.

10:24–10:49 a.m.

All together now: as a group students discuss imagery they have found and what purpose it serves in particular sections of the book.

10:50–11:07 a.m.

Now looking ahead: the class plays a vocabulary game to prepare for next week’s reading.

11:08–11:15 a.m.

Wrapping up: the teacher assigns homework. Pick one example of imagery, draw it and write about it, and be prepared to present at next class.

We Foster Independence A college preparatory program involves more than having certain courses on your transcript. It means having key academic and organizational skills, as well as self-reliance. At CH-CH, we help each student reach that ideal level of college-readiness.

“My son used to be the president of the ‘I can’t do it club!’ But since becoming a student at CH-CH and learning time management skills, not to mention sharpening his study habits, he has become the president of the ‘Now I can do anything club!’”

– Lorraine S., Current Parent

1:15 p.m. Extra Help 11:20 a.m. Lunch

11:55 a.m. Biology

This is a great time to relax with friends while refueling, either in the dining hall or outside if the weather is good.

You’re out in the field collecting soil samples in order to test for the presence of bacteria.

An Extra Help period is built in to every day. Office hours are held daily by all faculty. So, if there’s a concept or a homework assignment you are uncertain about, you’ll know what you need to know before the day is out.

The Learning Center: A Unique Resource Our innovative Learning Center develops an Individual Learning Style Profile for each student.

A great way to help students understand their strengths, talents, and areas of weakness, the profiles are also useful to teachers seeking to create effective lessons that enhance learning.

Many of our students also avail themselves of the Learning Center’s program of skills’ development and subject-specific enrichment. This is not quick-fix tutoring to help you pass that geometry test. This is an integrated, personalized program. It is designed to equip students with self- awareness and the tools for self-advocacy, while also providing the academic knowledge, organization strategies, and time management skills needed to navigate college academics with confidence and independence.

Students enrolled in the program have a regularly scheduled Learning Center class and work closely with a Learning Center teacher to pursue a program designed to meet their specific needs.

Communication Online weekly progress reports from each teacher help students stay on track. These reports, schedules, class assignments, report cards, and other information are conveniently accessible to both students and parents through our website 24 hours a day. Everybody benefits when communication is timely and when students, teachers, and parents are all well informed.

A Supportive Advisor Wouldn’t it be a great thing to have an advocate, mentor, and knowledgeable resource all wrapped up into one person? At CH-CH, that person exists in the form of an advisor. Students meet weekly with advisors and also have many opportunities to touch base with them more informally, either in class or around campus.

The Team Approach College Counseling: The Desired Outcome

A freshman’s goals, needs, and challenges are very different from those of a sophomore.

A junior’s experience is not the same as a senior’s. That’s why we organize our faculty into Grade Level Teams. Your advisor and all of your teachers in a given year will be on the same team. Meeting weekly, the team coordinates a cohesive academic program and discusses students’ progress.

Our graduates have many college options for three main reasons: 1) the strength of their CH-CH education; 2) the reputation created by our alumni who, over the years, have demonstrated to college admissions offices nationwide that our graduates are interesting, talented, capable students; 3) the expert advice and special opportunities presented by our College Counseling Office.

Among other things, the office holds a weeklong summer “boot camp,” during which incoming seniors can fully complete their applications; offers guidance sessions on Monday nights throughout the school year; facilitates small gatherings in which our students can forge personal connections with admissions officers; and has a counselor whose focus is working exclusively with student artists to prepare portfolios for art school applications.

1:45 p.m. History

3:00 p.m. “Get Ready”

Your class just finished reenacting a session at the Roman Senate. Today you’ll be comparing what the United States Senate and Roman Senate have in common and how they differ.

The academic day is over. You are heading to the fields or the theatre for the afternoon. Go Chargers!

“Here you have teachers that don’t give up on you.

You have teachers who believe in you.”

– Brie B., Junior

Discovery Is a Part of Daily Life When a diverse group of people get together and learn from each other, amazing things happen—and not just in the classroom. Through a variety of everyday activities, our students gain new perspectives, enjoy the benefits of community, and experience ongoing discovery and growth.

“You don’t have to worry about being cool or trying to fit in — you’re free to try everything from drama to pottery to lacrosse and soccer. CH-CH is a place where you learn more about yourself by doing new and different things.”

– Alisha D., Alumna

3:30–5:00 p.m.

Afternoon Program Your best friend’s after–school activity this trimester is Drama, and your roommate is participating in rock climbing for the first time. You’ve opted to become a member of the soccer team.

“Since my son has been here, I’ve seen his confidence grow. His perspective now is ‘Everything is possible.’ ” –Tom M., Current Parent

6:00 p.m. Dinner You’re meeting some friends from the basketball team, including a day student from Arlington, Massachusetts, and a boarding student from Arlington, Virginia.

A Community of Individuals Our students say one of the best things about CH-CH is that it is diverse. To some, that means hearing an international student’s perspective in an American history class. To others, that means playing along side a standout midfielder who leads by example.

With international and boarding students, day students, postgraduate students, students from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, and students with a range of interests and talents, everybody has something different to offer. We hear it over and over again from our students: “I would never have had the chance to meet people like this at my old school.”

Opportunities in the Arts The arts enrich the CH-CH experience both as academic courses and as co-curricular activities.

In the visual arts, courses are offered in photography, digital art, ceramics, sculpture, art history, and studio art. Students are encouraged to develop their critical, innovative, and creative thinking skills. As part of the AP Studio Art course, for example, students post images, make blog entries, and write about their own and each other’s work. The most dedicated artists can pursue our concentrated program to earn a Certificate of Distinction in Visual Art.

Opportunities to Perform In the performing arts, students choose from a variety of courses, such as Fundamentals of Theatre Arts, Chorus, and Cultures of Hip Hop and Rock & Roll Music. Through the Drama Program, students have the opportunity to participate in three major shows during the year, including one musical. Recent productions include Romeo and Juliet, Seussical, and The Laramie Project. Whether the chorus is rehearsing a performance piece, or the cast and crew are staging a show, students experience the joys of creation and teamwork.

Student Involvement Our students pursue interests, bond with classmates, contribute to the community, and have fun with a variety of activities during the class day, which includes a meeting period for student clubs. Clubs include Drama, Student Government, Amnesty International, International Student Organization, Students of Color Alliance and the Gay/Straight Alliance.

7:45 p.m. Check-In You let your dorm parent know you are in the dorm. Before study hall you might log on to the website to make sure you have all of your homework assignments.

8:00–10:00 p.m.

Study Hall All boarding students participate in a supervised daily study hall. These might be held in either the dorm or a classroom.

“I was challenged everywhere I was, whether in the classroom, on the sport fields, or in the dorms.

I developed skills that I never thought I had, and the teachers were there every step of the way.”

– Sandra D., Alumna

Everyone Stays Active Students have several opportunities to participate in mandatory afternoon activities.

We offer traditional interscholastic sports, as well as fitness training and less traditional options such as badminton and rock climbing. Other activities may include robotics, newspaper, drama, and tech crew. Seasoned athletes, as well as those trying a sport for the first time, have the opportunity to participate, develop their skills, and enjoy the camaraderie of being on a team.

Boarding at CH-CH One of the reasons our school can bring together a more interesting and diverse student population is because we are a school for boarders as well as day students.

Boarding students live under the supervision of house parents and student residential leaders. The dormitories create a supportive, homelike environment where students can comfortably learn about themselves and others and develop greater independence.

Interscholastic Athletic Teams Fall Cross-Country Field Hockey Golf Soccer

Winter Basketball Volleyball Wrestling

Spring Baseball Lacrosse Softball Ultimate Frisbee

Weekend Activities Weekends offer opportunities for recreation and relaxation on campus, such as watching a movie with friends, playing a pick-up game of basketball in the gym, or having a cookout. Major school events include Diversity Day and Winter Carnival. Offcampus activities include going to museums and attractions in Boston (10 miles away), shopping, or out to dinner. CH-CH students also take the opportunity to devote some of their free time to community service and charities. Projects include the Charles River cleanup, the Walk for Hunger, and volunteering at the local food pantry.

10:00 p.m.

Dorm Meeting Your dorm is planning activities for this weekend. Along with house parents, students participate to create a lively weekend schedule.

10:30 p.m. Lights Out Look at how much you have accomplished in one day! It’s time to get ready for another busy day tomorrow.

“ I’ve become a lot more independent academically.

I’ve become a lot more open about expressing my opinions and view of the world.”

– Luke D., Junior

An Invitation Greetings! I hope you enjoyed reading about our exciting, innovative school. Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School is a school on the move, and we would like you to consider being part of it. For over 175 years CH-CH students have been at the epicenter of school life, always have and always will be.

Our students arrive with a wide range of interests, talents and academic backgrounds. They soon discover their potential, realize their excellence, and achieve greater success. With small classes and a faculty to student ratio of 1 to 5, we are able to identify the specific strengths of each student and build upon them.

Student success is our primary focus whether in the classroom, on the athletic fields or in the dorm. We exist for the students we serve; we focus on how students learn best and what we can do to best prepare our students for a future that is going to be remarkable.

So come join us! Whether it's scheduling a tour of campus, registering for one of our open houses or sending in a preliminary application, we would love to meet you and welcome you to CH-CH.

The Mission of CH-CH Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School is a college preparatory, day and boarding school that embraces differences in learning style and culture in a richly diverse and supportive community. We challenge young men and women to realize their individual potential, experience academic success, and develop moral strength and personal integrity.

I look forward to meeting you, Lance Conrad Head of School

CH-CH Facts • Student body of 180 • Coeducational: 50% male, 50% female • Faculty/student ratio is 1:5 • Grades: 9-12, Postgraduate • 60 faculty and staff members, 35% of faculty live on campus • Day students: 55% • Boarding students: 45% • International students: 25% • 95% of our graduates attend a four year college • Academic support program • 10 miles from Boston • Weekly online progress reports

785 Beaver Street • Waltham, MA 02452 Phone 781-314-0800 • Fax 781-894-5205 www.chch.org

The Mission of CH-CH Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School is a college preparatory, day and boarding school that embraces differences in learning style and culture in a richly diverse and supportive community. We challenge young men and women to realize their individual potential, experience academic success, and develop moral strength and personal integrity.

785 Beaver Street • Waltham, MA 02452 Phone 781-314-0800 • Fax 781-894-5205 www.chch.org

Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School

785 Beaver Street • Waltham, MA 02452 Phone 781-314-0800 • Fax 781-894-5205 • www.chch.org