Germantown Academy Admission Viewbook

GERMANTOWN ACADEMY

WELCOME TO GERMANTOWN ACADEMY

Flag Raising—the first day of school. As the bell in our historic Belfry sounds, our students gather on the Quad, eager to begin an exciting new year of discovering their passions, gaining new knowledge, and making great friends. All of our students share the experience together—as they so often do at Germantown Academy. Our campus design, as well as our educational philosophy, promotes interaction, and there are countless opportunities for learning, leadership, and fun for the entire school community. The Flag Raising ceremony, one of GA’s most beloved traditions, is a metaphor for the Germantown Academy approach to education. It is a symbol of our cohesive community and our Patriot pride.

Welcome to Germantown Academy, a non-sectarian, coeducational, college-preparatory independent school for students in PreKindergarten through 12th Grade. Our mission, forged from an over 250-year legacy of academic excellence, is to provide an experience that helps students become...

Independent in Thought. Confident in Expression. Compassionate in Spirit. Collaborative in Action. Honorable in Deed.

Visit GA, where the energy is palpable, the learning is deep and broad, and students flourish because of powerful relationships with talented teachers who guide them on their journey to becoming their best self.

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A LOVE OF LEARNING CRITICAL THINKERS. CREATIVE INNOVATORS. ASTUTE PROBLEM-SOLVERS. EFFECTIVE TIME-MANAGERS. CONFIDENT COMMUNICATORS. MOTIVATED COLLABORATORS. COMPASSIONATE CITIZENS. At Germantown Academy, we are committed to instilling in each student a love of learning that manifests itself in these powerful outcomes. We believe there is an excellence within every student—one that will be coaxed to the surface by caring faculty who provide a balance of experiences in the classrooms and the labs, on The Preserve, on the stages and the playing fields, in the studios and out in society.

Our teachers facilitate curiosity as they help students discover and enhance their talents—whether they lie in scholarly exploration, the arts, athletics, or a combination of them all. Their bodies move. Their imaginations soar. And their intellects are amplified while, simultaneously, their hearts are imbued with the qualities that ultimately make them ethical, ambitious, and productive young people. People who are technologically savvy yet care about the environment. People with a broad and unbiased view of the world and a respect for their fellow human beings. People with a strong work ethic who will be leaders one day—at their universities, in their communities, and in our global society.

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DISCOVER YOUR PASSION THE LOWER SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

When our children begin their Germantown Academy journey in Lower School, they are introduced to the most important concept of all: a love of learning. During this wide-eyed time in children’s development—spanning from age four in Pre-Kindergarten to approximately 11 years old in 5th Grade— our teachers focus on making learning fun. Through small class experiences and joy-filled lessons that actively engage students, we help children discover their strengths and weaknesses, interests and passions.

“Children learn by playing, and the skills they learn through play prepare them for success as they grow and mature. Pre-K is all about tapping into children’s sense of wonder and creating a safe, loving environment. Through lots of fun activities, children develop confidence, healthy socialization skills, reading and math readiness, and most importantly, a love of learning.”

Betsy Duryea ‘75, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Reading, writing, and mathematics are the foundational subjects all Lower School students experience; these become the building blocks for a level of learning that gathers substance and sophistication from year to year. Our comprehensive Lower School curriculum also includes public speaking, modern language (Chinese and Spanish), art, music, science, social studies, and physical education.

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Just after President’s Day each year, 4th Grade students study the Industrial Revolution by becoming citizens of a fictitious town called Walden, Michigan.

Divided into those who are in favor of progress, those who like their town just the way it is, and those who don’t have a strong opinion either way, students discuss whether or not the railroad should be built in Walden.

For four days, students work in makeshift factories, read newspaper articles from the 1830s and ’40s, write letters, have debates and discussions, and conclude their time by voting for or against the railroad at a town hall meeting. The Walden project, says one 4th Grade teacher, “helps students learn by actually feeling what’s going on and gives them the opportunity to be in someone else’s shoes.” They learn about history, economics, the value of hard work, and the price of progress while also developing important writing and public speaking skills.

America in the

1800s

Through experiential learning projects, we broaden students’ knowledge while also encouraging them to wonder and question as they learn to trust their instincts, confidently defend their viewpoints, and respect the ideas and perspectives of others.

Our nurturing and supportive environment is successful because of exceptional teachers who possess both expertise in their disciplines and a deep understanding of how children learn and develop. Simply put, Germantown Academy faculty love what they do—an enthusiasm that yields countless benefits for our children. Parents are important Lower School partners as well; we welcome them and invite them to share their talents in the classroom, on field trips, and on special project days.

“One of our favorite things we’ve done this year is going to camp for four days. We learned about nature, went kayaking, went on a high ropes course, and did archery. There was even a photography session where we captured all of those moments.

When we started here at first it was a little awkward because we didn’t know anyone. Now we know everyone!”

Alejandro G. and Andrew T., 5th Grade Students The third component in our “love of learning” equation is our bright, cheerful facilities, equipped with the latest technologies, wonderful playgrounds just outside the classroom door, and an on-campus outdoor environmental laboratory like no other.

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THE LOWER SCHOOL EXPERIENCE While our academic portfolio in Lower School is both extensive and challenging, we are also committed to helping Lower School students develop the values and skills they will need to thrive as productive, caring human beings: a strong work ethic, a respect for others, a concern for the environment, a clear understanding of right and wrong. Learning is about joy and about believing in your dreams. We are passionate about giving our students the personal attention they need to become articulate, confident individuals.

“The way they teach at GA is so interactive. The kids really participate in the process of learning. Merely filling the aquarium with fish became a math lesson for my son. He became part of the process and therefore really understood what he learned.”

Lisa Butler ‘82, Alumna and Parent

FIND YOUR VOICE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

The powerful combination of adolescent energy and the emergence of abstract thinking make Middle School at Germantown Academy an exciting time.

We celebrate the greater self-awareness our Middle School students are developing by creating a challenging academic, artistic, social, and physical environment where each student can find his or her own voice. Our Middle School—through our teachers, our curriculum, our extra-curricular offerings, and our environment—brings forth the spirit inherent in every student.

By reading great literature, analyzing historical and current events, engaging in authentic research through the scientific method, and delving into progressively more sophisticated mathematical concepts, Middle School students learn to think critically and creatively, to reason and argue, and to take academic risks. Through a robust physical education and interscholastic athletics program, they grow strong and healthy while learning lifelong wellness skills and discover passions for competition, teamwork, and hard work. Opportunities to be creative, through an extraordinary array of fine and performing arts options, reveal to students their unique talents—talents they are soon eager to pursue and develop.

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Each year, 8th Graders participate in Memoir, a reading and writing project that asks students to produce their own memoirs. “Memoir,” the project description reads, “is a kind of writing that looks back at one’s life and looks for the threads or themes that tie that life together.”

When 8th Grade students are first presented with the idea of writing their own memoirs, they have a difficult time imagining they have been alive long enough to have anything interesting to say. By the project’s conclusion, however, students gain profound insights into their lives, their feelings, their dreams, and their successes and failures. Some of their insights include: “I will have to give my best in order to be proud.” “After pushing myself wholeheartedly that day, I knew I could accomplish anything I set my mind to…I felt stronger, invincible. I could do anything.” “I’m an artist.

Music is my brush.”

Middle School

Memoir

“There hasn’t been a single day that my children have not been excited about going to school.

Every night at dinner, they walk us through their day—talk about the little anecdotes, the disappointments, the triumphs. All three of my children are very different from each other, yet GA is a wonderful, safe, warm place where every child is embraced.”

Vicki Burkhart, Parent

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The Importance of

Writing Well For every student at GA, writing is part of every class, every day. Reports and poetry. Research papers, memoirs, and speeches. Objective, subjective, journalistic, creative. Developing adept communicators is a priority here.

Tentative writers become concise, organized writers.

Good writers become great ones. Effective writing is one of the most important skills in life, and it is paramount at GA.

“I was amazed by how prepared I was for college. Because of GA’s commitment to developing excellent communication skills, my transition to college was relatively easy. I knew how to use language to tell a compelling story or to organize and write an effective research paper.

I am confident in my ability to succeed because of my GA experience.”

Rachael Specter ‘08, University of Richmond Graduate 10/GERMANTOWN ACADEMY

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE “There’s a huge sense of community here at GA. Everyone here is very welcoming, both the students and the teachers. The teachers always have time for you. Even though I like math, for example, it can sometimes get challenging.

“At any point during the day, I can go in to my teacher, who is always willing to sit down with me one-on-one and explain things. I’m a different person than when I first came to GA. I think I’ve gotten smarter!”

Davonne Henry, 8th Grade Student

Our Middle School students find they have increased freedom as well as responsibility. They harness these powers by assuming leadership roles in many ways: writing for or editing the student literary magazine, presenting or performing on stage or in class meetings, or participating in student government and other student organizations.

Many Middle School faculty members hold an advanced degree in his or her discipline, and all of them further connect with their students by serving in an additional capacity outside the classroom as coaches, advisors, or activity facilitators. Middle School parents are encouraged to lend their support to their children by attending plays, performances, and sporting events and by participating in conference days and Middle School Life meetings.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE THE UPPER SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

Our Upper School philosophy is rooted in the idea that faculty and students are partners in a learning community where weighty intellectual matters are examined and explored. Spirited conversations around Harkness tables lead to new insights as students learn to respect others’ opinions and to defend their assertions—both objective and subjective. Enhanced by highly accomplished faculty who love interacting with their students, an exceptional independent capstone project during senior year, and our innovative tradition—the House System—the Upper School experience helps students grow exponentially as they prepare to take on leadership roles both in college and in life. Experiential learning continues to be important in Upper School, as students apply the sophisticated concepts and knowledge they are mastering.

Projects and assignments in every academic discipline in Upper School require a high level of engagement and tenacity. Students have a myriad of opportunities to accelerate their studies by being part of the Academy Scholars Program, honors and AP courses, independent studies, international exchange programs in China, England and Poland, and internships. Our curriculum is rigorous, yet it is balanced with leadership activities, service opportunities, and a great deal of fun—all of which help students solidify and magnify their strengths and identities, goals and aspirations.

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Senior Project During the final month of their GA experience, seniors complete an offcampus Senior Project. Developed to give graduating seniors a memorable opportunity to apply their competence and confidence, the Senior Project can be about exploring a topic of interest or learning something completely new.

Some students travel abroad to immerse themselves in other cultures. Others create works of art or choreograph a dance or participate in a service project.

Several students use the Senior Project as an opportunity to shadow a business executive or complete an internship in a field they are considering as a future career. Students keep a daily journal of their experiences and present a final speech to share their newfound insight with the faculty and Junior class.

Now sophisticated learners and ambitious thinkers, our seniors look forward to graduation day and the next step on their life’s journey.

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THE UPPER SCHOOL EXPERIENCE A number of students each year sign up for an optional research course for which authentic science is the focus.

Students choose the topics they would like to explore, and many use their after-school time and summers to conduct a research project as a member of a cutting-edge university or medical center research team. Two students worked at Drexel School of Medicine exploring drug options for people with immuno-compromised systems. Another worked with a University of Pennsylvania researcher to explore ways to treat brain tumors without resorting to invasive operations. Still another developed a solar “cooker” that would allow people in third-world countries to sterilize water. The level of work yields stunning results: many students win awards or are invited to present their findings at competitions and academic conferences.

“Rather than being given a kit that allows them to solve a problem in a 45 minute class, these students learn how to go about doing real research—the kind that involves asking powerful questions and experiencing many trials and failures before a desired result is achieved. Our goal is to help students use the power of inquiry to better understand what’s going on in the world around them.”

Sarah Smith, Teacher, Independent Research Class Upper School Science Teacher

Scientific Research

“GA takes your children and nurtures their talents to make them the best they can be. It’s ok to be anything at GA. You can be an athlete who’s great at music or a history buff who stars in the musical. And we are so impressed by how well teachers know our children.”

Linda Weber, Parent

Fox Chase Cancer Center Laboratory GERMANTOWN ACADEMY/15

THE UPPER SCHOOL EXPERIENCE In true Germantown Academy fashion, we believe it’s never too late to start a new tradition—even if our school is over 250 years old. Therefore, after much discussion, a research trip to England where it all began, and a year of planning, a House System was implemented in our Upper School in 2007-08. Its purpose? To give each Upper School student one adult to oversee his or her progress for all four years, add more leadership opportunities for both faculty members and students, increase the involvement of advisors, increase opportunities for students to enjoy activities and competitions, and, especially, to allow students to feel part of a small select group as well as a citizen of the school.

Today, there are seven houses, each of which has a combination of seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen. Each House has eight advisors, two for each grade level, and each advisor has about eight advisees. House Heads work with two senior prefects— a boy and a girl—to plan meetings and activities. Overall, the House System enhances the Upper School experience and promotes high-level interaction while giving students in Middle and Lower School something exciting to look forward to!

The House System alcott •galloway •kershaw •osbourn • roberts • truesdell • washington THE ALUMNI CONNECTION– ONE OF GA'S BIGGEST ASSETS Having developed exceptional skills—high-level reasoning, communications, time-management—as well as a clear grasp of who they are, Upper School students are well-prepared for college and for life.

When they graduate from GA, no matter where their journeys lead them, students become members of the Germantown Academy Alumni Society, an exceptional network of alumni who stay connected to their alma mater. Alumni host current GA students at their chosen colleges, connect students and other alumni to career opportunities, and, of course, simply stay in touch with the lifelong friends they met while attending GA. We keep them informed through a biannual magazine, frequent e-newsletters, and special announcements. Alumni come back to campus for sporting events, reunions, alumni family festivals, and career networking events. Regional activities are often planned where there are pockets of GA alumni. Faculty members who are able to travel to these events continue to make the alumni connection.

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Panelist discussion at the alumni event "Navigating a Career Path: A View from the Top”

“We found GA to be challenging, but at a good pace. We like the teachers because the smaller classes mean they can give you more individual attention and they can push you to your potential. If we were talking to a prospective parent, we’d say if you’re looking for a challenge and to really have your child be prepared for college and beyond, choose GA.” Tim and Tom Reuter, 10th Graders, Soccer, Lacrosse, Concert Band, Jazz Band…but they play different instruments!

“It may sound cheesy, but I’ve grown up here—GA is like a family. I’ve gotten close with the faculty and feel comfortable going up to my teachers. I get so much satisfaction out of working hard. When I struggle, I set up a one-on-one with a teacher. When I get good grades, I know it was because I worked hard and managed my time well. I’m prepared to move on, but I’m really going to miss this place.”

Meg Palmer, 12th Grade Student, Writing Center Tutor, Prefect, CSO Senior Leader, Academy Club, Admission Office Ambassador

FALL SPORTS

Boys Cross Country Girls Cross Country Field Hockey Football Coed Golf Boys Soccer Girls Soccer Girls Tennis Boys Water Polo Girls Water Polo

WINTER SPORTS

Boys Basketball Girls Basketball Coed Ice Hockey Boys Indoor Track & Field Girls Indoor Track & Field Boys Swimming & Diving Girls Swimming & Diving Girls Volleyball Wrestling

SPRING SPORTS

Baseball Coed Crew Boys Lacrosse Girls Lacrosse Softball Boys Tennis Boys Outdoor Track & Field Girls Outdoor Track & Field

“My family chose GA because of its academic reputation, but GA is so much more. I play a lot of sports—football, basketball, and baseball—and GA allows me to participate in as many sports as I like.

But what I also like is attending sporting events to watch my classmates play. There’s a lot of school spirit here.”

Ryan Dolan, 10th Grade Student

COMPETE WITH CONFIDENCE THE ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE

“In my tenure here, I’ve seen the athletics program really evolve. We believe athletics, as well as other out of class activities, are co-curricular— they are part of the life of the kids and the overall experience of the GA community. The athletic programs teach the important values of teamwork, tenacity, and sportsmanship and at the Upper School level are also about being competitive and successful.”

David Martin 1760, House Head, Coach and Parent Over the past 12 years, our varsity teams have won more than 100 Inter-Ac League titles. Our girls’ swimming team has won 21 consecutive Inter-Ac championships since its inception as a league sport in 1990. Spirited competition is a hallmark of Germantown Academy, and our teams have a long standing record of excellence. Three seasons are filled with varsity, junior varsity, and often third-level team and individual sporting opportunities, providing students with many ways to participate. From our national powerhouse swim teams to our nationally ranked basketball teams, the Patriots are winners on and off the field. We stress skill building, sportsmanship, teamwork, and dedication—an approach that energizes those who participate and fans who watch.

With our new Outdoor Athletic Complex, which was completed as part of our Campus Master Plan, our athletes enjoy nine new regulation size fields—three artificial turf, two sod, and four natural turf; a new 836-seat fully equipped stadium; a new running trail for cross country; a new track with high jump, long jump, pole vault, and shot put spaces; 12 new tennis courts; and new baseball and softball fields.

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EXPLORE YOUR TALENTS THE ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE Song writing and sculpture. Lighting design and photography. Film and drama. Choruses and bands.

Musicals and concerts. Art exhibitions and movie presentations. Extraordinary in both scope and discipline, the fine and performing arts at Germantown Academy are led by nationally recognized and professionally active musicians, actors, and visual artists. Knowing that participating in artistic endeavors as well as appreciating beauty enriches life, our teachers love to share their passions as they cultivate the inner artist in the highly motivated students at Germantown Academy.

“The real strength of the program, which I believe is unique to GA, is that the students and parents recognize that constant practice at creative problem-solving, embracing ambiguity, and learning how to take a skill set honed in one area and apply it to another, are skills you need in life. The art program has become so integral to developing the intellectual life of our students.“ Gabrielle Russomagno, US Art Teacher, US Visual Arts Department Head Modeled after college programs that train serious students of the arts to launch professional careers, Germantown Academy art is a major academic program with the same rigorous expectations as physics or history or English. We introduce students to the arts in Pre-Kindergarten and provide an age-appropriate and progressive curriculum through 12th Grade that promotes curiosity and imagination, an understanding of one’s self and others, and a broader view of the world around us. Our proximity to major cultural centers such as Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, D.C. allow for eye-opening field trips and easy access to visiting artists.

Our visual artists have dozens of opportunities and spaces to display their work, and many of our instrumental and vocal ensembles perform in the surrounding community or even share their gifts with national or European audiences. An entire campus building is dedicated to GA arts—and every medium has its own dedicated space. A specific gallery is dedicated to the work of the highly accomplished students in our Honors Art Program.

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LEARN WHAT YOU LOVE CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES The vast majority of GA students are also enthusiastic members of more than 50 GA clubs and organizations.

Each provides leadership opportunities as well as the chance to explore new interests, develop friendships, and contribute in meaningful ways to the school community and the community at large. Community service is becoming increasingly more important as GA encourages students to become caring citizens and to discover the joy in helping others. Community service opportunities span all three divisions—even our youngest scholars can help in some way—and we have ongoing commitments with the Philadelphia Committee to End Homelessness, Project H.O.M.E., St. John's Hospice, and Habitat for Humanity.

A Sampling of Clubs and Activities

“My parents and I chose GA due to the combination of academics, athletics, and the arts. I play water polo and lacrosse, and I enjoy sculpture. You can do anything here. Whether you’re an artist, athlete, thespian, or musician, GA is open to you doing it all.”

The Academy Monthly ACT (All Cultures Together) Art Club ASIA Club Belfry Club (Drama Club) CSO (Community Service Organization) The Edition Newspaper Film Club Frequency (Music Club) Green Ambassadors

Jazz Ensemble Kids Teaching Kids Mock Trial Model UN National Science Honors Society Outdoor Club Patriot Ambassadors Relay for Life Robotics SCUBA Club Ye Primer Yearbook

Reid Weber, 10th Grade Student GERMANTOWN ACADEMY/21

The Preserve Inspires 4th Grade Students to Write Poetry

GERMANTOWN ACADEMY NEW INITIATIVES

THE CAMPUS EXPERIENCE GA TAKES YOU PLACES

A school doesn’t thrive for more than 250 years without constantly evaluating, evolving, updating, and improving. In that spirit and buoyed by a commitment to prepare students to succeed in a rapidly changing world and to be thoughtful citizens of a global society, we have made ambitious decisions.

Because of these ambitious decisions, Germantown Academy takes you places: to other countries to explore their cultures, to new heights of imagination and confidence, and back to nature where you learn about the importance of sustaining and renewing our environment.

Our new Middle and Upper School building has created a paradigm shift, especially for Middle School students, through dedicated space where middle schoolers can feel safe to express themselves. The Preserve, with its wetlands and woodlands, its flora and fauna, and its green conservation features, has inspired an ecologically-based curriculum complete with new lessons and activities for students in Lower, Middle and Upper School. Our international culture and language program is expanding to foster a sense of place and a global mindset in Pre-K through 12th Grade.

“Our nature curriculum gives incoming students the opportunity to have an environmental education that is second to none. Our international programs help students understand that at our core, we are all one, no matter what language we speak. It all comes down to a good education. If you understand the world around you, you will better understand yourself. You will understand why things happen and what you can do to change things.

Seek to understand rather than to be understood. This kind of thinking, this kind of learning, sets our students up to be leaders in the future.”

Jim Connor 1760, Head of School

EXPLORATION

GA TAKES YOU INTO THE WILDERNESS WITHOUT LEAVING CAMPUS The Preserve that surrounds the Wissahickon Creek distinguishes GA. Here, students become true stewards of our natural environment and, in doing so, better understand their place in the world.

We have reshaped our curriculum to take advantage of all that our beautiful campus offers. It’s an outdoor laboratory for the sciences, an inspiring setting for art and literature, and a place to cultivate leaders in environmental stewardship.

“Not only do our indoor and outdoor science facilities advance our commitment to inquiry-based and project-based learning, they also allow students to see their connection to the world beyond GA. They are examining the rainwater the building’s roof collects. They are seeing the fruit of partnerships we are developing with the Wissahickon Valley Watershed and with local colleges and schools.

They are interacting with each other and with their environment in exciting new ways.”

Dr. Susanne Johnston 1760, Nature Curriculum Director

It is through their engagement with the natural world in the school gardens and The Preserve that students can come to understand, appreciate and express the beauty that exists in a fast and furious world. In their own garden, young Lower School students learn about soil health and caring for the land. They plant and cultivate flowers, herbs, and vegetables, which they cook—and eat!

When exploring in The Preserve, students learn how to closely observe the world and ask questions. Whether creating poems or sculpture, or analyzing the effects of humans on the environment, The Preserve is an endless provider of inspiration.

“In this digital age, today’s kids learn so much about the world through virtual rather than authentic, hands-on experiences. They need to be grounded literally and figuratively, and our Lower School learning garden offers that opportunity. They learn where food comes from.

They learn about nutrition. They get their hands dirty. It’s a thrill for the students.”

Lisa Martin, Lower School Science Teacher

IMAGINATION

GA TAKES YOUR IMAGINATION FOR A RIDE Middle School represents a critical time in students’ lives. They are building confidence by exploring their interests, forming opinions, developing relationships, and trying new activities. The Honickman Auditorium, a state-of-the-art venue built when the new Middle and Upper School building was erected, is theirs.

Here, Middle School students take the stage as actors, musicians, and presenters. They gather together as a unified whole and feel safe and comfortable being themselves.

With the addition of the auditorium, the Middle School drama program has been able to grow, adding a fall production and other events, giving more students the chance to showcase their creativity. In front of a supportive audience of their peers, Middle School students build confidence when presenting or performing during morning meetings and is a true stage for students’ exploration and expression.

“Middle School is about helping students find and express their voice. The new auditorium has allowed us to do an even better job of it. We can expand our drama program, and we can gather as a Middle School community in a place that is intimate and comfortable while also being an excellent performance space. We have found that students want to perform even more than they did before.”

Ken Rogers, Head of Middle School

THE WORLD

GA TAKES YOU AROUND THE GLOBE As it becomes ever easier to develop meaningful connections with people around the world, we have launched international programs to help all students adopt a world view. We inspire students to develop compassion and respect for people of different cultural backgrounds. International programs, trips, faculty and student exchanges, and partnerships in the Upper School include agreements with the North London Collegiate School in England; the First High School of Krakow, Poland; the high school attached to Capital Normal University in, Beijing, China; and Jin Cai High School in Shanghai, China. We offer an annual SCUBA trip to the Caribbean and biannual cultural excursions to France and Spain, and our students often travel abroad for their Senior Projects.

After hosting visitors from China a few years ago, we realized a wonderful opportunity to enhance the international programs and language courses we already offer in Latin, Spanish, French, and German. In partnership with a school in China and the Chinese government, we created a Confucius Classroom for the study of Chinese language and culture, which allows us to bring a Chinese teacher to GA, initiate new student and teacher exchange programs, develop extracurricular clubs and classes for GA students and families, and introduce Chinese to even our youngest students.

“Students have the opportunity to travel abroad during spring break, Senior Projects, or after the school year ends, depending on the program. Our goal is for each of our students to have a significant international experience before graduating. Whether by participating in one of our many programs or immersing yourself in our exciting, intensive language programs, GA is a premier school for expanding your international horizons and preparing for life as global citizen in the 21st century.�

Rich Schellhas, Assistant Head of School/Head of Upper School

GERMANTOWN ACADEMY INDEPENDENT IN THOUGHT. CONFIDENT IN EXPRESSION. COMPASSIONATE IN SPIRIT. COLLABORATIVE IN ACTION. HONORABLE IN DEED. Learning, we believe, is a gift—one that, if cultivated properly, will lead to a lifetime of fulfillment.

For more than 250 years, Germantown Academy has been profoundly dedicated to fostering a love of learning and to creating an exceptional academic, artistic, athletic, and social experience for our students. The outcome? Successful,well educated, ethical young people who believe in themselves and recognize their responsibility as members of our global society.

Whether they are just beginning their academic journey or are well on their way, our students receive an unparalleled education. Know that we recognize each one as a unique and valuable individual. Know that we have high expectations and that we challenge, support, and encourage our students while also empowering them to champion their own exciting future. Our alumni consistently attest to the power of their GA experience.

Be a part of the Germantown Academy community, where students of all ages define their own success and interact in meaningful ways, where parents are valued partners, and where dedicated teachers care deeply about helping students succeed—no matter what path they choose.

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www.germantownacademy.net

Germantown Academy 340 Morris Road Fort Washington, Pennsylvania 19034 www.germantownacademy.net 267.405.7070