Rocky Hill School Upper School Viewbook

RO CKY HILL SCHO OL

Upper SCHOOL

Upper S cho o l M I s s I o n In the rocky Hill Upper school, we strive to create a dynamic learning environment where dedicated teachers challenge students to become lifelong learners while preparing them to succeed at colleges and universities. our size, our innovative academic model, and our waterfront setting encourage students from diverse backgrounds to grow as creative intellectuals, as caring human beings, and as responsible citizens. through curricular offerings and co-curricular activities unique to the Upper school, students continually reaffirm their self-knowledge in their commitment to one another, to their natural environment, and to their global neighbors.

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ACAdeMICs our approach centers on the meaningful interaction of students and faculty—a core characteristic of our curriculum at every level. the rocky Hill school Model requires everyone in the classroom—teacher and student alike—to assume responsibility for learning. students actively participate in the development of their own understanding. the Harkness table provides an energizing platform and level playing field for debate, discussion, listening, and collaboration. In the Harkness classroom, students sit with their teacher at an oval table rather than in traditional rows of desks. the Harkness method encourages self-advocacy, cooperative learning, stimulating conversation, and the ability to articulate and exchange ideas. Indeed, the rocky Hill school Model encourages all students to articulate and champion their own ideas, as well as to listen and respond respectfully to their peers. For their part, our teachers guide students, evaluating each individual’s progress as he or she strives toward intellectual independence and a lifetime of learning.

M o o d L e s y s t e M tM teachers and students use MoodleTM, a powerful web-based educational management system, to post course documents and assignments, provide access to web 2.0 tools, as well as to facilitate communication in and out of class.

“ Th e H a r k n e ss Tab l e and t he fo cu s on m y a b i li t y t o e x p re s s my o wn o p i ni o n s h a ve m a d e m e a b e t t e r t hi nke r and p u b li c sp e a ke r. The Harkne s s Tab l e ha s a lso t a u g ht me t o l i s t e n and t o unde r st a n d t h e i m p o rt anc e o f co ns i de rin g so m e o n e e ls e ’s p o i nt o f vi e w.”

—eLLIe sHArPe ’09, Brown University ’13

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“ T h e t e a c h e rs are de vo t e d, e ng ag e d, an d f ocused on w h a t i s b e s t fo r e ach and e ve ry stud en t.

T h e q u al i t y and care are re mark able. ”

dIstInCtIVe ProGrAMs • Adviser Program • Academic Center for enrichment • Arts Week • Chewonki Wilderness Trip • Community Service outreach Projects • English as a Second Language • Freshman Studies • Global Studies • Greenhouse Project • Habitat for Humanity Trip • International Student Program • Laptop Program • Leadership Seminars • The Mariner Floating Classroom • SAT Preparation • Senior Essay Competition • Senior Project • Senior Seminar • Sportsmanship Day • Washington D.C. Trip

—FAItH PIne, parent

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“ A sm a ll sc h oo l e nvi ro nm e nt m a x i m i z e s yo u r chi l d’s o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o e x p e ri e nc e su c c e ss, a n d b u i l d o n i t .”

—Ande Frost, parent, trustee

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Furthermore, the technology in our wireless environment provides myriad “anytime, anywhere” learning opportunities. Within the Rocky Hill School Model, the laptop/tablet becomes a far more potent version of the traditional notebook, with information organized and available. the Moodle systemTM further enhances each student’s educational experience with web-based assignments, course materials, discussion forums, and access to web 2.0 tools. the integrated use of technology enhances and encourages communication, investigation, and the sharing of ideas. throughout the day and across the campus—indeed, across the world— our students access information and communicate instantly.

senior P r o J e C t

“ Cla ss i s n e ve r dul l w h e n y o u are s itti n g a r o u n d an o v a l t a b le w i t h a ta ble t la p t o p i n one h a n d , a n d a bo o k i n t h e o t h e r, w h i le h a vi n g a br il li a n t d i sc u ss i o n a t th e sa m e t i me .”

—DENNIS WU ’10

the culmination of a rocky Hill school student’s experience, the senior Project, is a 100-hour independent, off-campus internship during the spring of senior year. recent internships have included the following diverse fields of study and organizations: • • • • • • • • •

Advertising at RDW in Providence, RI Broadcast journalism at CNN in New york, Ny Conservation at Save the Bay in Providence, RI Fashion design at DKNy, New york, Ny Pre-med research at University orthopedics in Providence, RI Research at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA Student teaching at Batian’s View Ed. Center, Kenya, Africa Sustainable, organic, and biodynamic farming in British Columbia, Canada Wallaby conservation, Project Kial, Australia

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“ T h e lo c a t i o n o f th e S c h o o l i s s uch a gi f t t o our p r o gr a m . O u r s etti n g i n sp i r e s m y s tud e n t s t o u se al l the ir se n se s a n d b e c r e a t i ve .”

—sAndy FLICKInGer,

Art Department Chair

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t he A r t s Students in the arts at Rocky Hill are actively engaged in the creative process.

While they focus on developing strong foundation skills in Music, Chorus, Drama, and the Visual Arts, students also are encouraged to experiment in their work and achieve a higher level of personal expression. Taking risks, of course, means making mistakes, but when teachers are sensitive to a student’s level of skill, they can play a crucial role in helping them achieve rewarding goals.

It is hard to know when or where a particular individual’s artistic passion will catch fire. That’s one reason we maintain small classes in the arts at Rocky Hill. Our teachers are able to focus carefully on each student’s personal progress. Members of our arts faculty are practicing artists, so they are able to demonstrate personally the value of taking risks. Students who never thought they were artistic discover they are at Rocky Hill. By engaging in the creative process—and watching their peers and teachers do this every day—students learn to appreciate how difficult it is to produce art and to perform on stage. Ultimately, through the struggle to overcome that challenge, our students develop invaluable work habits like selfcontrol, discipline, and patience.

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At H L e t I C s

At H L e t I C offerings

The athletic program at rocky Hill school promotes every student’s physical, emotional, and social growth through competitive team sports and physical fitness activities in which good sportsmanship, leadership, a strong work ethic, commitment, and integrity are valued. Athletics are a critical component of the curriculum here, and we are committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to participate on a competitive sports team. our athletic programs are designed to develop solid, age-appropriate athletic skills through individual and team activities and interscholastic competition. We are proud of the many athletic achievements that our Rocky Hill school teams and student-athletes have achieved throughout the years.

FA L L Boys’ Varsity & JV Soccer Girls’ Varsity soccer Varsity Field Hockey Coed recreational sailing Coed Varsity Cross Country Coed Lifetime Fitness WINTER Boys’ Varsity & JV Basketball Girls’ Varsity & JV Basketball Varsity Ice Hockey Coed Lifetime Fitness dance yoga sPrInG Boys’ Varsity & JV Lacrosse Girls’ Varsity & JV Lacrosse Coed Varsity tennis Coed Varsity sailing Coed Varsity Golf Coed Lifetime Fitness

“The athletic experience that I had at Rocky Hill was invaluable in preparing me for college and eventually my professional career in consulting and banking. I acquired skills in self-discipline, dedication, collaboration, and teamwork. It was an environment of healthy competition that pushed me to challenge myself, while supporting others.”

—MoNICA I. BoSS ’91, Trinity College ’95, parent

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“ D ur i n g m y c o ll e g e search, I met w ith se ve r a l so cc e r c o a c h e s. T h e y w er e r e a ssu r e d b y the f a c t t h a t m y s tr o n g e d u c a t i o n al ba c k gr o u n d w o ul d c ont r i b u t e t o an e a s y t r a n si t i o n and a l l o w m e t o su c ce e d a s a st u d e n t a n d a n a t h le t e . I n thi s a s pe c t , R o c k y H i l l ha s se r ve d m e b e t t e r than I h a d e ve r a n t i c i p a t e d .”

—Remy Corvese ’08,

Bates College ’12

Sportsmanship is one of the core values of the School and one of its highest priorities. In 2007, Rocky Hill was one of three high schools in the country to be awarded the AllAmerican Sportsmanship School Award by the Institute for International Sport. Our students are held to the highest standard of sportsmanship on and off the playing field. Fair play and integrity are values that Rocky Hill students learn through healthy competition against area New England schools.

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our EN V I RON M ENT Rocky Hill’s 88-acre campus encompasses an extraordinary range of habitats, including one and a half miles of scenic shorefront along the Potowomut River and Narragansett Bay. As guardians of this beautiful location, we acknowledge that one of our most important duties as educators is to introduce students to the delicate balance of nature and to help them understand their role in its preservation.

Learning to confront environmental issues intelligently is vital to the proper longterm management of our nation’s natural resources. At Rocky Hill, we embrace stewardship of the earth as a moral priority.

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Our local environment, enhanced by its geographic and historic placement, allows us to take the lead in environmental and marine education. All of the disciplines come together in the integration of the core academic offerings with innovative courses including the environmental sciences, ecology, oceanography, and marine biology. Maritime Studies invites students to delve into the maritime heritage of Rhode Island and the greater New England area, and to examine the impact on the local economy of this heritage while preparing them for their role in the regions future. Students use the campus and Narragansett Bay as a classroom, combining literary enrichment, research, data collection, and off-site exploration through the numerous programs provided within the curriculum.

“The floating classroom, Mariner , opens up wonderful learning opportunities for students, enabling them to understand the transition of ecosystems from the narrow, freshwater Potowomut River all the way through to the saltier brackish waters of Narragansett Bay. The Mariner is the perfect vehicle for allowing students to gain a strong appreciation of nature and their vital role in its preservation.”

—Abby Wood, environmental science and marine biology teacher

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our C o M M U n I t y

“ Roc k y H i ll S c h o o l do e s n o t a sk s tud e n t s t o c o n f o rm to a n a r r o w vi si o n o f w h a t su c c e ss o r c o l l e ge - r e a d i n e ss i s ; w e a sk t h e m i n st e ad to k n o w t h e m se l ve s … a n d m a ke a d i f f e r e n c e .”

one of the many legacies that distinguish life at rocky Hill School is our spirit of community. We aim to uphold the ideal of a family school, where all of us—teachers, staff members, administrators, students, and parents—share a common responsibility for maintaining an atmosphere of educational excellence in which students can grow and learn to know themselves as valued members of our community.

—rUtH tAyLor,

parent, trustee

A d V I s e r program An adviser serves as a mentor and as the primary contact between the school and the student’s family, helping the student chart his or her academic and cocurricular course through the Upper school. regular meetings allow for the development of a strong working relationship, whereby a faculty member may serve as an advocate for his or her advisee in all aspects of school life, guiding the student to make healthy and appropriate choices.

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KNoW THySELF

“ Ro c ky H i ll p r o vide s an at m o s p he re o f un d erstated d ign ity, bo th i n t h e sc ho o l s ’ at t i t u de t o ward acad emic en d eav or a nd i n e ve r y i n t erp e rs o nal re l at i o ns hi p . S tud en ts, paren ts, a d m i n i st r a t o r s, facu l t y c o m b i ne t o mak e R ock y H ill a pl a c e o f si n c e r e co nce rn and i nvo l ve me n t, wh ere lif elon g f r i e n d sh i ps are e s t ab l i s he d and main tain ed . ” —SUSAN CHARBoNNEAU, parent

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our student Life Program is part of the fabric of daily life in the Upper school. through the pursuit of our core values and a variety of programming, we strive to teach students the value of personal integrity, moral leadership, and service to others. By offering community service opportunities, a strong advisory program, leadership seminars, student-run clubs, guest speakers, and special school-wide events, we work to remind students that they are part of something greater than themselves.

“ B ef o r e I le f t fo r Missi ssi p p i w i th m y c la ssm a t e s, I k ne w t h a t i t was g o ing t o b e a life c ha n gi n g e x p e r i enc e .

A lt h o u gh I c oul d n ’t r e t r a c t t he da m a ge H u r r i c a n e K a tr i n a c a u se d , I w a s a b le t o h el p c han ge li ve s b y bui ld i n g m u c hne e d e d h o u se s and sh e d s.“ —ANTHEA WEIXEL ’10

student life A C t I V I t I e s • • • • • • • • • •

Academic Decathlon Certamen Team Community Service Club Dance Club The Defenders (Environmental Club) ERASE (Encouraging Racial and Social Equality) French Club Math Team Mock Trial Nathan Hale Society

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• • • • • • • • • • •

National Honor Society oceanography Club Peer Advisers Polar Bear Club Prefects Robotics Club Spanish Club SADD Student Government The Crest (yearbook) View from the Hill (Newspaper)

“T h e R ock y H ill college coun selin g program was ev eryth in g I h oped it would be an d more. It prov id ed me with in d iv id ual atten tion an d all th e resources n eed ed to f in d th e perf ect college. ” —ALEXANDER MACKINGER ’04,

Bucknell University ’08

C o L L e G e c ounseling As a college preparatory school, rocky Hill believes that higher education is a vital element of the self-knowledge that is celebrated in the school’s motto, Know Thyself. the role of the College Counseling office is to guide and facilitate the student’s matriculation after graduation at an appropriate institution of higher learning. through an ongoing, highly personalized, and cooperative program involving the student, parents, adviser, other faculty, and the director of College Counseling, the student is counseled and supported throughout the process of selecting and gaining admission to a college ideally suited to his or her personal and academic needs and aspirations. our goal is to match each rocky Hill graduate with a school that will make the college experience as happy, rewarding, and productive as possible.

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C o L L e G e M A t r I C U L A t I o n 2005–2010

“ B e i n g a t a sm al l s c ho o l li k e R o cky Hil l ga ve m e t h e confidence to expl o r e n e w t h i n g s .

I carried that c onf i d e n c e i n t o a l a r ge u n i ve r si t y, w her e I n e ve r f e l t a f r a i d t o c h a lleng e m ys e lf a n d p u r su e ne w o p p o r t u n i t i e s .”

Franklin Pierce College George Washington University Georgetown University Gettysburg College Hobart and William smith Colleges Ithaca College Johns Hopkins University Kenyon College Marymount-Manhattan College Massachusetts College of Art McGill University Middlebury College Mount Holyoke College Muhlenberg College new york University nichols College northeastern University northwestern University Pratt Institute Providence College Quinnipiac University rhode Island school of design roanoke College rochester Institute of technology Roger Williams University rollins College saint Lawrence University

Alfred University Amherst College Assumption College Babson College Barnard College Bates College Boston College Boston University Brandeis University Brown University Bryant University Bucknell University Carnegie-Mellon University Catholic University Clarkson University Colby College College of the Holy Cross College of Wooster Colorado College Connecticut College Cornell University dartmouth College dickinson College drexel University emerson College emory University Fordham University Franklin and Marshall College

—KAte CorVese ’05,

Vanderbilt University ’09, Yale ’11

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saint Mary’s College of Maryland saint Michael’s College savannah College of Art and design simmons College skidmore College smith College stonehill College suffolk University syracuse University trinity College tufts University Union College University of Colorado University of Connecticut University of new Hampshire University of Pennsylvania University of rhode Island University of southern California University of Vermont Vanderbilt University Washington College Wellesley College Wheaton College Williams College Worcester Polytechnic Institute yale University

illus tration: JoHN BURGoyNE ph oto graphy: GLenn osMUndson terry Coes

writing: BILL FIELDS

doUG PosKItt BELINDA SNyMAN CATHERINE WASHBURN design : Good desIGn, LLC

Rocky Hill School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, handicap, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its admissions, ďŹ nancial aid, employment, educational policies or other school programs.

Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Ro cky Hill Scho ol 530 Ives Road East Greenwich, RI 02818 (401) 884-9070 www.rockyhill.org