Upper School Viewbook

MALVERN IN D E PE NDE NT PREPARATORY AU G U STINIAN SCHOOL

UPPER SCHOOL

/ GRADES 9 – 12

“

“Pray as if everything depended on God, work as if everything depended on you.”

— S T. A U G U S T I N E

The Augustinian approach to knowledge and truth empowers students to thrive in today’s complex and often divided world. St. Augustine saw matters of apparent contradiction as a way to question and learn.

AT MALVERN PREP, our innovative approach to teaching and learning engages and inspires today’s young men to become tomorrow’s leaders—through inquisitive thinking, character development, and lifelong friendships. On our state-of-the-art college-like campus, students enjoy an extraordinary independent school experience that not only prepares them to excel at the next level, but to lead meaningful lives grounded in Augustinian values.

MALVERN MEN

LOOK INWARD LIVE OUTWARD

ACADEMICS IN THE AUGUSTINIAN TRADITION Through a challenging, college-preparatory program steeped in the Catholic Augustinian values of Truth, Unity, and Love, we guide young men on their journey inward as they discover themselves and the world around them—inspiring them to connect with others and to contribute to the common good.

“Love is the beauty of the soul.”

— S T. A U G U S T I N E

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ADVANTAGES, AUGUSTINIAN IDEALS We offer young men more than a path to prestigious colleges and universities. As our students explore their passions and interests in our exceptional programs and state-of-the-art facilities, they also follow in the footsteps of St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church, as they learn to listen to the wisdom of their own inner teacher.

The Augustinian values of Truth, Unity, and Love play a central role across our curriculum as we help students discover themselves, understand others, and make an impact in the larger world.

A BRAIN-BASED APPROACH TO ENGAGING YOUNG MEN Guided by best practices derived from the latest brain-based research on learning, we’re constantly evolving to create the very best educational experiences for young men.

4

Turning the traditional model on its head, we start with what’s relevant and exciting to our students. (We know because they tell us, and we listen!) We use their input and interests to build an engaging, hands-on curriculum uniquely suited to young men’s needs and strengths. At the same time, our innovative and agile teachers guide students in developing the solid foundation, knowledge, and skills they need to truly excel at the next level, and beyond.

COMMUNITY BUILT ON RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIPS Research shows that strong, reciprocal relationships with faculty members motivate young men to do and be their best. St. Augustine praised friendship as a path to God, considering it as important as life itself. Malvern’s right-sized, tight-knit community creates an environment where such meaningful connections with teachers, coaches, and classmates flourish.

Here, students’ insights and input are valued in the classroom.

Assessing their progress is about more than just a grade, it’s a mutual conversation that guides them on the path to mastery and growth. Our faculty’s team-based approach helps teachers quickly pivot to meet each young man’s individual needs and set him up for success. At Malvern, students aren’t just heard, they’re given the opportunity to take the lead alongside true mentors invested in helping each student realize his true potential.

A CHALLENGING, INTERDISCIPLINARY CURRICULUM FOR AN INNOVATION ECONOMY Our challenging curriculum not only prepares young men for the rigorous studies they’ll encounter in college, but for the demands of an ever-evolving economy as well. At Malvern, students learn to think at a deeper level as we encourage them to ask important questions, challenge them to think creatively, and inspire them to

apply their knowledge to real-world problems. Highlights of our academic program include: • J -Term, a week in January between semesters when students have the opportunity to take courses like Basketball Analytics, Crime Scene Investigation, Knitting, and Stage Design, which put a novel spin on traditional disciplines • W orld language offerings that include Mandarin, Latin, and Spanish • 16 AP courses plus honors sections of many courses • D irected independent studies to help students explore individual coursework through partnerships with a faculty member • A RCS project, a required senior capstone endeavor that enables students to develop their own Augustinian Reflections, Confessions, and Soliloquies using their 9th, 10th, and 11th grade portfolios as a springboard 5

COUNSELING Starting freshman year, counselors emphasize the value of getting involved at Malvern Prep and making the appropriate social adjustments. Students learn effective time management skills, study habits, and responsible decision making. Topics such as managing an online persona and use of social media are addressed, as well as resistance skills around drug and alcohol use. In addition, counselors delve into college and career exploration through a variety of assessments and activities that help students develop and understand their strengths.

SERVICE AND THE ST. AUGUSTINE CENTER FOR SOCIAL IMPACT At Malvern Prep, service and study are inseparable. Guided by Catholic Social Teaching, every aspect of our curriculum emphasizes our social nature and encourages students to consider their role in promoting the common good. We help our young men develop the 6

empathy to understand the plight of others while cultivating their drive to alter those realities. The Augustine Center (opening in fall of 2019) provides physical space for students and teachers to collaborate across disciplines on projects that unite our academic program with our outreach to the marginalized.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE EXPERIENCES In addition to in-class opportunities for reflection on their social impact, all students are required to participate in the Christian Service program. Whether students are delivering hot meals to homeless people or hosting a Christmas party for underprivileged children, these shared experiences help students put their faith into action and generate life-changing insights. In their senior year, students grow as service-oriented leaders through an intensive domestic or international service experience to destinations such as New Orleans, Houston, South Africa, and Peru.

STUDENT-DRIVEN EXPERIENCES As a junior, Claudio Chieffo ’19, conceived the idea of a course that would help students apply the basic concepts of economic reasoning to financial decision-making. When he approached the academic team about his concept, they encouraged him to explore what the course’s design would look like and how it would tie into Malvern’s Augustinian values. Chieffo started putting thoughts to paper, met with faculty to get feedback, and further developed his idea. His course “Economics for Financial Choices”—a true gift to the Malvern community—debuted in the 2018-2019 academic year and has been renewed for future years.

OUR CAMPUS FEATURES: • S eparate Middle School and Upper School academic facilities • A state-of-the-art O’Neill Sports Center • O ur Mother of Good Counsel Chapel • O utdoor classroom powered by solar panels • The Duffy Arts Center • T he St. Augustine Center for Social Impact • E xtensive playing fields and athletics facilities • T wo ponds used for scientific investigation • B eautiful green spaces • C ommunity garden

MALVERN MEN

CREATE COURAGEOUSLY COLLABORATE READILY

THE ARTS At Malvern, students have the opportunity to create, perform, and grow through our arts program. With a wide variety of courses and co-curricular activities to choose from, the arts at Malvern not only cultivate thriving, well-rounded individuals, but also stretch and prepare students who are bound for creative professions.

“This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections.”

— S T. A U G U S T I N E

MUSIC From Classical Ensemble to Drum Line and Pep Band, Liturgical Music to Music Recording and Technology, a wide variety of music programs and courses give students the opportunity to explore their musical interests in our first-class facilities. The annual winter and spring concerts showcase students’ work and musical abilities in a variety of media.

THEATRE Curricular and co-curricular opportunities give students the knowledge and know-how to fully appreciate all that goes into a theatre production—from set construction and lighting to auditions

and rehearsals. Through the Malvern Theatre Society, students learn alongside accomplished professionals while staging three major productions annually in our 585-seat theatre. Highlights of past performances include Les Miserables, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, West Side Story, and more.

VISUAL ARTS Malvern’s extensive Visual Arts program offers ceramics, graphic design, photography, sculpture, and studio art—all in the beautifully equipped spaces of the Duffy Arts Center. Coursework through advanced levels helps students interested in continuing their art education prepare college portfolios.

“Unless you believe you will not understand.”— S T. 12

AUGUSTINE

THE DUFFY ARTS CENTER FEATURES: • Sprawling gallery space throughout the Duffy Arts Center • 585-seat theatre with a full costume/ prop shop and design studio • Wet dark room for both traditional and digital photography • Set shop for theatre productions • Jazz studio that seats 65 people • Choral studio that seats 50 people • Ceramic studio with 15 pottery wheels and 5 kilns • Music technology studio for creating and recording music • Additional studio arts rooms for all types of media • Computer graphics lab • Music practice room • Sculpture studio • Steinway piano

MALVERN MEN

COMPETE FIERCELY UNITE LOYALLY

ATHLETICS Malvern Prep’s position as an athletic powerhouse reflects the school’s all-around emphasis on team building and leadership.

Whether in the classroom or on the court, our student-athletes strive together to achieve excellence, encouraging each other to become the best version of themselves.

“Patience is the companion of wisdom.”

— S T. A U G U S T I N E

ALL-AROUND STRONG Dozens of league championships, multiple state titles, and numerous national rankings tell only part of our story. Members of the football team go back to the ceramics studio to check on the kiln after practice. Swimmers aim for a high team GPA. And just like at top-notch universities, the caliber of our athletics program reflects the overall strength of our school.

Malvern’s athletics program recognizes the importance of physical conditioning and competition to enhance the school experience while keeping in mind that athletes are scholars first. As a member of the Inter-Academic Athletic (Inter-Ac) League, Malvern embraces the philosophy that competitive athletics programs strengthen the excellent academic tradition of its member schools.

INTER-AC LEAGUE (BOYS) • Episcopal Academy • Germantown Academy • The Haverford School • Malvern Prep • William Penn Charter School • Springside Chestnut Hill Academy SKILLS, SPORTSMANSHIP, AND LEADERSHIP We strive to create a caring environment where young men can become the best version of themselves—both inside and outside the classroom. Through our athletics program, student-athletes 16

learn the rewards of hard work, discipline, team commitment, and sportsmanship. Our teams are competitive at the highest levels, yet it’s never at the expense of cultivating character.

On average, roughly one third of our student-athletes go on to play a sport at the college level. Thanks to the leadership opportunities they enjoy across their Malvern experience, a large percentage of alumni earn positions as team captains in college.

BEYOND INTERSCHOLASTIC COMPETITION All of our young men have the opportunity to improve their health and physical conditioning in Health and Physical Education courses through the regular academic curriculum. We also offer students an intramural sports program for fun and friendly competition.

TOP-NOTCH FACILITIES Malvern’s athletics program strives to provide athletes with the highest quality facilities and equipment: • The O’Neill Center, which includes a basketball arena, squash courts, natatorium, and an athletic training and rehabilitation facility • Six full athletic fields for lacrosse, rugby, and baseball • The Pellegrini Athletic Complex, which includes a turf football field • Melton Rowing Center (one of only two schools in the Philadelphia area with an indoor rowing center) • Strength and Conditioning Center • Rowing Boathouse in Conshohocken, PA

MALVERN PREP OFFERS: • Baseball

• Soccer

• Basketball

• Squash

• Cross Country

• Swimming and Diving

• Football

• Tennis

• Golf

• Indoor Track

• Ice Hockey • Lacrosse

and Field • Outdoor Track

• Rowing

and Field

• Rugby

• Water Polo

• Sailing

• Wrestling

STUDENT USES ONLINE STREAMING TO UNITE COMMUNITY Teddy Hawke ’20, a sophomore at the time, approached the administration with a thought: We have fantastic athletic teams and a number of important events like graduation that bring the community together—it’s a shame we don’t have an online presence to push out coverage for people who can’t attend. With the administration’s support, Hawke made arrangements to stream graduation, much to the community’s delight.

The following winter Hawke began streaming basketball games. He’s developed his own staff, complete with commentators and multiple cameramen to catch different angles—taking our TV program to a whole new level. Hawke saw a need. And at Malvern, he was empowered to respond.

MALVERN MEN

EXPLORE WIDELY CARE DEEPLY

STUDENT LIFE Beyond regular classroom work, young men at Malvern deepen their expanding understanding of the world, their growing community ties, and their maturing faith through our rich offering of co-curricular experiences.

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”

— S T. A U G U S T I N E

DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES In keeping with our tradition of encouraging thoughtful inquiry and open dialogue, our Distinguished Speaker Series welcomes thought leaders to share their experiences with both the school and local community on a wide range of topics, including education, creativity, leadership, faith, community, service, and issues facing adolescents. The series exposes students to new ideas and ways of thinking as they grow into leaders who are globally literate, entrepreneurial, and grounded in Augustinian values.

GLOBAL EXCHANGE Over the last several years, Malvern has established partnerships with schools in Europe, Latin America, and Australia to create international cultural exchange opportunities for our students.

The Global Exchange Program provides experiences that help our students become global citizens, bring additional diversity to our school, and expose our students to different cultures.

SPIRITUAL LIFE Malvern Prep welcomes and celebrates students of all faiths and encourages all students on their own spiritual journey. As a Catholic Augustinian school we offer students a number of opportunities to feed their faith, including daily prayer, weekly schoolwide Mass, Eucharistic Liturgies for teams, classes, and special occasions, and other opportunities to pray or receive the sacraments. Our curriculum also includes theology throughout a student’s entire Malvern experience, with courses ranging from Biblical Studies to Moral Theology and Issues in Social Justice.

22

SPEAKING TRUTH AT MALVERN PREP (ST@MP) DIVERSITY CONFERENCE St. Augustine’s restless heart carried him off to explore the world as he sought to discover his true self—making him a good companion on the path to mutual understanding.

To explore issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion and to encourage a culture of speaking the truth, Malvern Prep student-leaders partner with students from Villa Maria Academy to organize an annual diversity conference for high school students. The day is designed to take participants on a personal and communal journey as they sit at the table together to discover themselves and their community.

MALVERN PREP ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: CLUBS

HONOR SOCIETIES

• Academic Competition

• Academics

• A sian Culture and

• Art

Awareness Club

• Latin

• Beekeeping Club

• Music

• Diversity Awareness Club

• Science

• Environmental Club

• Social Studies

• Global Exchange

• Spanish

• Mathletes

• Thespian

• Mock Trial • Robotics • Spanish Club • Speech and Debate • Stock Market • Young Poets

ARTS • Malvern Theatre Society • Photography Club • Stage Crew • TV/Video

• Young Politicians

SERVICE

• ...and more!

• Adelphia Society • Peer Educators • Speak Up! • ST@MP! • Student Council

LITERARY ACTIVITIES • The Friar’s Lantern (Newspaper) • Impressions (Literary magazine) • Malvernian (Yearbook)

MALVERN MEN

LEAD BOLDLY SERVE HUMBLY

LEADERS FOR LIFE Malvern’s loving community encourages excellence and treats each young man as a developing leader—on the field, in the classroom, and onstage. Our students are highly engaged and find happiness through a variety of positive, life-changing experiences, which in turn fosters their success in life.

“There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart.”

— S T. A U G U S T I N E

COLLEGE COUNSELING Our highly personalized college counseling program is one of the school’s greatest assets. Uniquely beginning in the first year of Upper School, we have several counselors dedicated to serving each grade—a ratio of approximately 30:1. Counselors meet individually with each Upper School family multiple times and provide support in each aspect of the college search—from planning coursework and extracurricular activities to test preparation and the application process. By senior year, each student meets with a counselor on a weekly or biweekly basis to discuss their progress and seek any guidance needed as they contemplate choosing the right-fit college.

26

SUCCESS ON THE HORIZON Malvern graduates consistently earn admission to the nation’s best colleges and universities. In fact, 67% of our students are admitted to a top 50 university or liberal arts college. But our graduates’ success extends far beyond their academic careers. You won’t just find Malvern alumni on the campuses of Harvard, Penn State, Boston College, or Notre Dame. You’ll find them excelling in the courtroom, on the radio, and in hospitals. You’ll see their achievements in schools, in laboratories, and on Wall Street.

Wherever they are, Malvern men bring integrity and compassion to their chosen professions.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP Empowered by their teachers and their peers, our young men achieve at the highest levels in academics, athletics, the arts, and service.

More importantly, they grow into men of character who go forth to lead with humility and heart.

Learning to trust their inner teacher builds self-confidence in their abilities. Discovering the values and strengths of others in the community grows their compassion. Exploring their power to impact the world ignites their imagination.

The result: young men who lead boldly and serve humbly wherever they go.

Find out what you can achieve with a Malvern Prep education. Contact our Office of Admissions at 484.595.1173 or admissions@malvernprep.org to start your journey today.

AN INDEPENDENT AUGUSTINIAN SCHOOL FOR YOUNG MEN IN GRADES SIX THROUGH TWELVE

418 South Warren Avenue Malvern, PA 19355 484.595.1100 information@malvernprep.org malvernprep.org