Priory Middle School Admissions Brochure 9-2019

MIDDLE SCHOOL

BALANCE IN THE MIDDLE

Middle school occupies a special place in a student’s life, at that allimportant nexus between childhood and adolescence. We’re sensitive to the unique needs of this time, and that’s why the heart of our middle school experience is balance.

What we call “Balance in the Middle” means simultaneously challenging students with the academic rigor needed to prepare them for high school and providing them with a nurturing learning environment along the way. We push our middle school students to develop study skills, to think critically and creatively, and to grow intellectually, while also allowing them time during the school day to be “just kids” with fun and games, open gyms, tournaments, and down time. It is this kind of balance—including a thoughtful, manageable homework load—that we believe holds the key to a successful middle school experience.

Being part of a 6th-12th grade school gives our younger students access to facilities and programs usually found only in later grades.

They can discover passions through electives like ceramics, gardening, improvisational acting, and CAD & 3D Printing. School-wide events like Chapel and Spirit Week bring students of all ages together, but with its developmentally appropriate activities, nurturing teachers, and a dedicated section of campus, the middle school maintains an identity all its own.

Come see what Priory is all about.

CO MM U NI T Y

ALL ARE WELCOME Happiness and well-being are important to us. The Priory is a place where students can find a balance between academics, sports, interests and hobbies, friendships, fun, and down time. We believe it is important for kids to have time to play and relax on campus, as well as spend time with their families at home. We are a diverse and inclusive community that includes students from a multitude of different cultures, faiths, and lifestyles.

Students have a number of leadership opportunities in the community including our executive middle school council positions, grade level class officers, and committees. All students can join committees to take on a more active role in our sporting events, extracurricular community events (dances, pool parties, movie nights, etc.) and our daily school life activities (like running our snack shack, the Cub Shack). Our students are actively involved in the daily happenings of our school community.

SPIR I T UA L I T Y A ND SER V I C E

FINDING PURPOSE While we are a Benedictine school, the Priory seeks to develop each student’s individual spirituality within his or her faith. We are proud to be a religiously diverse community. Our three monks who live on campus work to create a community where, as St. Benedict taught, “all are welcome with honor and respect.”

Each week, the entire school gathers in the chapel to be together as a community. We pause and reflect on our values and listen to fellow students and teachers share stories from their lives and the positive lessons they’ve learned. Service learning is weaved into each class’ retreat, and 8th graders learn about needs in the community during their Project Step Up capstone projects.

AC A D EMI C S

INSPIRING LIFELONG LEARNERS The Priory Middle School offers rich academic courses with a broad array of dynamic electives. Each grade level has one Humanities teacher who teaches both English and Social Studies. This teacher acts as a type of “homeroom� teacher for each grade level, and this consistency is a great structure for middle school students.

We also offer a wide range of electives for all grade levels. Students take elective classes every quarter of every year of middle school. Drawing upon our high school faculty too, we have over 25 teachers teaching in the middle school, and we offer 30 different electives. Students can try a huge variety of things from Improv to Computer Science to Fiber Arts.

Regardless of the class though, our middle school teachers are dynamic and engaging; learning is highly collaborative and hands on. We believe in innovative lesson planning that puts our students in the center of their own learning so they feel connected to the material and eager to dive in.

S O C I A L- EM OT I O N A L L E A R NIN G

Guidance & Counseling

Exploration Each grade goes on its own special trip at the beginning of the school year to strengthen community bonds and to have experiential learning outside of the classroom.

Professional counselors support and encourage healthy individual, social, and academic development and resilience in our students.

Chapel

A community gathering where students, faculty and staff share life stories about a personal passion or lesson learned Advisory to build empathy and compassion.

A safe place to develop skills to manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy and kindness, and to build strong relationships between teachers and students in a small group setting.

Retreats

Panther Pals Each 6th grader is paired with a 12th grader to create a bond of friendship, mentoring, empathy, and connection.

A one-day retreat that encourages students to grow closer to each other while nurturing personal spirituality through community service and engagement.

ARTS

TAKING CREATIVE RISKS With over 18 Visual and Performing Arts electives to take, students can challenge themselves creatively throughout every year of middle school.

Visual arts classes such as Digital Photography or Drawing & Painting are taught by teachers who are professional artists themselves, and student work is displayed in murals throughout campus and gallery spaces alongside local artists. The Performing Arts offers a place for both beginners and experienced performers. Students can learn to play a wide variety of instruments or join the high school instrumental ensembles if they’ve been playing for years. We put on two major theater productions per year that students can join, no matter their theatrical background.

AT HL E T I C S

EVERYDAY CHAMPIONS Our athletics program puts an emphasis on being both competitive and inclusive. We practice Monday through Thursday for one hour after school, and we compete in the West Bay Athletic League. Many of our teams have won League championships, yet at the same time, we believe in giving everyone the opportunity to participate, regardless of your experience or level of ability. We don’t cut from teams, so anyone can try a new sport. There are lessons to be learned for everyone in athletics.

Fall (Aug. – Oct.) Boys Flag Football Girls Lacrosse Cross Country Winter 1 (Nov. – Jan.) Boys Basketball Girls Soccer Winter 2 (Jan. –Mar.) Boys Soccer Girls Basketball Spring (Mar. – May) Boys Baseball Boys Lacrosse Girls Volleyball Tennis Track & Field Water Polo

U PPER S C H O O L

The culture that students love in the Middle School continues into the Upper School. Most of our students stay beyond 8th grade, and they are joined by new classmates as our class size doubles in 9th grade.

The Upper School academic experience is challenging and engaging.

It’s about developing habits of mind, broadening one’s exposure, and discerning lifelong personal passions. Classes meet three times a week for 60-90 minutes so that students can engage deeply in conversations, group work, and labs. Teachers focus on skills that we call our Learning Competencies – Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Resilience – so that students are prepared to navigate and participate in an ever-changing world as lifelong learners and stewards.

Our Upper School community is known for keeping the kind and supportive feeling that allows students to be comfortable being themselves. Students are encouraged to try new things and take creative risks. All students are required to take one year of Performing Arts and one year of Visual Arts, and as in the Middle School, our sports teams don’t cut. Whether it’s one of our four years of college-level math beyond AP Calculus, an English elective like Discourse of Dining: Food and Literature, or a five-person Ecological Design & Sustainability course, our students feel engaged, inspired, and well prepared for their next challenges.

PR I O R Y AT- A - G L A N C E

375 13

STUDENTS IN 6TH-12TH GRADE

AV ER AGE CLASS SIZE

7:1

STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO

34-38 30 80% STUDENTS PER GRADE 6TH-8TH

ELEC TIVE CLASSES

F A C U LT Y HAVE ADVANCED DEGREES

53% 25+ 30% STUDENTS OF COLOR

FAC U LT Y TEACH MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSES

F A C U LT Y LIVE ON CAMPUS

50:50 30% $3.2 GIRL:BOY RATIO

STUDENTS

ARE C ATHOLIC

MILLION IN FINANCIAL AID

O U R C A MPUS

Our campus is set on 50 acres of rolling hills, trails, and fields in beautiful Portola Valley. In recent years, the Priory campus has been transformed with new facilities that have energized the campus. Here are some of our newer facilities:

LaureL Stream Center— opened in 2018, this 12,000 square foot building features brand new science classrooms, huge new art studios, and a cutting-edge maker space for our Robotics program.

Trudelle Family Track & Field — the new all-weather 400-meter track, grass field, track house, and locker room facilities were opened in December 2016.

Rothrock Performing Arts Center (PAC) — our professional-grade facilities include a choir classroom, instrumental music classroom, solo practice rooms, a black box theater, set shop, and a 400-seat proscenium theater.

Benedictine Classroom Buildings — completed in 2015, this two story solar-powered building houses ten new classrooms and a faculty lounge.

Joe Montero Aquatics Center — the new Aquatics Center features a 25-yard water polo and swimming pool and opened in July 2017.

Franklin Garden — a 7,500 square foot organic garden and chicken coop sits atop our campus with a new Garden Pavilion built in 2017.

admissions@prioryca.org | (650) 851-8223 | www.prioryca.org

S A MPL E W EEK LY S C HED U L E

US

Monday MS & 9th

8:35 – 9:40 A

9:40 – 10:45 B

8:35 – 9:40 A

7:25 – 8:30 MS Choir Wind Symphony

9:40 – 10:45 B

10:45 – 11:10 10:45 – 11:10 Break Recess

US

Tuesday MS & 9th

8:35 – 9:40 F

7:25 – 8:30 Concert Choir Jazz Band

8:35 – 9:40 F 9:40 – 10:00 Break 10:00 – 10:45 Chapel 10:45 – 11:10 Advisory

MS & 9th

Wednesday US

8:25 – 9:40 MS Choir Wind Symphony

9:45 – 10:50 C

8:00 – 9:30 Faculty Meeting

9:45 – 10:50 C

US

Thursday

MS & 9th

US

Friday

MS & 9th

8:35 – 9:50 G

9:50 – 10:15 Break

8:35 – 9:50 D

9:50 – 10:15 Recess

8:35 – 9:50 D

7:25 – 8:30 Concert Choir Wind Symphony

8:35 – 9:50 G

9:50 – 10:15 Flex

7:25 – 8:30 Concert Choir Jazz Band

9:50 – 10:15 Flex

10:50 – 11:10 10:50 – 11:10 10:15 – 10:40 10:15 – 10:40 10:15 – 11:30 10:15 – 11:30 Break Recess Break Recess E E

1:20 – 1:55 Lunch

12:15 – 1:20 D

1:55 – 3:00 E

12:50 – 1:55 D

12:15 – 12:50 Lunch

1:55 – 3:00 B

1:20 – 1:55 Lunch

12:15 – 1:20 A

1:55 – 3:00 B

12:50 – 1:55 A

12:15 – 12:50 Lunch

1:55 – 3:00 F

1:20 – 1:55 Lunch

12:15 – 1:20 E

1:55 – 3:00 F

12:50 – 1:55 E

12:15 – 12:50 Lunch

1:45 – 3:00 C

1:10 – 1:45 Lunch

11:55 – 1:10 B

1:45 – 3:00 C

12:30 – 1:45 B

11:55 – 12:30 Lunch

2:25 – 3:10 AP Tutorial

1:20 – 2:25 G

12:45 – 1:20 Lunch

2:25 – 3:10 MS Choir

1:20 – 2:25 G

12:05 – 1:20 F

11:10 – 12:15 11:10 – 12:15 11:10 – 12:15 11:10 – 12:15 11:10 – 12:15 11:10 – 12:15 10:40 – 11:55 10:40 – 11:55 11:30 – 12:45 11:30 – 12:05 Lunch C C G G D D A A F

1:55 – 3:00 E

MID D L E S C H O O L CO U R SE G U ID E

6th Grade Courses

7th Grade Courses

Humanities 6

Humanities 7

Mathematics – Level based on placement test (see reverse side for list)

Mathematics

Science 6 – Physical and Environmental Science Theology 6 World Language – French, Spanish or Mandarin

Science 7 – Earth/Space Science Theology 7 World Language – French, Spanish or Mandarin Physical Education 7 Elective – See reverse side for list

Computer Science 6 Physical Education 6 Study Skills Elective – See reverse side for list

8th Grade Courses Humanities 8 Mathematics Science 8 – Life Science Theology 8 World Language – French, Spanish or Mandarin Physical Education 8 Health and Wellness Project Step Up Electives – See reverse side for list

admissions@prioryca.org | (650) 851-8223 | www.prioryca.org

MID D L E S C H O O L EL EC T I V E S

Computer Science

Visual Arts

CAD & 3D Printing Python Programming Visual Design

Ceramics 1 and Ceramics 2 Digital Photography Drawing and Painting Fiber Arts

Performing Arts Beginning Strings Beginning Winds Choir Guitar Improvisation Jazz Ensemble Musical Theater Percussion Ensemble Play Performance String Ensemble Swords, Words, & Mayhem Symphonic Band Wind Symphony

Exploration Creative Writing Design & Innovation Garden Plant to Plate Sports History & Play Strength Training and More

Mathematics Math Foundations I Math Foundations II Pre-Algebra Algebra I Geometry Algebra II

T U I T I O N A ND F IN A N C I A L A ID

2019-20 Day Student Tuition Tuition........................................................................................................ $47,775 Student Activity Deposit............................................................................. $600 Meals............................................................................... Tuition includes lunch* TOTAL........................................................................................................ $48,375 * Lunch includes a hot entrĂŠe and access to an all-you-can-eat full salad bar, sandwich bar, pasta bar, and soup bar. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available every day. Much of our produce is organically grown. Day students are welcome to a hot breakfast for $5 per day.

Applying for Financial Aid An independent school education is a considerable investment for some families. Families who believe affording tuition and fees at the Priory would cause significant financial hardship are encouraged to apply for financial aid. In the 2019-2020 school year, the Priory offered over $3 million in need-based awards to approximately 20% of families.

Woodside Priory School joins many other independent schools in the San Francisco Bay Area in using School and Student Services (SSS) to facilitate the financial aid application process. To apply for financial aid, families should create an account with SSS by visit solutionsbysss.com/parents.

Priory awards financial aid based on guidelines and methodology established by SSS and within the limitations of our budget and financial aid policies. Our financial aid program also considers other costs required to attend the Priory, including books, field trips, and transportation. Woodside Priory School does not award any merit or athletic scholarships.

Families interested in learning more about Priory’s financial aid program are kindly invited to attend our Financial Aid Information Night.

Additional information about our financial aid program is available under the Financial Aid section of our homepage, www.prioryca.org.

admissions@prioryca.org | (650) 851-8223 | www.prioryca.org

A D MI S SI O N S PRO C E S S

How to Visit and Apply to the Priory Create an Account on Ravenna: • Register for an Open House • Schedule a Campus Visit • Apply Attend an Open House (optional – dates tentative, check website) • Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 • MS: 10 am – 1 pm | US: 2 pm – 5 pm • Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 • US: 10 am – 1 pm | MS: 2 pm – 5 pm Register for ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT Admissions Testing Complete and Submit Application Form and Fee Schedule a Campus Visit (optional) Complete Parent and Student Supplements Request Recommendations Request Transcripts Visit Our Website to Learn How To Apply for Financial Aid Application and Financial Aid Deadline • January 9, 2020 Schedule an Interview • Visit Priory’s site on Ravenna for more information Admissions Decisions Posted Online • March 20, 2020 Enrollment Contracts and Deposits Due • March 27, 2020

Community TOGETHER WE FIND STRENGTH AND PURPOSE IN SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER.

Hospitality ALL ARE WELCOMED WITH HONOR AND RESPECT.

Individuality EVERY STUDENT HAS GIFTS TO BE DISCOVERED, NURTURED, AND TREASURED.

Integrity LEARNING FLOURISHES IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF HONESTY, TRUST, AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

Spirituality GOD WORKS IN US, THROUGH US, AND FOR US.

MISSION STATEMENT Woodside Priory School is a Catholic Benedictine, independent college preparatory school. Our mission is to assist all students in creating meaningful and balanced lives, developing as lifelong learners and stewards, and productively serving a world in need of their gifts.

admissions@prioryca.org | (650) 851-8223 | www.prioryca.org