When I wrote to you last year, I reflected on the momentous year we had just completed. It turns out, we were just getting started. As I look back on 2024–2025, I’m proud to see a continuation of that growth and excitement. From a rising campus to an expanding student body, we’re surrounded by all that happens when a community comes together to provide transformative learning experiences that shape people the world needs. Below are just a few of the many accomplishments from this year:
• As a result of the work around our strategic vision, Rowland Hall continues to prove our leadership position in teaching and learning excellence. As we share what transformational education looks like, we’re more visible than ever—our Advanced Research Biology class, a strong example of the reach of authentic learning, was highlighted in the spring 2025 issue of Independent School magazine, a leading resource for private, independent schools in the US.
• We continued to strengthen our community to ensure all members thrive: 86% of parents report they and their families feel a sense of belonging at Rowland Hall.
• We reported strong enrollment for the upcoming year, anticipating one of our highest enrollment cohorts in school history—including our largest incoming ninth-grade class.
• We expanded our media arts program in the middle and upper schools, introducing studies in media literacy, podcasting, and interactive digital narrative. We also expanded our Advanced Research program with AR Computational and Mathematical Sciences.
• Eight of our debaters traveled to Taiwan to compete at Rowland Hall’s first international debate tournament
• Construction of the Richard R. Steiner Campus made significant progress. Thanks to our community’s generosity, we’re nearing the end of our capital campaign. We’ve raised $41.7 million—93% of our goal.
• Our biennial Auction, Derby Day, was a resounding success, raising $535,000 to support the capital campaign and financial aid.
• Our Center for Community Impact introduced the Impact Summit (see page 9) and Horizons at Rowland Hall (see page 10).
• We continued to strengthen our team, enjoying strong applicants from Utah and across the country who report that our values, DEI initiatives, and professional learning opportunities are among the reasons they wish to join our community.
I invite you to look back on more highlights from this year in the following pages. Thank you for all you do to make this community such an extraordinary place.
Mick Gee Head of School
ON THE COVER: Fourth graders Noelle B. and Thiago B. gather water samples during a field study on Antelope Island.
Did You Know?
In the 2024–2025 school year:
700 BEGINNING SCHOOL
stories were authored by Beginning School writers
13
LOWER SCHOOL
families shared their countries, cultures, and traditions with all Lower School students at the division’s first Multicultural Festival
23K
paper towels were kept out of landfills thanks to 3PreK classes’ decision to use cloth towels
MIDDLE SCHOOL
20+
student-led and facultyfacilitated clubs and affinity groups were offered during and after school
103
students—45% of middle schoolers—took Accelerated Math
ARTS
50
fifth-grade interns supported 22 departments and teams
UPPER SCHOOL
30
7
18
75
6
Advanced Chamber Ensemble musicians received the highest possible rating at the state competition
ATHLETICS
total state championships have been claimed by Rowland Hall teams—a new athletics milestone reached when girls swimming took the top trophy this winter
athletes committed to compete at the college level
original research projects were tackled in the first year of Advanced Research Computational and Mathematical Sciences (see page 8)
129
Middle School and Upper School students enrolled in new media arts classes
ROWMARK
top-10 finishes were claimed by Rowmark Ski Academy athletes
54 students taught finance lessons to lower schoolers
2
gold medals were claimed by Breezy Johnson ’13 at the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships
Beginning School
YOUNG MINDS IN MOTION
Let's Build a School
Steiner Campus construction began in earnest this year and 4PreK students haven’t just watched—they’ve tackled their own constructioninspired projects, complete with building their own mini campus. The fun kicked off in late summer, after students visited the Steiner site to learn from the crew, enjoy a front-row view of construction vehicles, and gather excavated soil. Students rolled the soil by wagon to their play yard, where they transferred it to a kiddie pool and smoothed it flat in anticipation of foundation work (as they learned, workers need flat, solid ground to start building). Over the months, the kids kept track of what was happening on the Steiner Campus so they could mirror it on their own little campus. They also learned about steel, wood, and other construction materials, and they embraced any opportunity to hone math, engineering, and physics skills as they built with blocks and other materials.
Kindergarten Adds Three New Nature-Based Learning Experiences
Research is clear: outdoor learning benefits students of all ages, and it’s particularly powerful in early childhood. That’s why outdoor learning opportunities are plentiful in the Beginning School. This year, kindergarten teachers further expanded these offerings by unveiling a new nature curriculum for the grade’s Switcharoo (time spent mixing the three kindergarten classes for various activities). In addition to the grade’s other visits to outdoor classroom, kindergarten cohorts now take part in one of three hands-on activities each week: outdoor cooking and storytelling, nature-based art, and a study of birds. Students have loved these new opportunities to explore topics not often seen in kindergarten classrooms, try out new ways of learning, and build a deeper appreciation of the world around them.
Lower School
Advocating for the Great Salt Lake as Musical Changemakers
At their first field study of the Great Salt Lake this year, fourth graders made scientific observations through a sensory learning approach, which better connected them to the famous landmark and helped them see themselves as its advocates. Following the study, Haas Pectol’s class worked with local composer Robert Stephenson, who was writing a song about the lake. Through original art and writing, the students shared what about the Great Salt Lake inspires them, which the composer used to shape his songwriting. The entire grade was then invited to perform the world premiere of the song—the first of what the group hopes will be many performances that inform the community and inspire action toward saving the lake.
Third Graders Connect with Pingree Peers
Relationship building and community connections took on new meanings for Hannah Ruske’s third graders this year as they got to know students at the Carmen B. Pingree Autism Center of Learning, located next door to the McCarthey Campus. Thanks to the nature of independent education, Hannah—who’s worked closely with Autistic students and believes all children should be exposed to neurodivergence early in life—was able to design an authentic learning opportunity in which her class learned about Autism as a skill, not a deficit; practiced noticing differences without othering; and, through a mutually beneficial partnership, built relationships with Pingree students in preschool through third grade as they read, drew, and played outdoors together. By going beyond what’s familiar and comfortable to them, the third graders practiced making the world a more welcoming place for every type of learner.
Middle School UNLEASHING POTENTIAL
Middle Schoolers Take On the World at Model UN Conference
When it comes to practicing real-world diplomacy skills, you can’t ask for a more authentic setting than the United Nations headquarters—and that’s just what 16 Rowland Hall middle schoolers experienced when they traveled to New York City for the World Federation of United Nations Associations Model UN conference in February. Alongside more than 1,300 high school students representing 60-plus nations, the students acted as UN ambassadors, tackling real-world challenges from environmental sustainability to youth mental health. It was an incredible simulation for the middle schoolers (the youngest students in attendance), stretching their cultural competency and building their confidence as they stepped into the shoes of global changemakers.
New Courses
Math Skills
Media Literacy
Personal Finance
Podcasting
Science Explorations
Math and Science Come to Life Through Aviation
Where else but Rowland Hall can you fly a plane before you can apply for a learner’s permit? Since 2010, the Middle School’s aviation electives have exposed students to the exciting world of flight, from introducing them to the profession to allowing them to take the yoke of a real aircraft. And whether or not a student dreams of one day working in the industry, it’s no surprise why so many enroll in these classes year after year: they provide fun, hands-on ways to understand the math and science that make flying possible, whether that’s mastering Bernoulli's principle through fluid and pressure experiments or engineering a foam board glider that protects a raw-egg passenger. The program also stays nimble to meet students’ ongoing interests—a study of drones was recently added to give students real-world experience with this emerging technology.
Student Achievements and Accolades
• Seventh grader Iris Ownbey was selected to participate in the Utah Music Educators Association All-State Junior High Orchestra and performed at Abravanel Hall in January.
• Eighth graders Deann Huang and Jonas Lohr and seventh grader Iris Ownbey competed with the Advanced Chamber Ensemble at the Utah High School Activities Association State Solo and Ensemble.
• Eight Middle School debaters placed in this year’s Granite School District debate tournament: eighth graders Dean Borst, Lucas Choi, Deann Huang, Mattias Lund, and Alex Previtali and seventh graders Henry Datoo (pictured top right), Victoria Schwarzhaupt, and Nate Venkatesan. Additionally, eighth grader Inaaya Syed (pictured middle right) and seventh grader Lina Saleh (pictured bottom right) won Top Speaker awards at the Salt Lake City School District debate tournament.
• In the Middle School’s first year competing in Mock Trial, eighth grader Wyatt Daniels and seventh graders Henry Datoo and Luke Hong won Star Witness awards. Eighth grader Morgan Karney and seventh grader Lina Saleh won Star Attorney awards.
• Eighth graders Alex Hogge, Ellie Ryan, and Zoya Syed, seventh grader Henry Datoo, and sixth grader Tenzin Sok-Choekore were Rowland Hall's top five scorers on this year's American Mathematics Competition 8 exam.
• Seventh grader Lina Saleh took second place in the Medicine, Health Sciences, & Biomedical Engineering category of the University of Utah Science and Engineering Fair for her project “Can We Reduce Perchlorate and Lead Toxicity in Baby’s Food?”
In support of Rowland Hall’s bold vision to develop people the world needs, the Upper School has been expanding authentic learning opportunities so students can follow their interests and build real-world skills. Independent projects have proven to be another solid option for deep learning. Each student-chosen and -led project, which earns graduation credit, includes a proposal and regular check-ins with an advisor, requiring full engagement. Fueled by their own interests and passions, students build confidence as they exercise agency and find purpose in their chosen subjects, including education, French, finance, machine learning, physics, and wilderness first aid. Benefits are as varied as the projects: students have participated in opportunities usually not available until college, prepared to live abroad, learned more about themselves, and discovered their strengths. When asked about the experience, one senior shared, “It’s something I would not be able to achieve, really, if I went anywhere else for school.”
New Courses
AP Art History
AR Computational and Mathematical Sciences (scan the QR code to read more)
AR Humanities: Identity and Intersectionality in American Drama
Aviation Science Fixed-Wing and Unmanned Aerial Systems Operations
Interactive Digital Narrative Modern India
Impact Summit Creates Space for Changemakers
This April, Rowland Hall’s Center for Community Impact held its first-ever Impact Summit, bringing together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners to discuss innovation and social impact. The event included opportunities for upper schoolers to present projects and research they’ve worked on this year. These included breakout sessions on topics such as upcycling tires, quantum computing, and fungi research, and a networking reception and student showcase where students shared their processes, outcomes, voices, and passions with the audience. The event, which will return in 2025–2026, created a shared space of learning for local partners and Rowland Hall students, further connecting the school and the wider community, and supporting our goal to be an indispensable partner in our region.
Student Achievements and Accolades
• Eight upper schoolers—seniors Kavitha Kasturi, Hasan Rahim, Tenzin Sivukpa, Mattie Sullivan, Sylvia Rae Twahirwa, and Evan Weinstein, junior Gavin Schmidt (pictured upper left) and 10th grader Aoife Canning—created the inaugural Wings of Inclusion conference for Utah high schoolers.
• Junior Anaïs Bray, 10th graders Felix Andreae and Tyson Brown, and ninth graders Elliott Preiss and Mae Wakefield were named finalists for GENIUS Olympiad, an international high school project competition on environmental issues.
• Seniors Aiden Gandhi and Eli Hatton (pictured upper middle), two of the eight debaters who attended the Taiwan Invitational, Rowland Hall’s first international debate tournament, advanced to the event’s finals, where they placed second and earned a bid to the Tournament of Champions. And for the second year in a row, AR Debate finished in the top 16 of the International Public Policy Forum debate contest. Congratulations to seniors Aiden Gandhi, Eli Hatton, and Andrew Murphy, juniors Baker Campsen and Gavin Schmidt, and 10th graders Sofia Drakou, Emery Lieberman, Izzy Utgaard, and Chloe Vezina.
• Five musicians performed at this year’s region solo/ensemble: seniors Merrick Davidson, Sophie Lieskovan, and Jaxin Quayle, and ninth graders Allie Loewen and Tori Somerville
• Ninth grader Isla McMahon (pictured upper right) took first place at the Utah Poetry Ourselves competition.
• Sixteen upper schoolers won awards at this year’s University of Utah Science and Engineering Fair: seniors Rachel Brague, Thea DeBellis, Liam Decker, Abigail Downs, Aiden Gandhi, Isaac Granger, Eli Hatton, Anna Lui, Rebecca Miles, Ainsley Moore, Owen Taylor, and Evan Weinstein; juniors Cecelia Hyman, Samuel Lu, and Alden Rhodes; and ninth grader Aimee Solzbacher
CENTER FOR
Commun it y Impa ct
CENTER FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT TO LAUNCH HORIZONS AT ROWLAND HALL
Now in its second year, Rowland Hall’s Center for Community Impact—a community resource established in support of our priority to become an indispensable partner in the region—is launching Horizons at Rowland Hall in summer 2025.
Utah's first affiliate of Horizons National, Horizons at Rowland Hall is a six-week summer camp that supports public school students from Title I schools, helping to mitigate learning loss between school years. The program offers daily math and literacy instruction, swim classes, and enrichment activities. Families pay $35 for the summer and financial aid is available, keeping the camp within reach of those who want to participate.
In its first year, Horizons at Rowland Hall will support rising second graders from Liberty and Whittier elementary schools. The Center aims to expand the program annually and looks forward to ongoing collaboration with schools, families, and local partners to provide a dynamic summer learning experience in our community.
Internships
FROM CLASSROOM LEARNING TO AUTHENTIC LEARNING
Rowland Hall is proud to offer a robust summer internship program that helps students explore careers through practical experiences. Established in 2013, our internship program invites sophomores, juniors, and seniors to a variety of workplaces and encourages them to apply classroom learning to real-world tasks. We extend our sincere gratitude to our generous community partners who make these learning experiences possible.
2025 INTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS
Mayan Languages Preservation and Digitization Project: Language Preservation
McNeill Von Maack: Law
People's Health Clinic: Advocacy and Nonprofit Management
Redemption Holding Company: Business and Entrepreneurship
The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital: Biomechanics and Human Performance
The University of Utah: Conservation Biology
The University of Utah: Drakos Clinical and Research Team
The University of Utah: Isotope Geochemistry
The University of Utah: Neurobiology and Anatomy
The University of Utah: Neurobiology of Social States
The University of Utah: Neuroscience and Molecular Biology
Waldorf Astoria: Finance
Congratulations TO THE CLASS OF 2025
Congratulations to the 78 graduates of the class of 2025, who earned admission to 157 colleges and universities. Eighty-five percent of seniors were admitted to their first- or second-choice school. Below is a sampling of this year’s admission list; scan the QR code to view the full list.
Arizona State University
Bard College
Boston College
Boston University
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
