Upper School
PREVIEW BOOK
Life in the Upper School
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MISSION STATEMENT Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart inspires young women to lead and serve, through lives of purpose that integrate faith, intellect,
community, social action, and personal growth in
What’s in your heart ?
an atmosphere of wise freedom.
Confidence. Excellence. Sisterhood. Girls have so much in their hearts to share, “Throughout my years develop and nurture. Experience where at Stone Ridge, I have this comes to life every day in Stone Ridge’s been presented with vibrant Sacred Heart community—offering so many opportunities first-rate academic, art, athletic and service to build relationships with others and become programs. STUDENT LEADERSHIP The Student Life program at Stone Ridge works to form student leaders and empower them to serve with faith, intellect, and confidence. This unique program supports students in carrying out this mission, helping them to find their own voice and purpose, providing the tools and skills within an “atmosphere of wise freedom” (Goal V). Invariably, Student Life teaches the girls to bring the love of Christ to the world by doing good for the collective whole.
a leader. I’ve become active in clubs, sports and other organizations where I met friends and learned how to speak up and share my ideas. I’ve become confident not only at school and in the classroom, but outside the classroom and in the world as well.” Grace Yang ‘19, Student Body President
Student/Faculty Ratio: 6:1 Faculty: 63 Holding Master’s degrees: 39 Doctoral level: 9 Average teaching experience per Upper School faculty member:
16 years % of faculty who participate in professional development workshops and conferences: 100%
365 students
(An average of 90 students per grade)
COLORS: Blue & Gold MASCOT:
36%
students of color
Average Class Sizes: 13-18
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Life in the Upper School
Network of Sacred Heart Schools
Our Catholic Identity and Sacred Heart Family For over 200 years, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart has been a part of an international family, which includes 24 schools in the United States and 147 schools in 41 countries worldwide. In addition to the benefits of an active domestic and international exchange p r o g r a m w i t h i n t h i s a f f il i a t i o n , our students share an education characterized by seriousness of purpose, love of learning, creativity, beauty, and loving relationships. This truly international character of Sacred Heart education fosters an important global awareness in our students as they strive to build a more just world. FIVE GOALS OF SACRED HEART EDUCATION:
in the United States
Sacred Heart School of Halifax
BC
AB
SK
MB
WA OR
ID
WY
NV
WI
SD IA
NE
UT CA
MI IL
CO
OK TX
LA
MS AL
Convent of the Sacred Heart New York City, NY Stuart Country Day School Princeton, NJ
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart Bethesda, MD Josephinum Academy Chicago, IL Sacred Heart Schools Chicago, IL Woodlands Academy Lake Forest, IL Carrolton School of the Sacred Heart Miami, FL
Schools of the Sacred Heart San Fransisco, CA Barat Academy Dardenne Prairie, MO
Sacred Heart Schools Atherton, CA
FL
Duchesne Academy Houston, TX
Academy of the Sacred Heart St. Charles, MO
The Regis School Houston, TX
Villa Duchesne/Oak Hill School St. Louis, MO
Duchesne Academy Omaha, NE
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, or any other class protected by law in the administration of its educational policies, employment practices, admission policies, scholarship loan or financial aid programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Sprout Creek Farm Poughkeepsie, NY
Country Day School of the Sacred Heart Bryn Mawr, PA
GA
Goal II · A DEEP RESPECT FOR INTELLECTUAL VALUES;
Goal V · PERSONAL GROWTH IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF WISE FREEDOM.
Newton Country Day School Newton, MA
Princeton Academy Princeton, NJ
NJ DE MD
SC
Academy of the Sacred Heart New Orleans, LA
Goal IV · THE BUILDING OF COMMUNITY AS A CHRISTIAN VALUE;
VA
CT
Academy of the Sacred Heart Bloomfield Hills, MI
Convent of the Sacred Heart Greenwich, CT
NH VT MA RI
NC
TN
AR
AZ
WV KY
MO
NM
Forrest Ridge School Bellevue, WA
OH
PA
NS
ME
NY
IN KS
QC
ON
MN
ND
MT
NB
Goal I · A PERSONAL AND ACTIVE FAITH IN GOD;
Goal III · A SOCIAL AWARENESS WHICH IMPELS TO ACTION;
The Sacred Heart School of Montreal
Network Schools Provisional Member Associated with the Network
Academy of the Sacred Heart Grand Coteau, LA
Network Exchange Program Our Network Exchange Program, offered sophomore year, allows students to study in a sister Sacred Heart school in the United States or abroad. Stone Ridge also welcomes students from the Network. ““The exchange is a program very unique to Stone Ridge. The opportunity to see another country as if you live there is unmatched. My world and perspective has broadened and grown. I have gained enormously from this exchange experience. My Spanish language skills have improved. I got a bit of a sense of what it will feel like to live away from home when we graduate and attend college. I learned to adapt to an entirely new environment. I witnessed and embraced a whole new part of the world and finally but perhaps most importantly, I have gained two new Sacred Heart sisters, both in separate countries on different continents, as a result of my family’s experience both hosting and being exchange students.” – J a m i s o n R o d g e r s ‘ 2 0 Ele and her host Bérénice in front of Notre Dame
Intellectual Values. Enduring Excellence.
Preparing young women for 21st century success. Through the focus on the five Goals of Sacred Heart education, our students are encouraged to stretch and challenge themselves every day. Stone Ridge offers an educational program designed to nurture and inspire young women to find themselves, to develop their gifts, and to gain confidence in the knowledge that their lives have meaning and purpose. In an all-girls school, the students collaborate, lead, mentor, and learn from each other, and are provided a wealth of avenues for self-exploration. They develop strong, lifelong friendships, and are a part of a community that lasts a lifetime. Our extraordinary faculty has developed rich curricula and practices pedagogy based on research aimed at how girls learn best. Through the use of four, eighty-minute class periods each day, our students are provided with the opportunity to collaborate, develop their analytical and critical thinking skills, and delve deeply into each academic discipline. Stone Ridge takes pride in forming tomorrow’s global leaders of intellect, courage and faith. The use of innovative technology in the classroom helps to prepare our students for 21st century success. And, through our service learning program of Social Action, they learn the importance of servant leadership.
“As a college professor, I could identify students from girls’ schools with a 90 percent accuracy rate on the first day of class. They were the young women whose hands shot up in the air, who were not afraid to defend their positions, and who assumed that I would be interested in their perspectives.” Robin Robertson, Ph.D. (National Coalition of Girls Schools)
Course Offerings: Some courses are offered in alternate years.
Stone Ridge’s curriculum places strong emphasis on critical thinking and writing, developing reasoning and problem solving skills, and engaging in creative yet disciplined self-expression. In fostering an atmosphere of inquiry, practice, and collaboration, Stone Ridge prepares young women for success by instilling a lifelong love of learning.
English
History and Social Sciences
Introduction to Literature and Composition British Literature British Literature – Honors American Literature AP English Language & Composition: American Literature Folklore to Fiction Short Stories: Voices and Visions from Around the World Modern World Drama and Film African-American Literature Dystopian Literature Everyone But Shakespeare Detective Elective AP English Literature and Composition: World Literature Creative Writing Hear Me Roar: Women’s Voices in World Literature
World History I & II U.S. History AP U.S. History Genocide Studies U.S. Foreign Policy (Summer) Economics U.S. Government and Politics AP European History AP U.S. Government AP Comparative Government AP Art History AP Psychology
Theology Scripture: An Introduction to the Holy Bible Christian Morality History of Theology and the Sacraments Bioethics
Faith and the Artistic Imagination Social Justice and Catholic Teaching Comparative Studies of Religion
World Languages French I-V AP French Language French Literature - Honors Spanish I-V Spanish for Heritage Speakers AP Spanish Language AP Spanish Literature Latin I-V AP Latin
Publications Journalism – Here & Now Yearbook – The Ridgeway
Course Offerings, continued:
Mathematics Algebra I Geometry Geometry with Analysis Algebra II Algebra II with Analysis Algebra II with Precalculus – Honors Precalculus Precalculus with Analysis – Honors Precalculus and Differential Calculus – Honors Intro to Calculus AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC Multivariable Calculus – Honors AP Computer Science AP Statistics
Science
STEAM at Stone Ridge “Stone Ridge imparts the deep understanding that mistakes and confusion are part of learning—a process that only really begins when we take the first step, when we choose to reach out and reach up.” Nora ’15
STEM-related externships available at organizations such as: NASA • NIH • Cogito Summer Programs Database • United States Naval Academy • GMU Summer Game Institute • USA Government Jobs for Students • FBI Future Agents in Training • Johns Hopkins Engineering • National Space Club • Navy Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program • Walter Reed Apprenticeship Program • Aspiring Scientist Summer Internship Program • Research Program by Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown Hospital • Genomics Internship Program • STEM Research Program • Summer Science Research Program • MIT Women’s Technology Program
Physics I AP Physics I Chemistry Chemistry – Honors AP Chemistry Biology Biology - Honors AP Biology AP Environmental Science Explorations in Engineering Forensics, Chemical Analysis, and Technologies Human Anatomy and Physiology Molecular Biology and Biochemistry – Honors Independent Laboratory Research
Building Leaders
Stone Ridge offers a distinctive leadership program. Our students engage in leadership through an extensive offering of opportunities. Students develop a thoughtful awareness for leadership qualities in themselves and others by developing facilitation and communication skills, and learning about inclusivity, accountability, and teamwork in the service of others.
Social Action: A Service Learning Program Rooted in Goal III of Sacred Heart education, the Social Action Program is a comprehensive service-learning program that is central to the Upper School experience. Through preparation, action, and reflection, Social Action cultivates critical consciousness of issues of justice, instills a lifelong commitment to service, and develops students’ potential for leadership in building and maintaining just partnerships. On Social Action days (12 Wednesdays throughout the year), the Upper School community gathers for a morning presentation, departs for action, and returns for small group reflection.
“ M a r t h a’s Ta b l e w a s a great experience because I was able to build friendships with both my peers at school and those we served. We cooked, packed, and even worked in a clothing department while we were also building a community.” Sophia Jordan ‘19
In the freshman year, students are guided by senior Social Action Leaders (SALs) in six major areas of social justice—Care and Concern for the Elderly, Understanding Disabilities, Stewardship of the E nv i ro n m e nt , H u m a n R i g ht s, Childcare & Education, and Poverty & Homelessness.
“Stone Ridge is a place where I was encouraged to pursue anything that interested me and the possibilities for leadership were endless.” Marta ‘16
Honor Board: ROHEY ‘20
“Growing up, my parents always made it a priority to instill the value of integrity in their kids. Having gained a thorough understanding of how vital this quality is, it was only right for me to become a member of the Stone Ridge Honor Board. I have been a member of the Honor Board for two years now and this role has continued to enhance my own understanding of how important it is to instill this value in my school community. By educating students on the different ways to approach their problems, I have confidence that this will build an even stronger community that is rooted in trust. Lastly, as a student led board, we hope to be an incentive for other students to continuously display a model of integrity in their daily lives, whether it be in or outside of school.”
Fourth Academic Internships During two weeks in May, all Fourth Academic (senior) students participate in independent professional projects. These projects can take the form of an internship, a service project, or a carefully planned creative endeavor. Each Fourth Academic student must complete a project proposal and gain the approval of Upper School administrators. Upon completion of the project, each student participates in the Fourth Academic project symposium.
Student Leadership Opportunities Elected & Appointed Positions ELECTED STUDENT BODIES • Core Group, Class Officers, Honor Committee/Board, Athletic Association Representatives APPOINTED STUDENT BOARDS • Campus Ministry, Student Diversity, Social Action
Additional Co-curricular Groups
Campus Ministry Board: LAUREN ‘19
“From reading intentions, and eventually full readings, and being an alter server, being involved in mass has always been a part of my life. This active participation that I grew up with is what encouraged me to apply for and participate in Campus Ministry. As co-leader this year I hope to extend the same enthusiasm to everyone in the Stone Ridge community no matter their faith background or beliefs to active participation in faith not only through liturgies, but also through interfaith activities, monthly service at Martha’s Table, Lenten service project, and of course the annual pumpkin carving contest at Bonfire.”
DIVERSITY AND CULTURE • Asian ApreciAsian, Black Student Alliance, Amig@s INTERSCHOLASTIC TEAMS • It’s Academic, Model United Nations, Robotics SCHOOL COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE • Gators Troops Love, Catholic Academies, Best Buddies, Operation Smile, PAWS SOCIAL ACTION REFLECTION GROUPS PERFORMANCE AND ARTS • Acapella, Literary Magazine, Music Ministry AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS • World Languages, Science, Dance, Arts AD HOC COMMITTEES • Dances, Feast Wishes, Tedx Conference
Top: Roxy Fassihi ‘18 interned with the Consumer Product Safety Commision. During her internship, she spent time sampling new 3D printing materials for toxic chemicals, helping conduct research on upright cribs and baby gates, and testing new mechanisms for starting fire alarms. Bottom: Catherine Spina ‘18 and Stephanie Devine ‘18 interned in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Georgetown University Hospital. While there, they experienced the very particular ways that babies need to be fed and taken care of in the NICU as well as the strategies taken to enhance a newborn’s development.
The Freshman Experience Advisory:
Each student joins an advisory group at the beginning of her time at Stone Ridge. Each advisory, which includes a faculty advisor and approximately nine students, meets weekly to discuss classes and co-curricular programs, build community, and develop skills of self-advocacy. The advisor also serves as a point of contact for students and families throughout the high school experience.
Digital Media: In order to acclimate to the 1:1 MacBook program and learn best how to utilize their devices, the freshmen take a Digital Media class. This class presents an introductory module in visual design principles and concepts as applied to digital media-based projects with emphasis on the use of production, publishing, research, and graphic development tools. This class provides students with an array of tools that they will apply within their high school educational career.
First Academic (Freshman) Seminar: The Academic Seminar program at Stone Ridge plays a vital role in furthering the School’s mission to inspire young women to lead and serve. The Seminar classes are organized into small groups of 8-12, and they are structured as ungraded, informal classes, where students get to take a moment out of their busy academic day to reflect. Students discuss developmental issues for teens through the use of lectures, videos, movies, small and large group activities, class discussions, projects, and personal reflections and journals. Seminar topics include Transition to High School, Stress Management and Mindfulness, and Digital Citizenship. The Seminar program builds community among classmates, and also stimulates personal growth and development by increasing each student’s awareness of herself and who she is striving to become.
“The First Academic Seminar provides the opportunity for our girls to be heard, and we do our best to be a sounding board for them.” Nikola Edgar, Ph.D, Upper School Psychologist
A typical day at
Stone Ridge
opens with a morning Assembly, which allows students to gather as a school community. Here, students lead prayer and daily announcements are relayed by students and staff. For many students, Assembly is a cherished time of day, allowing them to visit with classmates and prepare for the school day.
The class schedule consists of 8 periods that meet over the course of 2 days. Each day includes 4, 80-minute periods, with 2 breaks, where students are able to learn in an environment that better reflects the college classroom experience and how girls learn best.
Stone Ridge
Celebrates the Arts
Stone Ridge, the broader Arts program, including both visual and performing, empowers students to develop technical and conceptual skills for critical thinking, risk-taking, decision-making, and problem-solving. Their respective artistic needs and interests are nutured so that they may develop and grow as both creators and consumers of the arts. Our ultimate goal is to make the Arts an enriching and fulfilling experience for every student that will affect them deeply, touch the inexpressible, and connect beyond the reality of everyday life.
Theatrical productions in the Upper School include one drama and one musical each year. From pre-production planning to set building, costume design and rehearsal, each production teaches students all facets of the theatrical process.
Visual and Performing Arts Course Offerings Foundations of Studio Art Ceramics I-III Studio Art I-III AP Studio Art: Drawing Media Arts Photography I-II AP 2D: Photography AP 3D: Ceramics & Sculpture Drama I-III Chorus Handbells Instrumental Music Ensemble Independent Study in Fine and Performing Arts AP Art History
Left, students perform in the 2017 production of Little Women.
“I have enjoyed studio art in high school because it is an outlet, a safe place where the boundaries of time fall away and where inspiration and quality are greatly valued.” Elizabeth ‘18
Athletics at Stone Ridge: GATOR STRONG Athletic Teams Stone Ridge Athletics is committed to developing “champions for life” by providing young women with an intelligent and physically challenging athletic experience that inspires competitive grace, as well as lifelong health and a balanced lifestyle.
“Our Gator Strong program provides unique opportunities for student athletes to feel passionate and engaged in physical activity, while developing lifelong habits that distinguish the Stone Ridge athletics experience.” Kristen Coleman McDaniel, Head Coach Varsity Lacrosse, lacrosse coach for MC Elite Girls Lacrosse Club, former Division I lacrosse collegiate player
Fall Sports: Crew Cross Country Equestrian (club) Field Hockey Soccer Tennis Volleyball Winter Sports: Basketball Ice Hockey Squash (club) Swimming/Diving Track & Field
“My philosophy as a coach is to build champions at Stone Ridge, on the field as well as in the classroom.” KJ Spisak, Head Coach Varsity Soccer, Assistant Coach for Washington Spirit, former professional goalkeeper and three-time all-American collegiate player
Spring Sports: Crew Golf (club) Lacrosse Softball Tennis Track & Field
Gator Strong • Everything we do is focused
Stone Ridge is proud to be this year’s Lewis Cup winner – presented annually to the independent school league overall champion.
A sampling of colleges where our Gators have played sports in recent years:
on health, fitness, strength and conditioning. We offer a wide range of programs outside of varsity sports including power walking, zumba, yoga and kickboxing. • SR has state of the art
facilities, including an aquatic center, turf field, strength and conditioning weight room, 2 indoor gyms and 3 grass fields.
• SR offers 16 varsity sports.
Fall 2017:
230 Gators tried out, 0 cuts were made. Your development matters to us. By creating Freshman teams, we work to accommodate every skill level. • Spirit opportunities abound:
Blue Gold Induction and Team Challenges, Gator Game Day, Congés, Father Daughter Field Day, Powder Puff Football Game, Gator Bonfire
Stone Ridge Celebrates a Long History of Traditions All-school Liturgies In addition to Upper School Liturgies celebrated throughout the year, the entire student body and faculty/ staff come together to worship in three all-school Liturgies: the Mass of the Holy Spirit, the Feast of St. Philippine Duchesne, and the Feast of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat.
Big Sisters/Little Sisters In the spring, the rising junior class and the incoming freshmen class meet for a pizza party, games, and fun activities. For the coming year, every freshman is assigned to a senior who serves as the freshman’s Big Sister for the year.
Blue/Gold Induction At the beginning of each school year, Blue and Gold team captains announce each new student one-by-one at a special and spirited assembly, and welcome her to either the Blue or Gold team—a team she stays on for life.
Spirit Week Organized and planned by each class and its officers, Spirit Week is celebrated each fall. Each class selects a theme and color for a class t-shirt, decorates part of the School, and selects themed dress-up days for the week. The week concludes with the much-anticipated class cheers for the culminating basketball games between the classes.
Conges From the French, “to take leave,” Congés are surprise days, when classes are canceled and the students focus on building community through fun team building activities and games.
Feast of Mater Admirabilis is observed every October to celebrate the miraculous fresco of the Virgin Mary depicted by a young nun in the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1844.
Feast Wishes is an all-school gathering before the Christmas holidays where students present the gifts of song and cards to every member of the administration, faculty, and staff.
Field Day is celebrated the first week of June with the entire Stone Ridge community from Grades 1 through 12. Activities include Father-Daughter races, a cookout lunch, music, and prizes.
Prize Day is a formal assembly at the end of the school year for the distribution of certificates and awards recognizing special achievement.
Retreats Each grade level in the Upper School participates in a class retreat, with a special two-day retreat for the seniors.
Ring Day In the spring, students in the junior class (Third Academic) receive their class rings from their Fourth Academic ring sisters at a ceremony presided over by the Head of School, the Head of the Upper School, and the Alumnae Board President. This is a formal ceremony for the Third and Fourth Academic students.
Tres Bien Ball The annual Très Bien Ball is a celebratory formal dinner dance hosted by the Alumnae Association to honor the Fourth Academic class. The Très Bien Ball, founded in 1953, was created by combining the Stone Ridge Fathers Club graduation dance in 1946 and the Alumnae Association supper dance in 1949. This formal ball provides an opportunity for the students to be formally inducted into the Alumnae Association. Life in the Upper School 21
College Acceptances and Matriculations Below is a sampling of college acceptances for the Class of 2017. Names in bold are schools attended by members of the Class of 2017.
American University
High Point University (2)
Oberlin College
University of Arizona
College of the Holy Cross
The Ohio State University
Babson College
Howard University
Pace University, New York City
Barnard College
Indiana University at Bloomington
Pennsylvania State University
Beloit College
James Madison University
University of Pennsylvania
Boston College
Johns Hopkins University
University of Pittsburgh (2)
Boston University
Kenyon College
Pomona College
Bowdoin College
King’s College London
Pratt Institute
Brown University
Lafayette College
Providence College
Bucknell University
Lehigh University
Purdue University
University of California, Berkeley
The London School of Economics
Reed College
University of California,
and Political Science
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Los Angeles
Loyola Marymount University
University of Richmond
Carnegie Mellon University
Loyola University Chicago
Rochester Institute of Technology
Case Western Reserve University
Loyola University Maryland
Saint Joseph’s University
The Catholic University of America
Loyola University New Orleans
Saint Michael’s College
Chapman University
Marquette University
San Diego State University
College of Charleston
University of Maryland,
University of San Diego (2)
University of Chicago
College Park (9)
University of San Francisco
Christopher Newport University (2)
McGill University
Santa Clara University
Clemson University
Miami University, Oxford
Seattle University
Colgate University
University of Miami (3)
Sewanee: The University of
University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Michigan
the South
Columbia University
Middlebury College
University of South Carolina (2)
Connecticut College
New York University (2)
University of Southern California
Cornell University
University of North Carolina,
Southern Methodist University
Creighton University
Chapel Hill
Spelman College
Davidson College
North Carolina Central University
St. John’s University—Queens
University of Dayton
Northeastern University (3)
Stanford University
University of Delaware
Northwestern University
Swarthmore College
Denison University
University of Notre Dame (5)
Syracuse University
University of Denver
University of Texas, Austin
Dickinson College
Towson University
Drexel University (2)
Tufts University
Duke University Eckerd College University of Edinburgh Elon University Emerson College Emory University Fairfield University Florida Institute of Technology
College Counseling The goal of the College Counseling program is to help each student identify her personal gifts and strengths in order to select a college that serves her needs, enhances her growth, and prepares her for the future. The college counselors empower students to become strong leaders and self-advocates throughout the process and to find schools that are great “fits” for them.
Fordham University George Washington University Georgetown University (4) Georgia Institute of Technology University of Georgia Harvard University Haverford College
College seminars in the spring of the Third Academic year and the fall of Fourth Academic year facilitate the college process. Students have the opportunity to meet with over 120 college representatives who visit Stone Ridge each year, and counselors monitor the latest trends and developments at colleges and universities. The college counselors interact with college representatives across the country through college visits and by attending College Board Forums and NACAC conferences.
Your example, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world. St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, Foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart
Life in the Upper School 23
24 Life in the Upper School
Empowering leaders to serve with faith, intellect, and confidence. Follow us on
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