Stuart Hall School Viewbook for Boarding Students in Grades 8-12

Going beyond...

235 W. Frederick St. Staunton, Virginia 24401 (888) 306-8926 admissions@stuart-hall.org stuarthallschool.org

CO-ED BOARDING GRADES 8-12

...beyond your average curriculum

Learning for Mastery NOT YOUR PARENTS' STYLE OF LEARNING Knowledge of how students learn has changed a lot over the past 30 years. We think it's about time schools changed, too. That's why our mastery learning program emphasizes applying classroom knowledge to solving real world problems, rather than simply memorizing content.

Rooted in the core competencies of WELL-BEING, CRITICAL THINKING, CREATIVITY, CITIZENSHIP, COLLABORATION, and COMMUNICATION, our curriculum is designed to help you develop as a curious, creative young adult ready to make lasting contributions to your community. You will head off to college ready to flourish in a rigorous academic environment, equipped with selfawareness, self-motivation, and independence--skills that will take you far in college, career, and life. developing skills you'll really use...

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Raising the Bar on College Advising

"I was amazed at how much better prepared for college I was than so many of my fellow freshmen." Hannah D. '16 Cornell '20

...An advisor with a Law Degree?!?

Our college counseling program guides you toward colleges and careers that are good fits for your interests and goals, and then helps you craft applications that capture your unique personality, strengths, and contributions. As a former lawyer and college instructor, and our senior English teacher, Ms. Fleming brings understanding of rhetoric and communication to the job of coaching students through essays, resumes, and interviews. The personalized attention afforded by small class sizes ensures that your college application will reflect your individual voice and experiences.

Because college counseling at Stuart Hall aims to help you present yourself fully, authentically, and effectively on the application, the process is intertwined with academic, cocurricular, and residence life programming. In order to develop your understanding of what intrigues and drives you, guidance starts early with career exploration, course planning, and opportunities to get involved. By the time you apply to college, you will be confident and self-aware, understand the opportunities available, and feel ready for success in all of life's challenges and adventures.

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Staunton is Our Campus Artistic Collaborations

ent of artistic developm A holistic balance your llenge to maintain cha ic dem aca and l well-being physical and menta

Have you ever dreamed of training with teachers from institutions like Juilliard and the New England Conservatory, performing with Heifetz ensembles, and perfecting your stage communication and performance technique? Imagine being simultaneously immersed in a stimulating academic and social environment? As a participant in Crescendo, Stuart Hall's partnership with the Heifetz International Music Institute, you will practice, study, and participate in school activities and co-curriculars without frantically working on homework in the car or subway between commitments.

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Artistic Collaborations Theatre and Performing Arts

If the stage is more your game, Stuart Hall partners with the Silver Line Theatre Exchange, a local organization that trains students in theatre through coaching, classes, and performances. Your teachers are professional actors, and your classes can range from Classical and Contemporary Scene Study to Movement and Stage Combat. You will see your awareness, confidence, and empathy grow in ways only participation in the theatre arts can achieve.

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"Ceramics helped me realize that mistakes sometimes lead to a better outcome."

--Caxton O. '21; Kutztown University '25

...beyond the typical offerings

Arts for Exploration

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE At Stuart Hall, your opportunities for artistic expression don't end with the academic day. Whether or not you take advantage of our robust art and music curriculum during the school day, you can participate in a wide variety of afternoon co-curricular art, music, and theater offerings. These Pass/Fail activities allow you to explore new interests that earn you credit for skills learned but don't affect your GPA. Moreover, our unique location in an artistic community allows the school to take advantage of partnerships with local theatre, art, and music organizations, some of which are internationally renowned. Through these partnerships, you can experience educational, exhibit, and performance opportunities beyond the confines of campus.

Whether you are compiling a portfolio for college or simply participating for fun, arts at STU will help you develop self-confidence, perseverance, and analytical skills that will transfer into all areas of college, career, and life.

"The thing I like about art at Stuart Hall is there are no limits, no boundaries..." --David N '23 Page 7

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Athletics & Activities for a Lifetime ...beyond the traditional arena

Interscholastic, Intramural, & Outdoor Adventure In line with Stuart Hall's well-being emphasis, we want you to discover activities you can enjoy the rest of your life-activities for fun, fitness, and confidence-building. When the class day ends, you can head to the gym, athletic field, golf course, tennis court, or mountain trail. Whether a serious athlete who thrives on competition or an amateur who plays for fun, you'll have an array of choices each season.

Interscholastic sports can include Cross Country, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Tennis, Golf, and eSports. Intramural activities can include yoga, weight-lifting, disc sports, mountain biking, and outdoor education. All will help you develop perseverance, strategy, collaboration, and team work.

"As someone who never participated in sports before STU, the intramural offerings are super exciting because they make it less intimidating to experiment."

Julie L. '22

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...beyond the campus

Small Town Freedom BIG TOWN OPPORTUNITIES; SMALL TOWN SAFETY In Staunton, you enjoy opportunities rivaling a small city but with the safety of a small town. Though your dorm is located on our green and spacious campus, our student center, multi-use classrooms, eSports arena, teaching kitchen, and audio-visual studios are located just a block away in the heart of downtown.

You will love visiting cozy coffee and gelato shops, farm-to-table restaurants, and eclectic boutiques.

VIBRANT ART CULTURE; HISTORIC SURROUNDINGS If the arts are your thing, you will love Staunton's vibrant community, from artists' galleries and unique musical ensembles (Irish fiddlers, for one!) to internationally renowned organizations such as the American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse and Heifetz International Music Institute. History buffs love the town's heritage, with sites significant to the Revolutionary, Civil, and 1st World Wars, as well as the birthplace and official presidential library of Woodrow Wilson.

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...beyond the classroom

Staunton is our Campus When classes aren't tied to textbooks, any situation can be a chance for learning. Combine this academic freedom with our downtown location in a region teaming with national parks, and the possibilities are endless. Your statistics class might design and implement a market research survey for the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library. Your Civics class might decide to design a "Get Out the Vote" campaign for the upcoming city council election. The Sustainability Club might research and "re-wild" part of the campus grounds, or work with a local neighborhood association to ensure school lighting minimizes light pollution.

Collaborations like these enable you to develop a deeper understanding of concepts and skills, get involved in meaningful community service, and have a lot of fun too.

"Real life projects with real businesses can take a kid from 'I hate math' to 'I'd better learn Maria Nava, faculty some math!'"

Data Science, Statistics and Computer Science

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...standing out beyond the crowd

Taking the Lead

CULTIVATE THE LEADER WITHIN Learn by leading: we believe EVERYONE is capable of leading Make decisions that shape campus life and school culture Model behavior and community service for the school

Mentor new members of the community in our caring culture

"We want student-led events, but just organizing the event isn't enough. We have to reflect on both the successes and the failures to learn from them. As adults, this means we have to let go and trust the students."

Jason Coady, Campus Director

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We provide leadership opportunities at many skill levels to meet you where you are. The Shenandoah Valley offers countless resources for community service and outdoor education to enhance these leadership activities.

Teachers, advisors, and friends support your journey of self-discovery to gain competence, self-confidence, selfawareness, and self-motivation.

HOW WILL YOU LEAD?

Student Government Honor Council Resident Assistant Study Hall Proctor Student Activities Team Conduct Council

Aim for the stars....and actually reach them

Learning Support

EINSTEIN? DA VINCI? STEINBECK? ...UNCOVER YOUR OWN PERSONAL GENIUS Our learning support specialist works with all students to maximize their study-skill proficiency, and works with teachers to empower them to reach students of all learning styles. You will love the sense of agency you get from in-depth, engaged teacher feedback, and feel deep satisfaction as you watch your skills progress toward mastery. As a STU graduate, you will be proficient in essential academic, cognitive, social, and organizational skills that will help you succeed in all stages of your life.

If you are a student that needs specialized support for a diagnosed learning difference, our learning support program offers options for extra services or accommodations. You can learn about these on our website or give us a call. (www.stuarthallschool.org/academics/learning-supportservices).

"Stuart Hall's Mastery Learning approach is inherently individualized, allowing teachers to differentiate among learning styles and meet students where they are."

Miranda Hogan, Director of Learning Support Services

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...Love and support from your

ADVISORY

Stuart Hall Family

Living away from home can be scary. You'll get homesick now and then. You'll have to learn life skills you used to take for granted (laundry, anyone?). At STU, you have adults who understand, taking the time to know the real you and being there when you need guidance and support. Your advisor monitors your academic progress, empathizes with your social highs and lows, and touches base with your family. Best of all, you and your advisory peers meet together several times a week for fun and enriching activities, forming a closeknit, multi-grade home-away-from-home.

"I couldnt have landed in a more loving place."

--Caxton O. '21; Kutztown University '25

"I couldn’t show how much knowledge, friendship, and love I have gained from Stuart Hall. From Mr. Arnold's one-of-a-kind classes to enjoying the sense of love and wonderful creativity of students I studied with, I appreciate every single moment I've spent studying at STU."

--Austin T. '21; The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, '25

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...Love and support to be

WELL-BEING

Authentically You

Talking about well-being has become popular lately. But at Stuart Hall, students' welfare--body, mind, and spirit--has been part of the school for almost 200 years. As one of our six Grad Goals, developing your social/emotional, physical and functional well-being is integral to all your classes and cocurriculars, equipping you to handle life's joys and challenges with equanimity. A cherished Honor Code, cooperative rather than competitive attitude among students, caring dorm parents, and dedicated nursing staff complement these efforts to provide a well-balanced life experience.

"Stuart Hall's small class sizes and lack of cliques builds a genuine sense of community across age groups and classes. Students are recognized as individuals of value instead of representatives of whatever group they appear to belong to.

--Micaela B. '11 U.S. Coast Guard Academy '15

RESPECTING AND CHERISHING YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF

Involved faculty and encouraging peers create an environment where you can thrive and be yourself. Stuart Hall fosters a community that supports and celebrates your authentic, unique qualities, never asking you to fit in a mold in order to fit in.

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...beyond your

COMFORT ZONE TRY SOMETHING NEW

Have you ever wanted to try a new sport but didn't want to commit to varsity level right away? Or have you been intrigued by an art class but were afraid to ruin your GPA? Stuart Hall afternoon co-curriculars are the answer.

While you get transcript credit for activities and skills learned, there is no grade attached. You can explore and discover to your heart's content.

FACE A FEAR Stuart Hall’s inclusive, supportive community offers you the space to face your fears. Whether tackling public speaking, trying a new sport or hobby, or learning to live with a roommate, you will gain a strong foundation for personal, academic, and professional success.

"Designing for Community is a project-based program that challenges students to consider real-world objects in two dimensions and, using original art and computer software, turn those objects into paper models that are shared with the larger community through online projects like Build Your Own Staunton."

--Brad Arnold, Faculty Philosophy, Government

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...beyond the

SCHOOL DAY

COMMUNITY LIFE

You might be wondering, "but what about after school?" Don't worry.

We have you covered then too. You'll be forging friendships and creating memories that will last a lifetime. The best times are often the unplanned ones, while playing a game of pick-up soccer with your dormmates, playing an exciting match of badminton (a Friday night favorite), or eating late-night take-out in the floor lounge.

"My favorite memories of dorm were playing on Filmore Field during the first big snow of the year, sleeping over in friends' rooms on weekends, ordering Chinese takeout, and spending winter break with my favorite daystudent family" --Nina Pineda, '21 NYU '25

DAY-STUDENT FRIENDSHIPS

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Your STU friends will not only come from homes around the U.S. and the world, but from right down the street. Day students love building relationships with friends from the wider world, often inviting them to enjoy meals and weekend activities with their families and in their homes. Don't be surprised if you find yourself spending school breaks with them or inviting them to visit you in summer!

...beyond

EXCEL AT THE NEXT STEP

GRADUATION

Whatever you decide to do once you leave Stuart Hall, you'll be ready. Our graduates often comment that they found their first semester of college easy thanks to their time at STU. They know how to communicate with their classmates and professors and how to collaborate with those from diverse backgrounds. They understand the responsibility that comes with independence. Armed with the STU Grad Goals of WELL-BEING, CITIZENSHIP, COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION, CRITICAL THINKING, and CREATIVITY, you'll be ready to make an impact on the world.

ONCE A DRAGON, ALWAYS A DRAGON

Graduation isn't the end. It's the beginning of your time as a Stuart Hall alum.

From Young Alumi Panels to Alumni Weekend, there are many opportunities to stay connected and involved in the Stuart Hall Community.

"We are all convinced that Stuart Hall was the perfect launching pad for [our daughter] and are eternally grateful" --Terri P., parent of alumna

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Ready to take the next step?

STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM

GLOBAL

WELL-BEING IS WOVEN INTO ALL WE DO WITH A DEDICATED TEAM TO MONITOR STUDENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS

17 COUNTRIES REPRESENTED IN THE STUDENT BODY

EMAIL US TO SET UP A TIME TO CHAT admissions@stuart-hall.org

GET OUTDOORS OUR SHENANDOAH VALLEY LOCATION PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO HIKE, BIKE, KAYAK, AND SKI

2 ½ hrs to Washington, DC 1 ½ hrs to Richmond, VA 4 ½ hrs to Charlotte, NC

70%

2 hrs by plane to Chicago, IL

FACULTY MEMBERS WITH ADVANCED DEGREES

Episcopal Tradition A MEMBER OF CHURCH SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA, WE ESPOUSE THE EXCELLENCE AND INCLUSION FOR WHICH EPISCOPAL SCHOOLS ARE KNOWN

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TAKE OUR VIRTUAL CAMPUS TOUR www.stuarthallschool.org

START YOUR STANDARD APPLICATION ONLINE (SAO) www.stuarthallschool.org

"Being a boarding student matures you and builds you into your own person with your own drive and purpose.

And that is hard to replicate in other conditions."

--Hugo C. '17 Arizona State '21

stuarthallschool.org

admissions@stuart-hall.org Going beyond...