The Independence School

THE INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL

INSPIRE. DREAM. ACHIEVE.

CHILDREN HAVE A BEAUTIFUL HABIT OF RISING TO OUR

HIGHEST EXPECTATIONS. WHEN YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE—EVEN THE VERY YOUNGEST—ARE CAPABLE OF IMPRESSIVE ACHIEVEMENTS, THAT BELIEF SHAPES EVERYTHING YOU DO. CHILDREN SENSE YOUR CONFIDENCE IN THEM AND ARE EMPOWERED TO SUCCEED.

I

T E AC H I N G + L E A R N I N G

At The Independence School, our reputation rests on a

Families new to our school are struck by how personal

foundation of academic rigor. We engage students deeply,

an experience an Independence education can be.

we challenge them to do their very best, and along the way,

Working in small classes, our faculty know each of their

we show them that the work of learning is full of joy.

students’ individual strengths and needs and guide each

First graders here research otters and orangutans as they

in making the greatest possible progress. At minimum,

prepare to play their part in our Mammal Zoo. By eighth

our students perform solidly at grade level; more

grade, they’ll research the science of the brain or the

often, they are a year or more ahead. As our graduates

history of technology for ambitious Capstone Projects.

emphatically attest, an Independence education provides

They begin by learning to write sentences and end with

an outstanding preparation for the challenges of high

public presentations of major papers. In between, they

school, higher education, and life.

experience a curriculum that spirals upward, building with careful intention year to year.

INSPIRE + FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS—OUR CURRICULUM FOCUSES WITH CLARITY ON THE ABILITIES WE KNOW WILL BE KEY TO OUR STUDENTS’ LATER SUCCESS. TO START, ALL OUR STUDENTS LEARN PHONICS, READING, GRAMMAR, AND WRITING; PRACTICE COMPUTER CODING; AND ACHIEVE A SOLID COMMAND OF MATH FACTS. + PROJECT-BASED

EXPLORATION—WHETHER BUILDING WEIGHT-BEARING BRIDGES OR DESIGNING MONEY-MAKING PRODUCTS, STUDENTS TAKE ON LONG-TERM PROJECTS SPARKED BY OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS. THESE PROJECTS EXERCISE THE SKILLS OF RESEARCH, PROBLEM SOLVING, AND COMMUNICATION IN AUTHENTIC, SOPHISTICATED WAYS. + STEM STRENGTH—IN SCIENCE CLASSES, AT WORK IN OUR INNOVATION STATION, AND THROUGH CLUBS LIKE INDY ROBOTICS, OUR STUDENTS HAVE EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE TECHNOLOGY—PLANNING, PROTOTYPING, AND PERFECTING AS THEY LEARN THE ENGINEERING DESIGN CYCLE.

G R OW T H + D I S COV E RY

Survey Independence Middle Schoolers and you’ll

It starts in Lower School. Our youngest students may not

find that 80-90 percent choose to compete in at least

be ready for clubs and teams, but they have wide horizons

one interscholastic sport, and all but a handful are in

to explore: music, library, art, Spanish, physical education,

band, orchestra, or choir too. You’ll also discover that

and technology. By the time they reach first grade, students

many of these same kids are simultaneously committed

may choose choir; in third grade they may join orchestra;

to Science Olympiad, Quiz Bowl, or one of a half-dozen

and in fourth grade they may receive instrumental music

different math teams. In short, you will encounter an

instruction. In an era when many schools are pressured

impressive diversity of options for getting involved

to cut arts and co-curricular programs, Independence is

and young people who are ready to try every one.

committed to breadth and richness. Yes, the academic core is absolutely vital … but so are creativity and teamwork, self-expression, and self-discovery.

DREAM + ATHLETICS—PATRIOT TEAMS COMPETE IN MORE THAN A DOZEN SPORTS, WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE, STARTING WITH INTRAMURALS IN FIFTH GRADE AND INTERSCHOLASTIC TEAMS IN SEVENTH. MOST COACHES ARE INDY FACULTY, AND THE FOCUS IS ON TEAMWORK AND SPORTSMANSHIP, FITNESS, AND FUN. + T HE ARTS—THE LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT IN ART AND MUSIC AT INDEPENDENCE IS INSPIRING, AND SO IS THE OVERWHELMING STUDENT PARTICIPATION. FROM OUR BAND ROOM AND ART STUDIOS TO A 900-SEAT THEATER, WE SUPPORT OUR PROGRAMS WITH FIRST-RATE FACILITIES. + CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS—OPTIONS RANGE FROM INDY ROBOTICS AND ODYSSEY OF THE MIND (A NATIONAL COMPETITION FOCUSING ON CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING) TO INFORMAL ZUMBA AND PINTEREST GROUPS, THE SPIRIT CLUB, AND GREEN COUNCIL (RAISING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS).

M

EVERY INDEPENDENCE STUDENT IS

AN ARTIST, AN ATHLETE, AND AN EXPLORER. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHETHER YOU HAVE A TALENT FOR PLAYING LACROSSE, OR PLAYING THE FLUTE, OR PLAYING THE LEAD IN THE MUSICAL UNLESS YOU TRY? THESE ARE THE YEARS FOR MAKING DISCOVERIES. THIS IS A PLACE OF MANY OPPORTUNITIES.

THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS WE TEACH ARE IN

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, AND INTEGRITY. AT INDEPENDENCE, WE ARE COMMITTED NOT ONLY TO ACADEMIC ATTAINMENT, BUT ALSO TO GROWTH IN LEADERSHIP, CITIZENSHIP, AND CHARACTER. THIS GOAL HAS BEEN AT THE HEART OF OUR MISSION FROM THE START.

A

LEADERSHIP + CITIZENSHIP

Independence is a school where three-year-old

Our service program connects children with the local

“Kindness Kids” bring birthday cards to faculty

community and their global community—as when they

and staff throughout the building and where an

support an orphanage in Africa or the hunger relief agency

eighth-grade service project recently inspired a

Heifer International. Our annual Patriotic Program, a highlight

student to launch her own nonprofit helping veterans

of third grade, is just one of many ways we celebrate our

in need. Children here master not only math, science,

nation’s heritage. And our Character Development Program

and history, but also conflict resolution and moral

provides an outstanding framework for young adolescents

decision making. They learn that when someone’s

to explore timely issues. However, listing these highlights

in need, you step forward, not stand by. In a thorough

misses a larger point: that a strong core of values is woven

and intentional way, Independence nurtures students’

into the example our educators set every day and into all

development as strong leaders and good citizens.

the teachable moments we eagerly seize.

ACHIEVE + SPEAKING UP—ONE OF THE KEY WAYS OUR STUDENTS BUILD CONFIDENCE AND LEADERSHIP IS THROUGH PUBLIC SPEAKING. FROM THE EARLIEST GRADES, THEY SPEAK IN CLASS, AND IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, THEY OFTEN ADDRESS LARGE GATHERINGS. DURING OUR PATRIOTIC PROGRAM, THIRD GRADERS REENACT ORATIONS FROM PATRICK HENRY, JOHN F. KENNEDY, AND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. + G ROWING IN CHARACTER—A MODEL OF ITS KIND, THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM COVERS ISSUES RANGING FROM OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS CITIZENS—AND DIGITAL CITIZENS—TO TOOLS FOR ETHICAL DECISION MAKING. + SERVING OTHERS—OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE START CLOSE TO HOME—WITH THE CHANCE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS TO VOLUNTEER AS EARLY CHILDHOOD HELPERS, FOR INSTANCE—AND THEN EXTEND OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY. STUDENTS CONTRIBUTE NOT ONLY TIME AND ENERGY, BUT ALSO THEIR IDEAS AND LEADERSHIP.

THE SCHOOL IN BRIEF IDENTITY AND HISTORY

TECHNOLOGY

an independent coeducational day school founded in 1978 by local families seeking a challenging academic program

laptops, iPads, and MacBooks used in certain grades/subjects; a “Bring Your Own Device” program in grades 5-8; interactive whiteboards throughout the building

MISSION to inspire students to become independent, intellectually curious individuals who possess an exceptional spirit for learning, leadership, and citizenship ENROLLMENT 500 students, age 3 through grade 8, in two divisions: the Lower School (Early Childhood through grade 4) and the

CAMPUS 90 acres, including wetlands and an outdoor conservancy area for science and nature exploration, five athletic fields, six tennis courts, a track, a baseball diamond, and age-appropriate playgrounds FACILITIES HIGHLIGHTS

Middle School (grades 5-8)

900-seat auditorium, performing arts center, full-size gymnasium, library, science labs, technology classroom,

GEOGRAPHIC REACH students from across northern Delaware, as well as neighboring areas of Pennsylvania and Maryland

art studios, and gallery

LOCATION in the Pike Creek Valley, convenient to Newark, Hockessin, PA, and MD, and within 30 minutes of Wilmington and Greenville CLASS SIZES 12-18 in Early Childhood and approximately 18-22 in K through 8; a 15:1 student-faculty ratio

ATHLETICS fifth- and sixth-grade intramural sports; seventh- and eighth-grade interscholastic sports: baseball, basketball (boys and girls), cross country (coed), field hockey, lacrosse (boys and girls), soccer (boys and girls), tennis (coed), indoor track (coed), volleyball (girls), and wrestling OUTCOMES in recent years, all the members of the graduating class accepted into their top-choice high schools, including the most-selective—many with scholarships

1 300 PA P ER M I LL R OA D, NEWA R K , DE 197 11 • 302 . 239.0330 T H EI N D E P E NDE NC ESC HO O L .O R G