1
Our Mission
2
Our Program
3
The Woods at a Glance
5
High School Acceptances
7
Profile of a Woods Graduate
8
Montessori
10
Lower School
12
Upper School
14
Testimonials
16
Our Mission
The Woods Academy is an inclusive Catholic community preparing boys and girls to lead lives of significance.
2
Our Program MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL: Ages 2.8 to 6
LOWER SCHOOL: Grades 1–4
School Day: Montessori Half-day
8:30 AM–11:30 AM
OWL Program (4 year old extended day)
8:30 AM–2:45 PM (M–TH only)
Montessori Full-day
8:30 AM–2:45 PM
Lower School
8:20 AM–3:00 PM
Upper School
8:20 AM–3:15 PM
UPPER SCHOOL: Grades 5–8
Extended Care: Morning
7:15 AM–8:00 AM
Afternoon
11:30 AM–6:00 PM
3
4
General Information ENROLLMENT approximately 300
STUDENT/FACULT Y RATIO 7 to 1
Background
The school originally opened over a half century ago as Ursuline Academy. In 1975, a group of dedicated parents re-established it as Our Lady of the Woods Academy and subsequently The Woods Academy. In 1977, the school moved to its current location at the intersection of Burdette and Greentree Road in Bethesda. Today, The Woods is a renowned Montessori pre-school and high school preparatory school educating boys and girls from ages almost three to grade eight.
Facilities
Six-acre, park-like campus Large playing fields for soccer, lacrosse, and baseball State-of-the-art Student Activities Center Regulation size gymnasium Fully outfitted stage Chapel
AVERAGE CLASS SIZE 15 (2 classes per grade)
The Arts
The Arts is an integral part of The Woods curriculum from Montessori through grade eight. Students participate in specialized courses in Music, Fine Art, Technology, Drama, and Library Theater. The Annual Arts Celebration and Art Gallery in May is a culmination of the year’s work by all students throughout the whole school.
World Language
Daily French or Spanish beginning in Full-Day Montessori, continuing in grades one through eight
School Mascot Mighty Owl
Dress
Uniforms are required in grades one through eight. The Woods believes that neat, attractive, uniform attire supports a good learning environment and stimulates pride in school and self.
Faculty
8.5 is the average number of years a faculty member has taught at The Woods. 85% of our full time teaching staff hold an advanced degree. 5
Religion & Community Service
The religion program is designed to introduce students to the Catholic faith and traditions while inviting them to deepen their appreciation of other faiths and explore their relationship with God. Community service is an integral part of religious instruction at all grade levels.
Athletics
Competitive boys and girls sports — soccer, basketball, lacrosse, softball, baseball, tennis, and golf
Special Days
Monday Morning Chapel (Upper School), Friday Afternoon Chapel (Lower School), Liturgies on Holy Days of Obligation, Annual Golf Outing, Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Founders Day, Alumni Homecoming, Annual Night Owl Auction, Annual Arts Celebration
6
Accreditation and Memberships
The Woods Academy is among a select group of independent schools individually certified by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges and the Association of Independent Maryland Schools. In addition, The Woods Academy is one of only seven Montessori schools in the state of Maryland that is accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS). The school is also approved by the Maryland State Department of Education.
The Woods holds membership and participates in the following organizations: American Montessori Society Archdiocese of Washington Association of Independent Maryland Schools Educational Records Bureau Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington National Association of Independent Schools National Catholic Education Association
High School Acceptances
Academy of the Holy Cross Berkshire Academy The Bullis School Christchurch School (VA) Connelly School of the Holy Child French International School Georgetown Day School Georgetown Preparatory School Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School Gonzaga College High School The Heights School Holton-Arms School International Baccalaureate and Magnet Programs (MCPS) Landon School Loomis Chaffee School (CT) Madeira School Maret School National Cathedral School Our Lady of Good Counsel High School The Potomac School St. Alban’s School St. Andrew’s Episcopal School St. Anselm’s Abbey School St. James School St. John’s College High School St. John’s Prospect Hall St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School Sidwell Friends School Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart Tabor Academy (MA) Washington International School
7
More than 1/2
$ At least
1/3
69%
Profile of a Graduate
of all Woods graduates are Lifers.
Woods graduates from the Classes of 2007–2015 have been awarded
nearly $900,000 in merit scholarships to high school.
of Woods graduates are recognized for their commitment to community service.
of Woods graduates participate in high school athletics.
2/3
Nationwide less than 1% of students enrolled in 4 year colleges and universities are Division 1 athletes.
5% of Woods alumni who currently attend college (Classes of 2008–2011) are Division 1 athletes.
8
Graduates of The Woods Academy are
Willing to live their faith Leaders in their community Striving for a just and joyous life.
of Woods graduates are accepted to their first choice high school.
Over 95%
At least 1/3
86%
Open to Growth
of Woods graduates hold one, if not more, leadership roles in high school.
of Woods graduates have received at least one award or recognition in high school.
Nationwide
less than 0.5 % of undergrads attend an Ivy League University.
of Woods graduates take multiple honors and/or advanced placement courses throughout high school.
100%
5%
of Woods graduates return to campus to say thank you to their teachers.
of undergrads who are Woods graduates (Classes of 2008–2011) attend an Ivy League University.
9
The Woods Montessori program meets the needs and interests of almost three to six year olds. Learning is intrinsically motivating and joyful in the multi-age classroom and prepared environment. There are opportunities for children to lead, teach, interact, and learn through collaboration, cooperation, and the observation of others. Materials are located at child-level so that students may pursue their own interests at their own pace under the guidance of our dedicated and well-trained teachers and staff. Singing, stories, poetry, sharing and outdoor play augment the Montessori program. In addition
10
Montessori to activities in Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, and English Language Arts, teachers enrich the classrooms with thematic, integrated units that include studies of the continents as well as holidays, seasons, and animals. Three and four year old children participate in library, music, and physical education during their morning at The Woods. Four year olds (with teacher recommendation) have the option of participating in a four day-a-week full-day program (The Owls) that allows additional time for extended Montessori activities including Hands On Science, library, and cooking in the afternoon. The Luncher
Program for five year olds is a full day with time for both individual and small group activities. In the afternoon, the “Lunchers� have French or Spanish, music, fine art, physical education, and library. Storytellers, puppet theater, music and science programs are presented during the year to enhance classroom activities and provide art and theater experiences that draw from the wealth of opportunities in the D.C. area. In addition, Lunchers may travel to The National Gallery, The Kennedy Center, Montgomery County Recycling Center, Homestead Farm, and museums.
MATH
SENSORIAL
SCIENCE
Montessori materials — rods, spindles, beads and boards, supplemented with counters, balance and pattern blocks — are concrete tools that children use to build number sense and actively engage in the processes of mathematics. Simple data collection and graphing exercises as well as work with the clock, calendar, money, time, and measurement encourage awareness of numbers, order and relationship that is natural and fascinating to the young child.
Facilitates education through the senses — activities in this area prepare students for reading and writing and for the decimal system in mathematics. The materials isolate and classify qualities such as size, shape, color, sound, taste, smell, temperature, and texture.
Students are introduced to earth science, the animal kingdom, and the human body. They also explore seasonal changes, magnetism, and properties of water, air, and light through observation as well as hands-on activities and experiments.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS Children work with sandpaper letters and movable alphabets to discover the relationship between sound and symbol. Through this process, they develop phonetic writing skills that precede the explosion into reading.
SOCIAL STUDIES PRAC TICAL LIFE Meaningful tasks that imitate adult work while developing coordination, concentration, independence, and self-discipline.
The curriculum stresses the awareness and appreciation for the many cultures present in our world. World geography is introduced through puzzle maps, which encourages children to see the world as larger than the Washington, D.C. area.
11
Lower School
The Lower School provides a smooth transition from the Montessori program.
While the academic program in the Lower School is not Montessori based, the Montessori methods influence instruction. We make learning intrinsically motivating and provide students with opportunities to lead, teach, interact and learn by observing others. Students are challenged to achieve their highest potential. Children are encouraged to explore their own interests in journal writing and self-selected
12
reading, and they solve real life problems in math. Students and teachers in Lower School are supported by a full time Reading Specialist and a full time Math Resource teacher. These teachers work with the students in small differentiated group settings on a regular basis. Students develop the habits of mind and character such as independence and self-reliance that will ensure a smooth transition to the Upper School.
GUIDED READING & NOVEL STUDIES
INTERDISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATIONS
The language arts curriculum emphasizes a strong developmental literacy foundation of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The balanced program emphasizes the necessary foundational skills of reading through small and large group directed lessons, while immersing students in a variety of literary genres.
Students work to answer a question, solve a problem, or address a topic that cannot be covered by just one academic subject area. These investigations integrate a variety of prospectives so that students gain a comprehensive understanding of the idea. For example, students in grade one explore our neighbors — Canada and Mexico. Grade two brings history alive through a biography study. Grade three completes an extensive pond study. And, grade four publishes a poetry and art book about birds.
MATH MANIPULATIVES The Woods mathematics philosophy is rooted in the belief that all students acquire skills and understanding from experiences grounded in real life. Teachers provide a variety of experiences and encourage all students to explain and discuss their mathematics. Manipulatives and technology are used in all grades to enhance learning. Go Math!, the first elementary and middle school math program written to fully support new standards, offers an engaging and interactive approach to teaching math. The program combines 21stcentury educational technology with modern content, dynamic interactivities, and a variety of instructional videos to engage students.
LIBRARY THEATER Gives the students in grades one and two the opportunity to develop public speaking skills as well as dramatic acting skills in front of an audience of their peers, parents, and teachers. GUIDANCE The focus is on developing emotional intelligence and community building. Students learn how to express their feelings, prevent social cruelty, solve conflicts, be kind, and communicate effectively. In addition, students learn to value
diversity, think optimistically and morally. At each grade level, media literacy is taught. TECHNOLOGY At The Woods Academy we believe that our students need a solid foundation in technology. This foundation includes understanding how technology works as well being able to use technology to create. Not only do our classroom teachers integrate technology into their lessons, but an explicit technology curriculum is taught to our students beginning in grade two. Students in grade two are introduced to robotics through the WeDo Lego robotics program. Students are able to build and program a variety of robots. Grades three and four learn computer programming concepts through Scratch and Kodu. Scratch and Kudo were developed to allow students to create interactive stories, games, music, and art while using mathematical and computational ideas.
13
Upper School
Each student in the Upper School is assigned a teacher advisor, to whom he or she reports every morning and afternoon. The advisor acts as an advocate for each student and serves as a conduit for home-school communication. In addition, the advisor works with the school administration to monitor the academic progress of each student in all subject areas. Advisor groups meet regularly to plan group activities including service projects.
14
Students experience a departmentalized academic program and move from classroom to classroom. Students are expected to maintain lockers and pass between classes with all necessary materials. The Upper School is organized into Fifth-Sixth and SeventhEighth Grade Teams. Teachers meet regularly as teams to discuss the progress of students and plan curriculum. Teachers of each subject area offer instruction that meets the needs of all students and challenges each to achieve his or her highest potential.
SCIENCE By participating in inquiries, completing computer-based activities, and designing experiments of their own, students develop a more sophisticated understanding of the world in which they live. Students are exposed to topics in various branches of science including biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and Earth science. HISTORY ALIVE! History Alive! provides a unique way to visit the past. The program brings history to life through multiple interactive activities. Whether students become historical figures to debate the biggest moments in time or construct castles to portray lasting aspects of civilizations, History Alive! provides an exciting way for students to truly learn history for life! ATHLETICS
selections on a regular basis in both informal journals and more formal papers. In grades seven and eight, the study of literature is frequently integrated with the students’ study of American history. MATH The curriculum extends the reality-based problem solving approach to learning that occurs in Lower School. All students in grade seven take pre-algebra. All students in grade eight take algebra. These classes are ability grouped to allow students to progress at their own pace, to be challenged, and not frustrated. LEADERSHIP Once students understand themselves, they can begin to lead others. The Woods offers a number of opportunities for Upper School students to gain perspective, build trust, and cultivate responsibility.
Athletics are a critical part of the overall education of the child. Our athletic program is an integral part of each student’s experience; it lays a foundation for character education and develops important values. All students are encouraged to be involved in our program, which emphasizes participation and teamwork. The program is for students in grades five through eight.
Upper School students may compete on The Woods Debate Team or participate in Student Council.
LITERATURE
Just before graduation, students in grade eight, complete a Capstone presentation in which they reflect on their time at The Woods and describe how they have lived the profile of a Woods graduate — being open to growth, willing to lead a life of faith, a leader in the community, and striving for a just and joyous life.
The overall goal of the curriculum is to create independent and critical readers and writers. In addition to the class novels, students enhance their reading interests by exploring various genres outside of class. They reflect, respond, and share their thoughts and insights about their
Grade five students take a trimester long Business School course which emphasizes entrepreneurship, public speaking, and personal investment. In grades five and six, students plan and lead their own parent teacher conferences.
TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION Our various uses of technology support innovative learning. The Woods Academy has a robust wireless network that allows all classrooms to use an array of mobile devices. Students in grades six through eight are each assigned an iPad that they use at school and home. Grade five students learn about The Science of Robotics. The Lego Mindstorm Robotics curriculum forms the core of the computer programming and robotics unit. Students are challenged to design and program robots that will accomplish a variety of tasks. The unit culminates with a robot design competition. In grade six, students take a class to continue their understanding of computer science. Students explore computational concepts using Alice programming developed by Carnegie Mellon University and the Python programming language. Grades seven and eight take a course on electronics and microcontrollers. Students build and program electronic circuits using the Arduino board. Arduino is a prototyping platform that allows students to make numerous electronic creations. ROBOTICS TEAMS Students in grades six through eight have an opportunity to be part of the after school robotics teams. The teams compete in the First Lego League (FLL) where they design a robot to complete several mission challenges. Since the 2009–2010 school year, The Woods inaugural Robotics season, at least one Woods robotics team has competed at the FLL Maryland State Championship.
15
“At The Woods, we are like a family. Our teachers are our friends too.”
– Student
– Alumni Parent
– Current and Alumni Parent
– Student
– Current and Alumni Parent
“We have been enriched by the diversity of experiences, cultures, and religions. We are thankful to those members of The Woods Family we cherish most…the wonderful faculty. They not only teach academics, but life lessons, which will be remembered by these students for the rest of their lives.” “The Woods provides a very loving and nurturing environment where the values of respect, tolerance of others, and a love of learning are infused within the students.” “The one thing that I love most about The Woods Academy is the fact that all students and teachers are curious and intelligent.” “The safe, comfortable, lively and joyful environment of The Woods has instilled in our eldest daughter the confidence and desire to spread her wings in high school.”
16
19
6801 Greentree Road
Bethesda, MD 20817
301-365-3080
www.woodsacademy.org