Rachel Perry, Attended Sparhawk Grades 1-12, Class of 2013

‘‘Someone once told me that humans are happiest when they feel like they are a part of something greater than themselves. Not only does Sparhawk harbor a beautiful community that makes every person feel a part of something great, it also gives everybody the opportunity to leave a permanent mark.’’

41 %OF OUR STUDENTS

IDENTIFY AS HUMANS OF COLOR

STUDENT PROFILERespect for children and trust in their inherent enthusiasm for learning are central to the design of Sparhawk School’s educational processes and objectives. Our purpose is to provide a foundation of academic strength, to facilitate critical and creative thinking, and to nurture qualities of character in our students that will sustain them throughout their lifetimes, whatever challenges and adventures may come.

MISSION STATEMENT

SPARHAWK STUDENTSUNDERSTAND THAT AN IMPORTANT PART OF THEIR EDUCATION IS LEARNING TO BECOME GOOD CITIZENS OF THE WORLD.

At Sparhawk, students become strong independent self-advocates. They expand their critical and creative thinking skills in and out of the classroom. They ask questions, thrive in an environment of inquiry where character is as important as academic rigor and believe in both bettering themselves and the world.

Our students engage with the global community through service, education, and travel. They have a profound generosity of spirit and respect the culture of kindness they have built at Sparhawk School. Sparhawk students maintain their individuality while building a community that supports academic exploration, applied learning and civic engagement.

THE SPARHAWK STUDENT

SPARHAWK COM

MUNITY

We have an extensive community life and are committed to a wide variety of community experiences for our students, and it does not end at the boundaries of our campus. During our Community Service Week, Winterim, after school clubs, and student-run organizations, students have been involved in bettering our local and global community and themselves.

SPARHAWK CULTURE

COMMUNITY LIFE

100%OF OUR STUDENTS

PARTICIPATE IN AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.

We are preparing students to enter the world as creative and critical thinkers who will thrive in academic, professional, and personal spheres. We are educating people who are able to advocate for themselves and others. To nurture only the intellect of a child is a disservice. That is why, at Sparhawk, sustaining a culture of kindness is of essential value to us all.

WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON CREATING A DIVERSE AND ACCEPTING ENVIRONMENT WHERE ALL OF

OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES CAN SAFELY BE THEMSELVES. WE BELIEVE THE COMBINATION

OF EACH PERSON’S UNIQUE QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS SHOULD BE CELEBRATED.

Our humanities and arts curricula are thematic, drawing from a spectrum of curricular areas, and highlighting the ways in which these domains interact. Because the scope of content in these areas is limitless, thematic programs provide frames of reference for the integration of vast amounts of knowledge and cross-curricular insights necessary to effective critical and creative thinking.

Using a variety of methodologies, teachers uncover the connections between disciplines. Among them, perhaps our most important tool is Socratic Seminar. Each seminar requires students to strengthen their understanding of the content and develop their academic voice. The most important voice during a Socratic Seminar is the student’s. We empower and challenge our students to think beyond their initial observations and preconceived ideas.

Thematic semester cycles: Becoming Human, The Global Village, Ancient Civilizations, Medieval to Renaissance, The “New” World, Enlightenment to Industry, American Civics and Law, 20th Century and Beyond.

HUMANITIES

ART, MUSIC & THEATER

HUMANITIES & THE ARTS

Experiences in the arts are essential and are a value for one’s entire lifetime. The abstract, symbolic nature of the arts is a valid and powerful means of searching for and sharing fundamental questions and truths about the human experience. Participation in the arts inspires creativity, fosters the development of problem-solving, critical-thinking, literacy skills, and it builds self esteem and character. Current and past course choices include: Drawing & painting, ceramics & studio art, woodworking, fashion design, record production, music theory & appreciation, drumming, band & choir, drama & broadway.

WORLD LANGUAGE

Sparhawk School offers four world languages: Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, French and Latin. In these classes, students learn grammar, syntax, and practice speaking, reading and writing. In addition to the five language classes, students may choose to study from a variety of 15 other languages with one-to-one mentorship.

Between the Fall and Spring semesters of each year, the high school students participate in an international or domestic learning experience called Winterim. International travel and the presence of international students adds depth to the classroom experience.

35%OF OUR STUDENTS ARE FLUENT IN A

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

STUDY. TRAVEL. LIVE THE LANGUAGE

20%OF OUR COMMUNITY IS

MADE UP OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The faculty at Sparhawk School are experienced educators and idealists united in the belief that Sparhawk embodies their values. Teachers experience success and satisfaction working with small classes of motived students and find the collegial atmosphere of our small school supportive. As progressive educators, we preserve the best practices from the past, weaving them together with evidence-based, contemporary practices, and incorporate relevant technological innovations as they evolve.

Upon acceptance, students are assigned a personal advisor. Their role is to champion the growing child emotionally and academically and to provide help in understanding the journey ahead.

FACULTY PROFILE

College guidance begins in ninth grade and culminates with an intensive two-semester course during the junior and senior years. Our highly personalized College Readiness Course is uniquely designed to organize and drive the entire college admissions process from initial dream-building and investigations of specific colleges, to the completion of essays and applications, and ultimately to the timely submission of all required documents.

Throughout the process, the counselor offers guidelines, listens to concerns, and answers questions, advising and reassuring students during this exciting and, at times, daunting process. In this way, we help each student uncover the best possible match between their personal and academic aspirations and the vast number of opportunities in higher education.

COLLEGE COUNSELING

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

OUR STUDENTS LEARN BY EXPLORING IN THEIR CLASSROOM AS WELL AS AROUND THE COMMUNITY AND WORLD. LEARNING HAPPENS WHEN THE STUDENTS APPLY THEIR PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE TO REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES.

We are committed to preparing our students with the science and math skills necessary for the 21st

century. Science classes are geared towards lab and field experimentation, utilize the knowledge and skills of local scientists and professional labs, and offer consistent assessment and feedback on student progress. Math classes are structured in a way that allows for student-inquiry and mathematical exploration while mastering a traditional scope and sequence of skills.

Courses include: Forensic Science, Biology, Astronomy, Marine Biology, Conservation Biology, Human Genetics, Earth Science, Chemistry. Physics, Introduction to C++, Advanced C++, X Coding, as well as core mathematics classes from Algebra 1 through AP Calculus BC.

MATH & SCIENCE

BOARDING PROGRAM

LINCOLN HOUSEThe residence hall, Lincoln House, is located eight miles from Sparhawk’s upper campus, on a five-acre lake front estate. Students will enjoy this Tudor-style mansion equipped with a study lounge, two residential wings, and dining room overlooking the rolling hill towards the tree-lined lake.

LIVING IN NEW ENGLANDLocated 38 miles north of Boston, Amesbury, Massachusetts has that classic, small town New England feel. Students have access to the excitement of downtown Boston, the pristine beaches of the New England, and winter sports in the White Mountains.

BOARDING AND HOMESTAYInternational and domestic diversity enriches each individual in the Sparhawk community. Students of the 21st Century world, wherever their home, benefit from learning about one another’s differences and perhaps more importantly, about their greater similarities. While studying and growing together in Sparhawk’s kind culture, students learn to be global citizens.

The value of such experiences - the knowledge, cosmopolitan world-view, and grace in international relationships is an advantage to each student. These skills move with them into colleges and then careers increasingly shaped by world-wide economies, environmental initiatives, peace-keeping and alliance-building.

19%OF THE JUNIOR & SENIOR

CLASS ARE ADMITTED TO THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

YEARLY

100%OF GRADUATING SENIORS

MATRICULATE TO COLLEGE

96%STUDENTS ACCEPTED TO ONE OF THEIR TOP THREE

COLLEGES OF CHOICE

A campus tour & day visit are the best ways to know if Sparhawk is the right school for your family. As a visitor, you are assigned a student partner who acts as a guide, introducing you to fellow students & acclimating you to our community. Skype tours are available upon request.

ADMISSIONS PROCEDURE

After you have toured & visited the school and you know that Sparhawk is the place for you, it’s time to make it official by submitting your application. Our entire application is available online. To begin your application please visit:www.SparhawkSchool.com/USApply

THE DEFINING MOMENT

We are committed to making independent progressive education a reality for as many students as possible. Therefore we have created a financial aid program that enables qualified students from all socio-economic, cultural and racial groups to attend. Our financial aid program is aligned completely with our vision as a school: We seek kind & compassionate students with academic excellence who are active in their school and global community.

FINANCIAL AID

TO SCHEDULE A VISIT, CALLTHE ADMISSIONS DEPARTMENT

978.388.5354

YOU BE YOUSparhawk Upper School 4 Noel Street | Amesbury, MA 01913

SparhawkSchool.comAdmissions@SparhawkSchool.com978.388.5354