Dawn M. Chmura

Ensuring the social-emotional well-being of students lies at the heart of Rectory School's educational philosophy. Recognizing its pivotal role in students' overall growth and future accomplishments, the institution prioritizes the creation of a safe and nurturing environment that fosters a sense of belonging and inclusivity. Head of School Fred Williams emphasizes the need to be equally aware of each child's social-emotional status as their academic progress, stressing the importance of a socia

Participating in and then leading Rectory's ninth-grade Capstone Project gave History Team Leader Jamie Haines insight into what gaps needed to be filled in the middle school history curriculum. The result was a curriculum that allowed students to successfully build the skills they needed to rise to the next grade.

Curriculum design plays an essential role in enriching students' educational experiences. Middle school students require a unique approach to academic learning because they are going

For many people, schools exist and are ready and waiting for students to arrive. But how many people think about what goes into building a school, its culture, and its pedagogy? We can't assume that design was at the forefront of the Bigelow's minds when they founded Rectory School over 100 years ago. However, designing everything associated with the student experience has been intentional over the last decade.

In a 1936 document regarding the founding of Rectory School, the Bigelow's dream was

Rectory's intentional design to create exceptional experiences for our students goes far beyond what happens in the classrooms. At Rectory, the student experience isn't just pedagogy… it's personal.

School administrators put a lot of thought and effort into developing an intentional student experience that, in the end, may look different for each student. The student experience is considered with a 360° lens. At every point in each student's journey, Rectory students have the tools available to