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Explore a selection of my writing work below.

The Social-Emotional Well-Being of Rectory Students

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

Tips For A Successful Boarding Move-In At Rectory School

Whether your child is new to boarding at Rectory School or a returning student, it’s always a good idea to review what they will need and what will be expected of them as a boarding student. It’s also a good idea to know what you can expect, especially during the first few weeks of school.

Rectory School is typically the first boarding school our students experience, and we know you, and they will have questions. The Middle School Handbook, always available in the parent portal in Blackbaud, ca

Back-to-School Homework

The beginning of a new school year can be a bit overwhelming whether your child is attending a day school or a boarding school. Doing some homework before school starts will make the transition from summer vacation much easier for everyone.

It's the end of August, and for many families, it's time to start preparing to return to school. Now is a great time to start gradually shifting back to a more structured school-time routine. Whether your child attends a day school or a boarding school, do s

9th-Grade Capstone Project Helped Shape An Intentional History Curriculum

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

Students Explore Interests and Passions in Middle School Electives

At Rectory, we encourage our students to explore their interests and passions through our dynamic electives program. This program gives our students an exploratory experience in a variety of disciplines. Middle school students must take either an elective or a performing art each trimester.

Electives play an essential role in developing middle school students by allowing them to explore their interests, develop new skills, and broaden their perspectives beyond the core academic curriculum.

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The Importance of Community Service in Middle School

The Importance of Community Service in Middle School

Community service is an excellent way for middle schoolers to develop their characters. It provides them with the opportunity to learn about the needs of others and to develop empathy and compassion. It can help them build leadership and teamwork skills and give them a sense of responsibility and accountability. It can also help them build their self-esteem because they know their efforts matter.

Community service is vital at Rectory School,

Student Experience: Location and Facilities

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 Student Experience

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

Students Find Their Voices In Honors English

Helping students find their voice is Alysia LaBonte-Campbell's primary goal in her Honors English class. Once they find it, she wants them to share it, to share their thoughts and feelings about the world, themselves, and their experiences. Because if they know they have a voice, they can look at problems in the world and put their voice toward them.

Walk into Alysia LaBonte-Campbell's Honors English class on any given day, and you might not believe you're in an English class. While it is readi

Advisory Program Educates, Supports, and Encourages Growth

The relationship established between advisor and advisee is another way Rectory promotes growth in self-advocacy and confidence. With the Rectory Creed, Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, and Compassion as its foundation, the middle school advisory program is designed to educate, support, and encourage our students’ healthy growth.

In small group settings, the tenets of Rectory's creed offer guiding principles that help drive discussions and shape our students' attitudes about themselves, others

Preparing Students For A Better High School Experience

Unlike typical middle schools that end in the eighth grade, junior boarding schools offer enrollment through ninth grade. Students attending a junior boarding school have more leadership opportunities in the 9th grade and are exposed to the challenging academics they will find at the secondary school level. This additional year can significantly affect their choices and overall experience as they prepare to enroll in high school.

When thinking about the 9th-grade school year, most people think