Dear Parents of New Students,

We are excited to welcome new students to George School for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year!

All new students should arrive on Tuesday, August 27 for a five-day New Student Orientation (NSO). NSO ends on Saturday, August 31. You can find the full NSO schedule of events here.

Below you will find part of a New Student Orientation Q&A with Ben Croucher, George School’s NSO director, project-based learning faculty specialist, and history department head.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION?

We have redesigned the program to better welcome new students and prepare them for George School life. With all new students taking part, we will create an inclusive community right from the start. Over the week, students will learn skills and approaches that will help them thrive here. We will ask them to think across disciplines, to consider how they learn, and ultimately to answer the framing question: How is this NSO going to help me shine at George School?

WHAT WILL THE ACADEMIC COMPONENT BE LIKE?

Using a project-based learning approach, students will explore the HIV/AIDS crisis—from investigating policy to learning about epidemiology to considering issues of equity and inclusion. In addition to classroom time, students will meet in small groups with upperclass student leaders and create multimedia presentations for judging. (The winners will receive a credit at Bettye’s Place, the campus snack bar.)

The project is typical of George School. It will encourage thinking across disciplines, will blend real-world and traditional means of learning including study hall and homework, and will help students improve their academic skills, from research to lab work, close reading to collaboration.

WHAT WILL STUDENTS DO FOR FUN?

Students will make friends with their new classmates through weekend activities, including vans to local destinations and activities planned by the NSO student leaders, who know what George School students love to do. We’ll also take great advantage of George School’s 240 acres with outdoor time, a ropes course, and fun challenges.

READ THE FULL Q&A

Please feel free to reach out to me by email or phone with any questions you may have.

Warmly,
Jenna

Jenna K. Davis ’78
Assistant Dean
Testing Coordinator
215.579.6542
c: 267.981.8608
jdavis@georgeschool.org