Upper School
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Examples of excellence abound in Rowland Hall’s Upper School – in academics, athletics, music, dance, debate, and, yes, the college selection process. But what matters more, indeed what matters most, is that our students go out into the world as good people, fueled by a passion, guided by a moral compass, dedicated to making the world a better place.
“Rowland Hall is not a cookie-cutter,” notes Lee Thomsen, principal of the Upper School. “We determine a student’s strengths and then we play to those strengths. At the same time, we try to help each student find an area of focus, something he believes in, something she loves to do.” Mr. Thomsen appreciates the unified focus of his colleagues at every level. “Everyone is part of the puzzle; everyone’s on the same page.”
The First 1-1 Laptop School in Utah
Every Upper School student uses a laptop computer to enhance project-based, authentic learning that addresses higher-order thinking skills in a media rich environment. While building expertise for the future, students feel more engaged in their work and are more connected to their school community and the world.
The Rewards of Rigor
The Upper School curriculum is both extensive and rigorous. Advanced Placement Tests, for example, are offered in 16 different test areas. Because teachers value their students, students want to do well in the classroom and in every other area of life at the school. Because excelling is considered cool at Rowland Hall, students feel inclined to stretch themselves. Meeting high academic expectations prepares students exceedingly well for college and, as important, for life.
Service as Mission
“We don’t need a separate mission statement for our service program,” says Liz Paige, director of service learning, “because our mission is the same as the school’s mission.” Upper School students are engaged in service in the community through service learning in their classes, the annual Half Day of Service, the fall food drive and extracurricular service clubs. In using their world language skills, teaching younger students to dance, learning how to lobby legislation or assisting someone with filling out their taxes, students see how their classrooms skills and discussions have real-world applications. Upper School students take pride in surpassing their annual goal for the fall food drive, where the only prize is the satisfaction in knowing that they helped feed families in the community. Student-led service clubs such as Amnesty International, Community Service Council, Interact, and foreign language clubs constantly seek and sponsor service-oriented projects that are open to all Upper School students.
An Enticing Menu of Activities
Community service is just one of many outside-of-class outlets for students wanting to get involved, pursue a passion, and have fun. Others include the school musical and play; dance and music concerts; interim trips; and interdisciplinary trips. Students discover that the more they do the more they can do. The “I don’t have enough time” excuse gets replaced by, “Let’s do it!”
Beyond Wins and Losses
“We want our students to learn important lessons,” says Kendra Tomsic, Director of Athletics. “They’ll have wins and losses in life, but how they handle those reveals character, shows who they really are.” In addition to learning lessons, Rowland Hall student-athletes have consistently demonstrated winning ways over the years. In 2007-2008 Rowland Hall was the winner of the 2A All-Sports competition in Region 14 of the Utah High School Activities Association with five state championships in 2007-2008.
Rowmark Ski Academy, Altitude is Everything
Rowmark Ski Academy, established in 1987, provides superior opportunities for ski racers at one of the West’s best private schools. The guidance of high caliber coaches and an unmatched Upper School faculty encourages local, out-of-state, and international student-athletes develop their potential as ski racers, engaged students, and positive role models. The year begins with summer camps at Whistler, Mt. Hood, and Austria, followed by rigorous dryland training then the thrill of competition. On- snow training takes place at the home of the U.S. Ski Team and downhill venue of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Park City Mountain Resort. Passion is the common theme among Rowmark skiers at all levels.
Quality Begets Quality
Each year, the list of colleges selected by Rowland Hall graduates is long and diverse, thanks to the match-driven, student-centered college selection philosophy. That said, some top names invariably dot the list. A sampling of colleges selecting members of the Class of 2008 tells the tale: Bowdoin, Brown, Bryn Mawr, University of California at Berkeley, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Middlebury, University of Pennsylvania, Smith, Stanford, Wake Forest, Wellesley, Whittier, and Williams.
Quality Begets Quality
Each year, the list of colleges selected by Rowland Hall graduates is long and diverse, thanks to the match-driven, student-centered college selection philosophy. That said, some top names invariably dot the list. A sampling of colleges selecting members of the Class of 2008 tells the tale: Bowdoin, Brown, Bryn Mawr, University of California at Berkeley, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Middlebury, University of Pennsylvania, Smith, Stanford, Wake Forest, Wellesley, Whittier, and Williams.
COLLEGE ENROLLMENT
Virtually all students who graduate from Rowland Hall attend college or university at a four-year institution. In a typical year, over half of Rowland Hall graduates are offered merit scholarships by colleges and universities around the U.S.
Graduates of the classes of 2004-2008 enrolled at the following institutions . . .
