Distinctive Elements

Intermezzo

Twice a year, the upper school student body and faculty take 2-3 days away from the normal coursework and curriculum in order to participate in the upper school's intermezzo. In music, an intermezzo is an instrumental interlude which connects larger pieces of a dramatic movement; similarly, at Woodlawn, the intermezzo is a break from the larger "movement" of the school year that still forms vital connections between courses and to the larger mission of the school and our curriculum.

Senior Capstone

At Woodlawn School, “our mission is to produce independent, lifelong learners who are responsible, contributing members of a diverse global society.” As senior students near the end of their Woodlawn experience, the Capstone Project provides the opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding and fulfillment of the school’s mission. Students meet requirements throughout the year that address each part of the mission statement. Through successful completion of the Capstone Project, students demonstrate their mastery of the school’s core values and are ready to move forward as graduates of Woodlawn School.

Overnight Trips

Our class excursions are no ordinary field trips! The campus empties out late spring as classes pack loaded vans and head off on an adventure, some for an entire week. The trips are always connected to an area of study at each grade level, and often include college visits while en route.

Honor Code and Council

Our Honor Code states: "On my honor, I will conduct myself with personal and academic integrity."

Woodlawn’s community of mutual trust and respect is grounded in the Code of Honor. An honor code helps students understand the importance of honesty, integrity, and respect. Students on the council are elected by upper school faculty and senior council members, all of whom are charged with upholding the Code throughout the school year.

Common Hour

Each week, the entire upper school connects during Common Hour, a period dedicated to community-building. Sometimes Common Hour is academic in nature, with a guest speaker, TED Talk, or student/faculty discussion, but Common Hour is also host to some of our favorite upper school competitions: Ginger Bread House building, tree decorating, pumpkin carving, and the annual Quidditch match.

International Travel

Through the international travel program at Woodlawn, Upper School students are immersed in a culture through the art, architecture, history, language, food, and traditions. Students learn to appreciate the challenges and pleasant surprises of traveling in a foreign land. Upper School students have an opportunity to travel abroad every year.

Woodlawn Day

Woodlawn's oldest tradition comes once a year, early in the fall. In honor of Dr. George Stinson (the original land owner of Woodlawn's historic campus), we center the day around celebrating the history of our campus.19th century games on the field, gardening, tours of the historic Stinson Hall led by our own Mrs. Lolla, and square dancing are enjoyed by everyone.

Advance Week

Rather than heading straight to classes the first week, students in upper school spend the first two days of the school year engaged in discussion and activities that build community and foster camaraderie. Students meet their teacher-advisors, participate in advisory forums, and discuss the school’s mission and culture.

Integrated Humanities

Humanities classes connect history, art history, literature, creative writing, foreign language, and drama whenever possible to deepen course content and critical thinking skills. With an emphasis on group and individual project work, writing to learn, and Socratic-seminar style discussion, the Humanities program hones student abilities to articulate questions, distinguish fact from opinion, analyze and synthesize information, and write and speak intelligently about world literature and cultural development.