Visit Our Exemplary New Academic
Center
Spring 2004
An academic evolution is
occurring at Rocky Hill School. Beginning in September 2004, Upper
School students at Rocky Hill will be immersed in a truly leading
edge environment for learning. The new Upper School academic center
reflects the best in technology and academic practice available.
Built with the School's history and tradition as its foundation,
there is no other public or private secondary school quite like
it.
First, the building itself reflects our history and the family-oriented
atmosphere of our country day school. Designed to complement our
country estate setting, the building, with its attention to natural
lighting, is warm and inviting; two wonderful qualities that permeate
Rocky Hill School.
Second, the new academic center has been situated to take advantage
of our campus's remarkable waterfront location. The open "porch"
effect of the entrances, as well as the extensive use of glass on
interior as well as exterior walls, only adds to this advantage.
As one quickly discovers with a walk down the building's corridors,
the world outside is very much a part of the learning inside. Glimpses
through the windows reveal majestic, panoramic views of the Green
River, the heath that lines its banks and the Narragansett Bay itself,
inspiring students and teachers alike.
Third, and most importantly, a closer look at the space inside reveals
the varied learning opportunities this new design affords us as
we advance our existing philosophical commitment to teacher-student
interaction.
The design of the Upper School academic center advances the Harkness
method first developed over 75 years ago at Philips Exeter Academy,
in Exeter, New Hampshire, in which students and teacher gather and
converse around large oval tables. Gone are the rows of desks and
rigid traditional structure of the classroom. Learning takes place
in "roundtable" classrooms designed for inquiry, interaction and
open conversation. Fundamental to this approach is a small class
size or small learning groups, with as few as eight students and
no more than fifteen. In this environment, the teacher becomes the
facilitator or guide of the group, often presenting an initial question
or statement which in turn shapes the ensuing, student-directed
conversation.
The other critical component of the design of the new Upper School
academic center is its commitment to thoughtful integration of technology.
Our choice of hardware and software applications in concert with
web-based content meshes well with our wireless computing environment,
making information widely accessible, simple to share, and a vital
part of our students' idea and opinion formulation.
All Upper School students currently work from laptop PCs. The curriculum
is web-based, and utilizes the powerful, online Blackboard Learning
System. (In the summer of 2003, Rocky Hill School was the first
high school in Rhode Island, public or independent, to implement
this program.) At anytime from anyplace on campus, a student—or
teacher—can access course requirements, post competed homework
assignments for viewing by a teacher, share files with classmates
and team members, check his or her grades or access scholarly journals
for more advanced research.
Additionally, classrooms in the new building have been equipped
with digital blackboards which allow teachers and students to display
student work for purposes of illustration and collaboration. In
this way, the open, transparent learning that is so much a part
of the Harkness model is both complemented and enhanced. Of course,
all faculty members also have laptop computers and maintain web
pages for students and parents. This integration of technology empowers
all members of our community, inspiring them to go beyond the traditional
boundaries of textbooks and classrooms.
As this vision and our academic building come to life, we will offer
the best pedagogical model for
learning, a model that prizes face to face interactions while simultaneously
recognizing the tremendous value of thoughtfully integrated technology.
Additional Links
Teaching
and Learning at the Core—Our Pedagogical Model
James J. Young III '70, Headmaster
The
Rocky Hill School Model
Martha Curit Hough, Director of Development
Student
Laptop Initiative
Stephen Farley, Head of Upper School and Director of Studies
Technology
at Rocky Hill School
Photographs
of the academic center... being built
Alan
F. Flynn, Jr. Academic Center Floor Plans
Collegiate
Series Articles
The
Grass Was Not Greener: One Student's Journey to Boarding School
and Back
Why
Your Child Will Benefit From a Small School Community
Senior
Projects: Is Your High School Student Ready?
The
Value of an Independent School Education
How
to Choose the Right School for Your Child
A Model for Student Success
Strategies
for the Year-end and Summer Months
Visit Our Exemplary New Academic Center
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