By Alcuin Student: Thea Lee

New York Times Bestselling Author Ruta Sepetys recently visited Alcuin School, a leader in Montessori and International Baccalaureate education, to give an insightful presentation about her award-winning published works. During her visit, she shared anecdotes about her journey to become a successful author with Middle and Upper School students.

Ms. Sepetys has published three books including: Between Shades of Gray (2011), Out of the Easy (2013), and Salt to the Sea (2016). She calls herself the “Seeker of Lost Stories,” as she writes about historical events that are sometimes overlooked. One such event is the sinking of The Wilhelm Gust off, a German cruise ship that was sunk by a Soviet submarine in the Baltic Sea in 1945. Ms. Sepetys explored this unfamiliar story in her book Salt to the Sea (2016).

She also shared facts about her early life, and elaborated on one of her first attempts at writing from elementary school: The Adventures of Betsy. Ms. Sepetys was given the assignment of writing an unpredictable story. She wrote a book about Betsy, a spontaneous girl in fourth grade and her friendship with an adult that she encounters. Ms. Sepetys also mentioned that one of her early inspirations was Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach. As she put it, with a little jest in her voice: “After reading that book, I either wanted to be an author, or live in a giant peach.”

Ruta Sepetys inspired many students with her goal of sharing untold stories. Her first published novel, Between Shades of Gray (2011), was about a fifteen-year-old, Lina Vilkas, who was arrested by the Soviet secret police and deported from her Lithuanian home to Siberia along with her mother and her little brother in 1942. Before writing this novel, Ruta Sepetys gathered information about the 1930s and 1940s, when Joseph Stalin’s regime killed tens of millions of people. She interviewed people who survived the mass genocide and deportations from Lithuania carried out by the Soviets. Ms. Sepetys kept the survivors’ identities a secret, but she included them in her story with alternate names, so that their voices were still heard.

Ruta Sepetys has brought immense passion, dedication, and hard work to her published works. She uses her talent to bring the stories of overlooked historical events to life. At the event at Alcuin School, Ruta Sepetys used her voice as an author to encourage many students to write and explore their own creativity, just as Roald Dahl did for her when she was a child.

Alcuin School, a leader in Montessori and International Baccalaureate® education, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to launch the opening of its new World Languages and Fine Arts Building during the annual General Parents’ Meeting Aug. 25. Visit www.alcuinschool.org.

This state-of-the-art, multi-level facility is open to students in primary through Upper School. It is designed to promote educational success through an interactive student-centered learning environment.

“Alcuin has always been at the forefront of education when establishing and teaching those early learning fundamentals as a young student begins their journey towards high school graduation,” said Walter Sorensen, Alcuin Head of School. “Our new World Languages and Fine Arts Building is just one way we are providing exceptional academic facilities to support the development of the whole child, from 18 months to 18 years, making this campus and this school unlike any other as we launch another exciting school year,” he said. 

The design-forward educational structure houses multiple foreign language classes in Mandarin and Spanish and provides creative spaces for music and visual arts.

Alcuin’s World Languages and Fine Arts Building is also the interim site for several courses taught in the International Baccalaureate® curriculum for the Middle Years and Upper School Diploma Programmes. These include language and literature, film and individuals and societies, as well as language acquisition.    

The new facility includes flexible and collaborative learning spaces that can be used in multiple configurations that encourage student-focused learning.

The naturally lit classrooms, education suites and studios promote team teaching and encourages students to collaborate in large open spaces.  As an added feature, exposed glass walls along the music and art rooms provide transparency to campus and promotes curiosity between curricula.

The art studios are created to support experimental and project base learning, which allow students the opportunity for designing, building and prototyping their work.  The studios feature roll-up garage doors for larger pieces of work to move outdoors.  Their adjacency to open space encourages the discovery of the campus. 

Students also enjoy a sprawling covered patio balcony which can be used to extend classroom lessons to an open-air environment, as well as offer a comfortable recreational hangout.   

During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Sorensen dedicated the building to Jamie and Kathy Clark in recognition for their long-time support of Alcuin.

Jamie Clark served as an Alcuin School Board member, and is currently Trustee Emeritus and Advisory Board liaison.  Today, Clark manages the Investment Committee that handles Alcuin’s endowment and serves on the Finance Committee.

“Jamie and Kathy have been very generous supporters of Alcuin for more than 20 years,” said Sorensen.  “The Clarks stepped up to be our very first significant donor to the campaign to make the World Languages and Fine Arts Building a reality, which will inspire Alcuin’s innovative thinkers and passionate learners for generations to come.”

About Alcuin School

A vibrant, nurturing, coeducational academic community serving students from toddler to 12th grade, Alcuin School uses the Montessori and International Baccalaureate program methods to foster critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning. With faculty support, students at Alcuin School are eager to embrace change, question the status quo, and prepare for their future as leaders in a global society. For more information, please visit www.alcuinschool.org.

Alcuin School Recognized for the Second Consecutive Year         

Today Alcuin School, a leader in Montessori and International Baccalaureate® (IB) education, is featured in Newsweek Magazine as one of the best IB schools in the U.S. This is the second consecutive year Alcuin has been included in Newsweek’s profile on educational insights.  

Alcuin is joined by other select IB schools from across the country that were included in this promotional article. Visit http://www.newsweek.com/insights/best-ib-schools-usa-2017.

Alcuin, which will welcome its first senior class this fall, has a growing reputation for a robust selection of IB Diploma Programme courses.  Students have more than 300 possible combinations enabling the creation of individual degree plans which maximize student opportunities, aptitudes and preparation for university. With faculty support, including many instructors with doctoral degrees, students at Alcuin School are eager to embrace change, question the status quo, and prepare for their future as leaders in an international society.

“Newsweek’s profile also captures how Alcuin’s Montessori curriculum blends well with our stellar IB Programme,” says Walter Sorensen, Alcuin Head of School.  “Readers will understand how Alcuin’s strong IB curriculum helps build knowledge, skills, critical thinking and conceptual understanding that inspires students to become compassionate global citizens and life-long learners.”  

About Alcuin School

A vibrant, nurturing, coeducational academic community serving students from toddler to 12th grade, Alcuin School uses the Montessori and International Baccalaureate program methods to foster critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning. With faculty support, students at Alcuin School are eager to embrace change, question the status quo, and prepare for their future as leaders in a global society. For more information, please visit www.alcuinschool.org.

Alcuin School, a leader in Montessori and International Baccalaureate education, recently welcomed Steph Jensen, MS, LPC, an award-winning author and international speaker to campus. Ms. Jensen is recognized for her insight and understanding of relational aggression. She combines 15 years of practice in the fields of education and counseling with research, practical strategies and humor to address challenging behaviors and build positive relationships with adolescents. Ms. Jensen visited with students, parents, faculty and staff about relational aggression, brain processing from boys’ and girls’ perspectives and social media.

About Alcuin School

A vibrant, nurturing, coeducational academic community serving students from toddler to 12th grade, Alcuin School uses the Montessori and International Baccalaureate program methods to foster critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning. With faculty support, students at Alcuin School are eager to embrace change, question the status quo, and prepare for their future as leaders in a global society. For more information, please visit www.alcuinschool.org.

Middle School Boys’ and Girls’ Teams Win Championship Titles         

Alcuin School, a leader in Montessori and International Baccalaureate® education, recently capped off its successful basketball season with two team championship wins and an expanding athletic program.

Since launching Alcuin Upper School in 2015, the athletic program has grown to include athletes performing at the varsity level.  This spring Alcuin marked a special milestone as the Hawks hosted their first 1A TAPPS playoff game against Waxahachie Prep.  

The school also rallied behind its youngest athletes as the Alcuin Hawks 5^th and 6^th grade teams completed their winning seasons.  They were led by Coach Kym Malone who encouraged each athlete to focus on teamwork while strengthening individual skills.   

Although competition was fierce this basketball season, Coach Andy Silverman and Alcuin’s Middle School Boys’ team stayed one step ahead to claim an undefeated season.  Coach Jordan Pierson’s Middle School Girls’ team defeated the number one ranked Prince of Peace Christian School securing the Championship and earning an unprecedented double title season in TAPS D2 for Alcuin.

“I’m constantly inspired by the willingness of our students and coaches to take on new challenges,” said Alcuin Athletic Director Kay Herndon. “Without their fearlessness, our athletic program would not have grown to what it is today.”

About Alcuin School

A vibrant, nurturing, coeducational academic community serving students from toddler to 12th grade, Alcuin School uses the Montessori and International Baccalaureate program methods to foster critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning. With faculty support, students at Alcuin School are eager to embrace change, question the status quo, and prepare for their future as leaders in a global society. For more information, please visit www.alcuinschool.org.