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Ken Hersh (second right); and Alcuin Head of School Walter Sorensen, (far right); join Alcuin Upper School students to do the honors at the ribbon cutting for the new Innovation Studio.

Ken Hersh, Co-Founder and CEO of NGP Energy Capital Management, Serves as Guest Speaker During Studio’s Inaugural Celebration

Today, Alcuin School, a leader in Montessori and International Baccalaureate® education, held a special ribbon cutting ceremony to launch its new Innovation Studio.   This high-tech, state-of-the-art facility is open to first grade to Upper School students and is designed to promote educational success through a high-tech interactive learning environment that stimulates imagination, creativity, innovation, and leadership exploration. Visit: www.alcuinschool.org.

The contemporary studio is equipped with a variety of the latest technological supplies and tools including a 3-D printer, All-In-One Learning boards, SMART Table®, and a presentation theater among many other cutting-edge amenities. These tools give students access to advance resources in a collaborative environment that allow them to innovate in new ways and develop fascinating projects that extend beyond the classroom.   

Ken Hersh, Co-Founder and the Chief Executive Officer of NGP Energy Capital Management, served as guest speaker at the Alcuin Innovation Studio’s inaugural celebration. His inspirational address was part of the Alcuin Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership Speaker Series which will give  students an opportunity to interact with today’s business and community leaders who offer hands-on, real world and relevant learning experiences.

“The Alcuin Innovation Studio will enhance imaginative thinking and teach students the frameworks for problem solving by extending the tools and skills learned in the Montessori and IB curricula,” said Jenn Hampton, Alcuin Innovation Facilitator.  “Today’s official opening of the Alcuin Innovation Studio is a commitment to providing our students with experiential education that helps them become future thought leaders and insightful contributors to the community and the world.”    

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.

 

 

 

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Alcuin School will host Paul Sanders, Global Head of Recognition, International Baccalaureate® Organization, on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Sanders' presentation titled “The International Baccalaureate Edge” will be held in the Wyly Performing Arts Center at Alcuin School, 6144 Churchill Way.

The IB Diploma Programme creates an edge for Alcuin students as they move into college and beyond

Alcuin School, a leader in Montessori and International Baccalaureate® education, announced today that Paul Sanders, Global Head of Recognition, International Baccalaureate®Organization, will be the featured speaker during a special campus visit on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Sander’s presentation titled “The International Baccalaureate Edge” will be held in the Wyly Performing Arts Center at Alcuin School, 6144 Churchill Way. Visit: www.alcuinschool.org.

As a world leader in education, Mr. Sanders works primarily with universities and governments.  As such, he is uniquely qualified to show how the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) will create an edge for Alcuin students as they matriculate to the university level. 

Guest panelists joining Mr. Sanders will be Wes Waggoner, Dean of Undergraduate Admission and Executive Director of Enrollment Services at Southern Methodist University, Bill Shell, IB Consultant at the University of Colorado, and Karen Phillips, Executive Director of Texas IB Schools.

In recent years, Texas has experienced tremendous growth in IB curriculum within the state.  According to Texas IB Schools (TIBS), Texas has one of the highest concentrations of IB World Schools in the world. TIBS suggests that if Texas were a country, it would be ranked five out of 144 in total IB World Schools, behind the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Studies show that students who participated in the IB are better prepared for university studies, perform better when they are there, are more likely to graduate (and graduate sooner) than other students. In addition, they are also more likely to enroll in selective institutions.

“We are honored to host both Mr. Sanders and this esteemed group of thoughtful leaders on our campus this fall,” said Walter Sorensen, Alcuin Head of School. “This will be a tremendous opportunity for our parents, faculty and staff, as well as other education proponents, to hear from an impressive group of today’s leading experts,” he said. 

In addition to hearing more about how IB gives students an academic advantage, guests will also have an opportunity to learn how Montessori education serves as an excellent transition to the IB curriculum.  Although there are more than 1,119,000 IB students enrolled at 3,747 schools in 146 countries, fewer than 10 schools combine the advantages of Montessori and IB in the way the programs are implemented at Alcuin.  

“From the time they were toddlers, we have opened the minds of our students through the brilliance of the Montessori program,” said Mr. Sorensen.  “We have taught them to be inquirers and we have enabled them to be responsible for their own learning.  As we have nurtured their independence in Middle School and now in Upper School, our students are extending their Montessori training into IB.”  

At Alcuin School, the IB pedagogy extends the Montessori methods in an age appropriate way. Teachers continue to guide rather than dictate student learning.  Choice and responsibility continue.  Until this year, Alcuin students did not have the opportunity to continue into an Upper School program which would extend the school’s Montessori and IB at the same level of excellence. 

With the opening of Alcuin Upper School this fall, students have the opportunity to continue learning through inquiry and independence.  Because IB is becoming an increasingly popular qualification for young people wishing to go on college, Alcuin School will be uniquely positioned to serve its students by giving them an educational edge today as they face the challenges of tomorrow. 

For more information about Paul Sander’s presentation at Alcuin School, please contact Margaret Davis, Director of International Baccalaureate at margaret.davis@alcuinschool.org; 972.239.1745.

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.

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The students, who are among Alcuin School’s first ninth grade class, explored several islands in the Discovery Passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland while paddling approximately 50 miles of sea. From left: Saylor Madden, Spencer Saada, Pax Wilbur, Sterling Hahn, Toyosi Ayanwola, Aliya Swanger, Arath Luna, Chloe Parsons, Harrison Cohn

Outdoor Expedition Offers Unique Environmental Education and Leadership Opportunities that Extend Beyond the Classroom

Ninth grade students at Alcuin, a leader in Montessori and International Baccalaureate education, recently kicked off the school year with an incredible 7-day sea kayaking adventure and environmental education experience in British Columbia. The students, who are among Alcuin School’s first ninth grade class, explored several islands in the Discovery Passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland while paddling approximately 50 miles of sea. The experience not only offered the students a rich opportunity to bond, but also hands-on, real world and relevant learning across the International Baccalaureate curriculum.

“Tomorrow's leaders need to be equipped for tomorrow's challenges, and we must adequately prepare our youngsters for the future they will inherit,” said Joanna Powers, Alcuin School Outdoor and Environmental Coordinator. “That requires a commitment to providing students with experiential education that helps them become future thought leaders.” 

The Alcuin outdoor experience is designed to help build critical thinking and relationship skills.  Alcuin faculty and staff, who accompanied the students on the trip, emphasized specific skills including questioning, investigating, developing perseverance, interpreting data, and problem solving. The trip also allowed the students to build organization, collaboration and communication skills while moving camp and paddling each day.

The adventure required rigorous and challenging work within a week of tent camping and outdoor experiences.  The students were responsible for making camp, helping with meal preparation, navigation and monitoring tide flow and waterway logistics.  The students also participated in guided and self-led nature hikes, discovered the inter-workings of British Columbia’s rich and plentiful inter-tidal life, and explored the magical emerald lagoons and marine phosphorescence.   

“Our trip was an awesome experience because it gave us a chance to get out of our comfort zones and put new skills to use in the wilderness,” said Spencer Saada, Alcuin Upper School Student. “This allowed us to get closer to nature and be completely tuned in to the beauty of our surroundings.”

Although the students spent the majority of the time in the backcountry, their visit to Canada also included a college campus tour of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver where they were exposed to an international university community that specifically seeks students from International Baccalaureate programs.

 “I thought the retreat was special because it gave us a chance to bond with our classmates outside of school,” said Toyosi Ayanwola, Alcuin Upper School Student.  “We not only got to use what we’ve learned in class and apply it to the outdoors; we also became closer by working and living together as a group.  Best of all, we got to know the new students which made us all excited about starting the school year together as members of Alcuin’s first freshman class.”

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.