Student Life
Springdale Preparatory School is a place where diversity and individualism shine, where students are encouraged to strive be their best, tackle new challenges and embrace the differences and commonalities of their fellow classmates. It is a welcoming, engaging and fun environment that inspires students to take risks, try new experiences and go beyond their comfort zones. This is how our students learn new skills and grow to be independent thinkers and compassionate leaders in an ever-changing professional world. Whether day students, weekday boarders, full-term residential learners, or home school participants, all members of the Springdale family grow to be their best selves academically, socially and physically through our program of 360 degree experiential learning and living. Springdale is a college prep private school for high school and middle school students. As a progressive boarding and day school, we encourage creativity and forward thinking.
A Day at SPS
Residential students take advantage of extended learning opportunities and experiences to further their personal development.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
| 6:30-7:15 am | Wakeup, Get Ready, Tidy Room |
| 7:30 am | Shuttle to Academic Campus |
| 7:40-8:10 am | Breakfast |
| 8:15 am – 3:30 pm | Academic Programming/School Day |
| 3:30 pm | Afternoon Activities
Athletics Robotics Study Help Clubs |
| 6:30 pm | Dinner |
| 7:15 pm | Evening Programming
Study Hall Community Meeting Residential Curriculum Dorm/Room Maintenance Laundry Personal Time
|
| 10:15 pm | Collect Electronics* |
| 10:30 pm | In-Room, Ready for Bed |
| 11:00 pm | Lights Out |
| *Electronics collection based on student grade level and individual needs/behavior |
*Schedules will vary by student grade level.
**Without Electronics: Families will be able to call the dorm switchboard to reach child in the event of emergency so that each learner may recharge with a healthy night’s sleep.
Residential Life
Students at Springdale Preparatory School are part of a diverse residential community that supports a 360-degree model of growth and development. Our dormitory living, similar to college residential living, provides the comforts of home while necessitating accountability for managing academic and residential daily responsibilities. Students are housed in appropriate age and gender groupings with supervision from house parents. Local day students are welcome to cultivate friendships with boarding students from the United States and all over the world as they spend time in the dorms outside of the school academic schedule.
Vision & Mission
Vision:
Developing independent, highly qualified servant leaders capable of inspiring themselves and others within their larger local and global communities.
Mission:
Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and inspiring residential environment for students where relationships are formed, connections are made, and all are accountable for building high moral character and skills for lifelong success.
As an International Boarding School, we are committed to providing students with the highest quality service and programming. Health and safety are paramount, and we work to ensure that the health and wellness of all students are the priority while at Springdale.
We provide a holistic and supportive environment focused on the growth and development of all individual students’ interests. Students are the center of what we do, and how we operate. Our residential life program focuses on developing independence, building healthy relationships, living as part of a community, and refining academic skills.
Residential Life Curriculum
Program elements and curriculum are delivered in differentiated ways depending on the topic, students and community need. We utilize individual, small group and large group discussions, and boarding community presentations to facilitate learning and spark growth within the Residential Life Program, centering on a variety of pertinent areas.
- Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying – Students learn definitions and differentiations, develop situational awareness, and acquire skills to prevent and address unacceptable behaviors.
- Independence – Students understand how to take responsibility for their actions and how they affect themselves, roommates, family members, and the larger community. We focus on character development, respect and accountability of actions.
- Health and Wellness – Health and wellness comprises many elements that ensure students grow and develop in healthy ways, including personal hygiene, cleanliness and organization. In addition to physical health, we focus on the development of a healthy social and emotional well-being, as well as psychological development and understanding of adolescent development.
- Academic Skills Development – Developing healthy academic and study habits are a focus. Students are exposed to various techniques, environments, and styles of studying and learn to identify what works best for them. Time management, communication, and follow through with peers and faculty are also emphasized.
- Relationship Building – Living in a boarding community is new to most students, and we emphasize the importance of building relationships with peers, adults, and others within the Springdale and larger communities to create opportunities for growth and learning.
- Self-Advocacy – Students learn the importance of being able to advocate for their personal needs in respectful and effective ways. They learn to understand, communicate, and accept outcomes and respect differing opinions, needs and expectations.
- Community Living – Weekly community meetings enable students to gather together and develop personal relationships as well as take advantage of opportunities to serve their peers and the Springdale community and beyond.
Senior Transitional Independent Living Program
The Senior Transitional Independent Living (STIL) Program provides growth, leadership, and skill building opportunities for high school seniors as they prepare to live independently after graduation and transition to adulthood and independent living.
Students are assigned to independent apartments where they have the opportunity to participate in programming that focuses on elements that are integral for successful independence and transition to post-high school endeavors.
- “Adulting:” learning to understand the skills and requirements of being an adult and living independently.
- Leadership/Mentorship: providing younger students with role models and examples of positive behavior and achievement.
- Social and Emotional Learning: Students gain coping skills to deal with the challenges and stress that can come with independence.
- Healthy Relationships: Understanding healthy relationships aids students in learning the importance of maintaining respectful and positive relationships.
- Self-Advocacy: Respectfully and effectively communicating personal needs.
- Community and Global Citizenship: Understanding individuals’ roles and responsibilities in their local and global communities.
- Conflict Resolution and Mediation: Learning to deal with difficult situations and work towards healthy solutions.
- Health and Wellness: Care for, and understanding of physical and psychological health and wellness.
- Stress Management: Develop coping skills and mechanisms to handle stress in a healthy manner.
- Study Skills/Time Management: Continued development of time management and study skills to promote academic achievement.
- Budgeting: Learning the importance of planning, budgeting and fiscal responsibility as it relates to living independently.
Daily schedules vary in structure based on academic grade with increased autonomy and free time for older students. Residential life staff assists younger students with wake up and morning routines, and time is scheduled for mandatory study halls, nightly and weekly chores, and laundry needs.
Safety and Security
The safety of our students and staff is paramount at Springdale Preparatory School, where we strive to ensure an environment conducive to learning, living and experiencing. Our safety and security officers patrol campus and monitor our advanced surveillance equipment, which is strategically located throughout our buildings and grounds. Our security protocol stipulates immediate response in emergency situations, and our close working partnership with Carroll County law enforcement brings officers to campus rapidly.
Security is not limited to physical safety but also refers to protection of our technological systems. Data protection is critical and our team of technology officers have the necessary systems in place to limit unauthorized access to secure information. Springdale Prep’s administration and Carroll County law enforcement is partnering in an effort to encourage best practices regarding online activity and social media engagement.
Residential Living Program
Springdale Preparatory School achieves its mission to guide young people to create, think critically and shape purpose-filled lives, through a four-pillared Life Skills Program. Each school day includes a Life Skills period during which students work on activities related to a Life Skills pillar. Each month, a Life Skills Day provides activity and life skills periods, advisory, team building exercises, and a community assembly to ensure students achieve personal growth in each of the pillar areas.
- Stewardship – financial literacy and management; environmental care; local and global service to others; time management; sense of duty; philanthropy; awareness of self in relation to global societies
- Communication – tact; public speaking; non-verbal cues; discretion; hygiene; job search; dining etiquette; group discussions; appearance; personal space; email etiquette; letter writing; resume crafting.
- Introspection – following, leading, group project roles, engagement, empathy, compassion, mood awareness, withdrawal, recharging, decision making.
- Resiliency – positive thinking, friend-making, recovering from a poor decision, short memory, mental toughness, determination, executive functioning, planning, goal setting, goal achievement.
70
Percent of boarding school students say that boarding school has helped them develop self-discipline, maturity, independence and the ability to think critically. — Reported by The Association of Boarding Schools
Dining Services
While students work hard to advance academically and socially, fueling their brains and bodies throughout the day is essential. Springdale students enjoy meals on campus at the Dining Hall, where all students dine and enjoy each other’s company. Our head chef prepares a variety of nutritious options that will satisfy even the choosiest palates. Special meals are available for those needing preparations that are nut-free, gluten free or require other dietary restrictions.
All students are provided meal service for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the week and brunch and dinner on the weekends. After-hours snacks also are provided. Dining staff also prepares nutritious meals for students participating in scheduled activities off-campus.
Advising and Counseling
At Springdale Preparatory School, we believe the college preparation begins in middle school. Each student is assigned an advisor who ensures that a student’s individual program meets his individual academic goals for the school year and enables him to continue on his personal track for college preparation. Each quarter, advisor and student meet to reflect on successes, discuss disappointments and ensure the student continues on the track to success. Advisory sessions also provide guidance with the effective use of technology, study skills, appropriate behaviors, personal responsibility, conflict resolution and career exploration.
Medical Administration
Our licensed medical staff provides care for students 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the school’s health center, located in the Blue Ridge Building. Our health center is equipped to care for basic medical needs like headaches, cuts, splinters, sprains and strains as well as respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses. Higher levels of care are delivered by physicians and specialists in our local provider network, and our nurses provide continuing care according to physician orders as documented in the student’s treatment plan.
All medications, whether prescription or over the counter, are administered by only licensed nursing professionals.
Any time a student receives medical care, the Director of Medical Services communicates with family members.
Extracurricular Activities
Springdale Prep students will become pioneers, willing to blaze a trail for others to follow. Our program will enable students to develop and create clubs and organizations, reflecting their variety of interests and talents. From performing arts to world languages to mock trial to chess to robotics, the opportunities will tap and explore athletic, intellectual and artistic passions outside of the classroom. Student participation will be voluntary, although the majority will choose to take part in several different activities, and most will graduate with a diverse range of extracurricular experiences.
Service
One component of Springdale Preparatory School’s experiential program is a commitment to service in the local, regional and global communities that impact our student population. Whether we are acknowledging a day in history like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Global Services Week, or the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, all members of our student population embark on service projects to learn, participate and aid the world around them.
Dining Services
Dining Services
While students work hard to advance academically and socially, fueling their brains and bodies throughout the day is essential. Springdale students enjoy meals on campus at the Dining Hall, where each residential house has its own dining area. Our head chef prepares a variety of nutritious options that satisfy even the choosiest palates. Special meals are available for those needing preparations that are nut-free, gluten free or meet other dietary restrictions.
All students are provided meal service for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the week and brunch and dinner on the weekends. After-hours snacks also are provided. Dining staff also prepares nutritious meals for students participating in scheduled activities off-campus.
Advising
Advising
At Springdale Preparatory School, every effort is made to ensure a positive school experience for all students. All students are assigned an advisor who works to support and encourage them as they navigate through academic and social situations.
Student advisors maintain regular contact with parents to provide progress updates.
Medical Services
Medical Services
Our licensed medical staff provides care for students 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the school’s health center, located in the Blue Ridge Building. Our health center is fully equipped to care for basic medical needs like headaches, cuts, splinters, sprains and strains as well as respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses. Higher levels of care are delivered by physicians and specialists in our local provider network, and our nurses provide continuing care according to physician orders as documented in the student’s treatment plan.
All medications, whether prescription or over the counter, are administered by only licensed nursing professionals.
Any time a student receives medical care, the Director of Medical Services will communicate with family members.
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular Activities
Springdale Prep students become pioneers, willing to blaze a trail for others to follow. Our program is designed to enable students to develop and create clubs and organizations, reflecting their variety of interests and talents. From performing arts to world languages to mock trial to chess to robotics, the opportunities are here to tap and explore athletic, intellectual and artistic passions outside of the classroom. Student participation is voluntary, although the majority will choose to take part in several different activities, and most will graduate with a diverse range of extracurricular experiences.
Weekends Are Fun!
Boarding and day students will benefit from a full schedule of weekend activities throughout the school year that will promote experiential learning in a fun, interesting manner. Students will be involved in planning the schedule, which will be based on their individual passions and interests.
Sporting Events
Often the schedule involves attending a local collegiate or professional sporting event, including the teams at nearby McDaniel College, Towson University, and the University of Maryland, as well as the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals baseball teams and Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins football teams.
Historic Sites
Cultural activities abound nearby including the Hippodrome Theater, Lyric Opera House, Center Stage in Baltimore, the Kennedy Center, Ford’s Theater, Lincoln Theatre and a museum tour in Washington, D.C. Another weekend may feature experiences at historic sites like Gettysburg and Antietam, or a day at the nationally-acclaimed Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.
Entertainment
We also take advantage of our proximity to amusement parks like Hershey Park, Kings Dominion and Kenny Wood. Once each semester, students enjoy a longer trip to places like New York City or Boston, Mass., that includes a hotel stay. Transportation and meals is provided for all trips, which are fully supervised.
Bullying & Cyberbullying
Per Springdale Preparatory School’s mission, all bullying behaviors are unacceptable and are immediately investigated and addressed when reported.
Bullying Resources for Students and Parents
Warning Signs of Bullying
- Reluctance to attend school activities.
- Unexplainable drop in academic performance.
- Avoidance of the school cafeteria or playground.
- Reluctance to discuss what’s happening at school.
- Torn clothing.
- Headaches, stomachaches, or other unexplainable illnesses.
- Change in sleep patterns.
- Loss of interest in activities formerly enjoyed.
Harmful Effects of Bullying
- School truancy.
- Lowered self-esteem, lowered self-confidence.
- Frequent physical illness.
- Anxiety, depression.
What Students Can Do
- Remain calm and stay in control of your emotions.
- Avoid physical contact if possible.
- Act confidently.
- Speak in friendly, firm voice.
- Use specific “I-messages” such as “I don’t like it when you _____________, and I want you to stop.”
- Find friends who can provide support.
- Seek the help of a school employee and report bullying behaviors.
- Advocate for others who may be the target of bullying behaviors.
- Show respect for all people regardless of their differences.
What Parents Can Do
- Listen to your child and encourage discussions about the school day.
- Take complaints of intimidation seriously.
- Watch for symptoms such as social withdrawal, drop in grades, and school avoidance.
Should you need to report bullying behaviors, contact Brandon Costley, Student Services Coordinator, at brandon.costley@springdaleps.org or Michaela King, Director of Counseling Services, at michaela.king@springdaleps.org.