About Orchard House
Philosophy
Orchard House believes in the potential of the individual and of the human community. More specifically, Orchard House believes that adolescence lays the foundation for a lifelong sense of self. Early adolescent girls are entering one of the most powerful, profound, and influential stages of human development, beginning with the chief developmental tasks of identity formation and individuation. Rapid physical growth, the draw of peer relationships coupled with the commencement of separation from families, and cognitive shifts from concrete thinking to abstract reasoning mark a developmental stage of staggering variables and potential.
Viewing those variables as positive catalysts, Orchard House believes in providing a single sex environment during grades five through eight. The curriculum is carefully designed for each girl to embrace a positive, authentic identity, passion for learning, leadership opportunities, and broader connections to the larger world. Girls develop competence and confidence through work and service, authentic identity through reflection and creativity, and courage through perseverance. Orchard House believes its work is accomplished through respect for and in partnership with families, the school community, the environment, and society.
Orchard House is an intentionally designed, research based learning community whose mission is to inspire and to educate middle school girls and to serve as a resource for others. The essence of an Orchard House education is the development of each girl's personal authority and consciousness so that she lives and contributes to the world with understanding, joy, hope, and courage.
