Planning for Middle School in 2018-2019?  St. Anne’s Episcopal School is offering two Merit Scholarship awards of $8,000 per year for each new student thanks to generous donor support. These awards are designed to attract new, engaging 5th to 8th grade students who will benefit from and add to the school’s community.  Each scholarship will be awarded for the term of the student’s enrollment at St. Anne’s, through graduation (up to four years).  Families may learn more at Open Houses this Sunday, November 12 at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, November 16, at 6 p.m. and at weekly Wednesday tours at 8:30 a.m. (call 302-378-3179 option 1 to RSVP).  Merit scholarship candidates may also apply for need-based financial aid.

“We are extremely grateful that our child was a recipient of the generous Merit Scholarship.  It has allowed us to provide her with a truly outstanding educational opportunity,” said the parent of a recent Merit Scholarship recipient.  “St. Anne’s offers a unique educational experience, academically challenging, spiritually conscious and the opportunity to be a student athlete.  She has been embraced by her classmates and is thriving at St. Anne’s.  Each day offers a new learning opportunity.  She has thanked us multiple times for sending her to St. Anne’s.”

The school is also seeking nominations and applications for one U.S. Service Scholarship for $7,500 to be awarded to a new student entering 5th to 8th grade who has immediate family in the U.S. Military.  This award is drawn from a donor-supported fund to help make a St. Anne’s education accessible to students whose immediate family member is serving in or retired from any of the five (5) branches of the U.S. Military and their Reserve and National Guard units: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. It will continue for up to four years while the student is enrolled at St. Anne’s.

The U.S. Service Scholarship recipient must have a demonstrated need for financial assistance in meeting the annual tuition obligation for St. Anne’s. The vision of its donors is to attract new students who may not otherwise be able to attend the school.  Immediate family member is defined as a mother, father, legal guardian, step-mother, step-father or sibling.  Recipients may also qualify for additional financial aid.

“St. Anne’s donors are making it possible for students to enroll in our Middle School program to become part of a small, diverse community where students feel safe to explore challenging academics, athletics, the arts, a spiritual life, and service learning – all part of our Episcopal school tradition,” said Head of School Peter Thayer.

The Scholarship application process includes a family tour, admissions forms due January 3, 2018, and a student visit day at St. Anne’s. Applicants for grades 5-8 must also complete admission exams which are administered at St. Anne’s using the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) CTP Online tests on one of the following Saturday mornings:  January 27, February 24, or April 14, 2018.  Details are available on the school’s website.

Candidates for all scholarships may also apply for need-based Financial Aid which requires an online application by February 1, 2018.  Recipients must maintain academic and community standards which will be reviewed annually.

U.S. Service Scholarship candidates must also apply to St. Anne’s Financial Aid program to qualify for the scholarship by no later than March 26, 2018.

There is no area residence requirement for the scholarships.  The St. Anne’s Selection Committee is comprised of faculty and administrators.  Recipients must maintain academic and community standards which will be reviewed annually

Recipients will be notified confidentially by the selection date of Friday, April 27, 2018. Those who are selected will have until Friday, May 11 to make a decision to enroll at St. Anne’s for the coming academic year. St. Anne’s is choosing to keep the selection of the recipient’s confidential due to the young age of the applicants, and the small size of the school.

“My words could never fully express the gratitude I feel when I consider the fact that my son has the privilege to attend such an outstanding educational institution,” writes the parent of another scholarship recipient. “St. Anne’s has challenged him academically, socially, and intellectually beyond all of our expectations, and has greatly contributed to his sense of confidence in his ability to succeed in all his endeavors. In addition, the community in which he receives this excellent level of education is filled with joy and peace.  A place where he feels free to explore his world with ease and excitement.”

For more details about the Admissions Process and our online applications please visit our website.

In an age when many questions can be answered with the aid of an electronic device, what do our children need to learn in school?

In 2016 St. Anne’s Episcopal School adopted the research-based Singapore Math approach to preparing its students for a rapidly changing world.  Solving math problems is just one of the benefits; students, parents, and teachers are energized by this innovative approach, which asks students to understand the “why” before the “how.”

“Finding the answer is just one small piece of the puzzle,” Lower School Head Valerie White said. “What is more important is the ability to think critically and understand the “why” behind the solution. When we press kids to think more deeply and demonstrate an understanding of the concept or skill we are extending their learning to create true mastery.”

Singapore math is a teaching method and curriculum developed and used in Singapore, a nation that consistently ranks at the top of international assessments of student achievement in math.  One of the defining features of Singapore math is visualization. The concrete, pictorial, and abstract method underscores real-world application of math.

The Singapore Math approach emphasizes depth and process over memorization and drill work. It reinforces the life lesson that there is more than one way to solve a problem.  Because children work collaboratively with others to problem solve, Singapore Math also teaches children to communicate, to listen, and to respect their peers.  These are all skills that will help children navigate and build positive relationships in life.

St. Anne’s invested in Singapore Math resources and teacher training for faculty in Preschool through Fourth Grade and formally initiated the program in Kindergarten through Second Grade last year with the help of a grant from the Longwood Foundation.  Teachers, parents, and students tell us what a difference they see this year as a result of adopting Singapore Math:

“What has been happening in the classroom this year is really exciting!  Because we used the Singapore Math approach to teach place value, our students have a deeper understanding of numbers and how they relate to each other,” said first-grade teacher Melissa Meier.  “My first graders this year have a stronger number sense, which is the foundation of all mathematics.”

John Burk, Director of Academic Innovation, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science at St. Andrew’s School observed how the Singapore Math approach lays the foundation for success in high school.  “As a high school math and science teacher, I see daily that the most successful students are the ones who develop a flexible approach to problem-solving, are willing to seek out more than one way to solve a problem, and embrace the creative exploration that is integral to math and science,” Burk said.  “As a kindergarten parent, I am thrilled that my daughter is learning to approach math in a playful and creative way that is helping her develop a joyful approach to learning math, grounded in a deep understanding that will serve throughout her education.”

St. Anne’s second graders shared the following reflections about math this year:

“I have learned that there are different ways to solve problems and arrive at answers.”

“I am not as worried about taking risks or making mistakes. I know it helps my brain to grow.”

“I like seeing how math can be USED, like in measuring length and mass.”

“I am better at math and more confident.”

“I have learned to not give up so quickly.”

Located in Middletown, Del., St. Anne’s Episcopal School focuses on academic excellence and spiritual growth in a small, family-oriented and diverse community. St. Anne’s is a co-ed independent day school for children in Preschool (age 3) through Grade 8. Founded by visionary educators from St. Andrew’s School in 2002, our academic program prepares students for honors course work in the finest area high schools through its commitment to intellectual, spiritual, physical, social, and artistic growth and character development.