The Independent School of Winchester opened the doors of our High School in September 2014. Building upon the foundation of progressive education already laid in our very successful Elementary and Middle School program, our High School allows students and teachers to co-create a first class education. We use the word “co-create” deliberately because we believe that education shouldn’t be “visited upon” students. Rather, our students are encouraged to take responsibility not only for day-to-day assignments but also for the trajectory of their academic career. The High School focuses on fostering creativity in all its forms: writing, design, graphics, applied math, scientific innovation, visual arts, music, and theater. Our students produce real, meaningful work—building a portfolio that can be shared with the community through performance, exhibition, internship, and publication. In addition to emphasizing academic and personal responsibility, our High School nurtures independence and prepares students for college life with increasing levels of latitude.
ISW is in the process of launching three tracks of specialized study for the High School—Performing Arts, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and Writing. We will begin with the Performing Arts Track in 2016-17. (STEM is slated for 2018-19, and Writing for 2020-21.) Our performing arts high school program will feature a theater “major.” Students will pursue college preparatory academic subjects as well as one to two hours of performing arts daily. Students will study acting, movement for stage, voice, and stagecraft. As a complement to the formal study of these subjects, ISW has created Huzzah Players, one of the only student-run high school theater companies in the US. Huzzah will afford ISW theater students the opportunity to work with high school students from around the area creating performances for audiences in the larger community.
To learn more about our High School program, download our High School Program Overview: