Laurel School
Encyclopedia
Located in Shaker Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio,Laurel School is a school for girls Kindergarten through Grade 12, with a coeducational pre-primary program. Laurel’s mission is to “inspire each girl to fulfill her promise and to better the world". While this is their mission statement, their mantra is "Dream. Dare. Do".
Laurel School's suburban Lyman Campus in Shaker Heights, Ohio, is home to an impressive brick Tudor revival building featuring over 180000 square feet (16,722.5 m²) of networked space, a 4300 square feet (399.5 m²) multipurpose room, a newly renovated 340-seat Chapel and performance stage, science labs, computer labs, art studios and a ceramics studio, a digital art lab and photography darkroom, music rooms, a dance studio, two libraries, two gymnasiums and a fitness room, outdoor playing fields, tennis courts, courtyards and gardens.
Laurel's 140 acre (0.5665604 km²) Butler Campus, includes 1800 square feet (167.2 m²) of lodge space, a 3200 square feet (297.3 m²) covered octagonal pavilion, a 2600 square feet (241.5 m²) residence, a fully accessible Magic Tree House, inspired by the Magic Tree House series of children's books, and an adventure course with both high and low elements. The newest addition to the campus is a 16000 sq ft (1,486.4 m²). Butler Center for Fitness and Wellness.
The 15 acres (60,702.9 m²) acres of groomed athletic fields host soccer, field hockey and softball. Eight tennis courts, a quarter mile all-weather track, approximately three miles of walking trails, plus ponds and streams round out the amenities.
The arrival of Sarah E. Lyman as Headmistress, just after the turn of the 20th century, initiated a new phase in the development of Laurel School. Mrs. Lyman was a strong, self-confident leader with a dynamic personality who possessed the sensitivity and business savvy to carry out Jennie Prentiss’ vision. The student body continued to expand under the leadership of Sarah Lyman, and she oversaw the construction of a large brick building on Euclid Avenue, known as "Millionaire's Row".
In the late 1920s as her students' families moved to the eastern suburbs, she secured property in Shaker Heights and built Laurel’s current Lyman Campus. Soon after the move to Shaker Heights, Mrs. Lyman retired. She left as her legacy a secure, established, thriving and academically rigorous school for girls that possessed a national reputation for excellence.
Taking the helm in 1931, Miss Edna F. Lake guided Laurel through the dark days of the Depression, World War II and the post-World War era of the 1950s. She added significant requirements to the curriculum, insisted that students perform community service and introduced the mandatory Senior Speech, which exists to this day.
Changing With the Times : 1960s - 1990s In the 1960s and early 1970s, during a time of tremendous social upheaval, Daniel O.S. Jennings, who has been Laurel's only Headmaster, encouraged racial diversity, saw the end of the school’s boarding program, and transformed the old dormitory space into state-of-the-art science labs.
Under his tenure, and that of his successor, Barbara Barnes, the school contemplated coeducation but after much thoughtful discussion, the Board of Trustees reaffirmed Laurel’s dedication to educating girls and young women to become independent thinkers. It was during Barbara Barnes' tenure in the late 1970s and early 1980s that Laurel became the first girls’ day school in the country to establish a faculty chair for teaching excellence.
Dramatizing the importance of single-sex education for girls, Leah Rhys became Headmistress in 1984 and brought national attention to the school with a joint research project conducted by Carol Gilligan and other Harvard University researchers. The five-year study of girls’ learning styles resulted in the 1992 publication of Meeting at the Crossroads.
Peter Hutton was named Acting Head of School for a two-year term (1990–1992), during which he tackled a variety of projects. Hutton oversaw the construction of a new Primary wing, supervised discussions surrounding the Middle School renovation, and reorganized administration.
Laurel Into the 21st Century: 1990s – Today Helen Rowland Marter, who became the ninth Head of School in 1992, was instrumental in expanding the school - both in enrollment and in physical size. Under her leadership, Laurel grew with three additions to the Lyman Circle campus and with the purchase in 1998 of the Fairmount Campus, 140 acre (0.5665604 km²) of woods, streams and fields 10 miles (16.1 km) east of the Lyman Circle Campus. (The Fairmount Campus was renamed The Butler Campus in 2007.)
In July 2004, Laurel welcomed its tenth Head of School, Ann V. Klotz, who joined Laurel from The Chapin School in New York City. Committed to balance among academics, arts and athletics, she has further developed curricular initiatives at the Butler Campus and focused increased attention on the social and emotional lives of girls. She established The Center for Research on Girls at Laurel School, putting the world's best research to work for girls.
The stimulating college-prep curriculum includes a progression of Engineering classes, math offerings through Multivariable Calculus, a world language program for all divisions, more than two dozen advanced placement and honors-level classes, and the opportunities for internships, research assistantships and real-world experiences through its signature Synergy and Protege programs. Laurel students travel the globe with Passport, Laurel's Global Education Initiative, with partnerships in Botswana, China, Costa Rica, Honduras, Japan and Tanzania. Semester-away opportunities exist in the Bahamas, Colorado, Vermont, New York City, Maine and Switzerland.
Other initiatives include increased professional development in learning styles and a Parent-to-Parent Series on topics of particular interest to the parent body that allow parents of children Preschool through Grade 12 to come together to share experiences and build community. Under her energetic leadership, the Conway Pavilion and the Magic Tree House have been built at the Butler Campus, so named in honor of an alumna who made a generous $5,000,000 gift to the School she loves.
Campuses
Laurel School has two campuses - the Lyman Circle Campus 11 acres (44,515.5 m²) in Shaker Heights, and the Butler Campus, 140 acre (0.5665604 km²) in Russell Township. The Butler Campus features extensive athletic facilities and opportunities for outdoor education and leadership-building programs.Laurel School's suburban Lyman Campus in Shaker Heights, Ohio, is home to an impressive brick Tudor revival building featuring over 180000 square feet (16,722.5 m²) of networked space, a 4300 square feet (399.5 m²) multipurpose room, a newly renovated 340-seat Chapel and performance stage, science labs, computer labs, art studios and a ceramics studio, a digital art lab and photography darkroom, music rooms, a dance studio, two libraries, two gymnasiums and a fitness room, outdoor playing fields, tennis courts, courtyards and gardens.
Laurel's 140 acre (0.5665604 km²) Butler Campus, includes 1800 square feet (167.2 m²) of lodge space, a 3200 square feet (297.3 m²) covered octagonal pavilion, a 2600 square feet (241.5 m²) residence, a fully accessible Magic Tree House, inspired by the Magic Tree House series of children's books, and an adventure course with both high and low elements. The newest addition to the campus is a 16000 sq ft (1,486.4 m²). Butler Center for Fitness and Wellness.
The 15 acres (60,702.9 m²) acres of groomed athletic fields host soccer, field hockey and softball. Eight tennis courts, a quarter mile all-weather track, approximately three miles of walking trails, plus ponds and streams round out the amenities.
History
Laurel School: The Early Years In 1896, Jennie Prentiss established a school for young girls in her Cleveland home. fter several years of increasing enrollment and changes in location to accommodate that growth, the school was named - first Laurel Institute, then later Laurel School - in tribute to a wreath of laurel leaves, which symbolized intellectual achievement in ancient Greece.The arrival of Sarah E. Lyman as Headmistress, just after the turn of the 20th century, initiated a new phase in the development of Laurel School. Mrs. Lyman was a strong, self-confident leader with a dynamic personality who possessed the sensitivity and business savvy to carry out Jennie Prentiss’ vision. The student body continued to expand under the leadership of Sarah Lyman, and she oversaw the construction of a large brick building on Euclid Avenue, known as "Millionaire's Row".
In the late 1920s as her students' families moved to the eastern suburbs, she secured property in Shaker Heights and built Laurel’s current Lyman Campus. Soon after the move to Shaker Heights, Mrs. Lyman retired. She left as her legacy a secure, established, thriving and academically rigorous school for girls that possessed a national reputation for excellence.
Taking the helm in 1931, Miss Edna F. Lake guided Laurel through the dark days of the Depression, World War II and the post-World War era of the 1950s. She added significant requirements to the curriculum, insisted that students perform community service and introduced the mandatory Senior Speech, which exists to this day.
Changing With the Times : 1960s - 1990s In the 1960s and early 1970s, during a time of tremendous social upheaval, Daniel O.S. Jennings, who has been Laurel's only Headmaster, encouraged racial diversity, saw the end of the school’s boarding program, and transformed the old dormitory space into state-of-the-art science labs.
Under his tenure, and that of his successor, Barbara Barnes, the school contemplated coeducation but after much thoughtful discussion, the Board of Trustees reaffirmed Laurel’s dedication to educating girls and young women to become independent thinkers. It was during Barbara Barnes' tenure in the late 1970s and early 1980s that Laurel became the first girls’ day school in the country to establish a faculty chair for teaching excellence.
Dramatizing the importance of single-sex education for girls, Leah Rhys became Headmistress in 1984 and brought national attention to the school with a joint research project conducted by Carol Gilligan and other Harvard University researchers. The five-year study of girls’ learning styles resulted in the 1992 publication of Meeting at the Crossroads.
Peter Hutton was named Acting Head of School for a two-year term (1990–1992), during which he tackled a variety of projects. Hutton oversaw the construction of a new Primary wing, supervised discussions surrounding the Middle School renovation, and reorganized administration.
Laurel Into the 21st Century: 1990s – Today Helen Rowland Marter, who became the ninth Head of School in 1992, was instrumental in expanding the school - both in enrollment and in physical size. Under her leadership, Laurel grew with three additions to the Lyman Circle campus and with the purchase in 1998 of the Fairmount Campus, 140 acre (0.5665604 km²) of woods, streams and fields 10 miles (16.1 km) east of the Lyman Circle Campus. (The Fairmount Campus was renamed The Butler Campus in 2007.)
In July 2004, Laurel welcomed its tenth Head of School, Ann V. Klotz, who joined Laurel from The Chapin School in New York City. Committed to balance among academics, arts and athletics, she has further developed curricular initiatives at the Butler Campus and focused increased attention on the social and emotional lives of girls. She established The Center for Research on Girls at Laurel School, putting the world's best research to work for girls.
The stimulating college-prep curriculum includes a progression of Engineering classes, math offerings through Multivariable Calculus, a world language program for all divisions, more than two dozen advanced placement and honors-level classes, and the opportunities for internships, research assistantships and real-world experiences through its signature Synergy and Protege programs. Laurel students travel the globe with Passport, Laurel's Global Education Initiative, with partnerships in Botswana, China, Costa Rica, Honduras, Japan and Tanzania. Semester-away opportunities exist in the Bahamas, Colorado, Vermont, New York City, Maine and Switzerland.
Other initiatives include increased professional development in learning styles and a Parent-to-Parent Series on topics of particular interest to the parent body that allow parents of children Preschool through Grade 12 to come together to share experiences and build community. Under her energetic leadership, the Conway Pavilion and the Magic Tree House have been built at the Butler Campus, so named in honor of an alumna who made a generous $5,000,000 gift to the School she loves.
Distinguished Alumnae
- Natalie BabbittNatalie BabbittNatalie Babbitt is an American author and illustrator of children's books. Her novels Tuck Everlasting and The Eyes of the Amaryllis have been made into films . Her novel Knee-Knock Rise is a Newbery Honor book.- Life :Natalie Babbitt was born in Dayton, Ohio. Now lives in Providence, Rhode Island...
- author and illustrator - Kay Chorao- author and illustrator
- Amanda CinalliAmanda CinalliAmanda Cinalli is an American soccer forward currently playing for Atlanta Beat of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the United States U-23 women's national soccer team. She attended Laurel School in Shaker Heights, OH.-External links:* * *...
- Women's Professional SoccerWomen's Professional SoccerWomen's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...
player for Atlanta Beat - Elizabeth McKinley - doctor and teacher
- Ginna DeConing Fleming - public servant and civic activist
- Heather Roulston Ettinger - financial advocate for women
- Carol Madison Graham - former executive director of the US/UK Fulbright Commission
- Virginia Foote - President, US/Vietnam Trade Council
- Kathryn Hellerstein - assoc. professor, University of Pennsylvania
- Mary DeCredico - author, civil war historian, professor, United States Naval Academy
- Christine ChubbuckChristine ChubbuckChristine Chubbuck was an American television news reporter who committed suicide during a live television broadcast.-Early life and education:...
- broadcast journalist - Katherine Lee Reid - former Director, The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Elizabeth Galvin Kirsch - advocate for victims of domestic violence
- Kathleen Sullivan - nuclear disarmament advocate and educator
- Camilla Taylor - lawyer, Lambda Legal
- Roopal Patel - physician, President's initiative against Malaria
- Tiffany Laufer - filmmaker