The school’s core values have always been an unshakeable belief in children’s capacity to enjoy learning, to act rationally, and to grow when inspired by highly qualified, caring teachers. A fundamental commitment to inclusiveness and equity guides all programs and activities.

Small classes and close faculty-student relationships are integral to the success of Park’s approach. Our academic program is ambitious, focused on nurturing each child’s capacity for intellectual inquiry, analysis, problem solving, and independent thought, as well as skill mastery. Debate and discussion, writing and reading, questioning and experimenting are basic modes of learning. The emphasis for younger students is on experiential learning and significant individualized instruction within an integrated curriculum. At upper grade levels, students pursue required courses and a broad range of electives, with advanced courses in all disciplines, independent study options, and a special Senior Term program. Student- and faculty-initiated co-curricular activities provide important opportunities for growth, leadership, civic engagement, and creative pursuits of all sorts.

Park’s campus, with 100 wooded acres, pond, and thriving tributary, offers learning opportunities and inspiration in all academic disciplines — many of them taught collaboratively. Park is a place where children learn to think; and it is a great testament to the school that in alumni surveys, graduates report that they are extraordinarily well prepared for college. They consistently comment on the passion for learning and self-confidence inspired by their teachers and by Park’s emphasis on analytical, independent thinking in all disciplines.

Coinciding with our 2012 centennial year, Park’s selection as a Malone school wonderfully celebrated our school’s long-standing commitment to academic excellence while inaugurating the transformative Malone Scholars program for generations to come.

To date, Park’s Malone Scholars have brought their authentic selves to the community, enriching classroom discussions, exploring co-curricular opportunities, contributing as team members, performing on stage, and fully engaging in the work we do to become confident questioners and responsible citizens of the world.  

Philosophy

Severn School believes in educating the whole person in a student-centered, supportive educational community that values the dignity, self worth, and potential of each individual.

Mission

Severn School challenges its students to pursue excellence in character, conduct, and scholarship, to marshal the courage to lead, and to develop the lasting desire to serve and achieve. We believe this is best realized in a community where adults model these qualities and where each student is known and valued.

Located six miles from Annapolis, Maryland, Severn School was founded in 1914 to provide academic preparation for young men interested in applying to the United States Naval Academy. Today Severn strives to meet the needs of college-bound students of both genders while challenging them to realize personal excellence. Students are provided varied opportunities to demonstrate scholarship, leadership, citizenship, and sportsmanship both in and out of the classroom.

At Severn, students follow the lead of capable, qualified, and highly engaged teachers, coaches and mentors who practice what they teach. They offer relevant learning by integrating intellectual ideals with the real life challenges of what lies ahead, and they meet every challenge with vigor and imagination. Severn’s ultimate goal for its student is a life fully realized – one in which the student continues to seek new growth, insight and achievement for a lifetime.

Our students strike out on a range of critical, meaningful, creative, and relevant paths—not because they must, but because their curiosity and budding intellects compel them. To see our young scholars in action, look no further than the Severn Fellows Program, in which seniors elect to undertake a year-long, in-depth study of a subject of their choosing. Despite receiving no academic credit, students jump at the opportunity and present remarkable, innovative projects to our community every year.

Severn students are encouraged to follow their curiosity. From the Italian exchange program to Model UN, Ancient Civilizations to Advanced Robotics, Severn offerings are classical but diverse. Severn School’s leadership program offers leadership labs, unsung leader awards, opportunities to run for student government, and other explicit opportunities to develop the tools, skills, and ideas essential to strong leadership. Students are encouraged to speak up, take part in decision-making processes, and become an active participant in their own learning.

Severn School students are a happy few who take the lessons they have learned—in character, conduct, and scholarship—and enter their college years and adult lives empowered as leaders, advocates and, above all, citizens with a broad perspective and a sense of purpose.