Dana Hall School

Wellesley

Massachusetts

United States

Overview

At Dana Hall School, we have high expectations and know that academic excellence is best realized in girls when their social and emotional needs are equally considered with their intellect. Students work through a vigorous curriculum and choose between a variety of electives. Healthy enrichment and support are the norms. Students openly dive in to topics from many angles. This allows each student, with intention, to listen deeply to perspectives and develop values that are most effective for her. Our current curriculum and legacy of teaching girls how they learn best energize our community. Every girl engages in studies in arts and sciences and exercises creative and critical thinking. As a result, Dana graduates are exceptionally prepared to tackle challenges at college, and beyond. Dana Hall students prosper, form bonds and a lasting network, on our campus and across the globe. This unique combination of opportunity and encouragement empowers each student to bring courage to all that she does while at Dana and in her future.

Academics

Summary: Dana Hall's curriculum encourages students to explore their intellectual potential, to discover the joy and satisfaction of learning, to master the skills necessary for continuing growth, and to appreciate the rewards of hard work. Students are expected to reach beyond the School's minimum requirements and to develop independence in the pursuit of learning. The strong liberal arts curriculum provides a broad preparation for college, and courses in every department ensure rigorous challenges along with ample opportunities for success.

Department Director

Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1

Average Class Size: 12

Summer Programs: Offered

Full Time Teachers: 61

Number of AP Courses Offered: 17

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 78%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Learning Support

Peer Tutoring
Study Skills Assistance
Technology Center

English

Creative Writing
Literature

History

Asian History
Classical History
European History
United States History
World History

Foreign Languages

Chinese-Mandarin
French
Latin
Spanish

Humanities / Social Sciences

Economics

Sciences

Animal Behavior
Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Geology
Health
Physics

Math

Computer Studies

Computer Applications
Computer Science

Music

Choral Music
Composition
Individual Instructions
Orchestra
Songwriting
Voice

Performing / Visual Arts

Acting
Architecture
Art History
Ballet
Ceramics
Choreography
Dance
Design
Drama
Drawing
Fashion Design
Graphic Design
Journalism
Painting
Photography
Pottery
Publications
Public Speaking
Stagecraft
Studio Art
Television Production
Textiles
Theater Arts
Modern Dance
Theater History

Special Programs

Study Abroad
Community Service
Exchange Programs
Personal Finance
Independent Study
Leadership

Campus Life

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 6

Average Students Per Dorm: 25

Number of Girls Dorms: 6

Number of Boys Dorms: 0

Dorm Amenities

Laundry Facilities
Lounge
Wireless Internet

Other Dorm Amenities

Student Life

At Dana Hall, students have the flexibility to partake in varied activities, to be multi-dimensional. It's not unusual to be a serious musician and edit the newspaper and volunteer in a literacy program. You can be a lacrosse player and work the lightboard for the spring musical. If you are not into team sports, you can take yoga or daytime fitness and work on your sculpture after class. You can make joyful noise with the Gospel Choir and use your idealism and management abilities to plan Earth Day. Whether you are accomplished or novice, you can enjoy our distinguished programs in horseback riding, music, and the arts. Somehow at Dana Hall even the most disparate pieces fit together.

Facilities

All-Weather Track
Baseball Field
Fitness Center
Indoor Basketball Court
Indoor Climbing Wall
Indoor Pool
Pool
Technology Center
Volleyball Court

Other Facilities

Squash Courts
Fencing Studio
Dance Studio

Clubs & Organizations

Community Service
Computer Club
Debate Club
Diversity Club
Dorm Proctors
Environmental Club
Fencing Club
Foreign Language Clubs
Honor Council
Horseback Riding
International Club
Jewish Student Organization
Literary Magazine
Math Club
Mock Trial
Model UN
Newspaper
Peer Counseling
Peer Tutoring
Pep Club
Photography Club
SADD
Sexualities Club
Student Activities
Student Government
Student Publications
Yearbook
Yoga Club

Arts & Athletics

Summary: Making art - on the stage or in the studio - is a powerful way of finding out about yourself and the world. Art is fascinating and exhilarating - and it is an integral part of your education at Dana Hall. You may already see yourself as an artist, an actress, a musician, a dancer. Or you may be perfectly certain that you cannot draw or act or sing or dance. Whatever your past experience, our accomplished faculty will build your confidence and introduce you to ideas, materials and perspectives you have never explored before. Likewise, Dana Hall's athletic program is an integral part of the school's curriculum, and, as such, it provides opportunities for instruction, participation, and growth. The athletic program strives to promote healthy competition and to embody the highest ideals of sportsmanship and respect. Students are encouraged to strive to compete at the highest level their ability and performance will allow. Accordingly, Dana Hall provides appropriate levels of competition for each athlete.

Arts Department Director: Liz Fenstermaker

Athletics Department Director: Rebecca Kimball

Notable Achievements: Varsity Fencing 2011; Mass State Champions; Varsity Swim undefeated in the E.I.L; League Champions for the 2nd year in a row

Arts

Acting
Architecture
Art History
Ballet
Ceramics
Choreography
Dance
Design
Drama
Drawing
Fashion Design
Graphic Design
Journalism
Painting
Photography
Pottery
Publications
Public Speaking
Stagecraft
Studio Art
Television Production
Textiles
Theater Arts
Modern Dance
Theater History

Interscholastic Sports

Basketball
Cross Country Running
Equestrian
Fencing
Field Hockey
Horseback Riding
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming
Tennis
Volleyball

Recreational Sports

Crew
Dance
Equestrian
Golf
Horseback Riding
Rock Climbing
Rugby
Tennis
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Weight Lifting

Graduates

Summary: Our administrators and faculty know their job is to prepare students for a life filled with opportunities. We help outfit a student's bag of tools with skills she will need to think critically, write persuasively, and speak intelligently. At Dana Hall, the world comes to our students. About 125 college and university representatives visit our campus each year. Our experienced college counselors begin working with girls in the middle of sophomore year. They help girls evaluate their goals and talents. Students are thrilled by the revelatory experience. When students are ready to begin their college search, they already have a true sense of what would suit and stretch their intellects and abilities.

College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:

Johns Hopkins: 4

Columbia: 2

Bucknell: 2

RISD: 2

University of Pennsylvania: 2

Notable Alumni

Princess Aisha bint Al Hussein

Class of 1986

Princess Aisha bint Al Hussein '86 is the daughter of Princess Muna al-Hussein and King Hussein. Al Hussien is a strong supporter of women’s rights and continues making strides on behalf of women in Jordan.

Latanya Sweeney

Class of 1977

Latanya Sweeney ‘77 is the Chief Technology Officer of the Federal Trade Commission Harvard faculty member and a world renowned computer scientist. Sweeney was the first African American woman at MIT to receive her PhD in Computer Science.

Margaret Wise Brown

Class of 1928

Margaret Wise Brown '28 was a best-selling American children's book author. Brown's most notable books include: Goodnight Moon The Runaway Bunny and Big Red Barn.

Margaret Boles Fitzgerald

Class of 1973

Margaret Boles Fitzgerald '73 P04 is the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. In 1992 Fitzgerald was named one of Boston's ten outstanding leaders.

Nina Garcia

Class of 1983

Nina Garcia '83 is a best-selling author journalist and style expert. She is the current Creative Director at Marie Claire magazine and a judge on Project Runway. Previously Garcia worked at Elle Magazine for 17 years. Garcia has appeared as a fashion

Dr. Susan Hamant Hou

Class of 1964

Dr. Susan Hamant Hou '64 made history in 2002 when she became the first U.S. physician to donate a kidney to an unrelated patient. Dr. Hou is also one of the co-founders of a community medical clinic located in the rain forest in eastern Bolivia.

Carol Cadwgan Lavell

Class of 1961

Carol Cadwgan Lavell '61 is a world renowned dressage equestrian. As a member of the 1992 United States Olympic Equestrian Team Lavell won a team bronze medal in dressage in Barcelona Spain. Lavell was recognized in 1990 and 1992 as the US Olympic Comm

Rabbi Emily Gopen Lipof

Class of 1958

Rabbi Emily Gopen Lipof '58 has led a multifaceted life with work in education politics and as a Rabbi. Lipof is the first woman in the United States to be named Senior Rabbi of a major congregation.

Sharon Olds

Class of 1960

Sharon Olds ‘60 is a world-renowned poet who received the Pulitzer Prize for her book of poetry Stag’s Leap in 2013. In 2012 Olds was the first female American poet to win the T.S. Eliot Prize for Poetry.

Merit

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %

Average Merit Scholarship: 45,000

Current Endowment Amount: $60,000,000

Interested in Dana Hall School?

Vital Information

Student Body Type: All Girls

Total Boarding: 120

Total Day: 352

Total Enrollment: 472

Boys: 0

Girls: 472

Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12

Day Grades Offered: 5-12

School Type: Middle, High School

Dress Code: Casual

Applications Accepted: Contact School

Application Deadline: January 15th

Tuition & Financial Aid

7-Day Boarding: $61,500

5-Day Boarding: N/A

Day Tuition Fee: $49,900

Need-Based Aid: Offered

Payment Plans: Offered

Students Receiving Aid: 25%

Average Awarded: $36,044

School Finances