The Blake Upper School believes in giving students a wide variety of academic, artistic and athletic opportunities in order to develop their skills, expose them to new ideas and foster their individual interests and collaborative capabilities. We believe in nurturing independent, self motivated and self-reliant individuals who assume greater and greater responsibility for their own learning, take on active and meaningful leadership roles, and become increasingly aware of, and sensitive to, their interdependent roles in our community and the world. As the curriculum progresses, classes become increasingly student-centered and students will be given a considerable amount of freedom, even at the risk of temporary failure. Toward this end, we encourage all members of the community to engage in a creative and on-going process of self-inquiry. Above all, we believe in promoting Blake’s four core values of respect, love of learning, integrity and courage.
Adopted by US Faculty and Administration June 2005
Mission and Values
The Blake School provides students with an excellent, academically challenging education in a diverse and supportive community committed to a common set of values. Students are expected to participate in an integrated program of academic, artistic and athletic activities in preparation for college, life-long learning, community service and lives as responsible world citizens.
The Blake School mission statement refers to a — common set of values to which all community members adhere. These values — Respect, Love of Learning, Integrity and Courage — are the foundation upon which all our expectations for Upper School students are based. Through endorsing and upholding the principles of community, we believe students will indeed be prepared to be — responsible world citizens.
Respect — We care for and respect each other and ourselves. An openness to that which is different, a commitment to pluralism and a strong sense of justice are important to our sense of community.
At the Upper School, we recognize and honor the dignity of all people in our community. We respect the feelings, opinions and traditions of others in and out of the classroom. We respect the privacy and property of others. We support the achievement and involvement of others in such areas as awards, assemblies, student speeches and announcements. We demonstrate good sportsmanship both as participants in games and as spectators. We demonstrate respect for ourselves by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, dressing appropriately and interacting with others in a positive, inclusive fashion. We help maintain a clean, safe and welcoming environment. We maintain a quiet, controlled, and courteous demeanor in all public spaces. We organize, support and participate in community service projects in and out of school. We conduct ourselves at all School-related functions in a manner that reflects positively upon The Blake School and us.
Love of Learning — Curiosity, discovery and a sense of awe, creativity and a passion for knowing are all central to our mission at Blake. Scholarship, academic excellence, superior teaching and a climate of active intellectualism mark our work.
At the Upper School, we demonstrate our desire to learn by preparing assignments completely and thoughtfully. As a matter of courtesy and academic seriousness, we arrive on time and prepared for classes, assemblies and meetings. We accept academic challenges with grace and fortitude. We seek appropriate help from each other when faced with difficulties. We demonstrate independence, initiative and creativity in our academic pursuits.
Integrity — Honest, moral, considerate and fair behavior is expected on the part of all members of the Blake community.
At the Upper School, we conduct all of our business in an honest and forthright manner. We strive to avoid situations where our integrity might be compromised. We do not hold others to expectations that we are not willing to abide by ourselves. We strive to be moral and upright in all our interactions with individuals within and outside the community. We examine integrity and regularly exhibit examples thereof in our classes and assemblies in order to gain a greater understanding of and appreciation for the moral fiber and fortitude that integrity requires.
Courage — We prize both intellectual and ethical courage. We recognize the need to ensure that all feel both free and safe to take risks. Intellectual independence, a belief in and knowledge of oneself, and perseverance are all elements in this commitment to courage.
At the Upper School, we present our feelings and opinions openly and respectfully and we actively encourage others to do the same. We listen attentively to others and respond with sensitivity. We address violations of our community expectations appropriately. We value the health and inclusiveness of our community and consequently, we do not allow serious issues of concern to go unquestioned.