All-School Special Programs

The initiatives below represent some notable efforts begun by alumni, parents and other friends to support teaching and learning at The Blake School. Your participation is invited and celebrated!

The programs noted below are among those made possible by endowed funds created by generous donors to The Blake School. Endowment dollars are held permanently. Only earned interest is used, preserving the underlying fund.

Philip Otis Environmental Author Program
Established in 1996 to honor the memory of Phil Otis, this program brings a prominent author who writes about environmental issues to The Blake School. The author spends two to three days at Blake, meeting with students, faculty and other members of the community in various settings to promote a greater awareness of the environmental issues which were important to Phil. Students and faculty prepare for the biennial residency by reading works of the author and by participating in other related activities, such as field trips and lectures by local environmentalists.

Blake and Northrop Classes of 1955 Speaker Fund
The Northrop Collegiate School and Blake School Classes of 1955 Annual Speaker Program gives Blake students, faculty and others in the school community the opportunity to be exposed to new voices, new ideas, and new role models. In addition, the program serves as a model to The Blake School community, demonstrating alumni support for the school and as the first example of a new merger of Northrop and Blake classes. The speaker selection is made according to the audience priorities of Blake students and faculty; parents and alumni; and the general community.

McGuire Visiting Artist Program
The McGuire Visiting Artist Program brings an artist to The Blake School every year to work with students and faculty at each of the school's three campuses. The visiting artist program offers opportunities for Blake students and faculty, such as interdisciplinary exploration of the artist's themes or ideas and involvement with the entire Blake community through special exhibits or installations.

Steiner Family Lecture Series
The Steiner Family Lecture Series Fund is a living memorial honoring George Steiner, Blake Class of 1931, and his son Robin Steiner. Both served the school with enormous pride, loyalty, and commitment. The Steiner Lecture is an annual event at the Upper School and delivered to the entire Blake community. The objective is to provoke thought and discussion around real world issues within Upper School classrooms and the homes of Blake families. It is only by opening ourselves to others, exposing our minds to new voices, new ideas and new role models, and through learning to listen critically and evaluate the thoughts and ideas of others that we may grow and challenge ourselves.