The Fessy Den Blog

Two Cs That Help Develop Good Decision-Making in Middle School Boys

1 Comment | February 26, 2020

Critical thinking and collaboration in the classroom are the two Cs that nurture good decision-making in Middle School boys. There are many opportunities for educators to help Middle School boys develop good decision-making skills. The 21st Century learning approach, which promotes mastery of the “six Cs” (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, character, and cross-cultural competency),...
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The Future of Private Schools: What to Expect

1 Comment | October 23, 2019

In an article titled “What Keeps School Leaders Up at Night” in the Winter 2019 issue of Independent School Magazine, K-12 educational consultant Grant Lichtman disseminated research from his interviews with more than 250 heads of school and senior administrators. Curious about the main concerns that are front-of-mind for school leaders, he set out to...
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Life and Leadership – A Popular Fessenden Middle School Course

Leave a Comment | October 09, 2019

The energy is vibrant in the Life and Leadership classroom. Boys are buzzing around the room and brainstorming ideas about friendship in pairs or small groups, pausing every now and then to fill in parts of their worksheets. They are considering the attributes of a good friend, how friends treat each other, and the responsibility...
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The Evolution of the School Project

Leave a Comment | September 11, 2019

Do you remember making sugar cube pyramids as a child during your study of ancient Egypt? Or shoebox dioramas during your research of our world’s ecosystems? A lot has changed since students were asked to learn content within a particular subject area and represent it in a narrowly-defined way. Lately, schools are coming around to...
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The Importance of Communication Skills and When to Build Them

Leave a Comment | May 15, 2019

Think about the number of times you have been required to interact with colleagues, peers, or strangers in the last week. Have you attended a work meeting? Participated in an important discussion that required a shared consensus? Or simply had to send an email to a group of people? Communication and public speaking are critical...
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5 Ways to Measure the ‘Success’ of a Boarding School Program

3 Comments | April 24, 2019

In more ways than one, boarding school is an investment. There is, of course, the financial reality of tuition associated with a private school education. But the term “investment” extends beyond the financial cost of a tuition-driven educational experience. It is also an investment in your child’s future. As you consider private school as an...
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Can Tradition Really Coexist With Innovation in Middle School?

Leave a Comment | April 10, 2019

In a time of accelerated change in nearly every aspect of life, private schools often strive to deliver a program that blends tradition with innovation, simultaneously honoring the past and preparing students for the future. The terms “traditional” and “innovative” are seemingly paradoxical, so what does this actually mean? And how can you determine whether...
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The Private School Difference In a World of Standardized Tests

1 Comment | March 27, 2019
Private School Difference

If you’re one of the many parents deciding between private and public school for your child, you know there are myriad considerations ranging from the cost of tuition to the intangible feel of an academic environment. With subtle differences at each grade level—organized sports won’t rank high on your priority list if you’re in the...
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