One of the most exciting things about School of the Holy Child is the pace at which the curriculum, especially the application of knowledge, has expanded in recent years. The school’s mission to send girls out in the world to do good work and be good at the work they do has dovetailed nicely with the Edward E. Ford Foundation’s goal of improving science education for girls.

 

 

By Robin Jovanovich

 

One of the most exciting things about School of the Holy Child is the pace at which the curriculum, especially the application of knowledge, has expanded in recent years. The school’s mission to send girls out in the world to do good work and be good at the work they do has dovetailed nicely with the Edward E. Ford Foundation’s goal of improving science education for girls.

 

To date, Holy Child has a perfect record on grant applications from the foundation — four for four in 12 years.

The grant they recently received helps fund a two-year program for juniors and seniors in Architecture, Design, and Engineering. Colm MacMahon, Assistant Head of School and Head of the Upper School, said he would soon start the application process for students and choose a faculty member to lead the program.

 

“This program is built for us,” said MacMahon enthusiastically. “No one else is doing this in such a direct, mission-driven way.” He added, “I think of the Quaker quote — that encourages people to work with your hands because it is good and holy.”

 

The girls will hone a number of skills in the program, from art history to woodworking to physics. “We’re going to renovate an old garage on the property, for one,” said MacMahon. “Frank Lutz, who handles all our buildings and grounds, will teach wood shop and construction.”

 

Students will document the project both their junior and senior years. And in their senior year they will do a project for the common good based on what they’ve learned in several fields.

 

Meanwhile, the school trustees have a task, too: they must raise $100,000 to meet the stipulations of the challenge grant.

 

“We will continue to be excellent stewards of the Foundation’s resources,” said Head of School Ann Sullivan.

We left the school thinking, if Holy Child students build it, we will come.

 

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