Bancroft School
Encyclopedia
Located on a 30 acres (121,405.8 m²) campus in Worcester
, Massachusetts
, Bancroft School is an independent, coeducational, K-12, college-preparatory day school serving the communities of Central Massachusetts
and MetroWest Boston
.
Bancroft has three divisions: Lower School (Kindergarten–Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6-8) and Upper School (Grades 9-12).
, 1800–1891, educator, diplomat, philanthropist, and writer who helped found the U.S. Naval Academy and wrote the first comprehensive history of the United States.
In Grades 1 through 5, a classroom teacher instructs students in Reading, Language Arts, Math (based on the Everyday Math series), History, and Social Studies. Specialist teachers lead classes in Art, Computer Skills, Drama, French, Spanish, Library, Music, Physical Education, and Science.
Middle School (Grades 6-8) — Grade-level teaching teams coordinate the curriculum across disciplines. English, Mathematics, Physical Education, and Arts (Studio Art, Music, and Drama) are taught in all three Middle School grades. In addition: Grade 6 students take Worcester-Based U.S. History, Life Science, Phenomenon of Language (POL), and Health; Grade 7 students take World Geography, Earth Science, Foreign Language (Spanish, French, Latin), and Multimedia (Computers); and Grade 8 students take Foundations of Government, Physical Science, Foreign Language, and electives in Visual and Performing Arts, and Technology.
Upper School (Grades 9-12) — Upper School teaching teams provide a liberal arts education. Students are required to complete courses in English, History, Mathematics, Science, The Arts, Physical Education, Health/Ethics, and a Foreign Language (Spanish, French, Latin, Mandarin). Qualified juniors and seniors may take Advanced Placement (AP) college-level courses. Research projects are required at every grade level.
Graduation Requirements — To earn a diploma, a student must accumulate a minimum of 20 credits, and complete 3 hours of community service. In addition, Grade 12 students are required to participate in the Senior Cooperative (or Co-op) Program. Co-op students gain substantive work experience under the guidance of a mentor in an organization that aligns with their service, career, or academic interests. Approximately 40 Worcester-area organizations are Co-op partners. They represent the arts, social services, education, environment, medicine, government, and business sectors, and include the American Red Cross, City of Worcester Executive Offices, Habitat for Humanity, Legal Assistance Corp., UMass Medical Center, and Worcester Art Museum.
Technology — Bancroft School has a longstanding commitment to technology and digital media in the classroom. The wireless campus has four computer labs and more than 400 state-of-the-art Mac computers, scanners, cameras, and other digital devices. A full computer skills and multimedia curriculum is offered in the Lower and Middle Schools. Numerous Computer Science courses are offered in Upper School including AP Computer Science. In 2011, Bancroft became the first school in Central Massachusetts to adopt the iPad portable tablet computer as a 1:1 technology tool for teaching and learning. The school is providing ongoing iPad training for students, faculty, and parents. By the fall of the 2012, all Bancroft teachers and students in Grades 6-12 will be required to have an iPad for classroom and home use. The device will enable students and teachers to create and present multimedia content (incorporating sound, video, and graphics), and to customize lessons to fit the child’s learning style (auditory, visual, and/or kinesthetic).
The program offers support and encouragement for students with unusual artistic gifts, but its overall intent is to ensure that every student builds skills that apply in all areas of life, from aesthetic appreciation, creativity, and perception, to confidence, critical thinking, collaboration, and public speaking.
LS = Lower School; MS = Middle School ; US = Upper School
Visual Arts
Performing Arts - Music MS: Music Classes, Band, Chorus, String Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble
US: Music Classes, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, String Orchestra, Chamber Music
Performing Arts - Theater
(EIL), Bancroft
competes in a number of sports with other teams in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council
(NEPSAC). The overriding goal of the program is to develop student-athletes who display character in all areas of life.
Middle School (MS) Teams
Bancroft’s Middle School sports have a no-cut policy, with A-level and B-level teams to encourage participation and skill development. MS teams include:
Upper School (US) Teams
Junior Varsity teams continue to focus on participation and skill development. All team members play, but playing time may not be equal. The Varsity Program has a much more competitive, play-to-win focus. The best athletes play and the coach determines playing time. US teams include:
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, Bancroft School is an independent, coeducational, K-12, college-preparatory day school serving the communities of Central Massachusetts
Central Massachusetts
Central Massachusetts is the geographically central region of Massachusetts. Though definitions vary, most include all of Worcester County and the northwest corner of Middlesex County. Worcester, the largest city in the area and the seat of Worcester County, is often considered the cultural capital...
and MetroWest Boston
MetroWest
MetroWest is a cluster of cities and towns lying west of Boston and east of Worcester, in the US state of Massachusetts. The name was coined in the 1980s by a local newspaper....
.
Bancroft has three divisions: Lower School (Kindergarten–Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6-8) and Upper School (Grades 9-12).
History
The School was named for George BancroftGeorge Bancroft
George Bancroft was an American historian and statesman who was prominent in promoting secondary education both in his home state and at the national level. During his tenure as U.S. Secretary of the Navy, he established the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1845...
, 1800–1891, educator, diplomat, philanthropist, and writer who helped found the U.S. Naval Academy and wrote the first comprehensive history of the United States.
- 1900: Bancroft School established at 93 Elm Street by a group of Worcester parents.
- 1922: Moved to new facilities on Sever Street.
- 1958: Moved to current location at 110 Shore Drive after Norton Abrasives (now a brand of Saint-Gobain) donated 27 acres (109,265.2 m²) of land.
- 1969: Converted to fully co-ed. Prior to 1969, the Lower and Middle Schools served both boys and girls, but the Upper School enrolled girls only.
- 1970s: Added language lab, a larger woodworking shop, a new gym, an art building, and expanded playing fields.
- 1980s and 1990s: Added the Fletcher Athletic Center and the Fuller Science Center.
- 2002: Renovated the Fuller Science Center and opened the McDonough Center, which houses the Lower and Middle School programs.
- 2009: Signed agreement with Tongji UniversityTongji UniversityTongji University , colloquially known as Tongji , located in Shanghai, has more than 30,000 students and 8,000 staff members . It offers degree programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels...
, Shanghai, China, to establish a teacher and student exchange program between Bancroft and Tongji’s Number 1 High School.
- 2010: Installed 462 high-efficiency solar panels on the McDonough Center roof.
- 2011: Installed an additional 434 solar panels on the roof of the Fletcher Athletic Center.
- 2011: Initiated the region’s first iPad initiative for classroom teaching and learning.
Academics
Lower School (Grades K-5) — In kindergarten, a lead classroom teacher and an assistant present a full-day experiential program that includes Physical Education, Library, Criminal Punishment and Music classes. Students learn by playing and imagining, questioning and investigating, creating and discovering. There is a strong focus on social skills development.In Grades 1 through 5, a classroom teacher instructs students in Reading, Language Arts, Math (based on the Everyday Math series), History, and Social Studies. Specialist teachers lead classes in Art, Computer Skills, Drama, French, Spanish, Library, Music, Physical Education, and Science.
Middle School (Grades 6-8) — Grade-level teaching teams coordinate the curriculum across disciplines. English, Mathematics, Physical Education, and Arts (Studio Art, Music, and Drama) are taught in all three Middle School grades. In addition: Grade 6 students take Worcester-Based U.S. History, Life Science, Phenomenon of Language (POL), and Health; Grade 7 students take World Geography, Earth Science, Foreign Language (Spanish, French, Latin), and Multimedia (Computers); and Grade 8 students take Foundations of Government, Physical Science, Foreign Language, and electives in Visual and Performing Arts, and Technology.
Upper School (Grades 9-12) — Upper School teaching teams provide a liberal arts education. Students are required to complete courses in English, History, Mathematics, Science, The Arts, Physical Education, Health/Ethics, and a Foreign Language (Spanish, French, Latin, Mandarin). Qualified juniors and seniors may take Advanced Placement (AP) college-level courses. Research projects are required at every grade level.
Graduation Requirements — To earn a diploma, a student must accumulate a minimum of 20 credits, and complete 3 hours of community service. In addition, Grade 12 students are required to participate in the Senior Cooperative (or Co-op) Program. Co-op students gain substantive work experience under the guidance of a mentor in an organization that aligns with their service, career, or academic interests. Approximately 40 Worcester-area organizations are Co-op partners. They represent the arts, social services, education, environment, medicine, government, and business sectors, and include the American Red Cross, City of Worcester Executive Offices, Habitat for Humanity, Legal Assistance Corp., UMass Medical Center, and Worcester Art Museum.
Technology — Bancroft School has a longstanding commitment to technology and digital media in the classroom. The wireless campus has four computer labs and more than 400 state-of-the-art Mac computers, scanners, cameras, and other digital devices. A full computer skills and multimedia curriculum is offered in the Lower and Middle Schools. Numerous Computer Science courses are offered in Upper School including AP Computer Science. In 2011, Bancroft became the first school in Central Massachusetts to adopt the iPad portable tablet computer as a 1:1 technology tool for teaching and learning. The school is providing ongoing iPad training for students, faculty, and parents. By the fall of the 2012, all Bancroft teachers and students in Grades 6-12 will be required to have an iPad for classroom and home use. The device will enable students and teachers to create and present multimedia content (incorporating sound, video, and graphics), and to customize lessons to fit the child’s learning style (auditory, visual, and/or kinesthetic).
The Arts
Throughout the Lower, Middle, and Upper schools, students have access to a variety of required and elective courses in Visual Arts and Performing Arts.The program offers support and encouragement for students with unusual artistic gifts, but its overall intent is to ensure that every student builds skills that apply in all areas of life, from aesthetic appreciation, creativity, and perception, to confidence, critical thinking, collaboration, and public speaking.
LS = Lower School; MS = Middle School ; US = Upper School
Visual Arts
- LS: Art Classes
- MS: Art Classes (Gr. 6-7), Props/Publicity for 8th Grade Play, (Gr. 8 Electives) Computer Graphics, Pastel Drawing, Silk Screening, Clay, Mixed Media, Printmaking
- US: (Electives) Studio 1, 2, and 3, AP Studio Art, AP History of Art, Photo 1 and 2, Computer Graphics, Digital Photography, Ceramics 1 and 2
Performing Arts - Music
Performing Arts - Theater
- LS: Drama Classes, 5th Grade Musical
- MS: Drama Classes, 8th Grade Musical
- US: Theater Classes, Stage Show-Drama, Stage Show-Musical
Athletics
As one of the 12 member schools in the Eastern Independent LeagueEastern Independent League
The Eastern Independent League is composed of twelve New England preparatory schools that compete athletically and academically. The EIL's twelve members compete in a number of sports in the New England Prep School Athletic Conference ....
(EIL), Bancroft
competes in a number of sports with other teams in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council
New England Preparatory School Athletic Council
The New England Preparatory School Athletic Council was founded in 1942 as an organization of athletic directors from preparatory schools in New England.-Member schools:* The Albany Academy* American School for the Deaf* Applewild School...
(NEPSAC). The overriding goal of the program is to develop student-athletes who display character in all areas of life.
Middle School (MS) Teams
Bancroft’s Middle School sports have a no-cut policy, with A-level and B-level teams to encourage participation and skill development. MS teams include:
- Boys: Baseball, Basketball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, Wrestling
- Girls: Basketball, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
- Coed: Cross Country, Tennis
Upper School (US) Teams
Junior Varsity teams continue to focus on participation and skill development. All team members play, but playing time may not be equal. The Varsity Program has a much more competitive, play-to-win focus. The best athletes play and the coach determines playing time. US teams include:
- Boys: Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, Wrestling
- Girls: Basketball, Crew, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, Softball, Volleyball
- Coed: Alpine Skiing, Cross Country, Track & Field, Golf
Athletic Distinctions
Bancroft teams have participated in many championship games and won many titles over the years. Recent wins include:- NEPSAC Championships
- Volleyball (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
- Girls Cross Country (2006)
- Boys Basketball (2011)
- EIL Titles
- Volleyball (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
- Softball (2009)
- Tennis (2006)
- Baseball (2006)
Headmasters & Headmistresses
- 1900–1915: Frank Robson
- 1915–1926: Miriam Titcomb
- 1926–1938: Hope Fisher
- 1938–1943: Bradford Kingman
- 1943–1959: Henry Tiffany
- 1944–1946: Edith Jones (interim)
- 1959–1960: Elizabeth Vandemoer (interim)
- 1960–1981: Wyatt Garfield
- 1981–1992: Marigolden (G-G) Tritschler
- 1992–1998: Theodore G. Sharp
- 1998–1999: Wyatt Garfield & Edgar Gauthier (interim-heads)
- 1999–present: Scott R. Reisinger
Notable alumni
Notable alumni of Bancroft School include:- Esther ForbesEsther ForbesEsther Louise Forbes was an American novelist, historian andchildren's writer who received the Pulitzer Prize and the Newbery Medal.-Life:...
, Class of 1908, winner of the 1943 Pulitzer Prize for HistoryPulitzer Prize for HistoryThe Pulitzer Prize for History has been awarded since 1917 for a distinguished book upon the history of the United States. Many history books have also been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction and Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography...
for a biography of Paul ReverePaul ReverePaul Revere was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolution. He is most famous for alerting Colonial militia of approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord, as dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, Paul Revere's Ride...
and the 1944 Newbery MedalNewbery MedalThe John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
for Johnny TremainJohnny TremainJohnny Tremain is a 1944 children's novel by Esther Forbes set in Boston prior to and during the outbreak of the American Revolution. The novel's themes include apprenticeship, courtship, sacrifice, human rights, and the growing tension between Whigs and Tories as conflict nears... - Christos GageChristos GageChristos N. "Chris" Gage is an American comic book writer and screenwriter.-Early life:Gage is the son of author and journalist Nicholas Gage. He was born in New York, and grew up in Athens, Greece, and then North Grafton, Massachusetts...
Hollywood screenwriter and comic book writer - Mahlon HoaglandMahlon HoaglandMahlon Bush Hoagland is an American biochemist who discovered transfer RNA , the translator of the genetic code.-Early life:Mahlon Bush Hoagland was born in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. in 1921 to Hudson and Anna Hoagland...
biochemist, discoverer of amino-acid activating enzymes.
Accreditation and Affiliations
- Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
- National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Member
- Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE), Member
- Eastern Independent League (EIL), Member
- Number 1 High School of Tongji University, Shanghai, China, Partner in Teacher and Student Exchange Program