Boys' Latin School of Maryland
Encyclopedia
Boys' Latin School of Maryland is an all-boys, college-preparatory school located in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1844, it is the oldest independent, non-sectarian secondary school in the state of Maryland
. The school is divided into Lower, Middle and Upper Schools. There are approximately 640 students in kindergarten through twelfth grades.
professor from Princeton University. The school was located in a downtown housing project (on Brevard Street) until the late 1950s, when its site was selected as part of a city-sponsored urban renewal project. The school relocated to its present 42 acres (169,968.1 m²) campus spanning Lake Avenue, on the border between Baltimore City and Baltimore County, in Roland Park, Baltimore.
The Lower School begins with Kindergarten classes where students are first exposed to the Wilson Foundation system of language teaching. In addition to classes with their homeroom teacher in reading, the language arts, social sciences, and math, students have classes with specialized teachers for the beginning of their education in music, art, Spanish, music, science, technology, and physical education.
The Middle School offers traditional classes such as algebra, life sciences, and English, but there are also classes in life-skills such as decision making, desktop publishing
, research, and independent reading. Students begin a formal, daily study of foreign language in the seventh grade with Latin. In the eighth grade students may elect to continue with the study of Latin or study Spanish or French. The eighth grade also presents an opportunity for students to develop public speaking skills: a formally prepared speech is part of their curriculum.
As a college preparatory school, the Upper School has a graduation requirement of several credits in English, math, history, science, and foreign languages to ensure that students are thoroughly prepared for the independent study required in college. Additionally, students are required to take courses in physical education and health, and the fine arts. There are also a wide variety of electives, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered in thirteen subjects including calculus, statistics, physics, chemistry, biology, U.S. history, and English literature. The Williams Scholars Program provides incentives for academic achievement, including a stipend for summer educational programs.
There are a multitude of opportunities in the fine and performing arts from music composition classes, to the production of music videos, painting, and building works of art. Private instrumental music lessons are available K-12, and music and art shows throughout the year showcase student achievements. The Upper School presents drama productions in the winter and spring, and each year a senior is chosen to direct the spring production. After working through a multi-draft writing process and attending several coaching sessions on presenting skills, all seniors are required to deliver a senior speech to the entire upper school. Finally, there is a wealth of club and co-curricular activities from chess clubs and mock trial teams to digital photography and student newspaper publications for all students to develop their interests.
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. The school is divided into Lower, Middle and Upper Schools. There are approximately 640 students in kindergarten through twelfth grades.
History
Boys' Latin was founded in 1844 by Evert Marsh Topping, a former classicsClassics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
professor from Princeton University. The school was located in a downtown housing project (on Brevard Street) until the late 1950s, when its site was selected as part of a city-sponsored urban renewal project. The school relocated to its present 42 acres (169,968.1 m²) campus spanning Lake Avenue, on the border between Baltimore City and Baltimore County, in Roland Park, Baltimore.
Academics
The faculty has an average of 13 years of teaching experience and 60% hold advanced degrees. With a student to faculty ratio of 8:1, class sizes are small and offer many opportunities for individual interaction with the teacher and for student-centered activities. In addition to the care and instruction of classroom teachers, students in the Middle and Upper Schools are assigned to faculty advisers who monitor their academic and social development. Skills are woven throughout the curriculum. Educational Support Services (ESS) provides learning and teaching support in all divisions.The Lower School begins with Kindergarten classes where students are first exposed to the Wilson Foundation system of language teaching. In addition to classes with their homeroom teacher in reading, the language arts, social sciences, and math, students have classes with specialized teachers for the beginning of their education in music, art, Spanish, music, science, technology, and physical education.
The Middle School offers traditional classes such as algebra, life sciences, and English, but there are also classes in life-skills such as decision making, desktop publishing
Desktop publishing
Desktop publishing is the creation of documents using page layout software on a personal computer.The term has been used for publishing at all levels, from small-circulation documents such as local newsletters to books, magazines and newspapers...
, research, and independent reading. Students begin a formal, daily study of foreign language in the seventh grade with Latin. In the eighth grade students may elect to continue with the study of Latin or study Spanish or French. The eighth grade also presents an opportunity for students to develop public speaking skills: a formally prepared speech is part of their curriculum.
As a college preparatory school, the Upper School has a graduation requirement of several credits in English, math, history, science, and foreign languages to ensure that students are thoroughly prepared for the independent study required in college. Additionally, students are required to take courses in physical education and health, and the fine arts. There are also a wide variety of electives, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered in thirteen subjects including calculus, statistics, physics, chemistry, biology, U.S. history, and English literature. The Williams Scholars Program provides incentives for academic achievement, including a stipend for summer educational programs.
There are a multitude of opportunities in the fine and performing arts from music composition classes, to the production of music videos, painting, and building works of art. Private instrumental music lessons are available K-12, and music and art shows throughout the year showcase student achievements. The Upper School presents drama productions in the winter and spring, and each year a senior is chosen to direct the spring production. After working through a multi-draft writing process and attending several coaching sessions on presenting skills, all seniors are required to deliver a senior speech to the entire upper school. Finally, there is a wealth of club and co-curricular activities from chess clubs and mock trial teams to digital photography and student newspaper publications for all students to develop their interests.
Athletics
Boys' Latin's sports teams are known as the Lakers. Boys' Latin is known for its lacrosse program; the Lakers play in the MIAA "A" Conference, one of the most competitive high school lacrosse leagues in the nation. They have won many conference championships and have sent many players to play in college at all levels. They have currently 27 Division 1 players. In 2006, the Lakers completed an undefeated 21-0 championship season and were named the #1 high school lacrosse team in the United States, an honor the school also accomplished in 1985, 1988, and 1997. The Lakers appeared in the 2010 PNC MIAA Lacrosse Final, losing to rival St. Paul's, 17-7.Notable alumni
- Alfred H. Barr, Jr., former director of the Museum of Modern ArtMuseum of Modern ArtThe Museum of Modern Art is an art museum in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, on 53rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It has been important in developing and collecting modernist art, and is often identified as the most influential museum of modern art in the world...
in New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. - David S. CohenDavid S. CohenDavid S. Cohen may refer to:* David Steve Cohen , American TV writer * David X. Cohen , American TV writer and producer...
, Executive, Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles... - Calvin GoddardCalvin Goddard (Ballistics)Colonel Calvin Hooker Goddard was a forensic scientist, army officer, academic, researcher and a pioneer in forensic ballistics. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland...
, ballistics expert, forensic scientist, army officer. - Joseph IglehartJoseph IglehartJoseph Alexander Wilson Iglehart was an American financier who also served as an executive for the Columbia Broadcasting System and two Major League Baseball franchises....
(1910), investment banker, baseball executive - Edmund C. LynchEdmund C. LynchEdmund Calvert Lynch and his friend, Charles E. Merrill, formed Merrill Lynch on October 15, 1915.-Early years:Edmund Lynch was born on May 19, 1885 in Baltimore, Maryland to Richard Lynch and Jennie Vernon Smith Lynch...
, co-founder of Merrill LynchMerrill LynchMerrill Lynch is the wealth management division of Bank of America. With over 15,000 financial advisors and $2.2 trillion in client assets it is the world's largest brokerage. Formerly known as Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., prior to 2009 the firm was publicly owned and traded on the New York... - Keiffer J. Mitchell, Jr.Keiffer J. Mitchell, Jr.Keiffer Jackson Mitchell, Jr. is an American politician from Baltimore, Maryland who serves in the Maryland House of Delegates. He was a member of the Baltimore City Council and a candidate in the 2007 mayoral election.-Background:...
, politician - Francis Hopkinson SmithFrancis Hopkinson SmithFrancis Hopkinson Smith was a United States author, artist and engineer. He built the foundation for the Statue of Liberty, wrote many famous stories and received awards for his paintings.-Biography:...
, author, artist, engineer, descendant of Francis HopkinsonFrancis HopkinsonFrancis Hopkinson , an American author, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence as a delegate from New Jersey. He later served as a federal judge in Pennsylvania... - Alex SmithAlex Smith (lacrosse)Alexander Frederick Smith, was born in the city of Timonium, Maryland, August 8, 1984, to Dr. Frederick G. Smith and Dr. Vanessa K. Smith, and is the oldest of three sons. He most notably known for his skills on the lacrosse field, as a faceoff specialist, at the University of Delaware, and now...
, professional lacrosse player - Brandon White, founder of WorldWideAngler.com
- Hanson W. BaldwinHanson W. BaldwinHanson Weightman Baldwin was the long-time military editor of the New York Times. He won a Pulitzer Prize for "for his coverage of the early days of World War II". He authored or edited numerous books on military topics....
, military editor for The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
and Pulitzer PrizePulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
winner - John GlatzelJohn GlatzelJohn Glatzel is a professional lacrosse player with the New Jersey Pride of Major League Lacrosse....
, professional lacrosse player - Brian KowitzBrian KowitzBrian Mark Kowitz is an American former professional baseball player who played 10 games for the Atlanta Braves during the baseball season.Kowitz is Jewish. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 9th round of the 1990 amateur draft...
, former professional baseball player for the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997.... - John David WhalenJohn David WhalenAfter attending the Boys' Latin School of Maryland, he was awarded a Presidential Appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Despite his desire for a career in entertainment, he decided to uphold his commitment to the United States and complete his degree in Oceanography at Annapolis and...
, actor