Nichols School
Encyclopedia
Nichols School is a private, non-denominational, co-educational college-preparatory
day school located in Buffalo, New York
, USA. The average enrollment is 570 students with an average Upper School grade/class size of 98 students. The average classroom size is 14 students.
and the New York State Department of Education. It received national recognition in the Secondary School Recognition Program and Exemplary Private School Recognition Program. Nichols is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools
.
; 75% have master's degrees; 14% of the faculty are Nichols graduates. They are committed to the school's educational mission and they have an average of 20 years of service. Teachers are involved in student life beyond their classrooms, serving as student advisors, coaches
, club advisors and mentor
s.
Inspired teachers and students are committed to a quality standard of learning and achievement in all aspects of school life.
Integrity of Character-
Tradition and Change-
Embrace and value the school's history and heritage. Also recognize the importance of adaptation and innovation as a means of preparing students for the future.
Rigor and Balance-
The challenging expectations and structured environment bring out potential. Each student is encouraged to find the balance among academic, artistic, athletic and extra-curricular involvements.
Community-
Strive to create a community that reflects the region's neighborhoods and the wider world. In this environment, the students develop habits of tolerance, understanding, and mutual respect.
Nichols School is located on 30 acres (121,405.8 m²) in North Buffalo, within walking distance of the Buffalo Zoo
, Delaware Park, and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery
. The Nichols campus includes seven separate buildings linked by tree-lined sidewalks and an indoor passageway. The campus consolidation project, completed in August 2001, joined the Middle and Upper school divisions. Each division has its own separate academic buildings, and shares dining, athletic, and performing arts facilities.
In 2006, the Nichols School Board of Trustees voted to proceed with a $21.3 million "Nichols Future" Capital Campaign. This campaign consists of three major strategies which will alter the appearance of the campus. Strategy #1 calls for the construction of a new sustainable, 26000 square feet (2,415.5 m²), $10.3 million math/science/technology center. Construction began in September 2008 and officially opened for classes on January 4, 2010. Strategy #2 is a commitment to increase the school's endowment fund by an expected $5 million. Under Strategy #3, Nichols reconfigured and increased its current athletic fields, as well as created an outer-ring traffic/parking system. During the Summer of 2008 Strategy #3 will near completion as in October 2007, Nichols completed the construction of two new synthetic turf playing fields. In early April 2008, construction crews began altering the parking/traffic flow of the campus to create the new outer-ring system. This construction was finished in time for the 2008-2009 school year.
Classroom-Based Competencies-
Thinking and Discerning in Complex Ways
We want students to move beyond formulaic responses to a given problem by pushing them to think critically, to draw from a deep and diverse pool of knowledge and resources, to skillfully evaluate the validity and applicability of that information, make creative and authentic connections, and ultimately arrive at either a thoughtful and cohesive solution or a better question.
Community-Based Competencies-
Cultural Competence and Global Awareness
Students should understand the role that place, culture, religion and language play in how different people communicate with each other and perceive the world. They should be afforded the opportunity to broaden their range of experiences, to increase their exposure to different ideas, and to empathize with different perspectives and viewpoints.
Individual-Based Competencies
Personal Resiliency and Adaptability
Well-being has a physical component and emotional, mental and spiritual components, including healthy relationships and a healthy perspective on the student’s place in the family, school and other communities of which they are a part. Well-being engenders resiliency, the ability to recover from the major and minor shocks that shake us and our understanding of the world around us. Students must be able to change course, learn new skills, and redefine themselves in the face of rapid change. They must also manage their world’s complexity by managing time and organizing and integrating resources.
In addition to these values, Nichols also promotes Digital Age Fluency. To help achieve this, Nichols has set a technology goal for the student community. The student will be entirely comfortable within the technology framework whether at home or at School; and he or she will be able to maneuver within various modes and access, assess, synthesize and present information retrieved through technological means, whatever venue chosen.
The Upper School conducts an extensive interscholastic athletic program, believing that competitive team experiences contribute significantly to the development of character and to the spirit and pride of the school. Most teams have tryouts, mandatory practices and matches after school hours, and play in competitive leagues throughout Western New York and Canada. The Athletics Program endeavors not only to develop the students’ athletic skills, but also to encourage students to be good citizens, to challenge their intellectual skills, and to teach them the value of teamwork.
In the Middle School, an intramural philosophy dominates. Anyone can be on a team, the number of teams is dictated by the level of interest, practices take place during the daily sports period, and most teams play other local middle schools.
The Arts are promoted as a serious course of study and the School requires that all students engage in some form of participation. Artistic achievement is highlighted not only in plays and exhibitions, but also in morning meetings, where students often share their talents with the rest of the school.Students are encouraged to use the Arts as a vehicle through which to find their own voices. In addition to studying and performing the work of renowned artists, original student work is featured on the walls of every building on this campus, and on the floorboards of every stage. Students have the opportunity to compose music, write plays, choreograph dances, make their own films or curate their own art opening.
within the community and to respect, nurture and sustain the unique traits of our constituent members in an institution that is welcoming, inclusive and safe.
Nichols School has four different annual exchange programs for upper school students: Costa Rica
, Spain
, France
, and China
. Nichols students host an international student for three weeks, and then travel abroad and stay with that student and their family for an average of three weeks. While abroad, students attend classes at the hosting institution and travel to historical and cultural sites of importance. Living with a host family, rather than in a hotel, provides an in depth view of the culture and nature of every day life. Students may participate in more than one exchange, with many of the Spanish students traveling to Costa Rica sophomore year, and Spain in junior or senior year. The Nichols exchange programs serve to foster a broader world-view and encourage students to see themselves as members of a wider global community. The Nichols dedication to diversity extends beyond the local community, particularly in this day and age when globalization
affects our every day lives.
There are more than 22 upper school campus clubs, including: Amnesty International
, Anti-Gravity Club, Chess Club, Chorus, Dance Party Club, Gay-Straight Alliance
, Global Horizons, Green Key, HEART, Investment Club, Jewish Cultural Awareness Club, Math League, Mock Trial, Model UN, Orchestra, Research Scholars Program, Science Olympiad, SeeArtRun, Ski Club, Spirit Club, SEAA, SUMA, Film Club, and various student publications.
Mock Trial and Model UN participate in local and regional competitions. Anti-Gravity Club, the school's outdoors and climbing club sponsors multiple trips to the Niagara Climbing Center and Niagara Gorge in addition to an annual winter hiking, cross-country skiing and ice-climbing trip to Keene Valley in the Adirondack Mountains
. The Research Scholars Program provides students with the opportunity to engage in independent research projects at local institutions. The Science Scholar program works with SUNY Buffalo, Roswell Park Cancer Institute
, and the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute
. The Humanities Scholar program gives seniors the opportunity to conduct humanities research at SUNY Buffalo. SeeArtRun is an entirely-student run art gallery. Students have the opportunity to display their art in a gallery on campus, and often host gallery openings as popular campus events. SEAA, Students for Environmental Awareness and Action works with organizations dedicated to providing drinking water and promoting environmental initiatives abroad. SEAA also actively promotes environmental programs on campus and in the local community.
University-preparatory school
A university-preparatory school or college-preparatory school is a secondary school, usually private, designed to prepare students for a college or university education...
day school located in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, USA. The average enrollment is 570 students with an average Upper School grade/class size of 98 students. The average classroom size is 14 students.
Mission statement
“Our aim is to train minds, bodies and hearts for the work of life, and to carry into all we do the highest ideals of character and service.” - Joseph D. Allen, 1909 (second Headmaster of Nichols School)
Accreditation and Honors
Nichols is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent SchoolsNew York State Association of Independent Schools
The New York State Association of Independent Schools , founded in 1947, is an association of some 180 independent schools, ranging from nursery to high schools. In 2005, its member schools had approximately 65,000 students...
and the New York State Department of Education. It received national recognition in the Secondary School Recognition Program and Exemplary Private School Recognition Program. Nichols is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools
National Association of Independent Schools
The National Association of Independent Schools is a U.S.-based membership organization for private, nonprofit, K-12 schools. Founded in 1963, NAIS represents independent schools and associations in the United States, including day, boarding, and day/boarding schools; elementary and secondary...
.
Faculty
Faculty, chosen for their expertise, regularly publish in their academic field. 10% have doctoral degreesDoctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
; 75% have master's degrees; 14% of the faculty are Nichols graduates. They are committed to the school's educational mission and they have an average of 20 years of service. Teachers are involved in student life beyond their classrooms, serving as student advisors, coaches
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
, club advisors and mentor
Mentor
In Greek mythology, Mentor was the son of Alcimus or Anchialus. In his old age Mentor was a friend of Odysseus who placed Mentor and Odysseus' foster-brother Eumaeus in charge of his son Telemachus, and of Odysseus' palace, when Odysseus left for the Trojan War.When Athena visited Telemachus she...
s.
Core Values
Pursuit of Excellence-Inspired teachers and students are committed to a quality standard of learning and achievement in all aspects of school life.
Integrity of Character-
Tradition and Change-
Embrace and value the school's history and heritage. Also recognize the importance of adaptation and innovation as a means of preparing students for the future.
Rigor and Balance-
The challenging expectations and structured environment bring out potential. Each student is encouraged to find the balance among academic, artistic, athletic and extra-curricular involvements.
Community-
Strive to create a community that reflects the region's neighborhoods and the wider world. In this environment, the students develop habits of tolerance, understanding, and mutual respect.
Nichols School is located on 30 acres (121,405.8 m²) in North Buffalo, within walking distance of the Buffalo Zoo
Buffalo Zoo
Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo located in Buffalo, New York is the third oldest zoo in the United States. Each year, the Buffalo Zoo welcomes approximately 400,000 visitors and is the second largest tourist attraction in Western New York, second only to Niagara Falls...
, Delaware Park, and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is an art museum located in Delaware Park in Buffalo, New York. The gallery is a major showplace for modern art and contemporary art. It is located directly across the street from Buffalo State College.-History:...
. The Nichols campus includes seven separate buildings linked by tree-lined sidewalks and an indoor passageway. The campus consolidation project, completed in August 2001, joined the Middle and Upper school divisions. Each division has its own separate academic buildings, and shares dining, athletic, and performing arts facilities.
In 2006, the Nichols School Board of Trustees voted to proceed with a $21.3 million "Nichols Future" Capital Campaign. This campaign consists of three major strategies which will alter the appearance of the campus. Strategy #1 calls for the construction of a new sustainable, 26000 square feet (2,415.5 m²), $10.3 million math/science/technology center. Construction began in September 2008 and officially opened for classes on January 4, 2010. Strategy #2 is a commitment to increase the school's endowment fund by an expected $5 million. Under Strategy #3, Nichols reconfigured and increased its current athletic fields, as well as created an outer-ring traffic/parking system. During the Summer of 2008 Strategy #3 will near completion as in October 2007, Nichols completed the construction of two new synthetic turf playing fields. In early April 2008, construction crews began altering the parking/traffic flow of the campus to create the new outer-ring system. This construction was finished in time for the 2008-2009 school year.
Academics
The philosophy of Nichols is to create lifelong learners. Students receive an education that prepares them to operate in the global community and develop 21st century skills necessary for success in their personal and professional lives beyond college. Academics at Nichols drive at preparing students by promoting "Core Competencies." These are:Classroom-Based Competencies-
Thinking and Discerning in Complex Ways
We want students to move beyond formulaic responses to a given problem by pushing them to think critically, to draw from a deep and diverse pool of knowledge and resources, to skillfully evaluate the validity and applicability of that information, make creative and authentic connections, and ultimately arrive at either a thoughtful and cohesive solution or a better question.
Community-Based Competencies-
Cultural Competence and Global Awareness
Students should understand the role that place, culture, religion and language play in how different people communicate with each other and perceive the world. They should be afforded the opportunity to broaden their range of experiences, to increase their exposure to different ideas, and to empathize with different perspectives and viewpoints.
Individual-Based Competencies
Personal Resiliency and Adaptability
Well-being has a physical component and emotional, mental and spiritual components, including healthy relationships and a healthy perspective on the student’s place in the family, school and other communities of which they are a part. Well-being engenders resiliency, the ability to recover from the major and minor shocks that shake us and our understanding of the world around us. Students must be able to change course, learn new skills, and redefine themselves in the face of rapid change. They must also manage their world’s complexity by managing time and organizing and integrating resources.
In addition to these values, Nichols also promotes Digital Age Fluency. To help achieve this, Nichols has set a technology goal for the student community. The student will be entirely comfortable within the technology framework whether at home or at School; and he or she will be able to maneuver within various modes and access, assess, synthesize and present information retrieved through technological means, whatever venue chosen.
Athletics
The Athletic Department at Nichols is committed to developing successful programs that will provide a challenging, competitive environment in which the ideals of sportsmanship, personal integrity, moral character and teamwork are stressed.The Upper School conducts an extensive interscholastic athletic program, believing that competitive team experiences contribute significantly to the development of character and to the spirit and pride of the school. Most teams have tryouts, mandatory practices and matches after school hours, and play in competitive leagues throughout Western New York and Canada. The Athletics Program endeavors not only to develop the students’ athletic skills, but also to encourage students to be good citizens, to challenge their intellectual skills, and to teach them the value of teamwork.
In the Middle School, an intramural philosophy dominates. Anyone can be on a team, the number of teams is dictated by the level of interest, practices take place during the daily sports period, and most teams play other local middle schools.
Arts
The School feels that exposure to the Arts is integral to a complete education at Nichols, and has therefore devoted significant resources to the Arts facilities and program. The 480-seat Flickinger Performing Arts Center is the centerpiece of the performing arts department, while new visual arts studios support course offerings in drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video and graphic art.The Arts are promoted as a serious course of study and the School requires that all students engage in some form of participation. Artistic achievement is highlighted not only in plays and exhibitions, but also in morning meetings, where students often share their talents with the rest of the school.Students are encouraged to use the Arts as a vehicle through which to find their own voices. In addition to studying and performing the work of renowned artists, original student work is featured on the walls of every building on this campus, and on the floorboards of every stage. Students have the opportunity to compose music, write plays, choreograph dances, make their own films or curate their own art opening.
Multiculturalism and International Initiatives
Nichols School endeavors to embrace and sustain diversity of all forms of human identity. It is the School’s desire to foster multiculturalismMulticulturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
within the community and to respect, nurture and sustain the unique traits of our constituent members in an institution that is welcoming, inclusive and safe.
Nichols School has four different annual exchange programs for upper school students: Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Nichols students host an international student for three weeks, and then travel abroad and stay with that student and their family for an average of three weeks. While abroad, students attend classes at the hosting institution and travel to historical and cultural sites of importance. Living with a host family, rather than in a hotel, provides an in depth view of the culture and nature of every day life. Students may participate in more than one exchange, with many of the Spanish students traveling to Costa Rica sophomore year, and Spain in junior or senior year. The Nichols exchange programs serve to foster a broader world-view and encourage students to see themselves as members of a wider global community. The Nichols dedication to diversity extends beyond the local community, particularly in this day and age when globalization
Globalization
Globalization refers to the increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity. Most often, it refers to economics: the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import...
affects our every day lives.
Extracurricular Activities
Nichols provides students with many extracurricular clubs, activities, trips and community service opportunities to enrich their School experience and make them more global individuals upon graduation. Nichols encourages Middle and Upper students to explore their community and a variety of interests, to get involved and discover their passions.There are more than 22 upper school campus clubs, including: Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
, Anti-Gravity Club, Chess Club, Chorus, Dance Party Club, Gay-Straight Alliance
Gay-straight alliance
Gay–straight alliances are student organizations, found primarily in North American high schools and universities, that are intended to provide a safe and supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and their straight allies .-Goal:The goal of most, if not all,...
, Global Horizons, Green Key, HEART, Investment Club, Jewish Cultural Awareness Club, Math League, Mock Trial, Model UN, Orchestra, Research Scholars Program, Science Olympiad, SeeArtRun, Ski Club, Spirit Club, SEAA, SUMA, Film Club, and various student publications.
Mock Trial and Model UN participate in local and regional competitions. Anti-Gravity Club, the school's outdoors and climbing club sponsors multiple trips to the Niagara Climbing Center and Niagara Gorge in addition to an annual winter hiking, cross-country skiing and ice-climbing trip to Keene Valley in the Adirondack Mountains
Adirondack Mountains
The Adirondack Mountains are a mountain range located in the northeastern part of New York, that runs through Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties....
. The Research Scholars Program provides students with the opportunity to engage in independent research projects at local institutions. The Science Scholar program works with SUNY Buffalo, Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
The Roswell Park Cancer Institute is a comprehensive cancer research and treatment center located in Buffalo, New York. Founded in 1898 by Dr. Roswell Park, it was the first dedicated medical facility for cancer treatment and research in the United States. The facility is involved in drug...
, and the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute
Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute
The Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute is an independent, not-for-profit, biomedical research facility located in the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus....
. The Humanities Scholar program gives seniors the opportunity to conduct humanities research at SUNY Buffalo. SeeArtRun is an entirely-student run art gallery. Students have the opportunity to display their art in a gallery on campus, and often host gallery openings as popular campus events. SEAA, Students for Environmental Awareness and Action works with organizations dedicated to providing drinking water and promoting environmental initiatives abroad. SEAA also actively promotes environmental programs on campus and in the local community.
Medical professionals, researchers and more
- Michael Michael Roizen, MD, 1963, Chief Wellness Officer at the Cleveland Clinic, Cofounder of RealAge, Inc., TV guest expert and best-selling author
- Nick Hopkins, MD, 1961, Professor & Chairman of Neurosurgery and Professor of Radiology, University at Buffalo
Artists and personalities
- Cory ArcangelCory ArcangelCory Arcangel is a Brooklyn, New York artist who makes work in many different media, including drawing, music, video, performance,, and video game modifications, for which he is perhaps best known...
1996, artist - Nick Bakay 1977, television actor, writer, and producer
- A. R. GurneyA. R. GurneyA. R. Gurney is an American playwright and novelist. He is known for works including Love Letters, The Cocktail Hour, and The Dining Room. Gurney currently lives in both New York and Connecticut....
, playwrightPlaywrightA playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder... - Karl Koch 1987, recording artist and WeezerWeezerWeezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
webmaster - Adam LippesAdam LippesAdam Lippes is an American fashion designer. Mr. Lippes is the Founder and Creative Director of the eponymous fashion collection ADAM.-Life and career:...
, clothing designer of ADAMADAM (company)- History of ADAM by Adam Lippes :ADAM, originally named adampluseve, was founded in 2004 by Adam Lippes, the former Creative Director of Oscar de la Renta. The range was launched in Spring 2004, starting as a range of luxury basics and later expanding into a full collection of sportswear for men... - David MilchDavid MilchDavid S. Milch is an American writer and producer of television series. He has created several television shows, including NYPD Blue and Deadwood.-Biography:...
1962, Emmy-nominated television writer and producer - David ShireDavid ShireDavid Lee Shire is an American songwriter and the composer of stage musicals, film and television scores. The soundtrack to the movie The Taking of Pelham 123 and parts of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack such as Night on Disco Mountain, an adaptation of Modest Mussorgsky's Night on Bald...
1955, composer - Michael Angelakos, 2005, Lead singer of Passion PitPassion PitPassion Pit is an American electropop band from Cambridge, Massachusetts. The group, which formed in 2007, consists of Michael Angelakos , Ian Hultquist , Ayad Al Adhamy , Jeff Apruzzese and Nate Donmoyer...
- Rosemary Maggiore, 1988, President at Rachael Ray Digital
Athletes
- Peter CiavagliaPeter CiavagliaPeter Anthony Ciavaglia is a retired American professional ice hockey center. After graduating from Nichols High School in Buffalo, NY in 1987, Peter was selected in that year's NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames...
1987, NHL player - Jeff FarkasJeff FarkasJeffrey Thomas Farkas is a retired American professional ice hockey center. He was drafted in the third round, 57th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft....
1996, NHL player - Christian LaettnerChristian LaettnerChristian Donald Laettner is a retired American professional basketball player and entrepreneur. He had a distinguished college and national career, and played in the National Basketball Association for thirteen seasons, from 1992–2005. He is presently a minority holder for the Major League...
1988, basketball player - Scott ThomasScott Thomas (ice hockey)John Scott Thomas is a retired professional ice hockey right wing. He was drafted in the third round, 56th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft....
1989, NHL player - Ward WettlauferWard WettlauferH. Ward Wettlaufer is an American amateur golfer with numerous titles to his name, including the Eastern Amateur, two Porter Cup championships, North and South Amateur, and the Walker Cup as a member of the 1959 U.S...
1954, amateur golfer - Brooks OrpikBrooks OrpikBrooks Orpik is an American professional ice hockey defenseman, an alternate captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . His brother, Andrew, was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres organization and is also currently in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization...
1998, NHL player - Chris MuellerChris MuellerChris Mueller is an American professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League. In the 2010–11 season, on December 27, 2010, Mueller signed a one-year contract with the Predators from American Hockey League affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals...
2004, NHL player