Solebury School
Encyclopedia
Solebury School is a co-educational college preparatory day and boarding school
located on a 90 acres (36.4 ha) campus in Solebury Township
, Pennsylvania
(near New Hope, Pennsylvania
). There are currently 230 day and boarding students enrolled. Tom Wilschutz is the head of school.
, Julian Lathrop, Robert Shaw and Arthur Washburn whose shared vision was to create an environment that would foster good learning relationships, in which there would be a close connection between teachers and pupils, in which there would be a respectful exchange of opinions and ideas, and in which the student would be well prepared for both college and their real-world responsibilities and pursuits.
Eleven Honors courses are currently offered: Biology, Chemistry, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra 2 & Trigonometry, Ethics, French 4, History Thesis, Physics, Pre-calculus, and Spanish 4.
A Learning Skills Program assists approximately 30 students who have learning differences in the basic language areas.
- Winter: Boys and Girls Varsity and JV Basketball, Varsity Wrestling
- Spring: Varsity Baseball, Softball, Ultimate Frisbee, Track and Field, Lacrosse, Tennis, Golf,
All school computers use the Windows 7 platform. In the library and computer room, there are 25 desktop computers with Internet T-1 hookups. A color printer, laser jet printer, and scanner are also available. All campus computers have Internet capabilities and are connected to the Solebury network. Both the Science and Math departments have a networked IBM-compatible system. The Science and Foreign Language departments each maintain a computerized laboratory containing 16 wireless laptops for use in classes, while the Math department has use of two laboratories containing a total of 39 computers. Computers for student use can also be found in the English as a Second Language Suite, Learning Skills, and the girls and boys dormitories.
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
located on a 90 acres (36.4 ha) campus in Solebury Township
Solebury Township, Pennsylvania
Solebury Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,692 at the 2010 census.The Solebury School is located in the township, off U.S...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
(near New Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope, formerly known as Coryell's Ferry, is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 2,528 at the 2010 census. The borough lies on the west bank of the Delaware River at its confluence with Aquetong Creek. A two-lane bridge carries automobile and foot traffic across the...
). There are currently 230 day and boarding students enrolled. Tom Wilschutz is the head of school.
History
Solebury School was founded in 1925 by Laurie York ErskineLaurie York Erskine
Laurie York Erskine was a popular boys adventure author, educator, and co-founder of the Solebury School in New Hope, Pennsylvania, United States.-Biography:...
, Julian Lathrop, Robert Shaw and Arthur Washburn whose shared vision was to create an environment that would foster good learning relationships, in which there would be a close connection between teachers and pupils, in which there would be a respectful exchange of opinions and ideas, and in which the student would be well prepared for both college and their real-world responsibilities and pursuits.
Mission statement
Solebury School's mission is "to create an environment of educational excellence that prepares students for college and beyond. In the Solebury community, we strongly value intellectual challenge and academic achievement, creative and independent thinking, mutual respect between students and teachers, deep respect for each individual, and diversity."Academics
Solebury's curriculum consists of Advanced Placement courses, Honors courses, and electives. Teachers are encouraged to bring their passions for a subject to the students. Nine AP courses are offered: AP American Studies (which prepares for the AP US History Test), AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP English, AP Environmental Science, AP French Language, AP Spanish, AP Statistics, and AP US Government & Politics.Eleven Honors courses are currently offered: Biology, Chemistry, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra 2 & Trigonometry, Ethics, French 4, History Thesis, Physics, Pre-calculus, and Spanish 4.
A Learning Skills Program assists approximately 30 students who have learning differences in the basic language areas.
ESL Program
For international students, English as a second language (ESL) programs are offered during the full year, and summer. With small classes of eight students, Solebury’s goal is to help students develop their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.Activities
- Solebury students are required to participate in a sport or activity every trimester each year.Sports
- Fall: Boys and Girls Varsity Soccer, Cross Country, Field Hockey- Winter: Boys and Girls Varsity and JV Basketball, Varsity Wrestling
- Spring: Varsity Baseball, Softball, Ultimate Frisbee, Track and Field, Lacrosse, Tennis, Golf,
Student Leadership
Solebury’s students have the opportunity to take on leadership roles that are integral to the day-to-day functioning of the school: students run our twice weekly all-school assemblies; students serve with faculty on our Judiciary and Academic Committees; older students act as Peer Leaders and Peer Tutors for younger students; students act as Tour Guides for our admission department; students start and lead their own clubs and organizations (such as Amnesty International and the Solebury Literary Arts Magazine); students also participate in a wide range of competitive sports and other traditional activities.Campus Facts
A majority of Solebury’s approximately 230 students come from Pennsylvania and New Jersey; in the past three years, students have come from 7 states and 8 foreign countries.All school computers use the Windows 7 platform. In the library and computer room, there are 25 desktop computers with Internet T-1 hookups. A color printer, laser jet printer, and scanner are also available. All campus computers have Internet capabilities and are connected to the Solebury network. Both the Science and Math departments have a networked IBM-compatible system. The Science and Foreign Language departments each maintain a computerized laboratory containing 16 wireless laptops for use in classes, while the Math department has use of two laboratories containing a total of 39 computers. Computers for student use can also be found in the English as a Second Language Suite, Learning Skills, and the girls and boys dormitories.
Community service
Solebury high school students are required to complete 10 hours of community service per year. Middle School students are required to complete 5 hours of community service each year.Tuition
For the 2010-2011 school year, Solebury tuition costs $42,900 for high school boarding students and $28,900 for high school day students, and $25,900 for Middle School students in grades 7 and 8. Approximately 30% of students receive some financial aid.On To College
Summary Statistics: Of the graduates in the past three years, 98% have gone to four-year colleges; the remaining 2% attend community colleges, pursue a post-graduate year of high school, or take a “gap” year.Notable faculty
- Chris Langhart - formerly head of the theatrical technical department at New York UniversityNew York UniversityNew York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, and served as Technical Director for the 1969 concert at Woodstock. He is an integral part of Solebury's theater program, leading the theater tech crew in light, sound, and stage building. He teaches courses in Metalworking, Engineering (both mechanical and electrical), Acoustics, Scene and Computer-Aided Design. Chris Langhart is one of the most respected and admired faculty members at Solebury School.
Notable alumni
- Andrew BynumAndrew BynumAndrew Bynum is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was drafted 10th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005. Bynum became the youngest player ever to play an NBA game later that year, breaking Jermaine...
- Center for the Los Angeles Lakers - Jack Coleman - Actor
- Peter HobbsPeter Hobbs (actor)Peter Hobbs was a French-born American character actor, known for roles on Broadway, television and film.Hobbs was born on January 19, 1918, in Étretat, France, to Dr. Austin L. Hobbs and Mabel Foote Hobbs. However, he was raised in New York City...
- Actor - Robert KennerRobert KennerRobert Kenner is an American film and television screenwriter, television director, film director, film producer, and television producer.His career began in 1971 as an assistant cinematographer, and produced his first motion picture, 3:15 - The Moment of Truth, in 1984...
'68 - Emmy-winning Documentary Filmmaker - James MacArthurJames MacArthurJames Gordon MacArthur was an American actor best known for the role of Danny "Danno" Williams, the reliable second-in-command of the fictional Hawaiian State Police squad Hawaii Five-O.-Early life:...
- Actor - Elizabeth PitcairnElizabeth PitcairnElizabeth Pitcairn is an American classical violinist. She has concertized widely as a soloist and is noted for performing on the Antonio Stradivari violin that is said to have inspired the film The Red Violin.-Childhood:...
- Classical Violinist - Rachel SimonRachel SimonRachel Simon is an American author of both fiction and non-fiction. Her six books include the 2011 novel , which was her first New York Times Bestseller, and the 2002 memoir , which was a national bestseller...
'77 - Writer - Langhorne SlimLanghorne SlimLanghorne Slim is an American singer-songwriter, . Scolnick attended high school at Solebury School in New Hope, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College, part of the SUNY system.He began to gain public notice through several years of touring with the...
- Folk Singer - J. B. Gunn - Physicist