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Schools
& Program Visits - Aug, 1999 Issue #60
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This article was written in August 1999 and
contains dated material.
Please note that the school may have
changed over time.
Linden Hall
Lititz, Pennsylvania
Lynn McDowell, Admission Director
(800) 258-5778
[Visit Report by Jodi Tuttle]
435-656-1251 jodit@redrock.net
April 19, 1999
The drive to Linden Hall took us through Amish country where we could see beautiful farms, with farmers neatly plowing their fields with workhorses and Amish buggies moving through the back- roads. Arriving in Lititz, home of Linden Hall School, one inhales the wonderful aroma of chocolate from the Wilbur Chocolate Factory. Linden Hall, the oldest girls’ school in the United States, is located on a forty-six acre campus in historic Lititz, PA.
No, Linden Hall isn’t a special purpose school, but it is open to accepting students who have been in specialty or treatment situations. Lynn McDowell, Admission Director, will be quick to point out that they will only consider accepting students who have successfully completed a treatment center or specialty school’s program. They have some great examples of students who finished a program and then graduated from Linden Hall.
Linden Hall is a small, independent day and boarding school for girls in grades 6 through 12. Established by the Moravian Church in 1746, Linden Hall prepares students for college with special emphasis placed on the development of firm academic skills and study habits. The school specializes in helping each student achieve her optimum level of scholarship and self-esteem.
The family atmosphere, a deeply held sense of tradition, and a caring, nurturing faculty all contribute to making Linden Hall a special place. Student life centers around the dorms, even for the day students who comprise twenty percent of the student body. The day students are also given a room in the dorm to call home. Traditions are cherished and passed on enthusiastically from year to year. Some of the time honored traditions include: chapel services three times a week, Big Sister/Little Sister activities; Parent Weekends; and a surprise Headmasters holiday at Mount Gretna.
The faculty stays involved with students both inside and outside the classroom. The teachers are optimistic, believing their work has value because they are providing individualized attention to girls from all over the world who will play important roles in our future. Class size varies from 4 to 15 girls. Each day, there is a 30-minute academic help period built into the daily schedule and a two-hour study hall five times a week. Girls who struggle academically can receive support from the Action Program, which helps them learn to master the content of a college prep program.
At Linden Hall, students can maximize their potential. Girls grow strong here, not just the athletes, the ‘brains’ and the ‘beauties,’ but every girl. Quiet girls give speeches, slow learners are encouraged, shy girls act in drama class. Participation is rewarded. Each voice is heard. Girls graduate expecting to be listened to and to be viewed as sincere and concerned people. They are recognized for their abilities, which in turn gives them self-confidence.
Girls are encouraged to explore their curiosity about drama, music, dance, studio art, photography, sports and horseback riding. They participate as much as they like in their areas of interest. Activities such as field hockey, aerobics, dance, swimming, soccer, self-defense, tennis, softball, volleyball, speed walking, weight-training and cycling all help the girls to stay in shape. The major complaint I heard is that there isn’t enough time to do it all.
Horses are an integral part of the school program. From the competitive rider to the girl who likes to ride only for pleasure, there are plenty of opportunities. The school’s ample facilities include a 20-stall stable, an outdoor riding ring and an indoor equestrian center, in addition to the 42-acre campus, enabling riding throughout the year.
Students and faculty plan abundant weekend recreation. Their many activities and adventures include: white water rafting, skiing, camp outs, dances with boys’ schools, and trips to theatres, museums and restaurants in such places as Baltimore, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York.
In my opinion, it does appear that Linden Hall is true to its mission, which is to provide an atmosphere of caring, understanding, and discipline by a committed and well-qualified faculty and staff. Young women are individually challenged to excel academically and to grow spiritually. They are inspired to be moral, responsible persons, prepared to make thoughtful, positive contributions to society.
This
article copyright © 1999-2000, Woodbury Reports, Inc.
(This article may be reproduced without prior approval if the copyright notice
and proper publication and author attribution accompanies the copy.)
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