The Butterfly Garden

The families of the Class of 2012 are leaving Calvert with a wonderful gift: a butterfly garden. Located along the path between the Lower School and the Middle School, the Class of 2012 Butterfly Garden is just starting to bloom (after being planted in the fall). The path used to have a scraggly bank on its east side, and now that side has exploded with color and will attract butterflies in a few months. The pictures below really do not do the Garden appropriate justice. Please come by campus and see for yourself!

Calvert's Got Talent!

We had our "best ever" Middle School Talent Show last night--18 strong and varied acts--singing, dancing, piano, ukulele, cello, rap, hard rock, classical, pop, guitar, and drums. The Talent Show has gotten so big that some students (in additional to the 18 acts from last night) are performing in two Middle School assemblies this week. Moreover, we have not one, not two, but THREE 8th graders who were accepted to Baltimore School for the Arts for next year! This is all exciting news and proof that the fine arts program at Calvert is growing and thriving.

A Big Day for Calvert

March 9 was a big day for Calvert School. First, it was the day that prospective families had to inform Calvert if they were going to enroll. I am very pleased to report that we have a large, wonderful group of new children and families joining us in the fall! We will again be "full" in both the Lower and Middle Schools; in fact, our enrollment this year of 612 students represents the fourth consecutive year of an all-time high enrollment at Calvert. Also, March 9 was the day by which our 8th graders had to choose their high school. They will be headed to at least 14 different schools next year, and our first choice placement rate will be at least 98%! The Calvert 8th graders are just so strong, and they have had tremendous success over the years with secondary school admission as well as great achievements at those schools once enrolled. Go Calvert!

Spring Sports

On Monday, March 5, our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders begin their Spring interscholastic sports practices. Some years, we do not start Spring sports until after Spring vacation, but with break being later this year (it starts on March 17), we decided to get going sooner. In the two weeks since winter sports wrapped up, it has been strangely quiet in and around the Middle School between 3:15 and 4:30 PM! Under the skillful and dedicated guidance of Director of Athletics and Physical Education Mary Alice Lears, our interscholastic athletics program is a vital component of the Middle School curriculum. Although optional because they occur after the official end of the school day, the sports program is highly subscribed: each year, approximately 95% of the students play at least one sport, and about 75% play at least two. The offerings? Football, cross country, boys' soccer, girls' soccer, field hockey, squash, wrestling, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, track and field, softball, baseball, girls' lacrosse, and boys' lacrosse! In several sports, we offer an "A" and a "B" team based on number of participants and developmental level. Annually, we have a high winning percentage, but that is not a direct goal of the athletic program. We aim to promote teamwork, skill development, sportsmanship, (life-long) physical fitness, and the enjoyment of sports. I strongly encourage you to come by campus to see a Spring sporting event. Please click on "Athletic Schedule" on our home page for the most up-to-date schedule.