Breck School

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Breck School
Community
Location
Golden Valley, Minnesota, USA
Information
Religion Episcopal
Head of School Edward Kim [1]
Enrollment

1,189
Faculty 106
Student:teacher ratio 11:1
Type Private
Campus 1 campus, suburban setting
Athletics conference Tri-Metro Conference
Mascot Mustang
Patron saint(s) James Lloyd Breck
Color(s) Blue and Gold
Established 1886
Homepage www.breckschool.org

Breck School is an independent college-preparatory preK-12 school in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. It was founded in 1886 and is affiliated with the Episcopal Church. The school includes a Lower School consisting of grades preschool through four, a Middle School consisting of grades five through eight, and an Upper School consisting of grades nine through twelve. Breck School is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools. Breck is known for its high academic standards and strong arts programs.

Contents

[edit] History

Breck was established in 1886 in Wilder, Minnesota and named after Episcopal missionary Reverend James Lloyd Breck. The school moved to Saint Paul in 1916. In 1938, the school became an exclusively boys' school, and military curriculum was added. This military aspect was eliminated in 1959. Girls were reintroduced in 1952 in grades one to three, and eventually throughout the school in 1967. A fire destroyed the original Chapel of the Holy Spirit at the school's River Road location in Minneapolis in 1979. In 1981, the school moved to its present location in Golden Valley at the campus of the city's former middle and high school. Breck celebrated its centennial in 1986. For the school's complete history, see the Breck History article at its website.

[edit] Academics

Breck is an academic institution, excelling particularly in science, history, language and the performing arts. In the classes of 2002-2006, numerous students have gone to colleges such as Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University. 17% of the classes of 2002-2006 were National Merit Scholars.[2]

[edit] Advanced Research Programs

Breck features Advanced Research programs in its Science and History departments; these programs offer students the opportunity to do graduate-level work at institutions such as the University of Minnesota and present their results at national and international competitions. In the class of 2007, two Advanced Science Research students were semifinalists in the international Intel Science Talent Search competition; more students have gone to other prestigious events.[3] Advanced Science Research students also have the opportunity to meet prestigious researchers, such as Dr. Norman Borlaug, the 1970 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.[4]

The Advanced History Research Program, the only one of its kind in Minnesota, offers talented History students the chance to conduct cultural research around the Minneapolis metro area; through this program, they gain experience writing publication-quality papers and giving seminars on their results.[5]

[edit] Technology

Breck School was one of the first schools in the Minneapolis area to adopt a full "one-to-one" laptop program. In the 2006-2007 school year, each student received an Apple laptop computer for use at school and home; these laptops are used on a daily basis in Breck Middle and Upper School classrooms, and to a lesser degree in fourth-grade classrooms.[6][7]. Some Breck classrooms are equipped with SMARTBoard technology that enhances the learning environment.

[edit] Language Programs

Breck School has one of the most well-established language programs in the state. Breck's language programs, including Spanish, French, and Chinese, extend from kindergarten to 12th grade.[8][9] The Mandarin Chinese program, the first in the state, was created by Margaret Wong; her accomplishments have received high praise from the Minnesota Star Tribune, which states that "Wong has been the most influential figure in developing and spreading Chinese language education in Minnesota."[10]

[edit] Extracurricular Activities

[edit] Performing Arts

Breck's Performing Arts program is regarded as one of the finest in the state. Breck's theater department presents four official shows per year, as well as various student-directed performances. Students from fifth grade and up have the opportunity to participate in Breck's theatrical productions, as well as Breck's music and dance performances. The department has produced numerous accomplished actors and theater staff including actors Wayne Wilderson and Marisa Coughlin and comedian Erik Stolhanske, a member of the Broken Lizard comedy troupe.

[edit] Visual Arts

Breck has a large Visual Arts department, including numerous studios and art staff. Notably, artist Michal Sagar teaches Upper School art at Breck, as does respected potter Jil Franke. Art at Breck begins in preschool and can extend all the way to the 12th grade; Numerous Breck students in the Middle and Upper Schools have been recognized by national art institutions for their work.

[edit] Student Newspaper

Breck's high school newspaper is The Voice. In 2004, it received 3rd Place in the Star Tribune/Minnesota State High School League Newspaper Challenge. The Voice is a 12-page quarterly publication. Breck's middle school also has a newspaper, The Middle School Banner.

[edit] Other

Breck is home to one of the top Mock Trial teams in the State. In their second year, the team got 4th place in State (2007).

[edit] Athletics

Breck School is part of the Tri-Metro Conference in the Minnesota State High School League. Several players from the hockey and football programs have gone on to play for Division One programs. The girls' hockey program was established in 1994; it won the Minnesota state consolation tournament in 2007, and 2nd place in the state tournament in 2008. For a complete list of athletic accomplishments see the Breck Trophy Case at the school's website.

State Championships
Season Sport Number of Championships Year
Fall Tennis, Girls 1 1996
Soccer, Boys 1 2005
Football 2 1996, 2003
Winter Hockey, Boys 2 2000, 2004
Basketball, Girls 1 2004
Spring Golf, Boys 1 2004
Tennis, Boys 4 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001
Track & Field, Girls 2 1996, 1997
Total 14

[edit] Awards

School Award Year
Lower School U.S. Department of Education "School of Excellence"[11] 1988
Middle and Upper Schools U.S. Department of Education "Blue Ribbon"[11] 1993

[edit] Notable alumni

Breck alumni have pursued careers in science, performing arts, business, and technology. For a complete list of accomplished Breck alumni, see the Breck Alumni article at the school's website

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Edward Kim Appointed Head-of-School-Elect"
  2. ^ College Profile
  3. ^ "Students are Semifinalists at Intel Science Talent Search"
  4. ^ "Nobel Prize Winner Visits Breck"
  5. ^ Upper School Information
  6. ^ Upper School Laptop Program
  7. ^ Middle School Laptop Program
  8. ^ Upper School Curriculum Guide
  9. ^ Lower School Curriculum Guide
  10. ^ Star Tribune, 10/16/06
  11. ^ a b Awards
  12. ^ R.T. Rybak
  13. ^ Marisa Coughlan at the Internet Movie Database
  14. ^ Charlie Korsmo
  15. ^ Dominique Byrd
  16. ^ Blake Wheeler Profile

[edit] External links


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