Academics
The Harkness table is a hallmark of the School. In the Harkness method, teachers and students engage in Socratic, give-and-take discussions around large, wooden oval tables, which take the place of individual desks. Classes meet four times per week in one 50-minute and three 55-minute blocks. Most classes also meet for an additional period of time following one of the 55-minute slots: either an "X" period (an additional 40 minutes) which is used by lab courses (such as science or art) or a "Y" period (an additional 25 minutes).
Additionally, the school incorporates "consultation" periods into its schedule. During these periods, students have the option to consult with their teachers regarding their individual course questions. During an academic week, there are four "consultation" periods (on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings) of 40 minutes.
Upon graduation, seniors have the opportunity to be inducted into the Cum Laude Society based on academic achievement in the Fourth and Fifth Form years, with roughly 20% of seniors being awarded the honor.
Each year awards are given to members of each form for their unique contributions to Lawrenceville, including but not limited to the Beverly Anderson Prize for Excellence and Scholarship (II Form), the Reuben T. Carlson Scholarship (III Form), the Semans Family Merit Scholarship (IV Form), and the Trustees Cup, Brainard Prize, and the School Valedictorian (V Form).
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Famous quotes containing the word academics:
“Our first line of defense in raising children with values is modeling good behavior ourselves. This is critical. How will our kids learn tolerance for others if our hearts are filled with hate? Learn compassion if we are indifferent? Perceive academics as important if soccer practice is a higher priority than homework?”
—Fred G. Gosman (20th century)
“Almost all scholarly research carries practical and political implications. Better that we should spell these out ourselves than leave that task to people with a vested interest in stressing only some of the implications and falsifying others. The idea that academics should remain “above the fray” only gives ideologues license to misuse our work.”
—Stephanie Coontz (b. 1944)