海德教育-Jennifer老师 2024-11-11 15:32:37

到底谁才是顶尖美高的理想人选?

  • 琳琅满目的美国寄宿高中,如何快速的了解一所学校?

  • 顶尖美高最看重学生的哪些品质?到底什么样的孩子才是美高最喜爱的学生?

  • 适合的才是最好的,可是如何能够分辨学校之间的不同精准择校?

单纯借助大同小异的宣传资料,很难分析各具特色的学校,几乎每个申请美高的家庭都会遇到以上三个难题,而答案并不总是显而易见。


从学校的Mission和Vision出发,

先从“最高维度”看美高

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在美国高中教育体系中,学校的Mission(使命)和Vision(愿景)通常是其核心价值观和教育理念的最精炼体现,构建了学校的灵魂,引导着学校的教育方向和发展战略。也就是说,使命和愿景决定了现在和未来发展的各个方面。理解这些Mission和Vision,对于学生和家长在择校时作出明智的决定具有重要的参考价值。

Mission和Vision出现在学校的官方网站和各类宣传材料中。Mission(使命)通常解释学校的核心价值观和教育目标,如学术卓越、多样性和包容性、领导力发展等。而Vision(愿景)则描述了学校对未来的期待和方向,表达了学校在长期发展过程中希望实现的愿景。换句话说,Mission代表了学校现阶段的教育目标,而Vision则反映了学校未来的理想状态。

这些内容的重要性在于,它们帮助家长和学生了解学校的办学宗旨、教学风格和文化氛围。例如,一个注重“学术卓越”和“领导力发展”的学校,通常会提供严格的学术课程,培养学生的学术能力,同时注重学生领导才能的培养;一个强调“多样性”和“包容性”的学校,更注重建立一个接纳和尊重多样性背景的学习环境。理解这些声明,有助于学生在择校时找到最符合自身价值观和学习目标的学校。


Mission & Vision透露出哪些学校品质?

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学校的使命愿景虽然各有不同,但如果分析大量的美高之后,你会发现这其中也有许多相似之处。为了帮助家长更好地了解美国高中的Mission和Vision,我们分析了2024 NICHE美国私立寄宿高中,排名前30所美国寄宿高中的Mission和Vision内容,提取出高频关键词及其频次,以此来分析顶尖美高最看重学生的哪些品质。

这些关键词不仅帮助学生和家长了解学校的核心价值观,也有助于学生在申请时更好地准备文书和面试材料。关键词出现的频率越高,说明顶尖美高都更看重学生的这些品质。

*文章后附各学校Mission和Vision清单,请文末查看。

在这些高频关键词中,“学术卓越”(Academic Excellence)出现的次数最多,几乎是所有学校使命和愿景的核心。这显示出学校致力于提供高水平的学术教育,帮助学生在学术领域取得优异成绩。对于学生家长来说,这意味着学校会有高标准的课程设置,提供丰富的学术资源和支持,以确保学生能充分发展其学术潜力。当然,这也说明,学校对于申请者的审核中,良好的学术表现和在校成绩,老师的推荐信,至关重要。

紧随其后的是“领导力发展”(Leadership Development)和“多样性与包容性”(Diversity and Inclusion)。这些词语反映了学校希望培养未来的领导者,并创造一个尊重和接纳多元文化和背景的学习环境。能够展示出领导才能和开放包容,具有全球视野的学生,将更有利于申请美高。

另外,“批判性思维”和“创新能力”也频繁出现,表明学校在培养学生解决问题的能力和创新精神方面投入了大量精力。学校不仅希望学生在学术上取得成功,还希望他们具备应对未来挑战的能力和素养。


Mission & Vision让学校与学生真正找到彼此

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Mission和Vision直接影响着学校的招生策略和学生的选择方向。学校通过这些声明,明确表达了他们希望吸引怎样的学生。一个强调“学术卓越”和“领导力”的学校,更倾向于招收那些有学术潜力、在校外活动中表现出领导才能的学生。而一个重视“多样性”和“全球公民意识”的学校,则可能更欢迎来自不同文化背景的学生,并且期待他们在校期间能为学校带来多元文化的碰撞和交流。

对家长和学生来说,理解学校的Mission和Vision意味着能够更精准地判断自己是否符合学校的招生偏好和文化氛围。例如,如果一个学生希望进入一所强调“社会责任”的学校,他应该在申请材料中展示自己在这方面的经历和兴趣。相反,如果学校的Mission声明中多次提到“批判性思维”和“创新”,家长和学生则可以考虑强调他们在这方面的成就和潜力。

在选择最合适的学校时,学生应充分利用学校的Mission和Vision声明来匹配自己的兴趣、价值观和长远目标。

01

了解自己的兴趣和价值观

学生应首先了解自己的兴趣、学术目标和价值观。这有助于他们在阅读学校的Mission和Vision声明时,迅速判断哪些学校最符合他们的需求和期望。

02

分析学校的Mission和Vision声明

通过分析每个学校的Mission和Vision声明,学生可以了解学校的核心价值观和教育理念。例如,一个对环境科学感兴趣的学生可能会选择一所有强大STEM(科学、技术、工程、数学)课程并强调“创新”和“可持续发展”的学校。

03

准备申请材料

学生在申请材料(如个人陈述和推荐信)中,应展示出自己如何与学校的Mission和Vision相匹配。例如,学生可以描述自己在多样性、领导力、社区服务或批判性思维等方面的经验和兴趣,这将帮助他们在申请中脱颖而出。


海德陪你成为理想人选

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海德不仅帮助学生了解不同学校的Mission和Vision,还通过一系列教育规划项目,帮助学生获得美高看重的普遍品质,并在申请时根据每个学生的特点,精准匹配最适合的学校。


自驱力及思辨力项目

海德教育设计了一系列自驱力和思辨力项目。通过挑战性任务、深度话题讨论,培养学生的批判性思维、创造力和解决问题的能力。打开思考的宽度,接触不同的文化和多角度的思考。


定制化的阅读成长项目

通过精心设计的阅读计划,海德教育帮助学生在阅读中提升理解力和表达力。学生不仅学习如何分析和批判性地阅读复杂文本,还在这个过程中培养了同理心和全球视野,促进学术卓越和终身学习。


家校沟通与反思

大多数国际学校和双语学校的教学理念及培养目标与美国寄宿高中许多相似之处,达到目前学校的要求,不仅直接影响学生的在校报告和推荐信,也是日常学生教育中最重要的一环。因此海德非常重视帮助现有客户更好地实现家校合作。高频次的与学校精准沟通,保证学生和家庭完全理解目前学校的各项内容。通过每月的见面会,发现学生的成长变化,也及时为家长提供专业帮助。


培养持续学习兴趣和方法

帮助学生保持学习兴趣,并提供正确的方法和工具,让学生在学习中找到乐趣,而不是一味追求分数。这种方法培养了学生的自驱力,使他们不仅在学术上取得优异成绩,还在自信心和自主学习能力上不断提升。


引导学生了解学校

通过详细的学校介绍和个性化的择校指导,帮助学生提前准备,深入理解每个目标学校的Mission和Vision声明,并帮助他们分析这些声明如何反映学校的特点和文化。


独一无二的申请策略

经过规划和对学校的了解,为每个学生制定独一无二的申请计划。匹配学生和学校的特点,有针对性的精准准备申请内容。



选择一所学校不仅仅是关于找到一个只追求学术进步的环境,更是找到一个能够真正支持和激励孩子成长、帮助他们实现潜力的环境。在这个过程中,无论是寻找学校的信息,还是准备申请材料,我们都鼓励家长们多一点耐心,多一些思考。

如果您有任何关于择校的疑问或者需要更深入的指导,欢迎与海德教育联系!


附录:TOP 30 ABS Mission &Vision,上下滑动查看更多。


1

Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, NH)


Mission: To unite goodness and knowledge and inspire youth from every quarter to lead purposeful lives. The Academy emphasizes academic excellence, diversity, inclusion, and preparing students to use their education for the betterment of society.

Vision: To create a diverse and inclusive community fostering critical thinking and collaboration, challenging assumptions, and expanding understanding across different perspectives.


2

Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science (PRISMS, Princeton, NJ)


Mission: PRISMS immerses a multicultural, self-motivated student body in an integrated STEM-centered curriculum and research program that identifies and develops each student's potential, promoting critical thinking, imagination, and deep curiosity.

Vision: To combine the best educational practices from China and the U.S., creating a balanced educational experience focused on STEM while fostering academic excellence and personal growth.


3

Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford, CT)


Mission: To cultivate a commitment to the pursuit of lifelong learning, personal and social responsibility, and respect for diversity. The school fosters an environment that encourages students to become innovative and forward-thinking leaders.

Vision: Choate aims to provide a transformative education that combines rigorous academic programs with character development and leadership training to prepare students for future challenges.


4

Phillips Academy Andover (Andover, MA)


Mission: To educate youth from every quarter to excel in academics and serve the world with integrity and purpose. The Academy aims to prepare students for a life of learning and responsible leadership.

Vision: To be a model of educational excellence, combining a diverse community with innovative programs and pedagogies, focusing on both intellectual and moral development.


5

Groton School (Groton, MA)


Mission: To inspire a diverse group of young people to develop into educated, ethical, and confident citizens and leaders prepared to contribute to their communities and the world.

Vision: Groton School seeks to offer a transformative, rigorous education that nurtures students' academic, social, and personal growth through a close-knit community that fosters learning and discovery.


6

The Hotchkiss School (Lakeville, CT)


Mission: To develop in students a lifelong passion for learning, personal and social responsibility, and respect for diversity. Hotchkiss aims to cultivate global citizens and leaders who think critically and act ethically.

Vision: To provide an educational environment that promotes academic excellence and ethical behavior, preparing students to lead meaningful and impactful lives in an interconnected world.


7

The Loomis Chaffee School (Windsor, CT)


Mission: To inspire a commitment to the best self and the common good. Loomis Chaffee seeks to foster an environment where intellectual curiosity, personal integrity, and social responsibility are the cornerstones of the educational experience.

Vision: To be a dynamic learning community where students are prepared to engage and contribute positively to the world.


8

The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville, NJ)


Mission: To inspire and educate students to become responsible leaders, nurturing critical thinking, character, and leadership skills in a rigorous and inclusive learning environment.

Vision: To be an innovative and forward-thinking institution, focusing on academic excellence, character development, and leadership training to prepare students for lifelong success.


9

St. Paul’s School (Concord, NH)


Mission: To provide an education that fosters the development of critical thinking, leadership, creativity, and character in a diverse and inclusive community.

Vision: To nurture a sense of curiosity, integrity, and social responsibility, preparing students to contribute to their communities and the world.


10

Deerfield Academy (Deerfield, MA)


Mission: Deerfield Academy is dedicated to cultivating high standards of scholarship, citizenship, and personal responsibility. The school fosters an environment where students develop an inquisitive and creative mind, a sound body, and strong moral character through a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, extensive cocurricular programs, and a supportive residential community.

Vision: Deerfield Academy aims to create a community where students engage deeply in face-to-face interactions characterized by joy, generosity, humility, empathy, and responsibility. The school promotes intellectual vitality, reflection, and balance, encouraging students to pursue mastery with a broad and versatile foundation.


11

Lake Forest Academy(Lake Forest, IL)


Mission: Lake Forest Academy strives to cultivate excellence in character, scholarship, citizenship, and responsibility in its students. This includes fostering respect for others, moral clarity, critical thinking, enthusiasm for discovery, and global awareness.

Vision: The Vision is to create a transformative boarding school experience characterized by rigorous academics, a global outlook, and values rooted in participation and engagement in the community. The academy envisions developing confident students who embrace challenges and grow beyond their comfort zones.


12

St. Mark's School (Southborough, MA)


Mission: St. Mark’s School aims to educate young people for lives of leadership and service. The school, founded as a small residential community, inspires students' academic and spiritual curiosity, promotes cooperation, and encourages them to explore their role in the larger world.

Vision: The school emphasizes diversity, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development, aiming to provide an inclusive community that reflects a variety of backgrounds and fosters global citizenship.


13

Middlesex School(Concord, MA)


Mission: Middlesex School is an independent, non-denominational, residential, college-preparatory school committed to excellence in the intellectual, ethical, creative, and physical development of young people. The school aims to "find the promise" in every student, helping them become knowledgeable, capable, responsible, and moral citizens.

Vision: Middlesex fosters a community built on mutual trust and shared responsibility, encouraging each student to develop personal integrity, intellectual vitality, and respect for themselves and others.


14

St. Andrew's School(Middletown, DE)


Mission: St. Andrew's School seeks to provide an inclusive and dynamic environment that challenges students to discover their individual potential and purpose. The school focuses on fostering academic excellence, spiritual growth, and social responsibility.

Vision: To inspire and educate students to become responsible and active citizens, leaders, and innovators, committed to service and understanding in a global community.


15

The Madeira School (McLean, VA)


Mission: The Madeira School aims to provide a rigorous academic program that emphasizes experiential learning, leadership development, and community engagement. The school encourages girls to be confident, informed, and ethical leaders in a rapidly changing world.

Vision: To empower young women to pursue intellectual excellence, foster a love of learning, and develop the confidence to face future challenges with courage and integrity.


16

The Thacher School(Ojai, CA)


Mission: The Thacher School is committed to preparing students for a life of integrity, purpose, and leadership. The school values academic excellence, self-reliance, and ethical decision-making within a close-knit community.

Vision: To inspire students to explore their potential, cultivate empathy and respect for others, and become thoughtful stewards of their environment and communities.


17

The Peddie School(Hightstown, NJ)


Mission: The Peddie School is dedicated to the intellectual, social, and moral growth of each student. The school seeks to cultivate a love of learning, a commitment to personal responsibility, and a respect for diversity.

Vision: To prepare students to lead purposeful lives by fostering academic excellence, personal development, and community engagement.


18

Cranbrook Schools(Bloomfield Hills, MI)


Mission: Cranbrook Schools aims to develop a diverse and inclusive learning community where students are encouraged to pursue excellence in all areas of life, from academics to the arts and athletics.

Vision: To prepare students to be lifelong learners, ethical leaders, and responsible citizens who contribute to a global society.


19

The Taft School(Watertown, CT)


Mission: The Taft School is committed to educating the whole student by promoting academic excellence, creativity, and leadership, and by fostering a spirit of inquiry, respect, and ethical decision-making.

Vision: To create a dynamic learning environment that prepares students to meet the challenges of a changing world with intelligence, confidence, and integrity.


20

Concord Academy (Concord, MA)


Mission: Concord Academy strives to provide a challenging academic environment that encourages creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking. The school aims to foster a community of independent thinkers committed to lifelong learning and responsible citizenship.

Vision: To cultivate compassionate, informed, and active global citizens who seek to understand and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.


21

Cate School(Carpinteria, CA)


Mission: Cate School is committed to fostering intellectual curiosity, moral integrity, and social responsibility within a supportive community. The school prepares students to face the complexities of the modern world with courage and empathy.

Vision: To develop leaders who are thoughtful, ethical, and engaged in the pursuit of knowledge and service to others.


22

Blair Academy(Blairstown, NJ)


Mission: Blair Academy seeks to educate students in an environment that promotes excellence, character, and respect for diversity. The school aims to develop well-rounded individuals who are prepared for lifelong learning and leadership.

Vision: To inspire students to reach their full potential and contribute positively to their communities through academic achievement, creativity, and personal growth.


23

Milton Academy(Milton, MA)


Mission: Milton Academy aims to cultivate in its students a passion for learning and a respect for others. The school embraces diversity and the pursuit of excellence, creating a community where individuals develop competence, confidence, and character. The active learning environment, both in and out of the classroom, nurtures creative and critical thinkers who are prepared to seek meaningful lifetime success and to live by the school’s motto, "Dare to be true."

Vision: Focused on fostering an inclusive environment, Milton Academy commits to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice by helping students develop their own identities, learn from others' experiences, and engage in a community built on respect and empathy.


24

The Village School(Houston, TX)


Mission: The Village School aims to provide a world-class education to a diverse and international community of students. The school's mission is centered around developing lifelong learners who think critically, collaborate genuinely, and contribute positively to society.

Vision: The Village School focuses on combining academic excellence with real-world learning opportunities, including partnerships with organizations like NASA and MIT, to help students apply their knowledge in practical contexts and become future change-makers.


25

Episcopal High School(Alexandria, VA)


Mission: Episcopal High School aims to provide a rigorous college preparatory education within a boarding school environment. The school seeks to foster a community built on honor, respect, and personal responsibility while nurturing students' intellectual, physical, spiritual, and emotional growth.

Vision: Episcopal High School envisions cultivating leaders who are well-prepared to contribute positively to society, demonstrating integrity, courage, and compassion in all their endeavors.


26

Indian Springs School(Indian Springs, AL)


Mission: Indian Springs School's mission is guided by the motto "Learning through Living." The school aims to foster a love of learning and creativity, a sense of integrity and moral courage, and an ethic of participatory citizenship, while respecting individuality and promoting independent thought.

Core Values: The school emphasizes values such as inclusion, respect, innovative thinking, integrity, intellectual curiosity, and active involvement in the community. These values aim to create an environment where students feel accepted, respected, and empowered to explore their passions and become independent thinkers.


27

The Webb Schools(Claremont, CA)


Mission: To provide a dynamic learning community that inspires students to think creatively and boldly, act with honor, lead with distinction, and serve generously.

Vision: Fostering an environment where students are prepared to engage with and impact a rapidly changing global society. The school emphasizes interdisciplinary studies, experiential learning, and community engagement, preparing students to become independent, curious thinkers and responsible leaders.


28

St. Albans School(Washington, DC)


Mission: St. Albans School is an Episcopal school for boys that values character above all else. The school sets high expectations for its students by challenging them to think deeply and critically, work and play with discipline and passion, and build relationships guided by empathy and kindness. The mission emphasizes fostering a community where students grow intellectually, morally, and spiritually.


29

Mercersburg Academy(Mercersburg, PA)


Mission: To embrace values of hard work, character, and community, while fostering a balance between independence and interdependence, and between individual humility and collective pride. The school encourages students to commit to lifelong learning, understand the spiritual dimensions of human existence, and cultivate a determination to lead and serve the world.

Vision: Creating conditions for deeper, more sustainable learning in a rapidly changing world. The school emphasizes three pillars: meaning and mastery, wellness, and access and affordability, aiming to equip students to thrive in complexity and ambiguity.


30

St. Stephen's Episcopal School(Austin, TX)


Mission: To inspire a lasting love of learning and a spirit of service so that each student lives a life of meaning and enriches the world. The school is committed to creating a dynamic and rigorous intellectual environment that fosters a lifelong love of learning, supports active engagement and broad interests, promotes wellness, and upholds the founders' vision for a diverse and inclusive community.

Vision: To be a vibrant and inclusive community that inspires all learners to lead meaningful lives and make a positive impact in the world, extending their influence "from The Hill to the world."