Hannah Grandine, Author at 91��

What does it mean for a school application to be holistic?

Hannah Grandine — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:02:24 +0000

As you research the admissions process for different independent and private schools, you may notice that many schools’ admissions offices mention providing a holistic review process. What does this mean, and how does it affect your application specifically?

Holistic applications emphasize evaluating the applicant as an individual in a broader sense, beyond empirical data such as GPA and standardized test scores.

This is why students are asked to submit a plethora of materials as part of their applications: personal essays, teacher recommendations, transcripts, and other supplementary materials. Many schools also require on-site interviews or visits. Each of these pieces, viewed together with standardized test scores and grade point averages, helps paint a picture of an applicant that can then be evaluated against other students’ profiles to help the school build its ideal incoming class.

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Why Standardized Tests?

If schools already look at candidates holistically, why are test scores even part of the process, especially for students who already have impressive grades or recommendations? One reason is that having a normative test as a baseline provides�� highly competitive schools an impartial metric by which to judge students’ applications.

There can be high variability in grade point averages between schools depending on curriculum rigor, grade inflation, and other factors, meaning that a 3.8 GPA at one school is not always equivalent to a 3.8 at another. Conversely, the and the have consistent grading scales for all students taking the exam, which makes each an objective metric.

When a school receives hundreds or thousands of applications every year for only a few spots, it is highly unlikely that the admissions staff will have time to fully consider every application. More often than not, only applications with standardized test scores above a certain threshold receive full evaluation.

The second reason, especially for smaller or less well-known schools, is that low scores on standardized tests can help identify students who may have fallen behind the expected curriculum pace. In this case, a lower test score indicates that a student may require additional resources and assistance from the school to succeed.

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Self-Reflection

Throughout the application and selection process, it’s important for students and families to be self-reflective. Regardless of your specific combination of talents and achievements, academic or otherwise, you must remember that many other excellent students are also applying to the same schools. It’s better to apply to at least one or two achievable target schools and receive multiple acceptances than to only apply to the most competitive schools and potentially find yourself with no options for the upcoming year. Consider also that the most competitive and/or most well-known school may not be the place where a student will be the happiest, even if they are admitted.

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And the Tests?

Though standardized tests are only one aspect of the holistic application, ensure that your test scores are high enough to align with the rest of the application and represent you as a student.

The best way to ensure test success is to take a practice test as early as possible in the preparation process. This diagnostic can help you determine how you would score if you took the test today, and identify what you need to work on before test day.

Having a tutor to consult during the process can also be helpful.

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Not sure which test you’ll be taking? Check out our guide on the differences between the ISEE & the SSAT here.

Originally published on January 24, 2018. Updated on January 30, 2026.��

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Featured School: Salisbury School

Hannah Grandine — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 08:51:40 +0000

Salisbury School is a private boys’ school in Litchfield County, Connecticut, that has been educating young men since 1901. As a boarding school, Salisbury has a unique capacity to provide a transformative educational experience by fostering intentional, calibrated independence in a well-balanced, structured, supportive, safe, and healthy culture. Salisbury offers a modern and diverse curriculum as well as vibrant artistic, athletic, and extracurricular programs that build character and forge lifelong friendships. Salisbury’s students learn skills they will carry to leading colleges, successful careers, and other fulfilling life experiences.

Salisbury School’s mission, “to instill in boys a vibrant enthusiasm for learning and the self-confidence needed for intellectual, physical, moral, and spiritual development,” drives the community. Built on essential core values, Salisbury’s unique culture promotes brotherhood, creativity, empathy, humility, integrity, leadership, and respect. Salisbury graduates are men of character and promise who are prepared to make a difference in our entrepreneurial, technological, and cosmopolitan world.

Learn more about Salisbury at their website��.

Originally published on April 18, 2017. Updated on January 30, 2026.��

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How to afford the private school of your dreams

Hannah Grandine — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 08:34:46 +0000

It’s a simple fact—not everyone can afford to pay full-price tuition for private schools. However, that doesn’t mean that a high-quality education is impossible to attain. Before you rule out sending your child to a competitive school, consider these tuition tips:

Scholarships

The most convenient option is to receive financial aid from the school itself. Research whether the schools you’re applying to offer scholarships, as some schools routinely give full scholarships to high-achieving students. However, make sure to apply for these scholarships early—many applications are due months before you’ll hear back about admissions.

There are also nationwide scholarship programs for eligible students, such as for students of color, the for students with financial need, and the for low-income students grades K-8.

State Voucher Programs

Some states have voucher programs that provide funding to low-income or special-needs students to attend private schools. Check to see whether your family is eligible.

Public Exam Schools & Charter Schools

The best schools aren’t always private schools—there are many great charter schools and public exam schools that not only rival a private education in quality, but also don’t charge tuition.

However, because these schools are free, they can often be more competitive and difficult to get into. For example, requires ISEE scores in the 90th percentile for a good chance of acceptance.��

Negotiable Tuition Rates

It is a little-known fact that private school tuition rates aren’t always set in stone. Communicate with schools to see if there is any flexibility in tuition rates. Many private schools offer plans that allow parents to pay tuition in monthly installments, or may even lower tuition rates if paying in full isn’t feasible.

Good luck making your dream school affordable! We’re here to ensure the admissions tests don’t stand in your way.��

Click below to find your test:

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Originally published on October 26, 2016. Updated on January 30, 2026.��

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How to Prep for Higher SSAT Scores

Hannah Grandine — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 08:29:47 +0000

The SSAT is a very competitive test, and having a preparation plan is key to achieving your best possible scores. Here’s a quick run-through of our recommended strategy:

Start by taking a full-length practice test in one sitting.
Review your results to identify strengths and weaknesses.
Review the questions that you missed, master those concepts, and complete additional practice questions that focus on those topics and question types.��
Repeat steps 1-3 until you achieve your target scores.

We highly recommend this iterative process-–you’ll be surprised at how much it improves the efficiency of your preparation!

Start preparing for the today!

Originally published on June 13, 2025. Updated on January 30, 2026.��

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Educational Innovator: Graland Country Day School

Hannah Grandine — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 22:05:00 +0000

As an educational technology company, 91�� believes in the power of education to shape the future of our society. Our Educational Innovator series highlights a program, school, or individual that is contributing to the advancement of education in a unique way, whether through groundbreaking curriculum, technological innovation, or other revolutionary projects.

This week we spoke with Andy Dodge, Program Co-Director of the Gates Invention and Innovation program at Graland Country Day School.

The Gates Invention and Innovation program at Graland Country Day School in Denver, Colorado, provides�� motivated students in grades 5-8 the opportunity to solve real-world problems through the invention of original products, potentially earning themselves U.S. patents in the process. Each year, 100-130 student participants identify a problem, conduct market research, design and develop a prototype, and test their product and subsequent iterations until they have a final product.

“Every year I’m always blown away by the things they come up with,” said Andy Dodge, fifth grade teacher and co-director of the program.

Students’ work culminates in the two-day Gates Expo, attended by the entire school and members of the community. Inventions are judged by a panel of industry leaders, who choose 10-15 inventions whose creators will be invited to return the next day to give a more formal presentation. Winners are then chosen from the smaller group, and if an idea has patent and mass marketing potential, the judges can also recommend additional support and funding for the idea to pursue product development and a U.S. patent. Over 12 patents have been awarded to 19 Graland Country Day School students.

However, the learning benefits that the program provides do not always align with the winners or the products that end up receiving patents. “A lot of the real successes have little to do with whether the student won,” Dodge said. “The success is often that�� kids learn to rely upon themselves, to take a risk, and learn the value of failure.”

The Gates Invention and Innovation program was originally developed by Graland alumnus Charles C. Gates, who graduated from GCDS in 1934 and went on to study at MIT and Stanford. He subsequently enjoyed�� a successful career managing the Gates Corporation, a manufacturer of power transmission belts and fluid power products based out of Denver. Gates believed that all children are natural inventors, and his experience at Graland inspired him to fund the program and competition through a large endowment in 1998. His daughter, Diane Wallach, continues the family’s generous financial commitment to the Gates program.

Over the past 20 years, the program has continued developing. Today, director Dodge finds himself most impressed by student projects that integrate empathy, a necessary skill in invention and design thinking, as it helps students identify real-world problems that might not be part of their personal experience. In recent years, the program has placed increasing emphasis on developing empathy. “Ultimately, empathy is something that needs to be taught,” Dodge said. “We’ve taught students how to interview with empathy and ask the right kinds of questions… It’s a skill that is important for kids to learn and understand no matter what they go into.”

Beyond the emphasis on teaching empathy, the Gates program impacts other aspects of education at Graland, including the overall structure of learning. “Over the years, a lot of the instruction [at Graland Country Day] has begun to more closely model the process of going through the Gates program,” Dodge said. “It’s completely inquiry-based, student-driven learning.”

Since the birth of the Gates program, the school has also hired a director of innovation (the Charles C. Gates Director of Innovative Learning) and developed an entire department of innovation, which finds ways to collaborate with teachers and develop innovative ways of teaching.

In 2007, the Gates program was also adopted by Cardigan Mountain School, a boarding and day school for boys in grades 6-9 in Canaan, New Hampshire. In both programs, students benefit greatly from the learning that happens through tinkering, taking risks, and not losing motivation when original ideas do not always come together as planned. “They learn to fail early, and fail often. That is the quickest way to success,” Dodge said. “Some kids begin and are a little allergic to failure, but through the program they learn that they need to take risks, dive in, get messy and dirty, try things… They begin to really learn to rely on themselves.”

You can learn more about:

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Originally published on February 11, 2018. Updated on January 12, 2026.

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Educational Innovator: The Wight Foundation

Hannah Grandine — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 19:33:27 +0000

91�� believes in the power of education to shape the future of our society. Our Educational Innovator series highlights a program, school, or individual that is contributing to the advancement of education in a unique way, whether through groundbreaking curriculum, technological innovation, or other revolutionary projects. This week, we spoke with Thalia Brownridge-Smith, Director of the Scholars Training and Enrichment Program (STEP) at The Wight Foundation in Newark, New Jersey.

The Wight Foundation is an educational access organization founded in 1986 by real estate entrepreneur Russell B. Wight, Jr. The organization’s mission is “making a world of difference,” which it accomplishes by providing grants for socioeconomically disadvantaged students to attend prestigious boarding schools. This effectively allows these students’ voices to become part of a global exchange of ideas, and provides them with greater access to educational opportunities throughout their lives. Academically motivated students are recruited from local middle schools in the Greater Newark area and encouraged to apply for the foundation’s STEP initiative.

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“Our mission is to find capable students who may be in schools that aren’t as attentive to their needs because they are at the higher end of the class,” said Thalia Brownridge-Smith, Director of the STEP program. “[These students] may serve as tutors or helpers, but aren’t really challenged. Their potential is phenomenal, and we look to identify curriculum that will tap into their strengths and allow them to see great success.”

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Acceptance into the STEP program is highly competitive: many years, the program sees as many as a thousand applicants for only 54 available spots. The 54 accepted students participate in a full year of academics, starting in the summer after their seventh-grade year, in order to prepare them for the admissions tests they’ll need to take and the rigorous coursework of a boarding school environment.

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“Our primary focus is to get our voices into independent boarding schools,” said Brownridge-Smith, an alum of the STEP program herself.��

The organization sends students to boarding schools specifically because of these schools’ global perspective, with students attending from all over the country and the world. Thus, students at boarding schools become exposed to ideas and perspectives that stretch their thinking. Being in this environment supports Wight Foundation scholars in two ways: they learn from their peers from different backgrounds, and also contribute their own experiences to conversations, representing a demographic that has not historically been represented at boarding schools in the United States.�� “A lot of our students go into careers where it behooves them to know with whom they are speaking and to know how to approach different people,” Brownridge-Smith said. “And we want our students’ voices to be heard across the country as well.”

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For many students, however, the boarding school experience is unfamiliar and can bring new challenges along with it, especially if students’ families aren’t familiar with the process either. Brownridge-Smith, an alum of the program herself, was the first in her family to attend boarding school, college, and graduate school, which made these spaces difficult to navigate at first.�� “My parents didn’t necessarily have the experience to guide me as they didn’t have that experience themselves,” Brownridge-Smith said. However, the Wight Foundation provided support and knowledge to her throughout her educational journey. “Having people know you and support you in those communities, to have somebody advocating for you… our students know that we are 100% for them.”

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In addition to families’ unfamiliarity with the overall experience, boarding school is an environment that can be culturally alienating for new students. “We are kind of the outliers,” Brownridge-Smith said. “Teachers treated us like they’ve never had a student like us… It is important for [students] to feel that they belong on campus.”�� Having mentors in the organization who have gone through the entire process themselves can help alleviate some of these feelings. Wight Foundation support is extremely hands-on. “We visit every student at least two times per year,” Brownridge-Smith said. “We meet with their advisors, sit in classes, take them out to dinner…There’s always support—someone that you can speak with, a network that is there for you, people that you can call on at any point.”

Beyond the STEP program, the Wight Foundation also helps students through their college admissions process, and checks in with students regularly throughout their undergraduate experience. Many Wight Foundation Scholars actually return to work for the organization after college. “Our entire recruitment team, we are all Wight Foundation Scholars,” Brownridge-Smith said. “It’s starting to come full circle for us. Essentially, it’s because there’s so much love and support for the organization, and so much that we give back and really hold true to the ideals of making a world of difference, and knowing that we have a responsibility in [students’] lives.”

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You can learn more about the Wight Foundation at .

Originally published on March 14, 2018. Updated on January 4, 2026.��

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Educational Innovator: Phillips Academy’s (�ѳ�)² Program

Hannah Grandine — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 22:20:00 +0000

91�� believes in the power of education to shape the future of our society. Our Educational Innovator series highlights a program, school, or individual that is contributing to the advancement of education in a unique way, whether through groundbreaking curriculum, technological innovation, or other revolutionary projects. This week, we spoke with Dianne Domenech-Burgos, director of the (�ѳ�)² program at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.

Andover’s longest-running educational outreach program, Mathematics and Science for Minority Students-–(�ѳ�)², for short—advances diversity in math and science fields by developing the competencies and self-confidence of outstanding high school students of color.

The ongoing lack of diversity in STEM is a problem that permeates workplaces and institutions of higher education across the country. Though Black, Indigenous, and Latinx communities make up around 35% of the U.S. population, they are consistently marginalized in the science and engineering workforce. “The majority of the reason for the gap is that students are not prepared,” Dianne Domenech-Burgos, director of the (�ѳ�)² program, said. “If they’re coming from the urban public school system, they don’t always get the skills that they need–and the math and science knowledge that they need–to do well in a STEM field.”

To help bridge this gap, the program seeks out underrepresented public school students in targeted areas of the country, including New York, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Baltimore, Memphis, Louisville, Cleveland, Fort Worth, Washington, D.C., and nearby Lawrence, Massachusetts, as well as Native American reservations across the country. Over the course of three summers, selected scholars live on campus at Andover and are challenged intellectually and exposed to peers and educators with diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and aspirations. Students take math and science enrichment courses, English courses to develop sound writing skills, and a college counseling course to help them with the college application process. After high school graduation, many students go on to attend Ivy League schools and prestigious liberal arts colleges across the country.

(�ѳ�)² was founded in 1977 by lifelong educational reformer and Andover’s Head of School at the time, Theodore Sizer, who collaborated with other faculty members to address the issue of inadequate representation of marginalized individuals in science fields. Forty years later, the program has helped over 1,200 Black, Indigenous, Latinx public high school students develop STEM skills, and has inspired a movement of similar programs, such as the .

To Domenech-Burgos, the most inspiring part of her work is seeing the individual transformation that can take place through the program. “We’re taking kids from New York City Public Schools, from Native American reservations, some who have never left their home before or gotten on an airplane,” Domenech-Burgos said. “After the program, they’re at schools like Yale, Brown, Stanford, Bates College, and Bowdoin… It is an amazingly transformative experience for these students. On top of that, the nation is privileged because they are going into STEM fields!”

Even after the three-year program is completed, (�ѳ�)² keeps in touch with students to ensure their continued success through their college experience and beyond. Domenech-Burgos tells the story of one student who came from a public school in Washington, D.C. and was accepted to Brown University on a full scholarship after completing the program. “During his summers, I made sure he did internships,” Domenech-Burgos said. “He interned at Facebook, he interned at Google, he interned at Twitter, and he is a senior now graduating–all three companies have offered him a job. He is graduating from Brown and getting three of the best job offers you could possibly get for a STEM professional. Those are the types of stories that keep me going every day. It’s not just one story, there are countless stories of (�ѳ�)² alums who are now doing well.”

Participation in the (�ѳ�)² program is free for all selected students. You can learn more about the program at .

Originally published on February 15, 2018. Updated on December 23, 2025.��

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The benefits of online tutoring

Hannah Grandine — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 21:06:00 +0000

You may already know that 91�� provides online tutoring, but perhaps you’re not convinced yet that online tutoring is the most effective way to help students prepare. To help persuade you, we’ve compiled a list of the unique benefits of online tutoring:

1. Online tutoring is more engaging.

The use of colorful drawing tools and other online technologies helps keep students engaged with the material.

2. Our tutors are test-prep experts who work exclusively with the ISEE and SSAT.

They are experts on test strategies and have a clear understanding of how to help students succeed.

3. Online tutoring requires no travel time.

You can have a tutoring session from the comfort of your own home, or wherever is most convenient. There is no need to worry about getting to and from a tutoring center.

4. Greater flexibility.

You can pick times that work for you, and have sessions as often as you’d like–we have tutors in various time zones, with flexible availability.��

5. More accessible materials.

With online tutoring, materials don’t need to be printed in advance–you’ll be able to access a wealth of materials just a click away.

If you’re still not convinced, here’s one last bonus: every session is recorded and sent to parents afterward, so you’ll be able to see for yourself how successful our online tutors are at what they do. Click to set up a free consultation with a 91�� tutor today!

Originally published on November 02, 2016. Updated on December 22, 2025.��

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How to get rejected from private school

Hannah Grandine — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 22:24:00 +0000

Regardless of how well you score on an admissions test, there are some pitfalls that even the best candidates can stumble into. Here are a few “What Not To Do’s” that we at 91�� recommend avoiding in your application process.

Don’t: Only Apply to the Most Competitive Schools

If a school is well-known and highly regarded, it’s generally extremely difficult to get into. Just because a school ranks on the top lists of private schools (check out our 2017 list here!), it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be the ideal choice for every student who applies. When conducting your research, consider which schools will be the best overall fit, rather than focusing solely on status and reputation. Additionally, some ultra-competitive schools receive so many applications that they don’t even look at applications below a certain cutoff for test scores. These schools look for a diverse array of candidates every application season, so even if you are an internationally ranked field hockey champion, the quota for internationally ranked field hockey champions may have already been met that year. Often it just comes down to luck.

Don’t: Share Too Much in Your Personal Essay

It’s a true story–a student who wrote their application essay about their shoplifting experiences ended up getting rejected from every school they applied to (regardless of having test scores in the 90th percentile).��

Keep in mind that the schools you’re applying to don’t know you as a person; and they likely will not want to accept someone who mentions illegal behavior in their essay, even if you know you learned a valuable life lesson.��

Don’t: Procrastinate

Most admissions officials recommend starting the research process at least one year prior to application dates–that’s two years before you actually plan to enroll in the school. There are many parts of the application process, so it’s important to give yourself enough time to dissect it all.��

For standardized testing, we recommend starting with a full-length practice test at least 6 months prior to your test date. That means if you are reading this in the spring or summer, you should start as soon as possible!

Do: Build a Timeline For Your Admissions Journey

It’s important to have a plan as you navigate your admissions journey. If you aren’t careful, things can sneak up on you and before you know it, your deadlines have passed. We recommend using our Timeline of Independent School Admissions to break down the process into digestible phases and set manageable deadlines for yourself.��

Last Thoughts:

Remember that whether or not you get admitted to a certain school is not a reflection of who you are or whether or not you have the skills to succeed. Additionally, if your heart is set, there’s always the possibility of wait lists or applying again next year. You can ensure that test scores don’t hold you back by starting your test prep today.

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Originally published on June 20, 2017. Updated on December 18, 2025.��

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9 Cutting-Edge STEM & STEAM Programs

Hannah Grandine — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 05:10:00 +0000

Over the last couple decades, the United States has placed increasing emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. In recent years, some programs have added Art to their curriculum, (STEAM), dedicating a greater focus on creativity and design thinking. Regardless of the exact composition of the STEM or STEAM program, the objective is the same: to provide students with the skills necessary to not only be successful in the modern world, but also to help shape the future.

As an educational technology company, is particularly interested in furthering the efforts of these innovative programs. Check out nine of the most inspiring and unique STEM and STEAM programs below:

1. Thriving in a changing world:

Charlotte Country Day School, Charlotte, NC

in Charlotte, North Carolina seeks to “prepare the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and doers.” As a pillar of this mission, they prepare students to “lead and thrive in a changing world,” which ties directly into the school’s STEAM curriculum. A highlight of the program�� is�� a four-week unit for seventh graders on engineering design and development during which they develop therapeutic game ideas. Over the summers, Upper School students participate in real-world science research at college and university labs. That being said, STEAM is not only for older students: the introduction to the curriculum begins as early as kindergarten, where students participate in design activities such as building simple machines, laying the foundation for the skills they will continue to develop as they tackle ever-more-complex learning.

2. Deep STEM learning for K-8:

The Acera School, Winchester, MA

in Winchester, Massachusetts similarly challenges its students to achieve deep STEM learning in the early grades. The K-8 school creates an environment in which Acera students are unintimidated by difficult subjects and fearless when tackling�� new concepts in a fast-paced environment. Students are introduced to computer science and coding as early as age 5, and become intimately familiar with using all kinds of technology throughout their 9 years. This includes lab classes, engineering, wood shop, electronic arts, and various programs developed by curriculum collaborators from places like MIT and Boston University, who bring projects like the Amino BioLab microbiology platform and CRISPR gene editing to campus.

3. Ability-based STEM learning:

Nysmith School, Herndon, VA

The was founded in 1984 and currently serves 550 students from Pre-K through 8th grade on campus in Herndon, Virginia. Nysmith is designed specifically for students who love to learn, creating an environment where students’ individual talents are nurtured. Plus, the school has consistently scored in the top 1% of all categories in the IOWA Standardized Test for over a decade. In terms of STEM curriculum, Nysmith’s program is no less impressive. The school teaches advanced mathematics up to four grade levels above the students’ current ones, as students are placed in appropriate courses where they will be both challenged and successful. Students also have daily lab and computer science classes, spending an average of 3.75 hours on science and 2.5 hours on computer technology per week.

4. STEM to benefit society:

Maine School of Science and Mathematics, Limestone, ME

, a public residential magnet school located in Limestone, Maine, brings together the state’s�� most academically motivated high school students to “become innovative, well-rounded scholars with the ability to develop, investigate, and communicate critical ideas that improve the human condition and benefit the people of Maine.” This approach is a testament to what the STEM movement seeks to do: prepare students to create holistic solutions to real-world problems. Beyond the rigorous curriculum in both the sciences and the humanities, students at MSSM also have access to opportunities such as math competitions, a biomedical summer camp, and other opportunities in Maine and beyond. All students live on campus in order to fully participate in a scholastic program of excellence with peers who share similar interests.

5. Project-based design and engineering:

The Urban School, San Francisco, CA

in San Francisco, California, offers , an interdisciplinary program that integrates design and engineering into project-based courses. The program is built around�� the design, technology, and engineering needs of the 21st century. Students participate in courses and co-curricular opportunities such as applied physics with motion and machines, electronics and robotics, or electricity and magnetism. There are also courses for advanced computer science topics, industrial and graphic design, and research and development. UrbanX courses teach students the fundamentals of discovery, innovation, creativity and problem-solving, all deeply rooted in Urban’s highly academic and supportive teaching environment.

6. The art and science of making:

The Athenian School, Danville, CA

At , a co-ed college prep boarding and day school in Danville, California, a focus on engineering and design is founded on the idea that creating and making are crucial skills. The school’s making programs began in the early 2000’s with the “Spirit of Athenian” airplane project, where students assemble a fully functional, FAA approved two-seat plane by hand. The school’s robotics program was also a pillar of innovation, sending the sAthenian students to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition annually. Through the design process, students learn how to tackle challenging problems, think creatively, persevere through failure, collaborate with peers, and work independently. This prepares them for standard academic challenges as well as dynamic, creative, and technological problems and projects.��

Some of the core classes offered in the areas of engineering & design are Project-Based Introduction to Computer Programming, The Art & Science of Making, CAD Programming, and Applied Science. The Athenian School has two main design and engineering workspaces–the Maker Studio and the newly built Carter Innovation Center, which houses a computer/CADD/3-D printer center. .��

Athenian also hosts The Diamond Challenge, an international competition sponsored by the University of Delaware’s Horn Entrepreneurship. The Diamond Challenge “invites high school students worldwide to build solutions to solve problems they are passionate about and join a growing community of innovators and changemakers.” Past projects range software and data modeling to improve the success of corrective spinal surgeries to a wall mount system that converts a standard projector into an entertainment system.

7. Invention and innovation:

Graland Country Day School, Denver, CO

in Denver, Colorado provides students in grades 5 through 8 the opportunity to participate in real design in the school’s . The Gates Program, founded in 1998, pushes students to solve real-world problems through the invention of original products, possibly earning themselves U.S. patents in the process. The school has also developed an entire Innovation Department, which finds ways to collaborate with teachers and develop innovative teaching methods. Josh Cobb, the current Head of School who’s been with the institution for over 20 years, states that Graland has been “devoted to [a] tradition of excellence by providing students with experiences that broaden their perspectives and foster both their intellectual and character strengths so that they can thrive in school and in life.”��

8. Women in STEM:

The Girls’ Middle School, Palo Alto, CA

All too often, as girls enter adolescence they begin to turn away from male-dominated fields of study such as science, technology, and math. Although women’s representation has been increasing over time, in Palo Alto, California believes that it’s imperative to continue to take girls’ STEM education seriously. In an inclusive environment where academic growth is nourished, a GMS student can “discover her strengths and express her voice while respecting the contributions of others.”��

The three-year curriculum�� at The Girls’ Middle School includes a revolutionary Computer Science module, a diverse and hands-on Arts and Media syllabus, and an Information Literacy program. Additionally, GMS offers a unique program called Intersession, during which the faculty puts academic classes on hold for a full week and encourages students to try activities that are either entirely new to them or that they want to explore deeply. This bi-annual tradition is a lasting memory for all graduates.��

��Additionally, technology is integrated into all aspects of the curriculum and arts programs, and students in the science program practice the skills that professional scientists use every day, engaging in multiple hands-on explorations, inquiries, and projects as they explore the natural world. The majority of STEM classes at the school are taught by women who are experts in their fields, solidifying for students the fact that they can be successful at anything they put their minds to.

9. STEM for students of color:

Phillips Academy, Andover, MA

The lack of diversity in STEM fields is not only a gender divide. Phillips Academy’s (standing for Mathematics & Science for Minority Students) in Andover, Massachusetts was created in 1977 by Head of School Theodore Sizer in order to advance diversity in the STEM fields by developing the competencies and self-confidence of outstanding students of color. The result is a truly transformative outreach program, which takes 35-37 high-potential students of color from public schools in targeted cities every year and provides a STEM-based three-summer residential program that challenges them intellectually and exposes them to peers and educators with diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and aspirations. Many of the students who attend go on to study at prestigious universities and secure�� jobs working for major companies in the most competitive fields.

With 91��, you can easily see which scores make you a competitive applicant for admission to schools around the world.

Start preparing today!

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Originally published on February 8, 2018. Updated on November 6, 2025.

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Hannah Grandine, Author at 91����