Information for Newly Admitted Families

All 5th and 6th graders have a standard schedule and do not need to select classes. They will, however, get to choose their co-curricular activity each trimester.

In the spring, students entering grades 7 and 8 receive a placement test for math, along with instructions for completing and returning the tests. Language choices and placements, music ensemble requests for grade 7 and 8, and arts elective requests for grade 8, also happen in the spring.

Upper School students hear from the Academic Office about the course request process and placement tests in April. Students will take placement tests at home; these are just one of the tools department heads use to determine the best course recommendations for students. They also rely on student transcripts and questionnaires. Students have an opportunity to  meet with a member of the Academic Office over Zoom in the spring to discuss an academic plan and  answer any questions.

It's an exciting time for Dana Hall because we are in the process of implementing a new daily schedule for the 2025-26 school year. That schedule will be rolled out this spring, and we will share it once it is available.

In 5th and 6th grade, students have an hour or more of work outside of school, and in 7th and 8th grade, approximately two hours. 

In the Upper School, homework guidelines are scaffolded by grade. Students in 9th grade receive up to 30 minutes of homework per class meeting during the first trimester; this increases to 45 minutes per class meeting for the rest of the year. Students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades can receive up to 60 minutes of homework per class meeting each week, and assignments are only due on days when class meets. AP and Honors courses do not need to adhere to these guidelines.

Dana Hall operates on a trimester system, with faculty providing grades and comments at the end of each term. Beyond these comment-heavy reports, faculty share regular feedback with students via Canvas, the School’s online learning management system, as well as on individual assignments. 

Middle School families have conferences with advisors in the fall. In Trimester II, 5th grade students engage in student-led conferences with their parents/guardians and advisors. While students in 5th and 6th grade receive grades on individual assignments, letter grades are phased in during Trimester II of 6th grade. 

In the Upper School, the student’s advisor is the main academic point of contact for students and families. In addition to end-of-trimester grades and comments, mid-trimester progress reports are issued if needed, and advisors gather and summarize updates from every teacher for Family Weekend in October and again in advisor letters sent in January which are shared with both students and families.

For students in grades 6-12, families are responsible for purchasing Apple iPads for their children, and the School will provide support to secure iPads for qualifying students who receive financial aid. For students in grade 5, Dana Hall will assign each student a school-owned iPad to be used in the classroom; family-owned iPads are not needed.

More information about iPad specifications and purchasing your iPad is available in DanaConnect. You will create your DanaConnect account and gain access to the resource board when you complete your enrollment steps. 

DanaConnect

Yes. In the Middle School, we run tryouts at the start of each season to determine levels of play. We typically field an A and B level team for Middle School sports, and a non-competitive instructional level team when roster numbers and space allow. In some sports, there may be cuts due to space. If a student is cut from a team, she will select an alternative sport with roster openings, one of our fitness electives or performing arts. 


With the Athletic Director's approval, Middle School students who are exceptionally proficient in a sport may request to try out for an Upper School team. When the School does not offer a particular sports program in the Middle School, Middle School students may be eligible for the Upper School team at the discretion of the head coaches.

In the Upper School, most teams are split into varsity and junior varsity levels based on a defined athletic skill set. Tryouts are held at the start of each season, and teams are selected by ability. The number of teams for each sport and the availability of a particular sport may vary in a given year. In some sports and in some seasons, there are cuts. If a student is cut from a team, she may opt to join a team with an uncapped roster, take a fitness elective, or choose an alternative co-curricular option (community service, dance, or theater).

The Middle School Play and Musical are open to all students, and auditions are held to determine “best-fit” roles. All 5th and 6th graders participate in Chorus. 7th and 8th grade students self-select into Chorus and music ensembles. Middle School Dance meets four times weekly during the Co-Curricular period, and students may enroll each trimester.

In the Upper School, students audition to be actors in the productions of our three major theatrical performances or sign up for a technical theater position for co-curricular credit. Each production offers challenging roles for experienced performers and ensemble parts. In addition, students can opt to take one of our theater-based courses as an academic elective.

Our dance program offers Dance Repertory Group, an audition-based choreography, rehearsal, and performance course for advanced dancers. In addition, we offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced technique classes in ballet, modern, and jazz. Tap and hip hop are split into two levels.

Our Upper School Chorus has open membership, whereas Chamber Singers audition-based for students who possess fine vocal and musicianship abilities and are committed to high-performance standards.

While music lessons through our School of Music are open to all students, Chamber Ensembles, Jazz Combo and Rock Band have a minimum years of experience requirement. The String Society and the Flute Choir are audition-based performance ensembles. 

Dana Hall’s campus is “open” 24 hours a day/7 days a week, so it is a place where students learn, live, eat and grow together. Both day and boarding students have full access to all facilities, and on-duty faculty and staff make themselves available to connect with students well beyond the hours of a typical school day. All students are invited to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Dining Hall, and all Upper School students can participate in weekend and evening activities. Through their day student friends, boarding students make meaningful connections with local families and meet peers from other schools. Views into new and different cultures and perspectives happen every day.

Dana Hall has an active Parents’ Association made up of all current parents and guardians. There are many ways you can lend your time or expertise to the school as a volunteer — both in person and virtually. Families assist with activities for residential life enrichment, support athletics and performing arts through the Boosters, participate or lead service projects, staff the Shipley Center snack bar and work in the library, plan and run special events throughout the year, help the School’s fundraising goals and promote sustainability initiatives. You can participate as much or as little as your schedule allows.

Learn more about the Parents' Association

Students, both boarding and day, can eat all three meals in the Dining Hall, which is all-inclusive—you don’t need to bring in lunch money. The food is healthy and delicious. The Dining Hall staff is always coming up with different combinations and meals. They are sensitive to students with allergies: they label everything, provide gluten-free options, and will work with individual students who have dietary restrictions. Popular meals include a noodle bar, grilled cheese, and Cobb salad bar. Students may also choose to make their own waffle or panini. Some community members claim that brunch on weekends is the best meal of the week! 

Middle School students have rotating, assigned seats for lunch. Upper School students can select their own seats.