Information for Newly Admitted Families

Every day starts at 8 a.m., except for Thursdays when students have a late start at 8:50 a.m. Both the Middle School and Upper School daily schedules include Conference Period, a dedicated time for students to meet individually or in small groups with their teachers. While the academic class day in the in the Middle School ends at 2:10, and in Upper School ends at 3:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and at 2:20 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays, the end of the school day is dependent on each student’s co-extracurricular choices. Our co-curricular time at the end of day is truly special for exercising bodies, stretching minds and building community and connections.

All 5th and 6th graders have a standard schedule and do not need to select classes. They will, however, get to choose their after school activities.

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 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.

Our schedule is intentionally designed to have classes meet for longer blocks fewer times per week in order to limit the amount of out-of-class work students need to complete on a given day. In addition, there are pockets of time during the day — Conference Period as well as study halls or free periods — when students can get started on homework and ask teachers questions. Dana Hall continues to think critically about how and why we assign homework and is continually evaluating our homework guidelines. 

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 and 6th grade students engage in student-led conferences with their parents/guardians and advisors, and students complete extensive portfolios in Trimester III. 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. 

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. 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, 8th grade students who are exceptionally proficient in a sport may be asked 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 or take a fitness elective.

The Middle School Fall Play and Winter Musical are open to all students, and auditions are held to determine “best-fit” roles. Middle School students self-select into dance, chorus and music ensembles.

In the Upper School, students audition to be an actor 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 is open by audition to 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, String Society and Rock Band have a minimum years of experience requirement, and Flute Choir is audition-based. 

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-campus 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.