Signature Programs

We want girls to lead the start-ups of the future—and cultivate that capacity for leadership at Dana Hall. In GSEP, you’ll work in teams to develop a business or product idea, culminating in a pitch to potential investors in a contest called “The Dragon’s Lair” (Recent winners have included PetPal, an environmentally friendly animal collar and app.) Rising juniors and seniors who participate in this summer enrichment program gain invaluable exposure to real-world business practice, and a firsthand understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing female entrepreneurs.

Through the Global Scholars Certificate Program, you’ll have the opportunity to broaden your understanding about the people and cultures of the world through varied coursework, international experiences, and language study. There are four components to this optional certification, including activities, Dana Hall courses which incorporate global perspectives, travel, and global education curriculum. The 9th grade introduction to global education is incorporated into the Skills 9 course, while the 10th grade community service experiences are an extension of the sophomore graduation requirement. Students in 11th grade participate in an examination of environmental justice in a weekly discussion group. Seniors enroll in a minor course seminar and explore their own topic for a capstone project—examples of previous student capstones have focused on a variety of global issues, from clean water shortages to ISIS radicalization in the United States, with each student recommending an action plan for their identified problem. 

You can take your learning beyond campus—way beyond campus—through faculty-led spring break trips to places such as Greece, Italy, and South Africa. Students seeking a longer-term experience can join an exchange program with three international girls’ schools in Australia, Spain, or Japan—or study abroad for a year in China, France, Spain, or Italy through School Year Abroad. Whether you’re completing a semester at the School for Ethics and Global Leadership in Washington, D.C. your junior year—or trading places with a student at the Sansueña School in Zaragoza, Spain—the experience will instill a deep appreciation for the different cultures of the world.

There’s no better way to explore your curiosity around career options than through a senior project. During the last two and a half weeks of their senior year, Dana Hall students have the chance to gain real-world exposure to the workings of some of the area’s high-profile organizations, including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the Massachusetts State House, and Fidelity Investments.