Collaboration in Action

Collaboration isn’t just something we talk about at Dana Hall. It is something we live every day, in every corner of the new Upper School Building. From classrooms to breakout rooms to shared faculty offices, the building was designed with connection and teamwork in mind. But what does collaboration look like? 

One December morning, I stopped by the Senior Hangout Area, fondly known as the SHA. It’s a space brimming with energy, decorated with artifacts from the Class of 2025 and filled with seniors working, chatting, and connecting. I sat down with a group of seniors from Meg Gayton’s This is Us English elective course and learned they were in the middle of writing blog posts about the book they were reading.

When I mentioned my upcoming deadline for this Roar blog, they immediately started offering advice: keep paragraphs short, avoid repetition, and use photos and storytelling to make the post more engaging. One student even suggested a visit to the Writing Lab! In that moment, it struck me how naturally collaboration happens here. Students supporting one another, learning from their teachers, and even offering insights to administrators like me: it’s all part of the culture of learning at Dana Hall.

Since it opened last March, the Upper School Building has transformed how we work and learn together. During construction, we were spread out across campus, and collaboration often required extra effort and planning. Now, with everyone under one roof, collaboration has become seamless.

Throughout the building, there are open gathering spaces, flexible classrooms shared across disciplines, and breakout rooms designed specifically for group work. These spaces are more than just functional. They foster a sense of community. Students have told me how much they appreciate the chance to connect with friends and teachers throughout the day. Their teachers are more accessible, and spontaneous conversations in shared faculty offices often spark new ideas.

I’ve seen this firsthand in the Social Studies Office where two teachers were recently brainstorming details for a 10th-grade Area Studies Symposium. In the Makerspace, I watched faculty members from three different departments work together to assemble our new CNC router and work with students on a project. The Dana Hall Art Gallery has a beautiful new space, and we have welcomed back the Artist in Residence program through which our art students are able to work alongside a professional artist. And in the College Counseling Office, the energy is palpable as juniors and seniors meet with college counselors to plan their futures.

At Dana Hall, collaboration isn’t just about working together. It’s how we prepare students for the challenges and choices they will face as women and citizens of the world. Collaboration teaches students to listen, communicate and resolve conflicts. It helps our students to develop a love of learning, and it promotes creativity and a free exchange of ideas and allows students to explore diverse perspectives.

Students and faculty alike have embraced the new opportunities for collaboration these spaces provide. During Conference Periods, students have more productive interactions with teachers and use breakout rooms to meet in small groups or work on projects together. The Writing, Math, and Science Labs, each with dedicated spaces, offer additional resources that students can access throughout the day.

The Upper School Building has become more than just a physical space—it is a hub for creativity, connection, and growth. Whether it’s seniors collaborating in the SHA, faculty working together to design interdisciplinary projects, or students meeting with counselors and advisors, collaboration is thriving in ways that feel both intentional and organic.

These moments remind me why collaboration is such a vital part of the Dana Hall experience. It’s not just about getting the work done; it’s about learning and building something meaningful together.