Shady Hill School

Grade VI Rites of Passage was a meaningful celebration of reflection, growth, and community. Through thoughtful performances and shared traditions, students marked this important milestone with courage, creativity, and heart. The evening honored not only how far they have come, but also the strong connections and sense of belonging that make this experience such a special part of the Shady Hill journey.

May Day at Shady Hill School was a celebration of tradition, community, and the arrival of spring. Rooted in longstanding customs, the day brought the community together for beloved Maypole dances, songs, and performances that have been shared across generations of Shady Hill students. From start to finish, the celebration reflected the joy, connection, and spirit that make May Day such a meaningful part of the Shady Hill experience!

Last Friday, Middle School Clubs met for the final time this school year. Led by Shady Hill faculty, the wide range of offerings, including Pipetting=Frosting!, Fantasy Sports, and Interior Design, gave students the opportunity to explore new interests and develop new skills. Whether gathered around a chessboard or knitting and creating fiber art, clubs provided time for students to connect with both faculty and peers across the Middle School.

Students decorated rocks with messages and images of gratitude tied to the spring season at Shady Hill. These pieces will help spread joy and add festive flair to the May Day celebrations. Many thanks to the Parent Ambassadors for sourcing the perfect stones for the job! Shady Hill is lucky to have such amazing volunteers in our community.

In a few short weeks, the community will gather for May Day! What’s your favorite May Day memory? Comment below.

1. Mayday 1937
2. Beginner Bunnies
3. Cherry Blossoms Cambridge 1980
4. 1994
5. Dancing
6. More Recent Times

Bravo to Ms. Armstrong’s Grade III performers in True Courage, written by Mr. Sen ’92, TTC ’07. ⚓️ Students took us on a powerful journey at sea, where Malcolm follows in his father’s footsteps, training to become a harpooner aboard the whaling ship, the True Courage. 🐋 But when his love for whales conflicts with his role, he must decide where he stands. In the end, the play offers a clear message: true courage lies in acting on one’s beliefs. ❤️

Flex Week at Shady Hill is a dedicated break from the regular class schedule where students spend the week working on special projects or taking field trips. From Kindergarten’s explorations of turtles and falcons to Grade V’s making mooncakes, playing Mahjong, and creating silk paper– students were immersed in their work. Each grade brought energy and excitement to their projects. It was a great week for experiential learning!

Our Grade VII students brought history to life in their Roads to (R)evolution performance! After weeks of collaboration, script work, and rehearsal, they stepped into the roles of historical figures and explored the events leading up to the American Revolution. With confident performances and strong ensemble work, students showcased both their creativity and their understanding of this pivotal moment in history. Well done!

Join Head of School Mark Stanek as he talks with Desiree Ivey, Executive Director of the Teacher Training Center (TTC) and Nora MacDonald, TTC ‘15, Learning Specialist, Middle School Learning Resources. Des and Nora take you inside the program to explain how it works, and share why Shady Hill students love their TTC Apprentices!

Listen to the podcast here. https://open.spotify.com/episode/3FbOhDZWwcMAJYuBYT5OiU?si=lhg_gGueRJKpUkIblPQsWg