Orchard House Middle School

Emma Blake '12 has been a Gryphon for almost her entire life. "Orchard House has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My Dad started working there when I was two years old, and I am grateful that 26 years later (!) it still remains an important part of my life." Read the full profile on our website in our alumnae highlights.

The school year isn't over until each student has had the chance to catch (or fumble) pancakes on the last day, expertly flipped by Ms. Nott and Mr. Hollander.

Orchard House traditions are all about mentorship, sisterhood, and stepping into leadership (and sometimes a little competition!). During the last week of school, 5th Graders read biographies they wrote about their 8th Graders, 6th and 7th Graders participated in a reflective circle where they shared the introspective masks they created in visual art, all students raced to sign each other's yearbooks, and the 8th Graders pummeled the faculty in a well-matched game of newcomb.

We can never say enough wonderful things about the outdoor educators at Chesapeake Bay Foundation - 6th Graders spent the day on the water getting muddy and getting curious. Students took periodic breaks from paddling to talk about common pollutants in urban waterways, practice mindfulness by listening for wildlife in the "marsh minute," and spot prothonotary warblers.

The lost and found bin can pile up, especially during season transitions. Models took to the catwalk to debut the spring collection, reuniting students in the audience with their classic sweatshirts, winter coats, and many, many water bottles.

What's good for your body can be good for the Earth as well. Students donned gloves and headed out for a neighborhood walk - and cleanup - during PE classes earlier this week. The best part? The trash grabbers, of course!

Check out our latest Gryphon Beat as we highlight Miranda Elliott from the Class of 2008! See all alumnae news in the Our Alumnae section on orchardhouse.org.

Balloon buggies took over the third floor this morning as their 8th grade creators measured the speed and distance they went using the force created when air escaped from blown-up balloons. There's never a dull moment in Ms. Brookman's science class!

Check out our latest Gryphon Beat as we highlight Tra'Shaundra Mealy from the Class of 2010! See all alumnae news in the Our Alumnae section on orchardhouse.org.