Garrison Forest School announced the launch of The Boyce Center for Learning and Thriving, a hub uniting the school’s academic, counseling, and health resources for students.
“Rooted in cross-campus collaboration, the Boyce Center builds on Garrison Forest’s focus on meeting each student where they are and giving every student her very best opportunity to learn and truly thrive,” reads the press release.
The Boyce Center will connect academic success, emotional/social well-being, and physical health. It will also provide:
- Comprehensive learning support and guidance around academic enrichment opportunities for all students;
- Tools and resources to instill and hone important “soft skills” like communication, public speaking, collaboration, and empathy that will serve all students now and in the future; and
- Guidance and support to build resiliency, proactive wellness, and long-term well-being.
“The Boyce Center is an innovative outgrowth of our expertise in educating girls and nurturing their individuality,” said Chris A. Hughes, Garrison Forest’s Head of School. “The Boyce Center builds on the idea that girls learn best when their academic and social-emotional needs are intentionally met throughout the evolution of their learning journey. We are confident the Boyce Center will elevate the experience of all our students.”
Shannon Schmidt has been appointed inaugural Director of the Boyce Center. She’s served as Garrison Forest’s Head of Middle School for the last five years, and before that, as Middle School Curriculum and Academic Resource Coordinator for the school. She plans to take a cross-campus, collaborative approach to advance the students’ educational experience. Schmidt also plans to expand resources to add math and reading specialists and programs to the center.
“I look forward to the exciting work ahead,” Schmidt said. “This starts with continuing to bring the vision of the Boyce Center to life and creating a space that celebrates the strengths of each student, recognizing that each student matters, and providing them the toolbox to build upon their capabilities and passions to serve them throughout their educational journey and in life.”
Before Schmidt came to Garrison Forest, she served as assistant principal at Patterson Park, a K-8 public charter school in Baltimore. She began her career in education as an elementary school teacher and has presented at multiple national conferences.
Garrison Forest was founded in 1910. Its mission is to prepare “students in and out of the classroom to thrive in a complex changing world by:
- challenging them to strive for academic excellence and to grow into informed, independent and creative thinkers;
- cultivating an authentic and resilient sense of self, grounded in respect and integrity;
- creating a diverse and inclusive community built on a spirit of caring; and
- inspiring young women to lead and to serve with passion, purpose and joy.”
