School News - St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's School

Student Performers Honor Gospel Tradition at Annual Celebration

“I'll tell you what ‘freedom’ is to me—no fear!” The words of legendary soul singer Nina Simone inspired the students, faculty, and parents assembled at this year's Gospel Celebration, titled “A Journey of Love, Rooted in the African-American Tradition.”

Beginners Students Join P.E. Circus

The Beginners had a chance to play alongside the first grade experts, who offered the 2- and 3-year-olds a lesson from the circus unit of their daily physical education class.

February Focus: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

As the temperatures drop and the polar vortex descends on New York City, St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s embraces the wintry weather and celebrates with a schoolwide focus on the classic tale The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis.

Dr. King Inspires Students to Write—and Dream

Students honored the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by exploring the power of his words and taking inspiration from his influential “I Have a Dream Speech,” delivered at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.

Kindergarten Students Learn “How To” Help the Greenhouse Thrive

When Greenhouse Keeper Lauren Paull noticed that younger students were overwatering plants in the greenhouse, she turned to the senior kindergarten to impart this important lesson.

Second Graders Crack Computer’s Code with “Binary Bracelets”

Beginning technology students in second grade used hands-on materials to learn the foundational principles of computing and lift the veil of technology, revealing the building blocks of how their iPads, computers, and other devices work.

Alumni Scholar Returns with Latin Lessons

Eighth grade Latin students had a special substitute this week, when Herbert Toler ’18 returned to teach a lesson on Roman culture. Eighth grade Latin teacher Joan Wentworth invited Herbert back after hearing about his current success with high school Latin.

St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s Presents ... School of Rock!

Singers, dancers, and crew members at St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's are preparing for this year's spring production, School of Rock, The Musical! The performances will take place Friday, May 3 at 4 p.m. and Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m.

“Compassionate Leaders” Honor Patron Saints with Schoolwide Day of Service

Singing at a nursing home; baking for local firefighters; and making cards, decorations, and treats for a neighborhood soup kitchen were just some of the ways that students observed St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s Day, an annual schoolwide day of service that honors the school’s patron saints, Hilda of Whitby and Hugh of Lincoln.

Parents Hear from School Leadership on “Your Most Important Investment”

Members of St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s Board of Trustees and administration offered parents an in-depth examination of the school’s finances and how investments in independent school tuition and philanthropic giving directly impact students and faculty.

Head of School Highlights Values-Based Education, Multi-faceted Diversity, and Faculty Tenure at Admission Open House

“We are an Episcopal school founded to bring together children and families of all racial, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds,” she said. “One of the crucial aspects of our program is helping children to become people of conscience and compassion. This is not a new endeavor for us—it has been part of our mission since our founding 70 years ago.”

“The Path of Peace”: Response to the Shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue

“This is a dark moment that reminds us of the importance of choosing a path of peace. As a community, St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s chooses the path of peace and life.”

Fifth Graders Make a Colonial Connection in Mystic, Connecticut

When fifth graders talk about one of their favorite experiences at St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s, what tops the list is an immersive field trip 125 miles north, where they participate in The Mystic Seaport Ship to Shore Overnight Program.

Chapel Renovation Completes Master Building Plan

St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's 2018 Convocation opened more than a new school year. On the first day of school, a renovation of the school's Gordon Chapel was unveiled. The last space in the school to be updated, Gordon Chapel’s transformation completed the modernization of the 51-year-old building.

Class of 2018 Urged to “Think Like the Scientists You Are” at Historic Riverside Church Graduation

The Riverside Church in the City of New York was the site of the graduation of St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's class of 2018. Thirty-three students earned diplomas this year and were exhorted by commencement speaker Kari Nesbit, Lower School Science Teacher, to "think like the scientists you are," to make the world a better place.

Alumna Actor Greets the Class of 2018: “Be Confident Enough to Be Kind”

The class of 2018 was welcomed into the alumni family by a 2007 graduate, Coral Peña. Peña, an actor who appeared this year in Steven Spielberg’s The Post with Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, spoke at a dinner for St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s eighth graders and their parents. While she talked about her Hollywood mentors, Peña reserved her highest praise for her St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s classmates and teachers—many of whom are still on the faculty.

Brass Band Helps Launch Scottish #ChangeTheTune Music Education Movement

Brass Band Director Sandy Coffin recently enlisted her students to kick off a social media campaign aimed at preserving and promoting free instrumental music tuition for all school children in Scotland. “Musical and cultural exchanges have always been important in promoting better understanding,” Coffin says.

Alumna Author Offers Lesson in “Living History”

An accomplished alumna returned to St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s to share the fruits of her scholarship with students, faculty, parents, and alumni. Anne C. Bailey ‘82, a professor of history and African American studies at SUNY Binghamton, offered excerpts from The Weeping Time, which chronicles one of the largest slave auctions in American history.

Parents’ Association Presents: Parenting in the Age of Isms, Featuring Dr. Sandra Chapman

Parents and faculty from St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's attended an April presentation and discussion facilitated by Dr. Sandra “Chap” Chapman (Director of Equity and Community at Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School) on “Parenting in the Age of ‘Isms.’”

National Library Month: Showcasing the C.V. Starr Library and Learning Center

The C.V. Starr Library and Learning Center is one of St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's treasures, offering students, families, and faculty rich resources and ample space for reading, research, and exploration. In honor of National Library Month, this month we will showcase the library’s many resources: this week, two online encyclopedias, World Book (WorldBookOnline.com) and Scholastic Go! (go.scholastic.com).