Academic Philosophy

Teaching and learning at the Bay School grow naturally out of our mission and philosophy; our commitment to the stewardship of time, for example, suggests a bias towards depth rather than breadth. Accurate and elegant communication in more than one medium requires skill, training, and a great deal of practice. Scientific and cultural literacy result from engagement with and reflection upon the difficult issues that challenge our global community.

The curriculum grows from a largely skills-based, integrated approach in the freshman and sophomore years to an increasing interplay between the requirements for college admission and the talents and enthusiasms of the students in the junior and senior years. Ethical and religious studies, initially integrated into the humanities program, are later examined in classes which range from traditional philosophy to investigations of the moral implications of developments such as globalization and the communications revolution. Advanced foreign language classes may also qualify as courses in literature or history. Faculty members constantly challenge students to relate their learning to other disciplines and to the world in which they live.

Academic assessment is authentic and intentional. Because we value critical and independent thinking as well as the thoughtful and thorough exploration of a topic, our assessment tools are varied and comprehensive. In all disciplines, assessment reaches beyond the test, grade, and comprehensive exam approach; major papers, multimedia presentations, dramatic presentations, and internships are also a part of each student’s comprehensive portfolio of work.