FALMOUTH ACADEMY

7 Highfield Drive • Falmouth, MA 02540
phone: (508) 457-9696 • fax: (508) 457-4112

Traditions and Milestones Connect FA Generations

Last month, I concluded in this column [From the Headmaster, The GAM, February, 2008] that the journey of high school years is what matters, not the college destination. In thinking about Falmouth Academy's 30 years of educating young men and women, I have been struck that our relatively short history has given rise to so many long-standing traditions, traditions that serve as milestones in that high school journey and also serve to connect 30 years of FA alumni with our current students.

For instance, as I write this letter, we are preparing for our 20th all-school science fair. Every year, preparation for this fair results in remarkable hands-on science, and routinely places our students among the top science award winners at the state and national levels. This might be reason enough to celebrate, but equally important is the community spirit that this tradition creates. It requires the involvement and cooperation of everyone in our school community and is a fine example of how the school comes together to celebrate our students' efforts. I cannot imagine February at Falmouth Academy without the energy of the Science Fair around us--nor, I would guess, can any FA alumnus of the past 20 years!

But Science Fair is only one such milestone. After spending their seventh grade year learning about other cultures, our eighth-graders are asked to examine their own values and goals. As they draw a pencil self-portrait and write a personal essay, they must look closely and objectively at themselves, from each freckle reflected in a mirror to their habits and attitudes toward others. These are powerful tools for self-examination and reflection, not easy things for 13- or 14-year olds! I am always amazed at how good the portraits are and how easily we recognize each student. Like surviving their first science fair, finishing these revealing essays and portraits is an unforgettable triumph.

And what FA student or alumnus can ever forget the spirited Athens-Sparta debate which engages them as freshmen? Working as teams of Athenians and Spartans, they research and then debate the attributes of these Greek city-states. In the weeks before the debate, older students often coach the freshmen on the finer points of Spartan military strength or Athenian democracy. If alumni are on campus, they join the conversation. Once and Athenian, always an Athenian! Although Athenians and Spartans cheer on their respective teams and react enthusiastically when the winner is announced at All-School Meeting, they spend the day after the debates celebrating each other's achievements, including praising the successes of the opposing team.

Praise and evaluation mark another milestone with senior peer references: well-constructed, generous, and detailed portraits about a classmate, which become part of that classmate's college applications. The writing and the group reading of these portraits make up an important tradition for our seniors, a tradition that affects the whole school. Younger students learn to attend to their classmates' interests and strengths, because they know they will write a peer reference when they are seniors. The references have become central to our graduation ceremony, with each senior standing to read about a fellow graduate with poise, affection--and some very impressive writing.

Falmouth Academy has always been clear about our focus and mission. We are deliberate about our size and our core curriculum, which for 30 years has made it possible for our teachers and students to grow traditions that are easily recognized, anticipated, and shared among alumni, current students, and their families. We may be young, but our traditions are as deep and meaningful as those of schools three times our age.

David C. Faus
The GAM, March-April, 2008