Calvert School facts for kids

Calvert School is a private school in Baltimore, Maryland. It was started in 1897. This school teaches both boys and girls from kindergarten through eighth grade. It's known for being an independent school, which means it's not run by the government. It's also non-religious and teaches both boys and girls together.

Calvert School is part of important groups like the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). It is also a member of the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools (AIMS).

Discovering Calvert School's History

Calvert School began in 1896. Four families in Baltimore wanted their children to have good kindergarten classes. They hired a German teacher named Fraulein Martha Auguste Schurmann. She taught the first students above a drug store.

In 1899, the school hired its first Headmaster, Virgil M. Hillyer. He was a graduate of Harvard University. Mr. Hillyer helped design the current Lower School building on Tuscany Road. He wanted big windows to let in lots of light and air. He also added fun details, like animal carvings on the benches in the assembly hall. These carvings were meant to keep bad spirits away! Lockers were decorated with pictures of pears or jugs. Many of these special details are still there today.

Key Moments in Calvert School's Past

• 1896 – The school starts as a German kindergarten for four children.
• 1897 – It becomes the "Boys’ and Girls’ Primary School" with fifteen students.
• 1899 – The school's name officially changes to "Calvert Primary School of Baltimore City."
• 1901 – Students move to a new building with a cool rooftop garden.
• 1903 – The first group of students finishes their studies at Calvert School.
• 1907 – The famous Calvert silhouetted head logo is created.
• 1924 – Calvert School moves to its current home on Tuscany Road.
• 1979 – The school adds new spaces for a Library, Science, Art, and even a Planetarium!
• 1987 – The Luetkemeyer Wing opens, adding more space.
• 1997 – Calvert School celebrates its 100th birthday!
• 2000 – The school decides to add a Middle School.
• 2002 – The Middle School officially opens.
• 2004 – The first group of Middle School students graduates.

Leaders of Calvert School

Here are the people who have led Calvert School over the years:

• Virgil M. Hillyer (1899–1931)
• Donald W. Goodrich (1931–1940)
• Edward W. Brown (1940–1967)
• William Kirk (1967–1983)
• Merrill S. Hall III (1983–2004)
• Andrew D. Martire ’83 (2004–2013)
• Andrew Holmgren (2013–Present)

Learning at Calvert School

Calvert School teaches over 600 students from kindergarten (called Fifth Age) through eighth grade.

What Students Learn

In the Lower School, students are grouped by their age, not by a traditional grade level. They learn important subjects like reading and math. They also start learning a foreign language and a special writing style called Calvert Script.

When students reach seventh grade, they begin preparing for high school. In eighth grade, they work with a special coordinator. This person helps them choose the best high school for them.

Student Leadership and Support

Middle school students can join a leadership program. In seventh grade, students can apply to become school leaders. These leaders might be Calvert Captains or help with groups like the Diversity Club.

Middle schoolers also have a "Middle School Advisory" program. Each student is part of a small homeroom group. An advisor, who is also their homeroom teacher, checks on their schoolwork and social life. This happens three times a week for about twenty-five minutes each time.

Students at Calvert School also work on many projects. They might help clean up local streams or write letters to troops. These projects are made fun and fit the age of the students.

Sports and Physical Activity

Calvert School believes in staying active!

Lower School Sports

Younger students have physical education classes several times a week. When children reach Ninth Age, they join special teams. These teams are called the Crows, Canaries, Hoppers, or Crickets. Boys and girls are in separate groups. They compete against each other in different sports throughout the year.

Middle School Athletics

The Middle School offers more than twenty sports teams. These teams play in three different seasons. Over 90% of students join a team sport! Some of the sports include:

• Football
• Flag football
• Field hockey
• Soccer
• Basketball
• Squash
• Lacrosse
• Baseball
• Cross country

Fifth graders can also join an intramural program. This means they play sports just for fun within the school, without competing against other schools.

Famous People Who Went to Calvert School

Many successful people have attended Calvert School. Here are a few:

• Julie Bowen, a famous actress who has won awards.
• John Rawls, a well-known philosopher.
• Frances Scott Fitzgerald, a writer and the daughter of famous author F. Scott Fitzgerald.
• John Waters, a film director, writer, and artist.
• Eric Puchner, a novelist and short story writer.
• Frank Deford, a sportswriter and novelist.
• Carol Graham, a respected expert in public policy and author.
• Peyton List, an actress and model.
• William P. Carey, a generous giver to charity and a businessman.
• Keith Flaherty, a leading doctor and professor in cancer research.