What types of students attend Foxcroft?

What types of students attend Foxcroft?

There is no "typical" Foxcroft girl – unless you take into account that students who choose Foxcroft do so because they want to be involved in all levels of this active, small community. They like what they see, hear, and feel during their visits – that at Foxcroft, our core value is that each student is known and valued, that meanness of spirit is not tolerated, that the traditions are awesome, and that they love their teachers and friends.

How many classes will I take? What is the daily schedule like?

How many classes will I take? What is the daily schedule like?

Students typically take five academic courses – English, Mathematics, Science, History and Foreign Language plus a Fine Arts elective. We have a 7-period, rotating schedule which seems complicated but that students learn quickly. In general we have breakfast from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m., two classes before Morning Meeting/Food Break, two classes before lunch, and then two classes after lunch. There are also meeting periods on some days. Sports, riding, dance, and P. E. often happen between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Dinner is served from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Study Hall is from 7:30-9:45 p.m., and lights out is at 11 p.m. (10:30 p.m. for freshmen)

What are weekends like?

What are weekends like?

There are weekend activities scheduled every weekend by a Student Activities group. Foxcroft belongs to a group of boarding schools in the Baltimore/Washington area that does things together socially. Those events at Foxcroft, other schools, or other places may include dances, sports events, amusement parks, and cultural events. Foxcroft also has trips off campus to malls/movies/dinner. Generally there are 2-3 activities per weekend. Students sign up for events and/or trips on the Activities Board.

What is dormitory life like?

What is dormitory life like?

The girls in each dormitory have great pride in their dormitory and enjoy the fun they have together as well as the competition with other dorms – such as the "Battle of the Dorms Talent Show." There are five dormitories on campus. All freshmen live in Reynolds – but the other four dormitories have students of all ages. Depending on the size of the room, students may have 3, 2, or 1 roommate(s). In each dormitory, there is a Housemother. It is her full-time job to make sure things run smoothly in the dorm – whether it's making sure you keep your room clean or helping you survive homesickness or baking brownies for the dorm birthday parties. There are also student leaders, another dormitory adult, and a dorm team of teachers who will be involved in your dorm life. Foxcroft's dormitories are different from other schools. Each student shares a private bath with her roommate(s), and all the beds are across the hall in a different area. Dormitories have all the necessities including computers and wireless hubs in the common area, hall telephones, kitchen areas with microwaves and refrigerators, free laundry facilities, televisions with DVD/VCR's, and pianos.

Who will my roommate be?

Who will my roommate be?

The Admission Office asks New Girls to complete a roommate questionnaire. We add that to the fact that we know you from the admission process and we work with the Dean of Students to make decisions about roommates. We work hard to choose roommates for you who may have similar interests, tastes in music, and neat versus sloppy tendencies. We generally do a pretty good job. Returning students choose their own roommates.

Who will I eat dinner with the first night?

Who will I eat dinner with the first night?

Don't worry – we've thought of that. One of Foxcroft's traditions is that of pairing New Girls with Old Girls, one of the privileges of being a senior. Your Old Girl gets in touch with you over the summer, greets you when you arrive, helps you move in, helps you say goodbye to your parents – and THEN takes you to dinner. She will spend the first few days helping you learn everything you need to know.

How and when do I get off campus?

How and when do I get off campus?

Students may get permission from their parents to go away on weekends to home or other places. There is a permission process that takes place during the week before. Transportation is available each Open Weekend to Dulles and National Airports and to Union Station. On the eleven Closed Weekends no overnight permissions are allowed for boarding students and all students are expected to be on campus for important community events.

What Internet and IM access will I have?

What Internet and IM access will I have?

Foxcroft has approximately 75 computers, most of which are available for student use. Every dormitory has computers with Internet access and wireless ports for use with students’ laptops in the common areas. This is a very popular spot at many times during the day – especially after Study Hall. There are also computer labs in the Library and science wing, and in other classrooms and the Writing Lab. Students are not allowed to email or IM during Study Hall and the campus-wide network is shut down from 1:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. Foxcroft's campus networking does not include individual dormitory rooms as our commitment to the importance of community life requires many face-to-face interactions. Students and parents sign a technology contract which indicates their understanding of the School’s technology policy.

How do I get involved?

How do I get involved?

The Admission Office lets the school community know your special talents and interests – so that the coaches, arts instructors, and club advisors will be looking forward to meeting you. During the summer you learn about pre-season, and sports, riding, and P. E. sign-ups happen one of the first school days. Soon after school begins, student leaders of clubs and activities put on an assembly about all the opportunities for students to get involved. Students sign up, listen for announcements during Morning Meetings, and attend the club meetings. It's that easy. What you will need to think about and talk with your Old Girl and Advisor about is how to keep yourself from becoming over-committed – with so many things to do and try.

Is there a dress code?

Is there a dress code?

Foxcroft's dress code is fairly simple – khaki or black pants or skirts with solid-colored, collared blouses which are tucked in. Shoes (which may not be athletic shoes) must have closed toes and backs. Dress code is required during the Academic Day.

What is it like to be a day student in a school where most students are boarders?

What is it like to be a day student in a school where most students are boarders?

Being a day student at Foxcroft is different than at any other school. First of all, you have a room, roommate(s), a bed, desk, dresser, and closet – so you have a place to call your own and to spend time - just like the boarders. All day students board for the first month of school (until the class trip weekend in late September). Ninth graders take this time to get to know their class, to experience the "freshman skills" program, and to get used to the flow of the day, afternoon, and evening schedule. After that, day students may stay two nights a week on campus – so if students have an away game, a group project due, or just want to go to the "Sing-Sing," it's easy to stay. Day students are welcome to all three meals in the dining room as well.

What is the School’s cell phone policy?

What is the School’s cell phone policy?

Students are allowed to have cell phones which they may use only in their dormitories on weekends and during travel to and from the School (not including school-sponsored trips). This allows them to have contact with their friends and families and to call the School and home if there are travel problems. There are many telephones in each dormitory for use at other times. Most students use pre-paid calling cards which are available at the Bookstore.