Programs
Academics
Academic Concentrations
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Foxcroft’s curriculum provides a breadth of course options in core liberal arts subjects — English, History, World Languages, Mathematics, Science, and the Arts — that students may take to earn the 21 credits required for graduation. The Academic Concentrations program allows a student to focus her studies in one of several specific areas, above and beyond the requirements for graduation, and to learn outside of the traditional classroom experience.
Academic Concentrations are offered in:
Animal Science
Global Studies
STEM
The Arts
Students who successfully complete the requirements earn special transcript designations.
Each student at our top boarding high school for girls may explore the various opportunities that comprise the overall Academic Concentrations program, even if she is not pursuing the diploma designation. Those opportunities include individual classes (with the Assistant Head of School for Academics’ approval), internships, community service, and in some cases, independent research/culminating presentations.
How It Works
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Eligibility & Requirements
A student may apply to participate in the Academic Concentrations program in the spring of her first year at Foxcroft (usually freshman year), and eligibility is reviewed annually.To be eligible, a student must:- Have a proven record of motivation and achievement
- Demonstrate competency in the Concentration
Requirements to earn the Academic Concentration transcript designation vary from discipline to discipline but generally include the following:- Rigorous course work at a high level of achievement
- Internships each year that a student is enrolled
- Annual commitment to community service in the concentration field
- Independent study and/or a culminating project
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Application Process
To apply, a student should- Meet with the Assistant Head of School for Academics
- Meet with Lead Concentration Mentor in her Concentration area
- Prepare a written proposal
- Submit a transcript and a list of co-curricular and leadership activities
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Progress & Support
Each student will have:- A “concentration mentor” — a faculty member who will guide the student through the three-year program and track her progress towards fulfilling requirements
- A “concentration committee” comprised of the mentor and two additional faculty, to review project proposals and final presentations
- A variety of internships and community service opportunities established by the School to choose from. The student may also devise her own.
— Cathy McGehee, Head of School
“The Academic Concentrations program affords the unique opportunity for students to pursue deep learning in and out of the classroom in an area of passion for them.”
News
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A Grand Finale for the Academic Concentrations
From Director of STEM Education Kristine VarneyRead more >>
This year the Academic Concentration program graduated ten students, the largest class since the program began in 2018. Topics of study among these seniors varied widely, from Global Studies student Shuhan L.’s exploration of non-profit organizations through her work with the Operation Smile program to Gracie S.’s STEM research about the history of humans as an outdoor and indoor species, which culminated in some self-experimentation with living exclusively indoors and then outdoors for several days last summer. Global Studies student Dami O. merged several areas of interest as she looked at the effects of history, identity, and culture on modern-day U.S.-China relations. -
Equine Science Class Participates in Hoof and Distal Limb Dissection at Piedmont Equine Practice
Animal Science Concentration Coordinator and STEM teacher Katie Hergenreder recently took her Equine Science students on a field trip to the Piedmont Equine Practice in The Plains, VA, to participate in a dissection of the hoof and distal limb of a horse. Students worked with veterinarians Dr. Jena Porto and Dr. Christy Moore and received a tour of the facility after the dissection. Following are two student reflections on the experience.Read more >> -
Vox Media Reporter Alex Ward Speaks to Global Studies Students
Read more >>by Hayden E. ’21Last week, Global Studies students had the opportunity to hear a special speaker, Alex Ward from Vox Media. He is not only a reporter but also the son of Senora Sánchez, one of Foxcroft's Spanish teachers. In addition to covering international security and defense issues, he also hosts a podcast. -
Foxcroft Girls ROCK at Foxstock!
On Friday evening, a talented group of Foxcroft students brought Foxstock music festival to FoxHound Auditorium. Through an array of performances featuring many female singer-songwriters and classic tunes, each girl showed the community her “true colors” (with Mimi S. ’20’s Cyndi Lauper number) and gave the audience more than “one reason” (during Abby A. ’20’s rendition of Tracey Chapman’s hit) to cheer and applaud. By the finale with the whole company singing KT Tunstall’s “Suddenly I See,” the audience truly was “held captivated in [their] palms!”Read more >> -
Researching the Cheetah in Animal Science
by Mackenzie W. ’21 and Tina L. ’22Read more >>
Animal Science, a class here at Foxcroft, allows students to study the behaviors and characteristics of different organisms. Recently, one project we completed was to create a model of a specific animal’s skin, skeleton, and digestive organs in order to study the adaptations and digestion system of the animal. My group chose the cheetah, a spectacular animal known for its speed. With research, we were able to connect why the cheetah could run so fast, looking at traits such as hind leg elasticity and increased lung capacity. It was a bit hard doing the research because we could not find too much exact information about the cheetah online, and needed to process scientific articles which took a lot of time to pull out the information we wanted. -
Animal Science at Piedmont Equine
A Report from Lilly R. ’22Read more >>
On April 2, six classmates and I were able to hear Mark Crisman speak at the Piedmont Equine Center. Dr. Crisman talked about the core vaccines in horses (tetanus, EEE, and West Nile). We learned about the negative effects of each virus and why we treat our horses. Dr. Crisman included videos of horses who were sick and it was very eye-opening to all of us. -
Presenting . . . Concentration Projects
Senior Annie Z. made history Tuesday afternoon when she gave the first ever Academic Concentration presentation on the independent study that culminates a student’s journey.Read more >>
Annie, who is a Global Studies concentration student, is one of just five seniors completing concentrations in this first year of the program. Her research topic was domestic abuse in Nepal and El Salvador, and the role of religion on it. STEM concentration students, Chloe G., Clair N., and Sylvia Y. were scheduled to give their presentations this afternoon, and Kayla L., who participated in the Animal Science concentration, will present on April 15. If their sessions are as good as Annie’s, it is fair to say, the Academic Concentration program is off to a terrific start. -
Quinna M. ’21: Using Her Head, Heart, Hands, and Health
With the start of the new school year, a number of students are embarking on academic pursuits in unchartered territory at Foxcroft. Twenty-two girls have been selected for the first class of Academic Concentration designees, including sophomore Quinna M., who is enrolled in the Animal Science concentration. Quinna’s passion for animals, however, began many years before she enrolled at the School.Read more >> -
New Partnership with Virginia Tech MARE Center Provides Real-World Experience for Foxcroft Students
This semester, six students are involved in unique internship experiences in conjunction with a newly formed partnership between Foxcroft School and the Virginia Tech Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension (MARE) Center. Seniors Melanie F. and Saylor H., along with junior Kayla L., are working with graduate students conducting research in equine science. Juniors Carsyn B., Grace C., and Alex V. are interns supporting the Virginia 4-H Chapter’s youth outreach and education program through such activities as video and photographic storytelling, conducting equine knowledge contests, and assisting with education clinics.Read more >> -
Concentrate! New Program Enables Girls to Focus on their Academic Passions
Academic Dean Courtney Ulmer made an exciting announcement Wednesday at Morning Meeting when she introduced the Foxcroft Concentration Program, a new academic opportunity for girls who want to focus on an area of special interest inside and outside of the classroom.Read more >>
An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.
