1992 - 1997

While computers had already made their way into classrooms in the ’70s, the rapidly changing technology put new imperatives on educational institutions in the early ’90s. Under the leadership of Mariana Leighton, who succeeded Neen Hunt first as Acting Head in 1992 and then as Head of School in 1993, Calhoun made a special commitment to encourage students and faculty to become well versed in computer technology—through major investments in hardware, teacher education and expanded student courses in the Lower School grades.  
 

Parents have been a major force in this direction, as well. In the 1995–96 school year, the Parents Association sponsored computer workshops for parents and teachers, and made a commitment to allocate a large portion of its fund-raising toward technology and faculty education. Out of $38,000 raised by the P.A. for the annual Faculty Wish List, $14,000 was specifically designated for computer technology and education. This did not include the $15,000 raised by parents for the annual Holiday Fund for teachers and staff, a tradition since 1956.

Other traditions have continued at Calhoun. The parent-led Spring Fair, renamed the Spring Carnival, celebrates its 34th year in May, 1997, with a turn-of-the-century theme to celebrate the school’s centennial. Upper School students continue to enjoy their annual ski trip and Café Calhoun, and the entire student body looks forward to the annual Harvest Festival and Field Day (still going strong since the ’60s). Student newspapers and literary magazines continue to be popular extracurricular activities, and are the spawning ground for many of our published and yet-to-be-published student authors.

Community service is as important as ever. Most of the Upper School students go well beyond the requirement of 60 hours of service and continue to volunteer in their communities after graduation. Volunteer projects and fund-raisers are commonplace for the younger students, and Middle School students get a taste of community service through special days set aside to work with neighborhood organizations. Can, coat and toy drives are sponsored annually by the school. 

A tradition in debate and forensics may have had its start as early in Calhoun's history as 1919, but nothing could top the awards won by the 1995 Forensics team under coach Sue Wurster!

In the past few years, Calhoun’s forensics team has consistently won high honors both at regional and national levels—unusual for a school of its size. The Lower School has become a model for other progressive educational programs, internationally as well as locally. Students are designing Calhoun’s own website and are using desk-top publishing for research and student publications. And in the 1995–96 school year, the renewed emphasis on sports paid off with two winning Varsity teams, in boys soccer and girls volleyball.

Academically, Calhoun students are inspired to become self-motivated, creative thinkers. “Calhoun taught me to speak with my mouth, my mind and my heart,” says Sonia Bonsu ’95, Harvard ’99. “Calhoun taught me to think, question, challenge and succeed. When it came time for me to move on, I found myself more than prepared for Harvard.” In fact, Calhoun students are accepted by many of the best universities and colleges.

Since its beginnings in 1896, The Calhoun School has seen much change in American society and education, in its West Side neighborhood, and in its own organization and curriculum. What an admirer said of one of the institution’s Heads could be said of the school itself; both have had “a way of changing with the times, but not being engulfed by them.”

Throughout its 100-year history, the school has attracted independent thinkers and retained a commitment to academic excellence, educational innovation, development of high self-esteem and self-expression, community service, and democratic decision-making. Students, faculty, administrators, parents, families, alumnae/i and Trustees continue to make important contributions to the life of our school and our community.

We look forward to continuing these wonderful traditions for the next 100 years.