Open House Draws Interested Families to Campus

The annual event is an opportunity for families to learn about Masters’ programs and meet faculty, administrators, deans and coaches. More than 700 students, parents and guardians attended to learn more about the School and experience a day in the life of a Masters student by attending mini-classes.

 

The middle and upper school sessions ran concurrently, with all families beginning the day in the Fonseca Center. Head of School Laura Danforth welcomed the attendees and began by asking students in the audience to “Picture yourself at a school where there’s no part of who you are that you have to leave at home.” After reading the School’s mission statement, Danforth continued by sharing what sets Masters apart: “Here, we not only promise you the very best academic program, robust arts and athletics programs, over 100 clubs to choose from and beautiful facilities, but we will partner with each and every family to fulfill our promise — and to help each student be a power for good in the world.” She ended by stating that “If you are searching for a community where character, compassionate and courageous action, and belonging have equal billing with unshakeable intellectual standards, you have found us.”

 

Danforth was followed by Arjun Ratan ’24 and Sophia Forstmann ’20, who both spoke about how Masters encouraged them to pursue their passions. Ratan spoke about his role co-leading the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Club in the Middle School, saying that “Masters gives us a platform as students to speak out about the things we are passionate about.” Forstmann, who began at Masters in seventh grade and is co-president of the environment club EFFECT, spoke to the packed audience about how, “at Masters, if you are passionate about anything that will move the community forward in a positive direction then you will be supported. You are never too young to make a difference and The Masters School has helped me realize that.”

 

Following the welcome by Danforth, Ratan and Forstmann, families headed to division-based faculty panels and then experienced Masters by attending a series of 20-minute sessions that covered a range of curriculum and programming, from performing arts and athletics, to science, humanities, and equity and inclusion. Toward the end of the morning, they gathered again to hear from division-based student panels and to learn about the School’s financial aid program.

 

Following the event, Director of Enrollment Management Emma Katznelson shared that families were “incredibly impressed by the thoughtful faculty and administrative presentations, the welcoming parent and student volunteers, and the immaculate campus. They were especially moved by the way in which the School’s mission clearly lives and breathes at Masters.” She added that countless families have contacted her to share how much they enjoyed the day.