*An intellectually rigorous academic environment
*The intentional integration of faith and learning
*A community-based approach to learning
*A collaborative philosophy which focuses on personal relationships, not power of authority
*A balanced preparation for life
*An emphasis on life-long learning
*Student-led servant leadership

This is the first in a series of seven articles, all to be published this semester, each of which will explore an individual Core Operating Principle. Within the discussion of each Core Operating Principle are specific examples (called "What that means") of the ways in which that principle will be carried out at our school.

Core Operating Principle No. 1: An intellectually rigorous academic environment

St. Martin's has always placed superior academics at the top of its mission. "Superior academics" at St. Martin's-and the vast majority of independent schools-has traditionally been defined as (and limited to) the hard-line academic skills and knowledge required to earn excellent PSAT, AP and college course scores. Now, though, leading-edge educational research and science tells us that the academic environment must be expanded beyond traditional curriculum in order to maximize the educational experience that we impart to our students. Instilling an intellectually rigorous academic environment means taking the curriculum we have now and strengthening it by way of philosophy and process.

The starting point for an intellectually rigorous academic environment is the recognition that all students (indeed, all people) learn differently. This is what we mean when we refer to "multiple intelligences"-the fact that every human has some combination of intelligence types (linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial and interpersonal). As educators, we must acknowledge that fact and use it to our advantage in our teaching styles and methods. Not only do students learn in different ways from teachers, they also learn in different ways from each other. At St. Martin's, we will provide an environment that encourages and supports each student according to his/her intelligences across the curriculum span, creating an exciting atmosphere for learning. Knowing that one learns better and remembers longer if one discovers it for him/herself, imagine the impact from instilling the thrill of discovery in our classrooms!

What that means: Teachers will be supported by professional development to train them in recognition and nurturing of different learning styles in a rigorous academic setting. Teachers will employ a rich variety of teaching methods in their classrooms. Students will take responsibility for understanding how they learn and work collaboratively with faculty on their own learning plan.

In order to strengthen our intellectual and academic environment, we must gather data about how our students learn, how our teachers teach, and then methodically interpret and use that data to produce a state of continuous improvement. This data-driven research informs our approach to the teaching/learning experience so that we remain effective and accountable to the students and parents who select St. Martin's.

What that means: Teachers and administrators will collect and store student learning-style as well as standardized test data at least twice a year. Teachers will then use that data to inform planning for their sequential instruction. The Coatney Leadership Center will house the most up to date pedagogical books, periodicals and access to web content so that teachers, students, parents and administrators have an organized space in which to gather data and discuss it collaboratively.

Our teaching approach is student-centered, dialogue-driven and critical thinking-oriented. The more collaboration in the classroom, the better we function as a community. The student who takes an active role in his/her learning, engages with teachers and other students in dialogue and develops critical-thinking skills, will be the student best prepared for success in the 21st century. Student-centered means that everything we as school teachers and administrators do must be done with the goal of nurturing our students' intellectual, academic, social, emotional and physical lives so that they leave our school fully capable of achieving their goals in life.

What that means: As students progress through the three Divisions of our school, they will gradually transition from teacher-driven to a teacher-student collaborative learning process. In Lower School, the teacher directs the program while providing developmentally appropriate opportunities for choice and self-exploration such as Renzulli learning. In Middle School, teachers model effective learning strategies to encourage student responsibility while providing more developmentally appropriate opportunities for choice and self-exploration such as debates, project-based learning and service learning. In Upper School, teachers and students engage in collaborative learning through increased student responsibility. Here, multiple opportunities for choice and self-exploration are the norm, and include debates, project-based and problem-based learning, as well as experiential and service learning methods to develop abstract and critical thinking.

In conclusion, St. Martin's will continue to require students to master necessary academic concepts and skills while producing a much deeper level of understanding in a much larger number of students through an educational philosophy and process based on research and data. Our emphasis is on intellectual rather than merely academic because knowledge is not just facts-it's also how to work together effectively, how to grow through challenges, how to learn about oneself and how to adapt to changing circumstances.

The bottom line is that at St. Martin's, we seek bright and motivated students who intend to be successful in school and in life, and who are committed to our unique school philosophy. In return, we pledge to support students of all learning styles in order to help them achieve their best. We see every individual (students, teachers and parents alike) as life-long learners, and we will work together to ensure that every St. Martin's student leaves with the tools they need to succeed.

At St. Martin's, we embrace a tradition of faith and learning not only for the sake of learning about religion and faith, but also as the cornerstone of an education for life.

For over 60 years, our guiding Episcopal tradition has promoted the intentional integration of faith into every aspect of learning. That integration occurs not only in religion classes and Chapel services, but also in English and civics classes, life skills courses and wherever ethics and self-reflection discussions happen. Students are encouraged to reflect beyond their day to day activities and wrestle with what we are called to do individually and as a community. Our chapel services reflect the Episcopal tradition with song, praise and prayer. Students in every Division take an active role by serving as acolytes, leading songs, reading, playing the bells, or even delivering the sermon in older grades.

What that means: Within each Division, we will fully articulate our current religion curriculum, continuously assessing and responding to the need for change and improvement. Classrooms will provide meaningful discussions about ethical and moral issues with an atmosphere of mutual respect as well as accountability for one's own behavior. Religion classes, as well as other classes, will reflect on the lessons learned from the Bible as they apply to our own lives. Within and across Divisions, we will incorporate religious instruction into the scope and sequence of other disciplines. We will encourage increased participation in Chapel services by our parents, faculty and staff. We will continue to expose our students to the major world traditions, particularly those represented in our own school population. We are an inclusive school community and we will help our students to learn about other faith traditions and respect the dignity of all mankind, looking for the commonalities that bind us together.

Beyond providing a strong foundation of religious instruction, St. Martin's instills lifelong moral and ethical character development, preparing our students to live a meaningful and purposeful life. We have created a community of mutual respect which holds students accountable for their behavior. Further, we educate our students (as well as our faculty, staff and parents) on choices and consequences. From our life skills program-which gives students the tools they need to lead responsible, safe and productive adult lives-to our abundant service learning programs which teach us that in helping others we too grow in understanding and compassion, character development becomes woven into the "whole student", stretching him or her to think of others and to lead not just fellow students but also the greater community.

What that means: We will articulate and implement a plan to incorporate life skills and service learning programs through all Divisions in an interdisciplinary manner, continuously assessing need and opportunity for improvement and expansion. We will educate our parents about current research and methods and education through workshops on relevant and age-appropriate topics. The Upper School Student Diversity Committee will expand its 5th and 8th grade workshop schedule to include collaborative diversity and tolerance programs with Middle School advisories; and will work as a team with other area school diversity programs to sponsor and run community-wide diversity workshops. The Upper School Honor Council will provide a student-led forum for determining the consequences of honor code violations.

In conclusion, at St. Martin's we celebrate our uniqueness as an independent school that holds faith as an important foundation to the development of the whole individual. We respect that though our faith traditions may be different, we are still bound together in one common union of love, and by the recognition that each of us is challenged to grow in strength, wisdom and courage as we seek to find our purposeful life.