The Mission Statement of Horace Mann School

Horace Mann School prepares a diverse community of students to lead great and giving lives. We strive to maintain a safe, secure, and caring environment in which mutual respect, mature behavior, and the life of the mind can thrive. We recognize and celebrate individual achievement and contributions to the common good.

--revised by the Curriculum Council, Fall, 2008

Core Values

The Life of the Mind

With regard to the Life of the Mind, the School expects that students will:

be curious and value learning as a life-long endeavor;
do their best to meet the expectations established by their teachers;
always do their very best work;
always do their own work; and
support the intellectual efforts of friends and colleagues.

First and foremost, Horace Mann is and has always been a school that values The Life of the Mind. Kindergarten children are introduced to the logic and strategy of chess. Second graders explore nature on a stream walk at the Dorr Nature Lab. Seventh graders visit New York City with their history class to understand and appreciate the culture and heritage of the city we share. Ninth graders perform Shakespeare in the original and modernized forms. Eleventh graders study calculus and ethical uses of genetics. These experiences stimulate our students to be avid learners eager for the chance to broaden their intellectual horizons.

Mature Behavior

With regard to Mature Behavior, the School expects that students will make every effort to:

let their teachers know if they need help with school work or with any problems that arise at school;
be honest and sincere;
respect and do their best to follow the School’s rules;
strive for self-esteem and confidence;
follow the positive examples of their parents and teachers; and
take responsibility for their actions and accept the intended and unintended consequences of those actions.

Mature Behavior is equally important. Our more than 1,700 children, ages three through eighteen, are expected to exhibit age appropriate behavior, and we make our expectations clear in every Division. At Nursery, mature behavior includes learning to work together, to share the space and facilities, and to learn to be friends. At Lower, students and parents are given the "Statement of Core Values," outlining expectations including 'using cooperative strategies to resolve conflict' and 'being honest, kind and mannerly.' In the Middle, students take more responsibility for themselves, work to form a community with their peers, and learn good sportsmanship as they compete on interscholastic teams. At Upper, mature behavior includes accepting an Honor Code, taking on significant leadership roles, and making responsible choices.

Mutual Respect

With regard to Mutual Respect, the School expects students to:

treat members of the faculty and fellow students in a respectful and civil manner;
listen and respond positively to constructive criticism from teachers and parents;
show respect, care, and concern for all members of the Horace Mann community and
be open to learning about the cultural differences and traditions of others in and outside of the Horace Mann community.

Hand in hand with Mature Behavior comes Mutual Respect. Horace Mann does not have a 'typical student,' but welcomes an extremely diverse student population from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, more than one hundred and fifty different zip codes and from public and private schools. The School has more than twenty-four percent students of color. We value diversity of all kinds, including racial, ethnic and socio-economic background and gender, as well as diversity of ideas and approaches. We incorporate that diversity into our classrooms, studios, and onto our playing fields. The environment of respect at HM makes it a safe place for students to explore, with the knowledge that they will be supported through their successes and setbacks.

A Secure and Healthful Environment

To provide a Secure and Healthful Environment,the School expects that students will make every effort to:

come to school well-rested and prepared to contribute to activities and classes;
ask their teachers for help if they need it to deal with stress;
help to keep the school environment clean and safe for everyone;
help others to navigate the physical environment of the School; and
be aware of and report any situations that might be dangerous or unhealthful for other members of the Horace Mann community.

As important as a safe intellectual environment is A Secure and Healthful Environment. Our recently renovated campus provides students with the space and facilities they need to take advantage of the educational opportunities available. The Guidance Program at every Division works with students and families to help them navigate the emotional, social, and physical changes that come with every stage of development. Most importantly, all members of our community work together to create an environment free of harassment, racism, bullying, and other behaviors that could make someone feel unsafe or unvalued.

A Balance Between Individual Achievement and a Caring Community

To help our students achieve a Balance between Individual Achievement and a Caring Community, the School expects that students will make every effort to:

participate enthusiastically in community as well as individual activities at school;
encourage respect towards friends, both old and new;
take pride in themselves, their friends and the Horace Mann community; and
celebrate the achievements of all members of the community.

We are very proud of our graduates. They report back to the School that they were very well prepared and are satisfied with the college choices they have made, and that they make significant personal and academic contributions to those schools and beyond. HM alumni say that HM has given them an education to last a lifetime, and friendships that last as long. This relates directly to our final core value, A Balance Between Individual Achievement and a Caring Community. We want each student to be the best she or he can be. We encourage them to take risks, to try new things, and to stretch themselves. We also want all of our students to see beyond themselves to appreciate the larger community, and to want to give back. Students participate in service activities like the Nursery Division Penny Drive and the Lower Division campaign for Heifer International, and continue through the Upper Division's highly specialized individualized service requirement. The Dorr Nature Lab program highlights the necessity of team work each year, culminating in 8th grade when groups plan and accomplish an overnight hike on the Appalachian trail, and climb our 75-foot climbing tower. Students at every level are given the opportunities for both individual and collaborative work, and learn to work together to achieve common goals.

To learn about how the School's Core Values apply to faculty, staff and parents, please view our Family Handbook.