At the core of HM’s mission is the importance of fostering inclusion while also supporting students from all types of backgrounds. To this end, during our virtual Lion Talks on Zoom, we will be talking about the diverse tapestry of kids that makes HM a wonderful place, in addition to the initiatives that the school engages in to make sure that different identities and interests are recognized, discussed, and celebrated at our school. Whether talking about race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, socioeconomics, or seeing yourself as a theater kid or STEM kid or athlete, our goal is to talk about the cross section of the HM family that make it a special place.
While the admissions team and our student and parent ambassadors are always happy to talk with prospective families about these issues at any admissions events, we believe that hearing from students and families with a focus on these issues is invaluable. We hope that you take advantage of the opportunity to hear directly from some of our parents and students who make Horace Mann School such a special place.
Lion Talks Kickoff
Our virtual Lion Talks Kickoff will be held on Wednesday, October 15, at 6 p.m. and will feature a cross section of parents from our Parent Association Alliance Groups. Members of the Black Parents Union (BPU), Chinese Family Network (CFN), Families of Islamic Heritage and Friends (FIHF), Hispanic/Latino Family Network (H/LFN), Jewish Family Alliance (JFA), Korean Parents League (KPL), HM Pride (LGBTQ+ Alliance Group) and HM South Asian Families (HMSAF) will talk about the Horace Mann School experience from the parent perspective. After the panel with our Panel Association Alliance Group representatives, we will have a panel of our student ambassadors.
Lion Talks Zoom Session with Students
After our kickoff, we encourage you to attend our Lion Talks Zoom Sessions with Students. Prospective families are invited to attend as many of these virtual sessions as they choose. The Lion Talks Zoom Sessions will feature a cross section of our student body where they will discuss topics such, as but not limited to:
- Community support systems in place for students
- Navigating and celebrating different identities at HM
- Adjustment process upon entering HM: "How Did HM Help with the Transition to a New Environment?"
- How do students feel seen in the classroom and curriculum at HM
- Balancing extracurricular activities and academic life
How to Register for Lion Talks
- Self-registration for the virtual Lion Talks is available via Ravenna, our online admissions portal, beginning on August 4, 2025.
- You must first create an account on Ravenna before you sign up for a Lion Talk under "Events."
- Please note: While you do need to create a Ravenna account to sign up for a Lion Talk, you do not need to submit an application beforehand to RSVP for a Lion Talk.
