School Profile: Dexter Southfield

We talked with Scott Duddy, Director of Admissions & Enrollment Management at Dexter Southfield, about what sets his school apart.

Location: Brookline, Massachusetts

Website: http://www.dextersouthfield.org

Grades Served: PK through 12

Student Body: 882 students (356 in grades PK-5, 233 in grades 6-8, 293 in grades 9-12)

What makes your school unique?

Today’s Dexter Southfield, guided by the motto “Our Best Today, Better Tomorrow,” encourages creativity, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence. Simply, we prepare students for the future, which they shape. Dexter Southfield is committed to instilling confidence, nurturing individual talents, and building an ethical foundation for life, for each and every student. Our 36-acre campus is located on the Brookline-Boston line. We are just miles from Boston’s best museums, libraries, hospitals, colleges, and universities – all of which serve as an extension of our classrooms. With active support from their teachers, students challenge themselves, experiment, and pursue their passions. Dexter Southfield graduates are poised, prepared and versatile – ready for success in college and life beyond.

What makes your students unique?

At Dexter Southfield, students gain both breadth and depth by engaging in a full range of subjects and activities, by finding their passions, and by growing their unique talents in areas they love. Throughout the grades, the program is structured to introduce students to a wealth of new experiences, to build skills in all areas, and to develop a can-do attitude. From the start, everyone does everything, and as students progress, they choose paths according to the directions they want to chart for themselves, continually applying their knowledge and skills as new opportunities arise. As a result, they deeply explore areas that interest them, and they have the enthusiasm, the confidence, and the expertise to try new things for the rest of their lives.

What makes your faculty and staff unique?

Dexter Southfield encourages expansiveness, creativity, and innovation to prepare students for a future which they will shape. The School’s programs help students build a strong foundation of essential knowledge and skills while they develop versatility and the habits of mind. Here, they learn to ask important questions, draw their own conclusions, and solve problems that matter. With active support from their teachers, students love to experiment and see things through — so they can succeed in the ever-growing fields of college and careers.

What should students keep in mind when applying to your school?

One of the first things visitors notice about Dexter Southfield is our warmth. A caring and sincere place, we welcome students and families of all backgrounds, and we pay attention to individual needs when students arrive and as they grow through the School. The strength of our community is upheld in a variety of ways: assemblies, shared meals, school meetings, our unique single-sex program, our buses, and our commitment to diversity. We feel like a family, and we are eager to welcome new members.

Which program or recent change are you most excited about at your school?

Athletics Arena & Kraft Fieldhouse: The newly constructed arena includes an ice rink, new spectator seating, an off-season turf surface, a warming room, and team meeting space. The seasonally-flexible fieldhouse hosts a varsity level basketball court, practice courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, a flexible gymnasium space, collapsible spectator seating, locker rooms, and state-of-the-art strength & conditioning and training facilities. Additional athletic facilities include: an indoor swimming pool, baseball and softball fields, and three turf fields; two outdoor and one indoor. The School also has a Rowing Center, located on the Charles River just four miles away in Dedham.

Describe an impactful program that your school runs.

From the Playscape — where exploratory play, science, and engineering are fully integrated — to neuroendocrinology, independent study, and off-campus experiences involving programming at Harvard Medical School and NASA research, STEM programs are supported at every grade level. We deliver on our promise of excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, and character– with smooth, productive programming that sets our students up to be at their best.