Academics

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Department

More Program Highlights

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AP Courses

Many girls get a leg-up on college by taking Advanced Placement courses, which have a college-level curriculum taught at the high school level. To take these exceptionally challenging courses, which the College Board oversees, you must get permission from the department, do well in the prerequisite courses, and complete significant summer assignments first. In May, students take the AP Exams that match the courses they took; top scores may help you earn college credit.
Digital Literacy
Required for freshmen, the Digital Literacy class focuses on three crucial aspects of life in the digital age:
- your ability to find, evaluate, utilize, and share information;
- new ways for you to create content using information, technology, and the Internet;
- perhaps most importantly, digital safety so that you better understand the risks associated with putting information online and how to protect what you put there.
Educational Technology

Foxcroft strives to make the most effective use of educational technology in all disciplines. The Director of Educational Technology works with faculty to integrate appropriate and innovative technologies in support of student learning.
One Schoolhouse

Foxcroft is a charter affiliate member of the Online School for Girls, which expanded in 2016 to become One Schoolhouse. It presents courses that might not be offered at individual schools. With the approval of the Assistant Head of School for Academics and appropriate Department Chair, a student may take a course for credit during the school year or the summer. One Schoolhouse offers a variety of courses.
Wellness

Wellness is a four-year, research-based program targeted to the aspects of wellness that most affect our students. Freshmen attend a class that meets regularly during the fall to study topics ranging from nutrition and the female body to the principles of mindfulness, stress, and public speaking, among other things. The program continues with a variety of age-appropriate seminars through the subsequent three years.
Wintermission

Wintermission is a week-long term in February during which you take one or two intensive courses, generally on a topic very different from your usual classes. These courses encourage students and teachers to examine a subject in great depth and provide opportunities for off-campus travel and service. Students must successfully complete Wintermission each year they are at Foxcroft.

Faculty

List of 4 items.

70%

of faculty hold
advanced degrees
5

teachers have
Ph.D.s or J.D.s
93%

of faculty and administrators
live on campus
100%

offer extra help
outside of class

Wellness

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Wellness Program

Foxcroft's motto is mens sana in corpore sano (a healthy mind in a healthy body), and we help our girls live that through a robust Wellness program. Tailored to their needs and interests, topics change for each grade level and build upon one another, instilling in girls a strong foundation for all-encompassing well-being.

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Experiential Learning

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Learning is Everywhere

At Foxcroft, everything we do is curriculum — and that means learning occurs in many places and many ways. Foxcroft boasts a variety of unique programs focused on experiences outside the classroom and even beyond the front gate. Explore Experiential Learning at Foxcroft.

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STEM Initiative

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Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

At Foxcroft, these critical fields for the 21st century are compelling, engaging, and fun. Our landmark STEM Initiative emphasizes inquiry-based labs, using technology with confidence and ease, and hands-on problem-solving — and extends well beyond the classroom. Investigate STEM, one of Foxcroft’s signature programs.

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Schoolhouse News

Dr. Holden Thorp Spoke with Students about Being Editor-in-Chief of Science
2/19/2024
By Elise L. ’26 and Emma L. ’24

On February 8, Dr. Holden Thorp came to Foxcroft to explain his career and answer our eager scientific questions. Dr. Thorp is on the faculty at George Washington University and the editor-in-chief of the Science family of journals. Dr. Thorp explained that he gives final approval for all articles published in the Science journal. Before articles are presented to him, they go through several peer reviewers. Around 12,000 articles are sent to Science, but only 700 reach Dr. Thorp and are published in the journal.
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Katarina S. ’26 is Student of the Month
2/19/2024
Chosen from faculty nominations for students who have demonstrated excellence in their academic life at Foxcroft, the Student of the Month is not solely concerned with classroom performance — the award also recognizes students who contribute positively to the classroom environment, demonstrate strong intellectual curiosity and take advantage of the full scope of Foxcroft's academic program. The most recent recipient of this honor is sophomore Katarina S.!
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What a Wintermission!
2/9/2024
Last Friday saw the completion of another invigorating and engaging Wintermission term. Diving enthusiastically into new experiences, there was a more playful and relaxed feeling around campus during Wintermission as the girls explored new topics. Based on their reflections, many were impressed and even a bit surprised by what they learned.
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16 Students Attend AmeriMUNC where Natasha H. ’27 receives Honorable Mention
2/9/2024
Last weekend, Foxcroft’s 16-member Model UN Team traveled to American University, in the heart of Washington, DC, to compete in AmeriMUNC, which their website describes as “...the only high school conference to host a completely interconnected crisis simulation that is centered around one region of the world.” Students arrived Friday and stayed through Sunday to participate in the conference.
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Making a Difference in My Community as a Doula
2/2/2024
By Grace P. ’24

During my sophomore year, I decided to pursue a STEM concentration regarding aspects of pregnancy and childbirth. I didn't know what I wanted to focus on, but Dr. Tuttle, my mentor, helped me figure it out when she suggested becoming a birth doula. As a birth doula, one provides pregnant women with emotional and physical support throughout their pregnancy and labor to ensure a positive birthing experience. Although I didn't know what a doula was or how it could benefit the birthing process, I was determined to pursue it to make a difference in my community and contribute to the medical field. My ultimate goal is to become a certified doula, which involves extensive reading, writing, and attending three births, among other requirements.
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Contact

List of 4 members.

Tanya Hyatt

Assistant Head of School

540.687.4331

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Tanya Hyatt joined the Foxcroft community as Assistant Head of School in July 2022. Prior to coming to Foxcroft, Dr. Hyatt served as Dean of Academics at Indian Springs from 2017-2020 and worked to strengthen course offerings and improve the academic schedule, to integrate study skills into the curriculum, and to increase the use of classroom technology. Her faculty, administrators, and Board of Trustees hold her in such esteem that she was appointed Acting Head of School for four months in 2019, when the Head left unexpectedly before the end of the School year.

Since July of 2020, Dr. Hyatt has served as Dean of Faculty, a role that leads all aspects of hiring, mentoring new faculty, and planning faculty meetings and professional development, among other responsibilities. Under her leadership, Indian Springs revised the hiring process to work to eliminate bias and increase faculty of color. She also worked to implement a new annual faculty evaluation using Folio Collaborative.

Dr. Hyatt earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa and a Ph.D. in Nutrition Science from the University of Alabama, Birmingham. She has published research on nutrition, some of which is specifically related to women, and has also earned her paramedic license and national certification.

Dr. Hyatt, her husband Cris, his daughter Maddy, and their dog Saban are eager to get to know Foxcroft’s students, parents, and faculty, and to engage with the Middleburg community!
Whittney Preston

Dean of Inclusive Excellence

540.687.4333

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Whittney joined the Foxcroft community in July 2021 as the Dean of Inclusive Excellence. Before coming to Foxcroft, Whittney resided in Oklahoma City, OK, where she worked for Heritage Hall School. During her time there, she had the enriching opportunity to work in all three divisions of the school teaching Spanish. She also served there as Associate Director of Diversity and Inclusion, where she works to implement diverse programming throughout the school as well as to serve as a sounding board for students, patrons, alumni, faculty, and staff. She started programs that connected all aspects of the community such as Charger Spotlight and Courageous Conversations, which she defines as open and honest dialogue about diversity challenges the community is facing. She also served as the Lower School Specials Team Lead, where she led the largest group of teachers on campus consistently towards common goals.

She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish from The University of Oklahoma and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University. She is currently working on her Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership, where her dissertation is focused on how the lack of diversity and diverse programming in independent schools can have a negative impact on all students.

Whittney is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the first African American Greek-lettered Sorority. Through that organization, she volunteers supporting initiatives such as Women’s Healthcare and Wellness, as well as assisting high school students in their efforts to enter college. Whittney loves spending time with her family and her sweet little dog, a Maltipoo named Milo. In her spare time, she loves reading, traveling, and learning about cultures that are different from her own. She is a sports fanatic and loves watching and cheering on her Oklahoma Sooners, Boston Celtics, OKC Thunder, and Dallas Cowboys!
Patty Boswell

Registrar and Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Head of School, Lead Dorm Parent

540.687.4332

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Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Patty Boswell attended an all girls' private high school where she learned the value of single-sex education. She arrived at Foxcroft in May of 1990 with her family and began what was to become an unexpected adventure. After a brief stint on the switchboard, Patty became the Registrar/Administrative Assistant in the Academic Office in 1992. Always the faithful Hound, Patty proudly became the HoundBacker in 1999 and has lived in her Fox/Hound world ever since. In 2000, Patty added Court Housemother to her job description.

In her spare time, Patty enjoys spending time with her family — Patty's daughter Kelli graduated from Foxcroft in the Class of 2003. She also enjoys reading, listening to music and enjoying the company of her many pets.
Steven McCarty

Dean of Academics, Department Chair, English

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Born and raised in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, Steve McCarty joined the Foxcroft faculty in 2007 after teaching composition and literature for three years at the United States Air Force Academy. He currently serves as Academic Dean and English Department Chair. He also coaches varsity Volleyball.

After graduating from West Virginia University in 2000, Steve served seven years in the Air Force. During his service, he also received his master's degree from the University of South Carolina. Steve’s academic specialties are Appalachian studies and contemporary American short fiction. His short stories and poems have appeared in the Southern Poetry Review, Poet Lore, The Carolina Quarterly, and Mid-American Review, among others.

Steve lives at Foxcroft with his family. He plays guitar, mandolin, ukulele, and harmonica, and he frequently teaches a songwriting class during Wintermission.

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