Hebron Academy is not just a school; it is a place where young minds blaze new trails, discover their passions and interests, and unlock their potential in a supportive and dynamic environment. Nestled in the picturesque town of Maine, this academy is a beacon of educational excellence, emphasising strong academics, small class sizes and a commitment to experiential learning.
Here, students develop their minds, bodies, hearts, and voices in every programme, every class, and every experience, and they see a return for the rest of their lives. Graduates leave Hebron well-prepared for higher education in top colleges and universities across the globe.
Small classes, big impact
With an average class size of just 11 students and a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio, every student gets the personalised attention they need to thrive. They’re close to their teachers, creating an environment where questions are encouraged and curiosity is nurtured. If anyone has a different ability or need, they get specialised guidance.
This accepting, nourishing space is the setting for the academy’s comprehensive liberal arts curriculum that’s complemented by a range of electives. The academy offers 80 courses in eight disciplines, 15 AP courses and one programme that best prepares children to become innovators and leaders in this unprecedented age of global change: the EDIE (Engineering, Design, Innovation, Entrepreneurship) Pathway.
Engineering, Design, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (EDIE) Pathway
EDIE encourages students to think like entrepreneurs and problem-solvers. They are given the tools and knowledge to turn their ideas into reality. For example, those passionate about sustainability and creating a greener future can work on designing prototypes of eco-friendly products, learn about green business practices and even launch their own environmentally conscious startup.
The EDIE programme isn’t just about theoretical learning; it’s about practical application. Hebron recently became the first East Coast hub for the Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP). This programme allows students to design, engineer, and build their own fuel cell-powered RC car and compete in events with local and potentially global competitors. The school is also opening a race track, which would allow them to host Horizon Grand Prix events in the 2022-23 academic year.
“This gives our students the unprecedented experience of being able to work with their car and take it through rigorous competitive time trials, as well as solidifies our school as an official Race Hub,” engineering instructor and organiser of H2GP Joshua Kangas shares.
The EDIE Pathway has recently combined with Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a non-profit organisation that provides a globally recognised cutting-edge technical skills curriculum in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science.
Research has shown that students enrolled in PLTW programmes excel academically compared to their peers. They are better prepared to further their education and more inclined to pursue careers in the STEM field. “Students find PLTW programmes relevant, inspiring, engaging, and foundational to their future success,” says Kangas.
“At Hebron Academy, our students have the opportunity to become certified in industry-standard CAD/CAM software through Autodesk, use those skills in additive and subtractive manufacturing through the use of both 3D printing and CNC hardware, engage in 2D vector design for transferable use with our laser cutter, learn interactive block coding in conjunction with VEX Robotics, and overall find themselves engaging in the Engineering Design Process on a weekly basis as a means to innovate solutions to course specific and real-world problems.”
Experiential learning at its best
As the EDIE Pathway shows, Hebron goes beyond traditional classroom settings, allowing students to explore their passions and interests through diverse experiences. Another standout programme here is the Intermezzo sessions. These sessions, which take place once in the fall and once in spring, provide students with the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in subjects they are passionate about.
For example, if your child has always been fascinated by marine biology, during the Intermezzo session, they can join a hands-on marine biology course that takes them to the rugged coast of Maine to study marine ecosystems. They get to touch, feel, and experience marine life, deepening their understanding in a way theory cannot. Aside from this, many other courses are conducted, from creative writing workshops to outdoor leadership adventures.
“Our students learn by doing. They are scientists in their own right, and that’s how we scaffold their learning,” says science department chair and director of teaching and learning, Dr. Daniella Swenton.
She adds that the Intermezzo sessions cover a wide range of activities, from outdoor education and leadership to learning about the science of chocolate and coffee, public speaking for introverts, and even learning the mechanics of deadlifting.
“It gives kids a chance to flex their learning muscles in different ways,” says Swenton. “To find new things that they are good at or that interest them and sparks that passion and makes them realise that learning is a lifelong endeavour.”