Dana Hall School
Overview

At Dana Hall School, we have high expectations and know that academic excellence is best realized in girls when their social and emotional needs are equally considered with their intellect. Students work through a vigorous curriculum and choose between a variety of electives. Healthy enrichment and support are the norms. Students openly dive in to topics from many angles. This allows each student, with intention, to listen deeply to perspectives and develop values that are most effective for her. Our current curriculum and legacy of teaching girls how they learn best energize our community. Every girl engages in studies in arts and sciences and exercises creative and critical thinking. As a result, Dana graduates are exceptionally prepared to tackle challenges at college, and beyond. Dana Hall students prosper, form bonds and a lasting network, on our campus and across the globe. This unique combination of opportunity and encouragement empowers each student to bring courage to all that she does while at Dana and in her future.




Academics
Summary: Dana Hall's curriculum encourages students to explore their intellectual potential, to discover the joy and satisfaction of learning, to master the skills necessary for continuing growth, and to appreciate the rewards of hard work. Students are expected to reach beyond the School's minimum requirements and to develop independence in the pursuit of learning. The strong liberal arts curriculum provides a broad preparation for college, and courses in every department ensure rigorous challenges along with ample opportunities for success.
Department Director
Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Average Class Size: 12
Summer Programs: Offered
Full Time Teachers: 61
Number of AP Courses Offered: 17
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 78%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Learning Support
- Peer Tutoring
- Study Skills Assistance
- Technology Center
English
- Creative Writing
- Literature
History
- Asian History
- Classical History
- European History
- United States History
- World History
Foreign Languages
Humanities / Social Sciences
- Economics
Sciences
- Animal Behavior
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Health
- Physics
Math
Computer Studies
- Computer Applications
- Computer Science
Music
- Choral Music
- Composition
- Individual Instructions
- Orchestra
- Songwriting
- Voice
Performing / Visual Arts
Special Programs
- Study Abroad
- Community Service
- Exchange Programs
- Personal Finance
- Independent Study
- Leadership
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 6
Average Students Per Dorm: 25
Number of Girls Dorms: 6
Number of Boys Dorms: 0
Dorm Amenities
- Laundry Facilities
- Lounge
- Wireless Internet
Other Dorm Amenities
Student Life
At Dana Hall, students have the flexibility to partake in varied activities, to be multi-dimensional. It's not unusual to be a serious musician and edit the newspaper and volunteer in a literacy program. You can be a lacrosse player and work the lightboard for the spring musical. If you are not into team sports, you can take yoga or daytime fitness and work on your sculpture after class. You can make joyful noise with the Gospel Choir and use your idealism and management abilities to plan Earth Day. Whether you are accomplished or novice, you can enjoy our distinguished programs in horseback riding, music, and the arts. Somehow at Dana Hall even the most disparate pieces fit together.
Facilities
- All-Weather Track
- Baseball Field
- Fitness Center
- Indoor Basketball Court
- Indoor Climbing Wall
- Indoor Pool
- Pool
- Technology Center
- Volleyball Court
Other Facilities
- Squash Courts
- Fencing Studio
- Dance Studio
Clubs & Organizations
- Community Service
- Computer Club
- Debate Club
- Diversity Club
- Dorm Proctors
- Environmental Club
- Fencing Club
- Foreign Language Clubs
- Honor Council
- Horseback Riding
- International Club
- Jewish Student Organization
- Literary Magazine
- Math Club
- Mock Trial
- Model UN
- Newspaper
- Peer Counseling
- Peer Tutoring
- Pep Club
- Photography Club
- SADD
- Sexualities Club
- Student Activities
- Student Government
- Student Publications
- Yearbook
- Yoga Club
Arts & Athletics
Summary: Making art - on the stage or in the studio - is a powerful way of finding out about yourself and the world. Art is fascinating and exhilarating - and it is an integral part of your education at Dana Hall. You may already see yourself as an artist, an actress, a musician, a dancer. Or you may be perfectly certain that you cannot draw or act or sing or dance. Whatever your past experience, our accomplished faculty will build your confidence and introduce you to ideas, materials and perspectives you have never explored before. Likewise, Dana Hall's athletic program is an integral part of the school's curriculum, and, as such, it provides opportunities for instruction, participation, and growth. The athletic program strives to promote healthy competition and to embody the highest ideals of sportsmanship and respect. Students are encouraged to strive to compete at the highest level their ability and performance will allow. Accordingly, Dana Hall provides appropriate levels of competition for each athlete.
Arts Department Director: Liz Fenstermaker
Athletics Department Director: Rebecca Kimball
Notable Achievements: Varsity Fencing 2011; Mass State Champions; Varsity Swim undefeated in the E.I.L; League Champions for the 2nd year in a row
Arts
Interscholastic Sports
- Basketball
- Cross Country Running
- Equestrian
- Fencing
- Field Hockey
- Horseback Riding
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Squash
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Recreational Sports
- Crew
- Dance
- Equestrian
- Golf
- Horseback Riding
- Rock Climbing
- Rugby
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Weight Lifting
Graduates
Summary: Our administrators and faculty know their job is to prepare students for a life filled with opportunities. We help outfit a student's bag of tools with skills she will need to think critically, write persuasively, and speak intelligently. At Dana Hall, the world comes to our students. About 125 college and university representatives visit our campus each year. Our experienced college counselors begin working with girls in the middle of sophomore year. They help girls evaluate their goals and talents. Students are thrilled by the revelatory experience. When students are ready to begin their college search, they already have a true sense of what would suit and stretch their intellects and abilities.
College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:
Notable Alumni
Princess Aisha bint Al Hussein
Class of 1986
Princess Aisha bint Al Hussein '86 is the daughter of Princess Muna al-Hussein and King Hussein. Al Hussien is a strong supporter of women’s rights and continues making strides on behalf of women in Jordan.
Latanya Sweeney
Class of 1977
Latanya Sweeney ‘77 is the Chief Technology Officer of the Federal Trade Commission Harvard faculty member and a world renowned computer scientist. Sweeney was the first African American woman at MIT to receive her PhD in Computer Science.
Margaret Wise Brown
Class of 1928
Margaret Wise Brown '28 was a best-selling American children's book author. Brown's most notable books include: Goodnight Moon The Runaway Bunny and Big Red Barn.
Margaret Boles Fitzgerald
Class of 1973
Margaret Boles Fitzgerald '73 P04 is the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. In 1992 Fitzgerald was named one of Boston's ten outstanding leaders.
Nina Garcia
Class of 1983
Nina Garcia '83 is a best-selling author journalist and style expert. She is the current Creative Director at Marie Claire magazine and a judge on Project Runway. Previously Garcia worked at Elle Magazine for 17 years. Garcia has appeared as a fashion
Dr. Susan Hamant Hou
Class of 1964
Dr. Susan Hamant Hou '64 made history in 2002 when she became the first U.S. physician to donate a kidney to an unrelated patient. Dr. Hou is also one of the co-founders of a community medical clinic located in the rain forest in eastern Bolivia.
Carol Cadwgan Lavell
Class of 1961
Carol Cadwgan Lavell '61 is a world renowned dressage equestrian. As a member of the 1992 United States Olympic Equestrian Team Lavell won a team bronze medal in dressage in Barcelona Spain. Lavell was recognized in 1990 and 1992 as the US Olympic Comm
Rabbi Emily Gopen Lipof
Class of 1958
Rabbi Emily Gopen Lipof '58 has led a multifaceted life with work in education politics and as a Rabbi. Lipof is the first woman in the United States to be named Senior Rabbi of a major congregation.
Sharon Olds
Class of 1960
Sharon Olds ‘60 is a world-renowned poet who received the Pulitzer Prize for her book of poetry Stag’s Leap in 2013. In 2012 Olds was the first female American poet to win the T.S. Eliot Prize for Poetry.
Merit
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %
Average Merit Scholarship: 45,000
Current Endowment Amount: $60,000,000
Vital Information
Student Body Type: All Girls
Total Boarding: 120
Total Day: 352
Total Enrollment: 472
Boys: 0
Girls: 472
Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12
Day Grades Offered: 5-12
School Type: Middle, High School
Dress Code: Casual
Applications Accepted: Contact School
Application Deadline: January 15th
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $61,500
5-Day Boarding: N/A
Day Tuition Fee: $49,900
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 25%
Average Awarded: $36,044
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %
Average Merit Scholarship: $45,000
Current Endowment Amount: $60,000,000
Contact
Director of Admissions: Angela Brown
Admissions Phone: 781 489 1331
Fax: 781 239 1383
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.danahall.org
Nearby Schools
- Walnut Hill School For The Arts - 3mi / 5 km
- The Fessenden School - 6mi / 9 km
- The Cambridge School Of Weston - 7mi / 11 km
- Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School - 7mi / 11 km
- Lexington Christian Academy - 11mi / 18 km
- Milton Academy - 11mi / 18 km





