Foxcroft School Academic Dean Courtney Ulmer recently announced the introduction of the Foxcroft Academic Concentrations program, a new opportunity for students at the girls boarding school who want to focus on an academic area of special interest in and out of the classroom.

Set to launch in the 2018-19 school year, the Academic Concentrations program will offer specialized study in Animal Science, Global Studies, Fine Arts, and STEM. Typically, students will apply at the end of their freshman year to participate in the concentration for the next three years, Ulmer said. However, a special plan to give current sophomores and juniors an opportunity to participate has been developed for the launch.

"The Academic Concentrations program will allow our students to delve into subjects which they are passionate about and to explore them in a multifaceted way, ranging from internships and service learning experiences to a culminating capstone experience," Ulmer said.

Specific requirements vary depending on the Concentration, but each one includes course requirements, service learning projects or participation, on-campus and/or off-campus internships, and a final capstone or independent study project.

A noteworthy component of the program is required participation in relevant service learning activities each year, such as therapeutic riding and Goose Creek stream monitoring for Animal Science students, and engineering or technology innovation projects for STEM students.

Participating in the life of the school through clubs and on-site internships is another important aspect of the Concentrations program. For example, Global Studies students might be International Ambassadors or serve as interns for the World Languages Department, while Animal Science students could work at Foxcroft's apiary or stable.

Additionally, each student in the Concentrations program will be assigned a faculty mentor or advisor to guide her through the three-year program, as well as a committee with two additional faculty to review project proposals and final presentations. Students who successfully complete the requirements earn a special diploma designation.