Roycemore School is an independent, nonsectarian, co-educational college preparatory school located in Evanston, Illinois serving students in junior kindergarten through Grade 12. The School's current enrollment is approximately 255 students.
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Roycemore School was founded in 1915 as an all-girls school. It became co-ed in 1962.
Located in north Evanston, Illinois, near Northwestern University, its signature Prairie Style building was designed by noted Prairie School architect Thomas Eddy Tallmadge [1]. Tallmadge, who worked with the renowned Daniel H. Burnham, later taught at Armour Institute (Illinois Institute of Technology).
The Roycemore School building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, based upon its unique open Prairie Style school floor plan [2].
Roycemore's Upper School serves Grades 9-12, and prides itself on small class sizes, rigorous academics and excellent college placement record. Roycemore School’s challenging college preparatory curriculum, with an emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving and writing skills, encourages students to develop greater independence as they mature.
College-level Advanced Placement courses in many subject areas are taught at Roycemore. In addition, qualified Upper School students may take courses at nearby Northwestern University at no additional charge. A personalized approach to college counseling guides students and their parents through the process of selection and application. The School works closely with students and families on College Night, in-school registration for the ACT and SAT, SAT preparation, and the thorough coordination of supporting materials for college applications.
Roycemore's Upper School students are required to participate in January Short Term, a three week interim period between the first and second semesters. Students are given the option of participating in faculty led projects, or are provided with the guidance necessary to develop individual projects in an area of personal interest. Many January Short Term projects take advantage of the Chicago area's resources. Some students undertake internships throughout the United States, as well as overseas. All students are required to submit proposals for approval and to keep a record of their progress during the term. Proposals are reviewed by a committee of faculty and Upper School students.
The Upper School maintains a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. Students are counseled closely during the college selection process. In the past few years, Roycemore students have been admitted to schools such as Harvard College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois, Oberlin College, Grinnell College, Wellesley College, Sarah Lawrence College, New York University, University of Wisconsin, Bryn Mawr College, Connecticut College, University of California at Santa Cruz, University of California at Santa Barbara, Occidental College, Harvey Mudd College, Knox College, Tulane University, University of Notre Dame, Miami University and Haverford College, among others.
Roycemore's Middle School serves grades five through eight and offers a challenging academic program in a nurturing, supportive setting. The core curriculum teaches students how to study, explore, research, and write well. Teachers engage students and address different learning styles in small classes.
Creating a positive learning environment helps students approach their studies with the enthusiasm necessary to succeed. Through "Shield," a character-building program, students receive recognition for displaying qualities like responsibility, honesty, respect for property, cooperation with others and positive contributions to class and school spirit. With daily P.E. and an engaging Middle School Olympics program, ample opportunities are provided for releasing energy.
Roycemore's Lower School program serves grades Pre-Kindergarten through Fourth Grade. In Lower School, students are challenged academically through differentiated instruction. Differentiation addresses the individual needs of students, not by creating personal lesson plans, but by adjusting the lesson to challenge each child on his or her own level. Enrichment, as well as extra support, is provided.
The Lower School offers a strong, diverse curriculum with many hands-on activities and educational field trips. Art, music, French language instruction and physical education classes, taught by specialists, enrich the curriculum.
Roycemore offers its students a rich complement of activities. Upper School activities include Spanish Club, French Club, German Club, Community Service Club, Student Government, Math Team, and Scholastic Bowl. Lower School offerings are often headed by parents and vary yearly: Model and Lego Building Club, Drama Club, Science Club, Happy Feet Club, and Community Service are recently sponsored activities. Middle School has a year long "Olympic" competition between different teams.
The school prides itself on its no-cut athletic teams starting in the Fifth Grade, including Basketball, Soccer and Volleyball.
Roycemore's mascot is the Griffin and the school colors are blue and gold.
Each year, Roycemore School holds its annual Palio, which is the school's oldest tradition. Palio was modeled after the pageant that proceeds the Palio di Siena in Italy. Students from Grades 1-12 display the progress they have made in physical education classes during the year. The emphasis is on rhythmics, dance, gymnastics, and sports skills. Roycemore's Palio has a colorful procession, where each new Kindergarten class is handed down a banner with the coat of arms from the graduating Senior class that the younger students will carry until graduation in twelfth grade.
Frances Badger (1904–1997) - Works Progress Administration (WPA) artist
Susan Garrett '68 - Illinois State Senator
Andrew Goldberg '86* - Emmy award-winning producer and director
Gloria Guardia '58 - UNESCO Vice President of PEN International
Olga Guardia Smoak '57 - UNESCO International Dance Council
Stefanie Staffin Cragg '59 - TV producer