SEVERN SCHOOL

'Severn School' was founded in 1914 by Rolland M. Teel [1] in Severna Park, Maryland, as a preparatory school for the United States Naval Academy. It lost more alumnae in World War II, per capita, than any other school in the country. Today, Severn is a day school enrolling boys and girls in grades 6 through 12. Distinguished alumni include business management guru Tom Peters ('60) and cinematographer Joseph Caleb Deschanel (`62). Current Baltimore Ravens owner, Stephen Biscotti, attended Severn for two years in the 1970's. Actor Robert Duvall also attended Severn School but was expelled. Legendary coach Paul Brown was head football coach at Severn football from 1930 to 1931. Former Head of the University School Upper Campus, Douglas H. Lagarde[2], is currently the headmaster of the Severn School. Severn has received praise for their nationally acclaimed sailing team, coached this year by Thomas Sitzmann. The Chess Team is also nationally recognized and is coached by David Shin and Thomas McNamara. Severn's Mock Trial team won the championship on the 27th of April 2007. They defeated Allegany High School by three points. The team is coached by Michael Wachs and Debbie Meyers.

Contents

Athletics

Arts

Current Information

Headmaster

External links

Athletics

The Severn Admirals compete in twelve varsity sports (Lacrosse, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Swimming, Baseball, Golf, Tennis, Field Hockey and Track & Field) in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association. Severn has a local rivalry with Annapolis school Saint Mary's in the annual "River Classic" football game played at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. There is also "Battle Lax" against St. Mary's High School (Annapolis), which is held at the naval stadium once again.

Arts

Arts are a large part of life at Severn. Each year, there are three main shows at Severn: a play in the fall, a musical in the winter, and a night of "One Act Plays" in the spring. The "One Acts" are student directed by Ms. Valerio's independent study acting students. Ms. Valerio is the director of all productions (except the "One Acts"). Ms. Duncan is always the producer. Many art classes are offered at Severn, including Ceramics, Sculpture, Drawing, Painting, Design Principles, and Photography. There is a yearly art show. 2007's is called "Starry Night". All students are encouraged to turn in work in the following categories: Sculpture, Photography, Painting (Original), Painting (Copy), Miscellaneous, and many others.

Current Information

Severn School is currently in the process of constructing a new gymnasium, currently known as the Edward St. John Athletic Center. The facility is expected to be completed roughly by January 2008. The total cost of the gym is expected to be about $10 million.

Headmaster

As Headmaster of Severn School, Anne Arundel County’s oldest independent school, Mr. Lagarde is responsible for both the day-to-day administration of the institution and the implementation of the strategic long-range plans of the School’s Board of Trustees. Severn’s trustees enthusiastically and unanimously voted to approve the appointment of Mr. Lagarde as the 9th Head of School in Severn's 92 year history in December 2005. He succeeded William Creeden on July 1, 2006. Mr. Lagarde is a strong advocate for independent schools. He grew up on the campus of Tower Hill School in Wilmington, Delaware, where both of his parents were on the faculty. Early in his career he was a teacher and coach at Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland. Since 2003, Mr. Lagarde has been the associate headmaster of University School in Hunting Valley, Ohio. In his 14 years with University School, he had worked in many capacities including five years as head of the upper school, assistant director of college guidance and math teacher. Mr. Lagarde graduated with an AB in economics from The College of William and Mary and earned a master’s in education from Harvard University.
During July of 2007, Severn employees took a week-long workshop on using technology in education.

External links

★ Severn School website

★ Information on the Edward St. John donation