At a Glance

About the School

In addition to providing a solid foundation for higher education, Scattergood is a learning community that fosters creativity in the arts, the practical application of knowledge through work and service, and cooperation and enjoyment in living with others. Scattergood Friends School was founded in 1890 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) for the education of Friends' children. Today, about one third of the students are from Friends families, and the education of Friends remains a high priority. However, Scattergood values the diversity of spiritual experience that other students bring from their own backgrounds and religious traditions. Scattergood is guided by the values of integrity, simplicity, and harmony with others and with nature. The school is dedicated to the growth of the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—within the context of community and within a larger global context.

Location and Campus

Scattergood is located in West Branch, Iowa, about four hours from Chicago and Omaha; five hours from Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Kansas City, and St. Louis; and seven to ten hours from Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Detroit. The school's 140-acre campus is located twelve miles east of Iowa City and consists of a 27-acre main campus and a 48-acre pond and prairie nature preserve. The 65-acre farm includes an organic vegetable garden, beehive and livestock. The main campus includes several buildings with a library, classrooms, darkroom facilities, a wood shop, science laboratories, and an art building with ceramics, stained glass and drawing studios. The entire campus is connected to a high-speed wireless connection which allows students to carry their school-issued laptops to almost any location on campus and work on school assignments or check their email.

Accreditation

Scattergood's liberal arts curriculum meets or exceeds the requirements of the Iowa Department of Public Instruction and the admissions guidelines of Iowa's state universities. Scattergood is accredited by the Iowa Department of Public Instruction as well as the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) and is a member of the Midwest Boarding Schools.

Academic Program

Scattergood's classes are evaluated on a pass/no-pass basis; students also may complete additional work to receive honors credit. Written evaluations are sent home every four weeks. The core curriculum includes four years of all the academic areas including English, Social Studies, Science, Math, and language. The school also offers juniors and seniors support and assistance in taking college exams and applying to colleges and universities. All seniors also are required to submit a substantial thesis paper before graduating. Critical reasoning skills and the ability to communicate effectively are emphasized, including reading, writing, speaking, listening, and the capacity to consider other points of view. The academic year is divided into month-long blocks. During the weekday mornings of each block, students take two 50-minute classes and one 100-minute class. The longer classes offer outdoor projects, writing workshops, field trips, and time to focus on fewer courses at once. In the afternoon, students engage in projects and physical education. These afternoon projects include art classes, along with special offerings in journalism, creative writing, chess, woodworking, and other topics. Every other year, the advanced Spanish students spend four weeks doing a service project in Latin America.

The Faculty

Scattergood has 25 full-time staff members, more than half of whom hold advanced degrees. However, all staff members are involved in the learning process. All staff members serve as advisors to two or three students. Most of the staff and their families live on campus, with about one third coming from Friends backgrounds. All faculty serve as resources for the community in such areas as nutrition and health, the arts, peace and nonviolence, human rights, stewardship of the earth, and Friends' heritage.

College Placement

Acceptance into a four-year accredited college or university is a graduation requirement at Scattergood. Beginning in their junior year, students participate in a structured search for colleges and universities appropriate to their needs and desires. They are encouraged to research and visit a number of schools. Over the past ten years, alumni have attended such institutions as Albright, Antioch, Art Institute of Seattle, Beloit, Colorado State, Columbia, Cornell, Drake, Earlham, Evergreen State, Grinnell, Hamline, Haverford, Macalester, Oberlin, Occidental, Pitzer, Reed, St. Catherine, Smith, Stanford, Swarthmore, Tulane, Xavier, and the Universities of Chicago, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Student Body and Conduct

Scattergood students bring diversity from many parts of the United States and from several other countries, including Japan, Korea, Germany, China, Turkey, and Mexico. Most students are from the Midwest, but other states represented in the community include Colorado, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, and South Dakota. Community standards of behavior center on self respect and respect for the community as a whole. A student-led conflict management team helps to ensure communication among community members while building skills in resolving conflict. An advisory committee, consisting of students and staff, works in consultation with the Dean of Students and Head of School in matters of major rules violations. Drugs (including alcohol and tobacco) are not allowed at the school and their use can result in dismissal. The weekly Community Meeting allows all community members a chance to discuss issues of interest and concern and to affirm joys and accomplishments.

Cost and Financial Aid

The cost for full-time boarders for the 2010-2011 school year is $22,750. This covers room, board, tuition, and textbooks. The cost for five-day boarders will be $23,330, and for day students the cost will be $15,250. Donations and the generosity of Friends and alumni enable the school to maintain low tuition. Each year a significant number of students receive tuition grants based on need. In 2009-2010, about 80% of the students received some form of aid.

Admissions Information

Students are accepted without regard to race, gender, color, or creed. Some preference is given to Quakers and children of alumni in the admissions process. Admission is based on previous school record, three written recommendations, and an interview. Students enter in grades 9, 10, and 11; few are considered for grade 12. Inquiries and applications are welcomed at any time. Applications received after April 1 are evaluated on a space-available basis – fill out our inquiry form.