Student Life
Tower Hill encourages students to get involved in campus activities, from clubs and student government to support and facilitate a close working relationship between students and faculty.
Leadership
Life outside the classroom is an important part of any student's success. Opportunities abound at Tower Hill, and students are always welcome to bring new ideas for clubs and activities!
Tower Hill believes that every student is capable of developing leadership skills and offers a wide range of opportunities for our students to get involved and to lead. Leadership skills include communication, cooperation, team-building, leading by example, problem solving and implementation of initiatives. In the Upper School, we believe that good leaders are active leaders—students interested in running for positions should be prepared to roll up their sleeves and work. Positions available include student government offices, board chairs, board representatives, club leaders, athletic captains and peer tutors.
Meet our leaders:
Clubs
Clubs are a great way for students to participate in extracurricular activities both in and out of school.
They can help develop interests and encourage a sense of responsibility and service to the school and the larger community. Students are recommended to participate in at least one club, but many find they enjoy being involved in multiple clubs.
The clubs offered vary each year depending on student interest. Any student may start a new club at the beginning of the school year by signing up and finding a faculty sponsor. Club leaders must check in with their Student Government Association representative once a month to share what they are doing and attendance.
Examples of Clubs on Offer
- The Rubble - student "newspaper"
- Pride Club - provides an affinity group for LGBTQIA+ students and allies and to encourage inclusion and discussion of LGBTQIA+ issues/concerns
- Lit Page - provides a creative outlet for anyone who wants to share any of their works in a low-stress and friendly environment
- Model UN - students engage in authentic simulations of the United Nations system through learning about the UN system, the skills of debate, compromise, conflict resolution and negotiation
- B+ - the mission is to "Do Good" by working with the B+ organization to raise awareness and help fight childhood cancer
- Robotics Club - students create a FIRST Tech Challenge team that competes in events in Pennsylvania and Delaware
- Beekeeping Club - teaches students about beekeeping and maintains Tower Hill’s hives
- Black Student Association - provides a safe space for black students at Tower Hill to build connections and to talk to one another
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Advisory Program
The mission of the Upper School Advisory Program is to create a safe and supportive space for students to connect, reflect, create academic goals and discover ways in which they can engage with their school community and beyond.
The advisory program is a partnership between the advisor and advisee with the following core responsibilities:
Advisor
- Be a coach and advocate
- Oversee each advisee’s academic profile and its progression through the program
- Find ways to encourage advisees to get involved with the community
- Help students maximize their academic potential through goal setting
- Serve as a starting point for advisee questions with appropriate follow through
- Engage in conversations with advisees both individually and as a group
- Liaise between advisee parents and teachers
- Advocate for advisees if behavioral infractions occur
- Aid students in problem solving and connect them with the Teaching and Learning Center and Wellness Center as appropriate
Advisee
- Foster a spirit of community within the advisory group and support each member through kindness
- Read and understand the Upper School Handbook and its policies through group activities and discussions
- Arrive on time to each advisory session ready to participate
- Reflect, identify and work towards achieving academic goals
- Take responsibility and ownership of personal and academic choices
Morning Meeting
We begin school days in the theater at 8:30 a.m. sharp with daily Morning Meeting in the du Pont Theatre. Morning Meeting is a time for community in which we gather as an entire division to share announcements and highlight student achievements and is where attendance will be taken. Morning Meeting is also where Senior Speeches take place. Parents are always welcome to attend Morning Meeting to hear their child give their Senior Speech. Classes begin five minutes later. On Wednesday mornings, in lieu of Morning Meeting, students meet with their advisors in their advisory locations, where attendance is taken.
Senior Speeches
Tower Hill believes that developing communication skills is of utmost importance for our graduates. As the leaders in our division, we ask each member of the senior class to prepare a Senior Speech on a meaningful topic of their choice, which they will present to the entire Upper School. We ask seniors to work closely with their advisor, not only in regard to their preparation but also their presentation. Presentations should be about five minutes in length.
Winterim
Winterim is a dedicated period of time between the first and second semesters when each grade level will focus thematically on a topic. Freshmen will continue with an extension of their seminar on self-care, sophomores will typically contribute to sophomore service, juniors will participate in a College Counseling seminar and seniors will participate in a life-skills course.
Tower Term
Tower Term is a requirement for every Tower Hill student which must be completed for each year they attend the Upper School. It is a space where the Tower Hill community can explore learning together in an interdisciplinary, experiential way. This time allows for creative and dynamic programming that promotes deep engagement, critical thinking and real-life application. This dedicated period allows students and faculty to explore ideas, take risks and run experiments. These courses will set the stage for collaborative, interdepartmental, student-driven activities that provide diversified preparation for lifelong learning and personal growth. Tower Term will take place after Upper School exams.
Graduation 2024
Graduation Video
Graduation Speakers
- Baccalaureate Speakers
• Faculty Speaker: Ms. Noreen Jordan, Chair of the Math Department & Math Faculty
• Baccalaureate Address: Rabbi Nick Renner, Associate Rabbi and Director of Lifelong Learning, Congregation Beth Shalom - Graduation Speakers
• Student Speakers: SGA President Robby Saunders ’24 and Zoë Heifetz ’24
• Graduation Address: Ms. Jessica P. Douglass, Dean of the Class of 2024 & Interim Dean of Students
Graduation Ceremony
Graduation Portraits
Graduation Candids
Award Ceremony
Moving Up Day
