Brie's Story
	Agnes Irwin is one of six schools I have attended throughout my 11 years of education. From large to small, public to private, co-ed to all-girls, I’ve done it all! These experiences have given me an immense appreciation for the single-sex education that Agnes Irwin offers. Here, I’ve discovered the freedom to grow as an individual within our supportive, closely knit community. I came to Agnes Irwin in October of my fourth grade year and was paired with two hostesses to ease my mid-year transition. We hit it off immediately and, to this day, I remain close with both of these girls! This was my first introduction to the AIS community, which is undoubtedly my favorite part of our school. Because of our small class sizes and all-girls atmosphere, school here feels more like a second home than just an academic campus. You see familiar faces everywhere throughout your day, and smiles are never scarce! You get to know girls not only in your grade but also throughout the three divisions – I believe that this is just one of the many features that sets Agnes Irwin apart from other schools. Through my role as co-head of PALS (Peer Active Listening Support), I have had the opportunity to collaborate with so many of my schoolmates. PALS is a peer-supported group that pairs Upper School students with Middle and Lower School girls in need of a student advisor and friend. I also have worked with younger girls through Lower School Helpers, a club that visits Lower School classrooms each week to offer academic support. With all of these opportunities, I often find myself back in the halls of our Middle and Lower Schools. My work with our youngest students has helped affirm my interest in pursuing a career in education. As an Upper School student, I have had the chance to explore the education field through the Special Studies Program (SSP). Through SSP, every sophomore and junior spends two weeks immersed in one of the programs organized by AIS staff or working on an independent project. During my sophomore year, I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity to help build a house for a family in Johns Island, S.C. and then spent a week working at an inner-city school in Philadelphia. A year later, I traveled to Jamaica to serve at a local school and hospital for the first week and then returned to Philadelphia to aid an elementary school teacher. Experiencing what it is like to teach from the front of a classroom and doing so with kids in different languages, cultures and circumstances helped me realize just how fortunate we at Agnes Irwin are to have such incredible, dedicated faculty. I have never once been turned down when I have asked for help, and the teachers are always willing to work one-on-one with you until you fully understand the topic. One day, I hope to help students realize the value of their education, just as my AIS teachers have done for me. My Agnes Irwin education has given me the time to learn about myself without fear of judgment. Prospective parents and students, I encourage you to come see us in action. You’ll find that every girl—no matter what her background, beliefs or interests may be—can find her niche here and set her goals for the future as a member of our community.

	Emilie's Story
	I first learned about The Agnes Irwin School when my dance studio collaborated with AIS for a performance during my eighth grade year. Although looking at private schools had not even crossed my mind at that point, the AIS dancers were so friendly and interesting that I decided to attend the Agnes Irwin Open House that fall. I still remember my tour guide (Sam!) and the teachers with whom I spoke. From the moment I stepped onto campus, I knew that I was supposed to be here—going to any other school just wasn’t an option! While I was initially anxious about making friends, my transition from public school could not have been easier, thanks largely to the Bridge Program for rising ninth graders. This summer program for new and returning Agnes Irwin girls and boys at The Haverford School (our brother school) provides a great way to make friends before school even begins. Over the course of two weeks, we spent time on the Agnes Irwin and Haverford campuses doing team-building activities like egg drops and field races—but the highlight of the program was a field trip to Hershey Park! By the time that the first day of school rolled around, I already had a group of friends and was comfortable finding my way around campus. It was also a great way to meet boys from our brother school, and I have remained friends with many of them. One of the things that I love most about Agnes Irwin is that it is “cool” to be passionate about your education here. Walking through our halls, you’ll see girls eagerly talking about new course material, playfully competing to answer a question first in class and readily meeting with teachers at any free moment. The enthusiasm is contagious! While I have always enjoyed school, being present in this environment has allowed me to hone in on my own love of learning. The Agnes Irwin School, however, is about more than academics. There is an inspiring dedication to service here, which has played an important role in my education. I have spent three years on the Student Outreach Services (SOS) Board, an organization that provides students with opportunities to serve the greater community. Through SOS, I work with a team to coordinate fundraising campaigns and to organize service activities like our annual canned food drive competition and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Last year, I combined my role in SOS with my love of dance by becoming a choreographer for the AIS spring dance-a-thon, the SOS Board’s largest event. This experience inspired me to host my own dance camp for young girls over the summer at Agnes Irwin. Creating this program, demonstrating my leadership skills and instructing the girls throughout a week of fun and dance was not only exciting, but it also contributed to my Girl Scout Gold Award project. Above all, the thing that makes our school so incredible for me is the spirit of our close community. I love the “good mornings” and “hellos” I receive from each student and teacher as I walk to class, the impromptu school-wide sing-alongs that break out in the hallways from time to time, and the birthday cards from our Head of School, Dr. Seppala. These seemingly small gestures embody the spirit that has brought our class and school community together. Although I am the only daughter in my family, I will graduate with 58 sisters this June! Before my chance introduction to Agnes Irwin, I never imagined myself at a small, all-girls school; today, I really couldn’t imagine high school any other way! Even if you are unsure about single-gender, private education for you or your daughter, I encourage you to come and visit us. Much like my experience, I am confident that you will see and feel the energy our school possesses; and, you’ll understand why Agnes Irwin is such an amazing place to go to school.

	Emily's Story
	I am what we at Agnes Irwin like to call a “Lifer,” meaning that I joined the AIS community in kindergarten. Being a Lifer has meant more than the mere fact that I have spent 13 years at AIS—it means that I have grown up here. It hasn’t always been easy, but through the ups and downs, Agnes Irwin has given me the skills and the support that I have needed through each phase of my education. Though my days in Lower School were almost eight years ago, I remember going to my cubby like it was yesterday. From the Hundredth Day of school celebration in kindergarten to the May Fair in fourth grade, our Lower School embodies the exciting, nurturing side of an all-girls education. Yet, there was so much more to these five crucial years than just fun and games. The Hundredth Day celebration was a math lesson hidden in the form of counting marshmallows and chocolate chips. Wrapping the maypole encouraged teamwork – if one person did not weave properly, then the whole design fell apart. The lessons and skills that I learned from experience in the Lower School stayed with me as I journeyed across the driveway to Middle School. By fifth grade, I was ready and excited for all of the changes that come with being in Middle School at Agnes Irwin: a new uniform, a new schedule and an influx of new classmates! The school does a great job of facilitating this change. In fifth and sixth grades, we adjusted to the growing work load, the shuffle of changing classrooms and the addition of Latin to our coursework. In seventh and eight grades, we transitioned from gym class to seasonal sports teams, went to dances with Haverford boys and had the opportunity to participate in electives like the Middle School musical. I learned how to be independent and proactive with my schoolwork, and the variety of courses helped me discover my passion for United States history. With these challenging years behind me, I was ready for Upper School. I’ve learned a lot in Upper School, but most of it has been realizing how to put into action the lessons that Agnes Irwin has instilled in me all along the way. My Senior Assembly this fall was undoubtedly the culmination of my time here. Every year, each senior researches and presents on a topic of her choice. As I waited to go onstage to present, I thought back to all of the accomplishments that brought me to that moment: my fourth grade solo in Peter Pan, my public speaking class in seventh grade, the week I spent during the Special Studies Program (SSP) in Nimes, France speaking a foreign language with complete strangers. With these experiences and so many others behind me, I was more than prepared to speak in front of the 300 Upper School students and faculty who had become part of my family. For thirteen years, Agnes Irwin has been my home. While I am sad to be leaving here next year, I know it has readied me for what is ahead. I am proud to be an Agnes Irwin girl, and I look forward to sharing with you all of the things that make this place so exceedingly special.

	Janie's Story
	I have attended The Agnes Irwin School for the past 12 years along with 27 of my fellow classmates who have also been here since kindergarten. I have experienced each and every stage of this school, and I truly believe that the people are the ones who make Agnes Irwin such a special place. First and foremost, my teachers have defined my time here. In Lower School, they encouraged me to make new friends, try new things and discover interests that I have carried with me ever since. In Middle School, my teachers were a reliable safety net when I struggled with an assignment and my biggest cheerleaders when I mastered a concept. Now that I have moved on to Upper School, my teachers have taken a slightly different approach. While they are always available to provide support, they had prepared me to be my own advocate by asking questions in class and requesting extra help for myself. I have always been able to seek guidance from my teachers regarding personal matters, too. Our wellness program begins as part of the Lower School curriculum. In Middle School, we take a Community Cares course. This provides us with a chance to meet in small groups of students with a faculty member to discuss issues about physical, mental and social health. The wellness program continues in Upper School with Transitions, a series of classes that prepare us for life in Upper School and after graduation. Some of the many topics this course covers are nutrition, personal finance and safety. In addition, Middle and Upper School girls are assigned to an advisor who meets with us regularly throughout the school year.   Mr. Savar is just one of the many teachers who have inspired me. Years ago, I took his Lower School music class and chorus ensemble, which sparked my love of singing. Now, as an Upper School student, I have found myself back in Mr. Savar’s classroom as a member and co-leader of the Bel Cantos, our school’s a cappella group. We have performed at various events on campus and around Philadelphia, including an impromptu performance for Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell! One of the things that our community emphasizes is character, and this is manifested every day through our school’s Honor Code. The school’s Honor Board creates a forum for students to work together to make the Honor Code more visible across the divisions. The Honor Board awards the “Honor Kilt” annually to two girls who have exemplified what it means to be honorable throughout the school year. Their names are stitched into the AIS kilt and displayed in the Upper School hallway to note their accomplishments and to serve as a reminder of the code. As I have been looking at colleges, I’ve realized just how rare and special our school’s Honor Code is, and I’ve come to appreciate it even more. As important as all of these experiences have been to my Agnes Irwin education, the traditions have most affected every aspect of my time here. I will always remember May Fair, the holiday assemblies, hallway decorating competitions and so many other activities that have accompanied my journey. I know that the experiences, the values and, most importantly, the relationships that I have formed at Agnes Irwin will last a lifetime!

	Kenzie's Story
	I have been a part of the Agnes Irwin community since I was six years old. As the youngest of four sisters to attend school here, I knew a little bit about what to expect during my first year. My experiences, however, have long since surpassed these expectations. While my sisters and I have distinct interests and personalities, we each have great things to say about our time at Agnes Irwin. I believe that this is because our school is so supportive of each girl’s unique talents and characteristics. One great example of this is , one of my favorite events of the year. The celebration takes place every fall and is similar to a homecoming weekend. Four fall sports teams—soccer, cross country, tennis and field hockey—compete against Episcopal Academy on a Friday afternoon, and everyone in the school finds a way to get involved. Those who are not on an athletic team crowd the sidelines to cheer and show their school pride. For those who are artistically inclined, there is a photography competition during the day where they can showcase their talents. However students choose to participate, they always find support from their friends and teachers. It’s a great way for the school to come together in a non-academic setting. Another aspect of Agnes Irwin that I love is the emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning that begins in the Lower School. I have vivid memories of our trip to “Japan” in second grade, during which the entire grade boarded a make-believe airplane that transported us halfway across the world (or just down the hallway) to our destination. It was such a fun and memorable way to learn about Japanese culture and language! In Middle School, sixth grade’s Medieval Night and “grabbing my fiefdom” in Ms. Lynch’s seventh grade class made learning history facts unforgettable, while field trips to places like New York City and the Echo Hill Outdoor School brought classroom learning to life. In Upper School, this approach has especially deepened my interest in math and science. The Agnes Irwin School has a terrific STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program, beginning with a physics-first curriculum in the ninth grade. Our new science center has everything we need for college-level lab work, and tools like smart boards make class interactive and exciting. Although assignments can be challenging, teachers are readily available to meet and review concepts. There are also several different levels offered for each course, particularly in math, which has three divisions so that each girl can find her right fit. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of upperclassmen continue to take advanced math and science classes beyond the required credits. As a senior, I am enrolled in a total of four math and science courses and am thoroughly enjoying all of them! There are so many other ways that Agnes Irwin has shaped me as a young woman over the past 12 years. Without E-mates in Lower School and Computer Connections in Middle School, I probably would not be as tech savvy as I am now. I also never would have had the opportunity to act in plays, recite a speech before a crowd, play field hockey and participate in countless other activities. All of these experiences have taught me that girls can do anything and everything that they want to do. I fully encourage you to visit us and learn more about Agnes Irwin to see if it’s the right place for your daughter. I know that it will exceed your expectations, too!

	Mary Beth's Story
	I came to Agnes Irwin as a new student in the ninth grade. After leaving a small private school that I had attended with my twin brother since PreK, I was nervous about transitioning into a new school on my own. As soon as I arrived, however, I found Agnes Irwin to be a welcoming community. The Bridge Program for rising ninth graders, the orientation day for incoming students and the hostess program that pairs new girls with a returning student helped me adjust quickly. After a few weeks, I knew all of my classmates by name and began to feel as if I had been a student at Agnes Irwin for years. While each student’s schedule is shaped by her individual interests, a typical day in Upper School creates a balance of classes, clubs, arts and after-school athletics. We usually begin our mornings with Advisory meetings. These sessions give us an opportunity to meet with our faculty advisor and a small group of classmates to discuss personal and school-related issues. Twice a week, the day begins with Assembly instead, which includes announcements and Senior Presentations. After first period, there is time built into the schedule to catch up on work, speak with teachers or attend club meetings. The number of activities you can be involved in is unlimited, making it easy for all of us to find (or create!) a club that suits our interests. Some of the activities I have been involved with include the PALS (Peer Active Listening Support) mentoring program for Lower School girls and Frenish, a student-run Spanish and French literary magazine that we publish twice a year. Getting involved in these organizations has been a great way to explore new interests and connect with girls in different grades. Athletics practice begins at 3:45 p.m., and every AIS Upper School student participates in at least two sports each year. We have 13 Varsity sports teams in addition to the fitness, dance and independent programs. While athletics have always played a huge role in my life (especially soccer!), being a part of a team has helped me to establish myself as a leader within our community. I am a co-captain of the Varsity soccer team and am also on the school’s Athletics Board, an organization of Upper School student representatives who coordinate athletic events and promote school spirit. These activities have been great outlets to express my passion for sports. Academically, I also have been encouraged to try things that I may not have pursued elsewhere. In particular, the travel and research programs at Agnes Irwin have helped further my interest in foreign languages. During my sophomore year, I had the opportunity to go to France for two weeks. This year, I am creating a documentary film on a historical French Archbishop and conducting an independent study advised by my French teacher. It’s great to have been given the freedom to extend my love of French culture into so many areas of my Agnes Irwin education. These past three years have been exciting, formative and, of course, challenging, but I wouldn’t trade my AIS experience for anything else. I invite you to schedule a tour or set up a full-day visit for your daughter. I know you’ll see how an Agnes Irwin education can shape your daughter’s interests and strengthen her passions as it did mine.