Hyde School (Bath)

The Hyde Schools are character education-focused high schools located in Bath, Maine and Woodstock, CT. Founded in 1989, Hyde Leadership is a non-profit, tax-exempt institution governed by an independent Board of Trustees.

History

The original Hyde School was founded in 1966 in Bath, Maine by math teacher Joseph Gauld. Gauld had a crisis of conscience and became interested in providing education based on character development over, but not at the expense of, academic achievement. A second campus was later established in 1996 in Woodstock, CT. Currently, the organization, based in Maine, also includes national parenting workshops and wilderness experiences. Outdoor activities are incorporated into the educational scheme and an Outward Bound-like experience is provided to most students. Many students attend due to problematic teen behavior, such as drug use, alcoholism, or troubles with academic environment, which they or their parents believe can be alleviated through the educational theory of “character before performance.”

The Hyde of today continues to uphold its core values on its boarding campuses in Maine and Connecticut, as well as in its public school initiatives in New Haven, CT; Washington, DC; and the Bronx, NY.

Curriculum

Although Hyde typically categorizes itself as a college preparatory school [ [http://www.hyde.edu/podium/default.aspx?t=50465 Hyde School ~ FAQs ] ] , the school administrators regard their primary purpose as preparation for life. Hyde endeavors, through their own "character philosophy", to help students develop and employ positive character traits and leadership skills that will aid them in life during and beyond high school. The Hyde philosophy, traditionally represented by a “character compass,” features four main points [ [https://www.hyde.edu/ftpimages/107/misc/misc_37367.pdf IsHydeRight.pdf ] ] :

# An explicit philosophy of character in the form of the "Five Words": Courage, Integrity, Leadership, Curiosity and Concern.
# Dynamic student peer culture;
# Dedicated faculty that work to help kids and families connect with their unique potentials;
# The opportunity for family and primary teachers to participate and gain individual and collective strength.

Hyde believes that it is necessary to expose oneself emotionally to group and community interactions as part of the growth process. Thus, emphasis is placed on performing arts, community service, and sports, for all of which participation is mandatory. Competitive sports are played year round and have led to several State and New England championships, as well as various other awards [ [http://www.hyde.edu/podium/default.aspx?t=50266] [http://www.hyde.edu/hub/newsdetail.asp?nid=367228&ngid=7569&fa=true] [http://www.hyde.edu/hub/newsdetail.asp?nid=368474&ngid=7569&fa=true] ] .Hyde also features typical high school classes and academics. Advanced Placement courses are available and encouraged. Most students are accepted to four year colleges and universities.

Character Culture

Students are encouraged and regimented to recognize and address the faults of their peers and to communicate these perceived character flaws to them. "I am saying this because I care about you" is an oft-heard rationale for these encounters: Hyde believes this peer culture plays an integral role in the improved character growth and development.

Truth is emphasized over harmony. Students who have difficulty with following the rules of the school are put on “work crew,” where they perform maintenance jobs and lawn care for the school and are considered isolated from the rest of the community. This notion is not solely punitive, but also serves to illustrate that the transgressor has separated his or herself from the community through their actions. The idea behind the work crews is to earn the acceptance of the group, and work back into the trust of the community.

Group Counseling

Part of Hyde’s character development curriculum includes regular "Discovery (commonly known as "disco") group" sessions. These sessions are essentially bi-weekly group meetings with an assigned advisor to discuss anything that anyone needs to vent about, or sometimes just times to hang out and spend time together. Students are forced to address one other honestly and openly both during and outside of these groups, should they consider another student's actions or thoughts to be in conflict with the school's philosophy. Discovery Group sessions focus on the individual students and their personal development as people of character. Students are encouraged to share honestly about their own feelings, beliefs, and whenever they are struggling with something, no matter what it is. This may include a session know as "Clearing of the Decks" in which any participant in the group can get anything they want about any specific thing and/or person off their back safely and privatly within the group. These Discovery Group sessions are also extended to parents, whom are incorporated into local region-based groups where they are involved with the school's philosophy and character-education methods.

The purpose of these sessions is to involve the entire family in the Hyde community’s social structure, and to discover what fears or insecurities may be holding one back from achieving his or her true personal potential happiness and fulfillment. In juxtaposition to their involvement in their own regional meetings, parents are encouraged avoid over-involvement with their children while at the school. If students are having difficulties, parents are instructed to stay removed from trying to rescue or baby the student and to focus on their own lives, while allowing the school's programs and support system aid the student in discovering ways to deal with things in a way that indicates strength, maturity, and character.

In the media

In recent years, Hyde has received national recognition. In 1993, Joseph Gauld’s experiences were published in his book "Character First: The Hyde School Way and Why It Works" (Scribner). Television shows, such as ABC’s 20/20 [ [http://www.hyde.edu/podium/default.aspx?t=50453 Hyde School ~ 1990s ] ] , CBS’s 60 Minutes [ [http://www.hyde.edu/podium/default.aspx?t=50451 Hyde School ~ 1980s ] ] , and NBC’s The Today Show [ [http://www.hyde.edu/podium/default.aspx?t=50447 Hyde School ~ 1970s ] ] have aired full segments on Hyde, and the Hyde character concept has been featured in publications such as "Education Week" [ [http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2006/03/29/29letter-1.h25.html?levelId=1000&qs=hyde+gauld&rale2=KQE5d7nM%2FXAYPsVRXwnFWYRqIIX2bhy1%2BKNA5buLAWGoKt77XHI2terRpWBSgktL4bXgTCDsilH7%0AWkZCefHx8my5bKSRbxhIWZfkUmPBquLh%2F9BFEakU7ZHII%2Fmu01CUEpLNhfZ%2FY5RTSAFMoROfwTsH%0AAsyDLJnT9czpjKHi7khQUPRB5iYdt5Ba%2B4xDYtUqrhNoNPm2k2wuu1jvM66wQxsbxQyA6K0QVuhH%0ALzNDIc8X%2BI%2Fb8nt35deuI8%2FUfYI0P9QaJO5CzvsGf8gsnKo2UZHII%2Fmu01CUZCaisqSNJ4rTwPcZ%0AdQIdfmI8AMfr4Wq46hGb%2F%2FkJ4YCftabgXGegnsU%2B%2FC1acjMeYjwAx%2BvharjqEZv%2F%2BQnhgF2HGxqS%0AbfJevDU7x8V1YZ9UjbMEZlYFY1boRy8zQyHP%2FRsk4tLIgega9dPXjDLnIqr4fnU6%2BjHZPQEY14GH%0AljbIe%2BdSH6mv8i%2F%2F6M6QtQ8TgtFpnDmpZ1ljZnEaybCGL%2BZ%2FDPVWcK%2FGNtSZr5Fs0W69kgMcbABC%0AKGMNEUj8wcZmy0%2BiScTBCEpao0jozn9SsX0s0MvK%2BpenN3sWX%2B9GsvdWPFwc57ntOOCQDeUM8Ipu%0ALBS8znMgPnc2y4ryyO07E9lUzfqNaJ5Nzx3GRBcqN1VBNjWCUnm2rBMPWZB2JzWZ%2B1171R2HmscM%0AkBoAPnHkoDEG6t468rTAlL1CPdDduTxmAbS5w67pEUegeuOptf0dfmO7T943NMBYn13Z6YBb%2FfLp%0AbXubepMx Education Week: Economics, Knowledge, and the Keys to Success ] ] , "Insight", "The New York Times", "USA Today", "The Boston Globe", and "The Wall Street Journal".

Hyde techniques are also considered very controversial. Several websites exist to offer help to dissatisfied Hyde students, parents, or critics, such as [http://wwf.fornits.com Fornits] or [http://www.isaccorp.org/documentsam.asp#hyde the Hyde section of ISAC] .

References

External links

* [http://www.hyde.edu Official Site]