A Journey Through Innovation and Excellence: Our Visit to The Mastery School of Hawken

Today, we had the privilege of visiting The Mastery School of Hawken, a private school in Cleveland, Ohio, known for its spirit of innovation and academic excellence. We toured two of its high school campuses. Our first stop was the Upper School Campus, where we were welcomed with a presentation. After the introduction, we were guided on a tour of the school. Now, we invite you to join us for a virtual visit to this beautiful campus through our perspective.

🔧 Makerspace

We began our visit in the school’s Makerspace, where students design and create projects. The lab is equipped with woodworking stations, laser cutters, and 3D printers. Students can earn art credits here or use the space for other class projects.

🍽️ The “White House” Dining Hall

Next, we visited the school cafeteria, nicknamed the “White House,” which used to be a family home. It now serves as the lunchroom, offering a variety of food options, including an online menu to accommodate different dietary needs. Pre-prepared meals are available for students with allergies or dietary restrictions.

🔬 Science Building

The science building includes two biology labs and two chemistry labs. The school adopts a “Physics First” philosophy, where freshmen begin with physics before moving on to chemistry and biology. The school also offers a STEM program, allowing students to collaborate with mentors from research institutions.

📚 Class Schedule

The daily schedule consists of four class modules, covering seven courses. Classes are usually 80 minutes long, while Wednesday sessions are 65 minutes due to early dismissal. After the fall and spring terms, students participate in “Intensives”—three-week courses focused on one subject all day.

💻 Technology and Library

The school provides each student with a laptop for learning. The library is decentralized, with books located in various subject areas. Students also have access to databases for research purposes.

🎨 Arts and Performance

Students are encouraged to participate in arts and performance. They must earn eight art credits over four years. The school features an auditorium for all-school meetings and class gatherings.

🌐 International Exchange and Language Learning

At The Mastery School of Hawken, global awareness and language learning are essential. Each year, the school welcomes exchange students from Chile for immersive educational and cultural experiences. Hawken students also have opportunities to study in Chile and France through exchange programs, fostering cross-cultural connections.

📚 Language and Humanities Integration

The school offers four language courses: Latin, Chinese, French, and Spanish. Students are encouraged to study at least one language, with options to study one for four years or two for two years each. The humanities curriculum combines English and history, providing an integrated learning platform for 9th and 10th graders. They explore world history starting from Mesopotamia and develop their language skills through reading and writing.

🔍 Advanced Courses and Independent Research

In 11th and 12th grade, students may take AP courses such as AP History, AP English Literature, and AP English Language. The school also offers seminar-style classes like “Reading, Writing, and Practice,” where students can conduct independent research projects, sometimes collaborating with alumni. This approach promotes both academic growth and independent thinking.

🦸‍♂️ Heroes and Villains Seminar

A student shared her experience in the “Heroes and Villains” seminar, which explores what makes someone a hero or a villain. This thought-provoking course inspires deep reflections on human nature and society.

🏫 Campus Culture

With class sizes generally under 20 students, the school fosters strong teacher-student relationships and active classroom discussions. Hawken serves 515 students in grades 9 through 12.

🏆 Academic Achievements

The Class of 2024 received offers from over 60 colleges, with 20% earning full-tuition scholarships. Despite not using traditional grades or GPAs, students achieved outstanding college admission results. College counseling begins at the end of 10th grade, with dedicated courses in 11th and 12th grades. The school’s low counselor-to-student ratio allows for personalized guidance and strong recommendation letters.

🕒 Free Periods and Student Independence

We noticed many couches around campus and students freely moving about—even during class time. Every student has at least one free period, not as a study hall but as personal time. They can choose to work out, watch videos, or relax. However, poor time management can lead to failing grades, encouraging students to reflect and plan better. These periods help students learn autonomy, a vital skill for college life where time management is key.

🏫 Visual and Performing Arts Corridor

The visual arts and performing arts wings are located in the same hall. Students must earn eight arts credits over four years. The auditorium hosts school-wide and class events. Like in Harry Potter, Hawken features house teams—Chester, Madder, Soul, and Bolton. Advisors are assigned to houses, which compete in all-school activities like the Giant Relay and “Gotcha,” a tag game that earns house points.

The school also has a props workshop with direct access to the stage. The performing arts wing includes rooms for string and choir rehearsals. Students have lockers to store instruments so they don’t need to carry them home every day.

🏫 Athletics and Alumni Engagement

The school values not just academics but also athletic spirit and alumni relationships. We visited the Alumni Development Office, which connects Hawken with its graduates, supporting their careers and encouraging their engagement with current students and school programs.

🏃‍♂️ Athletic Culture

Hawken has a strong sports culture, with programs like track and field, baseball, and lacrosse. Football holds special importance in the school’s spirit, and many students attend games to show support even if they’re not on the team.

🏀 Facilities and PE Classes

The Red Gym is the training ground for the basketball team. All students are required to take “Human Function” class, equivalent to physical education. Freshmen and sophomores must take PE classes and can earn credits through participation in sports.

👩‍⚕️ Sports Medicine Program

Students interested in sports medicine can participate in a special program to observe and learn from a professional named Sarah. This hands-on experience allows students to explore their interest and assess potential career paths.

🚌 Exploring the Mastery School Campus

We then took a school bus to the Mastery School Campus to learn about its unique academic programs and teaching philosophy.

🌟 Macro Program

The Macro Program is the core of this campus, encouraging students to work in teams to solve real-world problems. It's not just academic—it teaches collaborative problem-solving with community partners. Students learn academic skills by tackling complex challenges.

🏗️ Example: Architecture Macro Course

One project involved designing a preschool for “Healing Art Missions” that could withstand earthquakes and hurricanes. Students applied architectural knowledge and learned about structural mechanics and climate conditions.

📚 Macro and Micro Courses

Macro courses include subjects like engineering, digital art, humanities, software development, film, and climate studies. Micro courses—such as math, chemistry, and writing—are held three times a week for one hour. Macro courses provide longer daily sessions.

🎓 Credit System

Credits are earned in six core areas, including critical thinking, teamwork, communication, creative problem-solving, and civic responsibility. Students can also apply for advanced credits by submitting projects that demonstrate mastery or outstanding work.

🏆 Academic Success

The Class of 2024 earned offers from over 60 universities, with 20% receiving full scholarships. For the Class of 2025, 87% were admitted to top 25 colleges, and five students were finalists for the National Merit Scholarship. These achievements reflect the strength of the school’s education model.

🏠 Dormitory Life

We ended our tour at the dormitory area, which houses 16 students in total. Boys and girls live on separate sides of the building, each with secure access for safety and comfort.

To conclude our visit, we were treated to a wonderful dinner hosted by the school. It was more than a meal—it was a warm gathering that allowed us to connect with Hawken’s students and staff, share our experiences, and deepen our understanding of the school’s community.

As laughter filled the evening, we captured precious moments in group photos. These images not only commemorate our memorable visit, but also symbolize the promising new relationship between us and Hawken School—full of hope for future collaboration and exchange.