Hawthorn School for Girls

Hawthorn was founded in 1989 by a group of parents with a great vision - a school for their daughters that would support them in their crucial role as parents. They wanted to provide an integral education that would not only challenge their daughters’ minds through a fine academic program, but would also form their hearts and wills, enabling them to grow in virtue and strength of character. Hawthorn School for Girls is the realization of that vision. To reach this goal, a Hawthorn education has two essential components. The first is a challenging curriculum, carefully geared to the development of girls at each stage from pre-school through our Upper School. As the students grow, the academic program emphasizes critical thinking, logical reasoning and cultural literacy, informing the mind through a classical liberal arts curriculum. From the beginning, though, Hawthorn’s founding parents were convinced that instructing only the mind was not sufficient, and so they established the other important component of a Hawthorn education: a character education program to foster the development of the human virtues in each student. Underlying these components, as the foundation of all we do at Hawthorn, are several important principles. The first is that we recognize parents as the first educators of their children. The education of a child is most effective when the parents and school work together, and to that end, we actively encourage the involvement of all parents. The second principle is the existence of objective, unchanging truths that provide the touchstone for all academic and personal endeavours, ensuring that they are firmly anchored in reality. Third is the knowledge that each human person has an incomparable dignity as a child of God. This conviction informs all relationships in the school, whether it be between parents, staff, or students, and helps to create the warm, inviting family atmosphere that makes Hawthorn such a special place. The 21st century society in which today’s girls will reach adulthood is complex and requires not only professional skills, but also deep personal integrity. Our girls are ready for the challenge! Hawthorn graduates are young women who understand well their responsibility to use their talents, both intellectual and personal, at the service of society. They truly are "World Changers"! Our mission statement highlights these important aspects of a Hawthorn education: to assist parents in the integral education of their daughters to become free and responsible women who know and love the truth. We are wholeheartedly committed to working with each girl and her parents to fulfill this compelling vision. We welcome you to join us in this endeavour!