"The school is the classroom, and the classroom is everywhere..."

Ohio High School Baseball Hall of Famer, Fred Heinlen, who coached hundreds of US student-athletes in the 1980s and 1990s often reminded us of, “the compounding value of an immersive experience.” Coach Heinlen knew: Every class, every practice, every conversation, every test, every game offers invaluable lessons.  

  

Walking through the Upper School at 4:30 on a weekday afternoon offers vivid reminders of Coach Heinlen’s point and the impact of your support for the US teachers who make such incredible experiences possible.

 

At the front entrance to the Upper School, the activity and energy are impossible to miss as members of our Robotics team build their robots and prepare to compete. Every day in robotics, these students experience challenges and learn to solve problems together, under the guidance of Mr. Peter Sweeney and Mr. Andrew McKeown. One of our most rapidly growing programs, our Robotics team ranks among the top in the state.

 

Throughout our academic classrooms, speakers and debaters work in small groups to prepare their cases, refine their arguments, and polish their delivery. Under the guidance of Mr. James Lewis, our forensics team includes more than 40 young men who practice most weekdays in preparation for full-day Saturday tournaments throughout the fall and winter. This commitment yields remarkable results: The list of state and national qualifiers is long, and these young men compete throughout the spring and even into summer break.

 

Across the courtyard, the commitment and energy are just as evident, as up to 100 athletes train with Mr. Carlo Alvarez. The results of Coach Alvarez’s impact on our student-athletes and their teams have been remarkable, as he directs the strength and conditioning elements of every athlete's off-season training and in-season development. When students walk into the room, the message is clear:

 

 

This lesson is evident throughout our two campuses every day: On any given afternoon, more than half of our boys are engaged in these and other endeavors. Of course, shaping every one of these experiences, is a teacher, coach, or mentor whose passion and expertise inspire and guide our students.

 

We often repeat the phrase of former Upper School Director, coach, and English teacher, Dr. Bill O’Neil: “The school is the classroom, and the classroom is everywhere,” because we know every experience is crucial to our mission of developing young men of character who lead and serve.  

 

Your support for University School’s Annual Fund is essential because it empowers US to attract teachers and mentors whose dedication is evident in every experience that shapes a young man’s US journey – Thank you!