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16 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • May 2018 ask the Expert a sk t h e e x p e rt Q: What brought you to Grymes School? When my husband and I first moved to Virginia seven years ago, we were looking for a kindergarten program that would nurture and challenge our shy little daughter. I remember feeling daunted and overwhelmed by the prospect of school-searching, and I came to visit Grymes without even knowing what to ask! When we first arrived, we were greeted by two upper school students who were passing in the halls between classes, and they took the time to stop and say hello, introduce themselves to us—and to our little daughter—and asked how they could help us and if they could answer any questions. We were floored by these polite, happy children who were welcoming us in as if into their home. That did it for us! I'm proud to say that my shy little peanut is now a fifth grader and is one of those upper schoolers greeting visitors with a handshake and a smile when she comes passing through the halls! I credit Grymes with giving her the confidence and security to grow into a wonderfully self-possessed, interested and interesting little person. Q: What does it mean when you say that Grymes School has a "character- driven community"? Grymes is a non-denominational independent school, but we do emphasize the importance of character and citizen- ship as part of a whole-child education. Our core values of respect, responsibility, kindness and honor (or honesty) are a part of all that we do. These values are the framework that creates a community built on trust. At Grymes, kids are learning more than just reading, writing and arithmetic; they're learning how to be a good citizen in a community. That includes not just the school community, but the out- side world as well. Students are greeted with a handshake from the Head of School at the start of every day and are treated with respect by their teachers. We teach students the importance of respect and caring about others through our four "watch words." These are taught through class community-service projects, and through a curriculum that has a global reach. As one school year closes, another appears on the horizon. If you are looking for a new school for your child, or are just starting the adventure with your rising kinder- gartener, Grymes Memorial School in beautiful Orange County, Virginia, is well worth your consideration. Hope Scibal, director of advancement for Grymes Memorial School, answered several questions about what makes it such a unique place for children to learn, what drew her to Grymes Memorial School, and also walked us through the admissions process. INTERVIEWED BY BRENDA SAPANGHILA Q: What makes Grymes Memorial School stand out? Grymes Memorial School is more than just a school; it's a family. You feel it the instant you step onto the beautiful 42-acre campus, a sense of warmth that is so incredibly special. Children are smiling at each other and greet you with a warm hello, teachers are relaxed and happy, and there's a buzz in the hallways as students and teachers go about the business of exploration and discovery together. This strong bond within a community where everyone knows each other's name and where everyone is kind to each other truly makes Grymes stand out from other programs. While the hands-on nature of our curriculum is certainly a highlight, I would also say that the emphasis on confidence in self-expression is really extraordinary. Whether it's participating in conversations with teachers and peers in the classroom, standing up and speaking clearly for an announcement at our weekly all-school assemblies, performing in a class play or reciting a poem to a standing-room-only audience in our signature Declamations program, all Grymes students have a voice. They are encouraged to share that voice with confidence and poise. I am always amazed at how comfortable Grymes students are onstage, and that's a big part of what makes this program so unique. Students are given the tools, the opportunities and the encour- agement to express themselves, and they do it beautifully!