Robert A. Lake, Head of School
Crystal Land, Assistant Head of School
Carl Thiermann, Head of Upper School
4315 Lincoln Avenue r Oakland r California r 94602
www.headroyce.org r 510.531.1300
College Counseling Office
Kate Augus, Director of College Counseling
510.531.1300, x2119 / kaugus@headroyce.org
Carrie Horsey, Associate Director of College Counseling
510.531.1300, x2112 / chorsey@headroyce.org
130'*-&
CEEB Code: 050285
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Head-Royce School is a nonsectarian college preparatory day school with coeducational classes
from kindergarten through grade 12. Founded in 1887 in Berkeley, California, as The Anna Head
School for Girls, it was relocated in 1964 to a six-acre campus in a residential area in Oakland,
six miles south of Berkeley. The Josiah Royce School for Boys was opened at an adjoining site in
1971 as a coordinate school. Since 1979, Head-Royce School has been fully coeducational.
On July 1, 2010 Robert A. Lake joined Head-Royce as our tenth Head of School.
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Head-Royce School enrolls 815 students: 240 in the Lower School, 240 in the Middle School, and
335 in the Upper School. Students come from Oakland, Berkeley and over 30 other communities in
the East Bay. Students of color comprise nearly 50% of our population. Over $3,000,000 in Financial
Aid was awarded to 30% of our student body for 2010-11.
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As part of its mission to prepare global citizens, Head-Royce is committed to being a Green School.
Our Green Mission focuses on four broad areas: Sustainable Resources, Nutritional Food, an
Ecological Curriculum, and a Healthy Environment. Our new LEED certified Upper School building
opened in August 2008, marking the completion of a three-year, campus-wide renovation that also
includes a new World Languages building and the Read Library. Head-Royce School is committed to
educating our students about important sustainability topics through our curriculum, our organic
garden, and our efforts to reduce the School’s impact on the environment. More than 400 solar panels
on our roofs provide 25% of our annual electricity needs.
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The purpose of a Head-Royce education is to inspire in our students a lifelong love of learning and
desire for academic excellence, to promote an understanding of and a respect for the diversity that
makes our society strong, and to encourage constructive and responsible citizenship. Upper School
graduation requirements include the following: four years of English and history, three years of math,
science, and world languages, along with (at minimum) one year of an advanced level fine or
performing art. Our 7 Honors and 15 AP classes, along with our advanced fine arts program, contribute
to a challenging and varied college preparatory curriculum. 8FTUSPOHMZSFDPNNFOEUIBUTUVEFOUT
UBLFOPNPSFUIBOPOF"1DMBTTJOTPQIPNPSFZFBSUXPJOKVOJPSZFBSBOEUISFFJOTFOJPSZFBS
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Along with academics, students participate in a wide variety of activities. Co-curricular options
include our school newspaper, 5IF)BXLT&ZF, our yearbook, /PETBOE#FDLT, and our nationally
recognized debate and music programs. Additionally, students can create and lead clubs in any area
of interest. Active campus organizations include our Green Team, FADE dance troupe, Black Student
Union, Asia Club, and Gay-Straight Alliance.
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Class of 2010 Middle 50% SAT scores: Critical Reading: 620-730, Math: 630-740, Writing: 640-740.
Mean SAT scores: Critical Reading: 650, Math: 661, Writing: 664
The Class of 2010 has 19 National Merit Commended Students, 11 National Merit semifinalists,
and 5 National Merit Scholarship winners. There were 8 National Achievement Scholars in the
Class of 2010.
In the spring of 2010, 217 students took 386 Advanced Placement tests in twenty-two subjects.
Eighty-seven percent of scores were 3 or higher.
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UI
&OHMJTI:
Intro to Composition
& Literature
UI
&OHMJTI:
American Literature
UI
UI
&OHMJTI:
Western Classical
Literature (H)
Alienation
American Fiction & Poetry
AP English Seminar
Irish Literature
Japanese Literature
Literature & Film
Modern Drama
Shakespeare
Wit Lit: The Art of Satire
Women’s Literature
World Mythology
Expository Writing
(can be repeated each year for credit)
)*4503:
)JTUPSZ:
Russia, China, India
& Globalization
)JTUPSZ:
U.S. History
AP U.S. History
)JTUPSZ:
Western Culture &
Civilization (H)*
American Race Relations
AP Art History
Asia Rising
Broadcast Documentary
Comparative Politics
The Constitution & the Law
Cultural Anthropology
Ethical Issues
Philosophy
Psychology
."5)
Geometry
Geometry (H)
Algebra II
Algebra II (H)
Precalculus
Precalculus (H)
Introduction to Statistics
AP Statistics
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
Multivariable Calculus
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Conceptual Physics
Chemistry (H)*
Biology
AP Biology
AP Environmental Science
AP Physics
Astronomy
Chem Mystery: Qualitative Analysis
Eco Design
Molecular Genetics
Neurobiology
Robotics
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Chinese I, II, III, IV, V/AP
French I, II, III, IV, French Literature & Cinema, AP Language
Latin I, II, III, IV/V, Advanced Latin Seminar (H), AP (Vergil or Horace/Catullus)
Spanish I, II, III, IV, Advanced Spanish Seminar (H), AP Language, AP Literature
'*/&"354
*OUSPEVDUPSZ$PVSTFT
2D Art: Drawing and Painting
3D Art: Intro to Sculpture
Intro to Dance
Intro to Theater (Tech Theater)
Drama I
Photography
Photojournalism
"EWBODFE$PVSTFT **
Advanced 2D Art
Advanced 3D Art
AP Studio Art
Chorus
Drama II
Advanced Dance
Advanced Photography
Video Production
Graphic Design
Jazz Band/Adv. Jazz Band
Orchestra
Wind Symphony
Orchestra
Cantabile
Colla Voce
Intro to Music Theory
AP Music Theory
05)&3
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Speech & Debate I and II
AP Computer Science A
Advanced Program Design
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One credit of physical education, graded pass/fail, is required each year.
* In addition, students may take an AP Exam Preparation Seminar which meets one day per week (graded pass/fail).
** Fine Arts Courses that meet the University of California Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
'FBUVSFTPGUIF$VSSJDVMVNBOEUIF"DBEFNJD1SPHSBN
4UVEFOU-FBEFSTIJQ0QQPSUVOJUJFT To encourage Head-Royce students to develop their leadership skills, we offer
school-wide student council roles as well as grade level opportunities. Additionally, to foster an atmosphere of selfgovernance, Upper School students may apply to work on several committees which contribute to our community.
Students are selected to serve a one-year post on the following committees: Curriculum, Global Citizenship, Diversity,
Social Attitudes Task Force, Ninth Grade Prefects, Key Club, and Honor Council. These responsibilities offer students
an unparalleled opportunity to make a significant impact on Head-Royce School in both the short and long term.
"UIMFUJDT Through our premier athletic program, students can play on over 20 interscholastic teams in both Middle
and Upper School; our teams have captured 91 league championships in the last 30 years. The outstanding Upper
School athletic program includes baseball, softball, basketball, swimming, tennis, cross-country and track, lacrosse,
volleyball, soccer and golf.
'JOF1FSGPSNJOH"SUT Students are actively involved in the arts, participating in school musicals and dramatic
productions, the Jazz Band, the Wind Symphony, Chorus and select vocal groups, photography, graphic design, the
video yearbook, and on-going studio art exhibits. Our musicians travel to heritage music festivals across the country
and are recognized for the excellence of their musicianship.
$BQTUPOF&YQFSJFODFT
*4FBSDI In the ninth grade, all students complete the I-Search, an extensive, 7-10 page research project in which
they investigate a contemporary topic through personal interviews and library and internet research. Recent
I-Search paper titles include “Forget the Homeruns and Strikeouts, Baseball is All Business,” “For the Last Time,
What Are You? Mixed-Raced Children and Identity,” and “Reel Revolution: Democratization of Filmmaking Tools.”
4FOJPS1SPKFDUT In May of the senior year, all students participate in structured internships of their choosing. The
senior project is designed to acquaint students with working life in a variety of areas. Each student must complete
80 hours of work at his or her internship and then summarize their experience in a presentation to the School
community. Recent graduates have held internships at a local television news network, at local architects’ offices,
at restaurants and catering companies, with a variety of social service and arts organizations, and with corporations
like Pacific Bell and PG&E. Others have pursued projects in medical research, finance, film production, online
journalism and organic farming, to give just a few examples.
"EWJTJOH All students are placed into integrated advising groups that stay together for the four years of high school.
These groups provide both academic and social support as students transition between the stages of adolescence.
First year students also attend Freshman Seminar to learn research and technology basics while also receiving
academic advising and individualized academic counseling. The goal of the advising program is to promote selfawareness, emotional growth, and individual academic progress.
4FSWJDF-FBSOJOH To further our students’ understanding of the multiple obligations of citizenship, all ninth graders
take a year-long Service Learning seminar that focuses on a variety of social issues including public education,
poverty, learning differences and human rights. At the end of the year, students develop an Action Plan that maps
out their participation with a particular issue or organization for their tenth grade year. From tenth grade through
twelfth grade, students must complete a total of 40 hours focused on a specific service project.
4UVEZ"CSPBE Head-Royce School is committed to promoting a global perspective in our students. To this end we
have developed a network of partnerships throughout the world. The School is a member of School Year Abroad, which
sponsors programs in China, Spain, Italy, France and Vietnam. Students may also participate in other study abroad
programs and most recently have attended high schools in Denmark, Japan, Iceland, Spain, England, Israel, Ethiopia
and Norway. The School also participates in the ASSIST foreign exchange program. In 2010-11 we will host a student
from Barcelona, Spain. We offer several travel opportunities for our students throughout Asia and Europe; many
include service components and students can apply for financial aid as necessary.
5FDIOPMPHZ The School’s four computer labs, ten mini-labs, six laptop carts, and campus-wide wireless access make
technology available for all students and teachers. Every Middle and Upper School classroom has an LCD projector for
student and teacher presentations. There are numerous opportunities for students to become involved in technical
theater and event production.
$PNNVOJUZ'PSVNT During the school year, special assemblies bring outside speakers and performers to campus.
Recent guests include author Michael Pollan, renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle, the highest ranking woman in the
Chinese government, Madame Liu Yandong, and Holocaust survivor and author Dora Apsan Sorell.
(SBEJOH
Please note that Head-Royce reports grades by semester. Transcripts show an unweighted GPA, cumulative by semester
from ninth grade. Students receive letter grades based on a traditional 4.0 scale. (A=4.0, B=3.0, etc.) Grade point averages
are unweighted and cumulative with credit for pluses and minuses. All academic and arts grades are included in the grade
point average, with the exception of Physical Education classes. Courses taken at other institutions are not included in the
Head-Royce School GPA but are noted on the official transcript. Head-Royce does not calculate rank for individual students.
/VNCFSPGTUVEFOUTJO$MBTTPG
Distribution of unweighted GPAs (through June 2010) for Class of 2011:
(1"SBOHF
3.99 – 3.73
3.72 – 3.60
3.58 – 3.37
3.32 – 3.04
Below 3.0
/VNCFSPGTUVEFOUT
18
18
18
18
8
*Five students will return from off-campus study this fall. Their GPAs are not included in this tally.
$PMMFHF"ENJTTJPO_
The following is a partial list of colleges and universities that have offered admission to graduates of the Head-Royce
School, followed by the number of students enrolling in those colleges over the last six years. .FNCFSTPGUIF$MBTTPG
XJMMBUUFOEUIFDPMMFHFTJOCPMEUZQF. Total number of graduates for the period 2005-2010: 481.
American University (1)
Amherst College (2)
Bard College (1)
#BSOBSE$PMMFHF (4)
Bates College (1)
Boston College
#PTUPO6OJWFSTJUZ (6)
Bowdoin College (1)
Brandeis University (3)
#SPXO6OJWFSTJUZ (14)
Bryn Mawr College
Bucknell University (1)
California College of the Arts
California Institute of Technology
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (2)
CSU East Bay (1)
$BSMFUPO$PMMFHF (7)
$BSOFHJF.FMMPO6OJWFSTJUZ (6)
Case Western Reserve University (1)
$IBQNBO6OJWFSTJUZ (3)
$MBSFNPOU.D,FOOB$PMMFHF (7)
Clark University
Colby College (3)
Colgate University (1)
College of William & Mary
$PMMFHFPG8PPTUFS(2)
Colorado College (2)
Columbia University (2)
$POOFDUJDVU$PMMFHF (2)
Cornell University
Cornish College of the Arts (1)
%BSUNPVUI$PMMFHF (3)
Davidson College (1)
%FOJTPO6OJWFSTJUZ (2)
Drew University (1)
Duke University
Emerson College
Emory University (4)
Fordham University
'SBOLMJOBOE.BSTIBMM$PMMFHF (2)
George Washington University (4)
Georgetown University (3)
Gonzaga University (1)
Hamilton College (1)
Hampshire College (1)
)BSWBSE6OJWFSTJUZ (6)
Harvey Mudd College (1)
Haverford College (1)
)PXBSE6OJWFSTJUZ (2)
Ithaca College (1)
+PIOT)PQLJOT6OJWFSTJUZ (2)
The Julliard School
,FOZPO$PMMFHF (3)
Lehigh University (1)
-FXJTBOE$MBSL$PMMFHF (4)
-PZPMB.BSZNPVOU6OJWFSTJUZ (5)
.BDBMFTUFS$PMMFHF (3)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (3)
.JEEMFCVSZ$PMMFHF (7)
Mt. Holyoke College (2)
/FX:PSL6OJWFSTJUZ (15)
/PSUIFBTUFSO6OJWFSTJUZ (1)
Northwestern University (6)
0CFSMJO$PMMFHF (9)
0DDJEFOUBM$PMMFHF (10)
1BSTPOT4DIPPMPG%FTJHO (2)
Pennsylvania State University (1)
Pepperdine University
1JU[FS$PMMFHF (5)
Pomona College (7)
Pratt Institute (1)
1SJODFUPO6OJWFSTJUZ (3)
Purdue University (1)
3FFE$PMMFHF (4)
Rensselaer Polytechnic University
3JDF6OJWFSTJUZ (1)
San Jose State University (1)
Santa Clara University (3)
4BSBI-BXSFODF$PMMFHF (1)
4DSJQQT$PMMFHF (4)
4FBUUMF6OJWFSTJUZ (2)
Skidmore College (2)
Smith College (2)
4PVUIFSO.FUIPEJTU6OJWFSTJUZ (3)
St. Mary’s College of California (1)
4UBOGPSE6OJWFSTJUZ (13)
Swarthmore College (3)
4ZSBDVTF6OJWFSTJUZ (4)
Trinity College, CT (1)
5VGUT6OJWFSTJUZ (10)
Tulane University
United States Coast Guard Academy (1)
United States Naval Academy (1)
University of Arizona (1)
University of British Columbia (1)
UC Berkeley (19)
6$%BWJT (27)
UC Irvine (2)
6$-" (20)
6$.FSDFE (3)
UC Riverside (5)
UC San Diego (6)
UC Santa Barbara (10)
6$4BOUB$SV[ (21)
6OJWFSTJUZPG$IJDBHP (4)
University of Colorado, Boulder (1)
6OJWFSTJUZPG.BSZMBOE$PMMFHF1BSL(2)
6OJWFSTJUZPG.JDIJHBO (4)
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
6OJWFSTJUZPG0SFHPO (6)
University of the Pacific (2)
University of Pennsylvania (16)
6OJWFSTJUZPG1VHFU4PVOE (3)
University of Redlands (1)
University of Rochester (2)
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco (1)
6OJWFSTJUZPG4U"OESFXT4DPUMBOE(1)
6OJWFSTJUZPG4PVUIFSO$BMJGPSOJB (12)
6OJWFSTJUZPG5FYBT"VTUJO (1)
University of Vermont
University of Virginia (1)
University of Washington (4)
Vanderbilt University
Vassar College (2)
Villanova University
Wake Forest University
8BTIJOHUPO6OJWFSTJUZJO4U-PVJT(6)
8FMMFTMFZ$PMMFHF (6)
8FTMFZBO6OJWFSTJUZ (7)
Wheaton College, MA (1)
8IJUNBO$PMMFHF (4)
Whittier College (1)
Willamette University (3)
Williams College (1)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (1)
:BMF6OJWFSTJUZ (10)