Chapel
Montgomery's Chapel program is a non-sectarian, character-based lesson presented to students twice a week.
Once a week, on Tuesdays, a Chapel program is presented to students in grades 6-8 (Middle School). On Wednesdays, a Chapel program is delivered to students in kindergarten through 5th grade (Lower School). PreK students attend Lower School Chapels at least once a month. On Fridays, the entire school comes together for a Chapel presentation for students from kindergarten through 8th grade.
The content of a Chapel presentation is geared toward the age and grade-level of the audience, and is instructional in nature. Personal stories are encouraged and multi-sensory presentations are often prepared. Audience participation, coordinated music, and audio-visual displays are also commonly incorporated.
Chapels are delivered by members of the Montgomery School faculty, staff, and by 8th grade students. Every 8th grade student at Montgomery School is required to write and deliver an individual Chapel presentation. In addition, each Lower School class will prepare for, and deliver, a Chapel presentation as a group.
The 8th grade Chapel presentation is a rite-of-passage, giving each 8th grade student an opportunity to discuss a topic that is important to him or her. Students are coached in public speaking skills, and are given an opportunity to practice their presentation with a faculty member and classmates to ensure a positive experience. Many students who fear the experience beforehand ask to do another Chapel, or participate in a classmate’s Chapel, afterward!