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done their research and developedan understanding of theprocess, they are more likelyto apply to a program ED thatisn’t a great fit. The college applicationtimeline for ED requiresthat students identify their first choicesin early fall. Early decision, then, requiresdoing some work over the summer.Why does ED work at Nobles? “Weteach students to be good consumers,”Denning says. “In addition to helpingstudents to understand what ‘fits,’ i.e., allthe wonderful opportunities available inhigher education, we look at data-basedmodels of selectivity, so students knownot only where they would like to go butalso where they have a pretty good chanceof getting in.”College counselors begin workingwith Class II students early inthe year. The college counselingoffice is also open throughoutthe summer—an anomaly amongprivate schools—to accommodatemeetings with families and students andto refine the college list. In addition, theratio of counselors to students at Nobles isstrong, with five counselors working withclasses of 115–125. “The school and itsleadership are really invested in thoughtfulcollege counseling,” Denning says.Each year, the college counseling staffalso visits scores of colleges and universitiesto nurture relationships, to identifyhidden gems in higher education, to ensurethat college admission deans understandNobles, rigorous programs and talentedstudents, and to help students understandthe culture of the institutions they are considering.In addition, about 100 representativesof colleges and universities visit theNobles campus each year.Eighty percent of the students whoopted to apply ED were admitted to theirschool of choice in late 2012. Regular decisionsare delivered to students in March.By mid-February 2013, 91 percent ofNobles students already had been admittedto at least one school. By mid-April,more than 70 percent of the members ofthe Class of 2013 were admitted to a firstchoiceschool. “We have a careful processand make strategic use of the summerand of tools like ED,” says Denning. “Wealso have a really strong class, [and] thatallows us to do this work well.”Faculty in the NewsIn fall 2012, The Bay State Banner published anarticle by visual arts faculty member David Roane.The article discusses bullying and violence inschools and how it is defined or labeled differentlywithin the context of race and class. WGBH’sBoston Public Radio reporters commented onRoane’s article during its Jan. 25 segment, calling it “provocative”and “absolutely legitimate.” Boston Public Radio reporterCallie Crossley says, “He writes quite passionately about the factthat bullying laws and anti-hazing laws seem to be separatedwhen it comes to class. It’s not applied to gang violence.”Read Roane’s article: http://www.baystatebanner.com/local15-2012-10-04. To hear Boston Public Radio’s reaction, which begins at 32:20, visit:http://www.wgbhnews.org/post/local-week-review-012513.Boston.com reporter Dave Eisenstadter interviewedAssistant Head of School and Head ofMiddle School John Gifford about KliptownYouth Program’s two-week cultural exchangeat Nobles. Gifford has organized service trips toSouth Africa for 11 years, and he helped organizeKYP’s first visit to Nobles. Gifford told Eisenstadter, “This is,for Nobles, one of the best examples of a long-term partnership.There’s a lot of trust and some great collaboration.”Read more about the KYP visit by searching “Dedham’s Noble andGreenough hosts South African youth dancers” on Boston.com.Chili CookoffChef Michael Ryan ofFlik, Flik’s Director ofDining Services MattBurek and Noblesscience teacher JenCraft judged the sixthannual Chili Cookoff.They crowned facultymember Meg Jacobsas the winner.New Sport OfferingDirector of AthleticsAlex Gallagher ’90 announcedthat girls varsityvolleyball will beoffered as an ISL sportat Nobles in fall 2013.Gallagher is excitedthat Nobles is able tooffer the sport, onegrowing in popularityand competitivenessat the high school andcollege levels. Coachingthe new squad,open to Upper Schoolgirls, will be MiddleSchool dean and mathteacher Colette Finleyand college counselorKimya Charles, bothof whom have playedcompetitively andrecreationally sincespring 2013 Nobles 9