The Hiland Hall School
A Progressive Primary and Middle School in Bennington, Vermont
(802) 442-3868
Speeches from June 2024 Graduation
Graduation at The Hiland Hall School is always a celebratory and bittersweet time, for the graduates, their families and all of the school community.
The speeches delivered provide another window into how education at HHS happens, and what teachers and students deem important. As such, we've added these talks in full, with permission from the authors.
​June 2024 Graduation Speeches
- Jessica Howard
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"Notes and Outline for Brennan's Talk"
- Brennan Cofiell
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Senior Speeches!
The Hiland Hall School was founded by a group of parents and teachers who came together when the Prospect School closed it doors in 1991. Our roots reach deeply into the Progressive Education community. Following are some resources in Progressive Education.
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"Conversations With Jessica Howard"
a video interview with our Founding Teacher
"On Teaching, Knowledge, and "Middle Ground"
- Jessica Howard
- Jessica Howard
The Prospect School and Center for Education and Research (1965-1991) developed a series of descriptive processes for broadening and deepening knowledge of children and their work. These processes continue to be used at The Hiland Hall School as well as other schools and inquiry groups across the country. In 2005 Prospect’s Archives were donated to the University of Vermont Special Collections.
Prospect Archive of Children's Work
Some other suggested reading:
Democracy and Education - John Dewey
Experience and Education - John Dewey
Starting Strong, A Different Look at Children, School and Standards - Patricia F. Carini
From Another Angle, Children’s Strengths and School Standards edited by Margaret Himley and Patricia F. Carini