Boston, Dec. 2, 1999 — David M. Smith, headmaster of Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., and Byron Martin, Dean of Community Life at Brewster, spoke today at the 114th annual meeting of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC).

Smith and Martin were chosen by NEASC to lead the discussion on "Assessing Achievement of Non-Academic Goals" based on Brewster's position at the forefront of community life programs for independent schools.

Smith and Martin shared insights into Brewster's Community Life program and the results of this social development curriculum since its inception at Brewster in 1994. "Brewster is not just about an extraordinary academic program," Smith explained. "We apply a systemic approach to athletics and social programs as well."

Smith stressed that before you can assess any curriculum program, you have to clearly determine what your objectives are, what values and skills you expect, and, most importantly, what outcomes you want. "The school must then devote all aspects of its program to that objective, meet students where they are, and provide them the logical steps to move forward to the goals you want them to achieve."

Approximately 1,000 principals and heads of schools from New England attended the three-day meeting held at the Copley Plaza Hotel.

Founded in 1885, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. is the nation's oldest regional accrediting association whose mission is the establishment and maintenance of high standards for all levels of education, from pre-K to the doctoral level.

Brewster Academy is an international leader in independent secondary education and is widely recognized for its success in using advanced learning and information technologies to accelerate student growth in a vigorous college preparatory environment. Brewster provides its 367 students (Grades 9-12 and post-graduate) with a personalized curriculum based on individual mastery and best-teaching practices in a sophisticated technology-rich learning environment.

Brewster Academy is accredited as a secondary school by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc.

The Academy is located on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in the resort community of Wolfeboro, N.H. Learn more about the Brewster difference by visiting us at www.brewsteracademy.org or giving us a call at 603.569.7494.