At Kent School, our identity has always been shaped by our beautiful riverside campus on the Chester River. This unique setting isn’t just scenic–it’s the foundation of our Chesapeake Bay Studies program. Every day, our students learn, explore, and grow in an environment deeply connected to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This sense of place guides our curriculum, our sustainability practices, and our mission to develop environmentally conscious citizens.
The Chester River: Our Living Classroom for Chesapeake Bay Studies
Our location is more than a backdrop — it is an essential part of how we teach. The wetlands, woodlands, and riverbanks surrounding our school provide daily opportunities for hands-on learning. Whether students are testing water quality, spotting wildlife, or simply observing seasonal changes along our shoreline, they gain a firsthand understanding of how ecosystems function and why they matter.
We believe that when students experience nature directly, they develop a meaningful, lifelong relationship with the environment.
Chesapeake Bay Studies Across All Grades: Integrated, Intentional, and Inspiring
Chesapeake Bay Studies is woven throughout our Preschool–Grade 8 curriculum. Students return to the Bay and its watershed year after year, expanding their understanding as they grow.
- Our youngest learners begin by exploring habitats, noticing local plants and animals, and building curiosity about the natural world.
- Lower School students deepen their scientific skills through fieldwork, journaling, and on-campus outdoor discovery.
- Middle School students take on more complex responsibilities — from water-quality monitoring to studying human impact on the watershed.
Signature experiences, like the culminating Fourth Grade trip to a Chesapeake Bay Foundation property where students spend three days and two nights immersed in Chesapeake Bay studies. Kent School is proud to be the only elementary school that CBF works with at this level of intensity. CBF guides understand that Kent School’s Fourth Grade students will come prepared with prior knowledge to ensure this experience is as meaningful as possible.
Across all grades, Bay Studies isn’t a single unit or field trip — it is a core part of who we are.
Environmental Education Through Community Partnerships
Our commitment to environmental education extends beyond our campus. We are grateful for strong partnerships with organizations such as:
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation
- Sultana Education Foundation
- Echo Hill Outdoor School
- Washington College Center for Environment & Society
These relationships enrich our academic program with expert-led field experiences, ecological research opportunities, and meaningful conservation projects. Students plant shoreline buffers, build habitat structures, participate in watershed initiatives, and learn from professionals working every day to protect our region.
Working alongside these partners teaches our students that caring for the environment is a shared community responsibility.
Proud to Be A Maryland Green School
We are honored to be a Maryland Green School, a certification awarded by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE). Earning and renewing this distinction reflects years of intentional effort in:
- Sustainable campus practices
- Energy and waste reduction
- Environmental curriculum integration
- Community engagement and service
This recognition affirms our belief that sustainability should be lived, not just taught. From recycling and composting to green groundskeeping and energy awareness, our students see environmental responsibility modeled around them every day.
Growing the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards
Our mission calls us to nurture students who are not only confident and curious learners but also responsible citizens of their communities and the wider world. Our environmental programming supports this philosophy by teaching students to think critically, act compassionately, and understand their role in caring for our planet.
We are proud of the environmental literacy our students gain at Kent School — and even more proud of the sense of stewardship they carry forward.
Looking Ahead: Continuing Our Commitment to Chesapeake Bay Education
As we look to the future, our commitment to Chesapeake Bay Studies and sustainable practices remains strong. We will continue to expand our environmental education, strengthen community partnerships, and celebrate the natural resources that make our school –and our region– a special place to learn and grow.
Join Us for Shaping the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards
Are you looking for a school where your child can explore the outdoors, learn through hands-on discovery, and grow into a responsible, curious citizen of the world?
Schedule a visit to Kent School and experience our Chesapeake Bay Studies program in action. Together, we can nurture a lifelong love for learning–and for the environment.
