House System

Throughout Principia, establishing a close-knit sense of family is of paramount importance. Our student-centered House, Crew, and advisory systems are designed to help children know they each have a place and a role, a sense of belonging and of contributing to the whole.

Early steps developing friendships, communication skills, and confidence take place within each grade level—as students learn, work, and play together. And that’s as far as most schools go. At Principia, we take the concept and practice of community farther with Crews and Houses in the Upper School and Advisories and Houses in the Middle School. Together, these mentored groups provide single- and multi-grade opportunities for students to expand their social networks, work through challenges, and take on leadership roles.

Here’s a quick summary of how they work:

Houses (Upper and Middle School)

Houses are the main multi-grade groupings at these two levels—four in Upper School and three in Middle School. Each House has its own student-designed motto and flag and includes boys and girls from all grades at that level. And each House is supported by an adult leader.

Middle School Houses host social events and support specific school activities. They also engage in intramural competition, both academic and athletic.

In the Upper School Houses, students develop collegial and mentoring relationships as they participate in competitions and school spirit activities. Leadership opportunities increase in Upper School, where each House has a student captain and vice captain.

Crews (Upper School)

While Houses span all four grades, Crews are grade specific. So, the Red House, for example, includes two freshman Red Crews, two sophomore Red Crews, two junior Red Crews, and two senior Red Crews.

Each Crew consists of 7–8 students, including boys and girls, backed by two adult crew leaders. The small size of Crews means that adult leaders get to know each student individually, in a context beyond academics or athletics—and students also build close bonds within their grade.

Throughout the school year, individual crews plan, organize, and/or support a variety of activities ranging from aspects of the Fall Character Trips to on-campus social activities. All Crew members revolve through various leadership roles, within the comfort of their own peer group. This, in turn, prepares them for House-wide responsibilities as upperclassmen, as they grow in confidence and ability.

Advisories (Middle School)

In addition to their Houses, Middle School students are grouped in single-gender, grade-level advisory groups. Supported by a mentor, they meet regularly through the year to discuss and address a wide range of issues, ranging from the academic program and schedule to social or emotional issues and questions about life. Advisories are an ideal vehicle for considering what it takes to develop into “fine young men and women”—the broad title for a series of discussions and activities that address social and moral issues.