Student Representation

CSW has a deep commitment to democratic principles, student initiative and all-school participation in school management. Student representation is woven into the fabric of school governance through several policy-making boards and forums, including the following:

Assemblies provide a regular gathering of the entire school community; students, faculty and staff come together for announcements, election speeches, performances and special events. Together with the head of school, the student assembly coordinators moderate the assemblies. Elected by the entire school community, they are a liaison though which community members give feedback and ideas regarding the assembly.

Town Meeting is a central forum for debate and discussion about important community issues. It also makes recommendations to the head of school. Issues are presented in a warrant that is prepared and published beforehand by Advisory Board, faculty, or individual petitions. The meeting is chaired by a student who is elected by the entire student body each year as town meeting moderator.

The Board of Trustees includes two students, one boarding and one day, as full voting members. Each student representative, elected by the entire student body, serves a one-year term, representing student views to the board. The two inform the student community of board decisions and issues and participate actively on board committees.

Advisory Board, also known as A-Board, is in charge of making formal recommendations to the head of school on school policy. It also reviews and revises the student handbook along with the dean of student life each spring. The board consists of nine students, two from each class, one who serves as the head of the board, and four faculty members. The student head, elected each spring for a one-year term, chairs weekly A-Board meetings and may advocate for policy adjustments and changes.

Judicial Board, or J-Board, endeavors to give fair, impartial hearings to students involved in major violations of school policies. The board is composed of eight students, two from each class, and four faculty members, one of whom represents boarding. Decisions from J-Board are presented as recommendations to the dean of student life and the head of school.

The Student Curriculum Committee is made up of student representatives, two from each class, elected every year. The committee meets regularly with the academic dean to discuss various aspects of academic life, such as new courses, the daily schedule and the needs of different departments. The group also interviews prospective teachers.