Round Square

'Round Square' is the name of an international consortium of secondary schools that was founded by Kurt Hahn. The founding school was Gordonstoun in Scotland. There are now more than 40 Round Square schools worldwide, in England, Scotland, Switzerland, Germany, Oman, India, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. Similar to Outward Bound, also created by Kurt Hahn, the Round Square schools have an educational philosophy designed to support growth of the "whole person". This philosophy is structured around six pillars, the I.D.E.A.L.S. ---- Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership, and Service. Students at any one of these schools may go on exchange for a semester to any other of the schools, and thus both those students and the students at their host school have a direct experience of becoming close to someone from another part of the world. The Round Square international service projects embody all six pillars: over a winter break or in the summer, students from all the Round Square schools will converge on a single location, often one of the less privileged schools, and perform a service project, for example, raising a new building. This is a remarkable chance for students to work side by side with other students from all over the world, doing service for folks who truly appreciate it. More information can be found at the Round Square website. The current presidency of Round Square is held by Appleby College of Oakville, Ontario, Canada.