Boyce Center for Learning and Thriving - Garrison Forest School, Inc.
Source: http://www.gfs.org/academics/boyce-center-for-learning-and-thriving
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:27
Boyce Center for Learning and Thriving - Garrison Forest School, Inc.
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The Amabel Boyce '70 Center for Learning and Thriving at Garrison Forest School is a comprehensive program that unites our
academic success, counseling and wellness resources
to take a holistic approach to each student’s overall success and wellbeing.
Building on a long history of excellence in educating girls and expertise in how students learn best, the Boyce Center aims to help each student become the healthiest, best version of themselves. At its core is a commitment to research-based best practices in learning for girls and cross-campus collaboration that will create a tailored experience meeting each student’s needs. The Center was founded on the idea that students—and especially girls—learn best when:
their academic and social-emotional needs are met throughout the evolution of their learning journey;
support and enrichment is proactive, intentional and meaningful;
they are seen and valued as individuals.
Recognizing the vital connection between a student’s overall wellness and their academic success, the Boyce Center:
Provides structure and clarity around academic enrichment opportunities for all students.
Builds resiliency, proactive wellness and long-term well-being.
Empowers students to embrace their gifts, explore their passions and tackle challenges with a growth mindset.
Helps each student build a toolbox of resources to power future success .
The Boyce Center for Learning and Thriving is located on the first floor of McLennan Library.
December 2025
October 2025
September 2025
April 2025
March 2025
February 2025
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
Click here to read the December 2025 Boyce Bulletin
Click here to read the October 2025 Boyce Bulletin
Click here to read the September 2025 Boyce Bulletin
Click here to read the April 2025 Boyce Bulletin
CLICK HERE TO READ THE MARCH 2025 BOYCE BULLETIN
CLICK HERE TO READ THE MARCH 2025 BOYCE BULLETIN
CLICK HERE TO READ THE DECEMBER 2024 BOYCE BULLETIN
Boyce Center Advisory Board
Representing a wide range of industries and expertise in many different areas of academic achievement, wellness, girls' education and social-emotional wellbeing, the following group will serve as an advisory board for the Boyce Center for Learning and Thriving—click here to learn more:
Lisa Fleck
, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Susan Resnick
, math education consultant and author of Math in Focus K-8 (2020), Primary Math (2022) and Singapore Math Fact Fluency K-6
Ben Shifrin
, Head of School, Jemicy School, Owings Mills, MD
Rachel Simmons
, Internationally known expert in raising and supporting girls and women in school and business. Author of
Odd Girl Out
, T
he Curse of the Good Girl,
and
Enough As She Is
Rev. Caroline "Stuart" Rinehart Stewart '66
, Spiritual Director and Chaplain
Karen Swartz, M.D.,
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University; Founder and Director of Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP)
Martha Sweeney
, Head of School, The Odyssey School, Lutherville, MD
Meet the Boyce Center Team!
CLICK HERE TO READ THE NOVEMBER 2024 BOYCE BULLETIN
CLick to read the Oct 2024 Boyce Bulletin
CLick to read the Sept 2024 BOyce Bulletin
Boyce Center Advisory Board
Representing a wide range of industries and expertise in many different areas of academic achievement, wellness, girls' education and social-emotional wellbeing, the following group will serve as an advisory board for the Boyce Center for Learning and Thriving—
click here to learn more
:
Lisa Fleck
, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Susan Resnick
, math education consultant and author of Math in Focus K-8 (2020), Primary Math (2022) and Singapore Math Fact Fluency K-6
Ben Shifrin
, Head of School, Jemicy School, Owings Mills, MD
Rachel Simmons
, Internationally known expert in raising and supporting girls and women in school and business. Author of Odd Girl Out, The Curse of the Good Girl, and Enough As She Is
Rev. Caroline "Stuart" Rinehart Stewart '66
, Spiritual Director and Chaplain
Karen Swartz, M.D
., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University; Founder and Director of Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP)
Martha Sweeney
, Former Head of School, The Odyssey School, Lutherville, MD
Director of the Boyce Center: Shannon Schmidt
Boyce Center Reading Specialist: Margaret Bitz
Boyce Center Math Specialist: Julia Holt
Prior to coming on board as the inaugural Director of the Boyce Center for Learning and Thriving, Shannon served as the Head of the GFS Middle School for five years and before that, served as the GFS Middle School Curriculum and Academic Resource Coordinator. She has been a member of our Residential Life community for five years. While Shannon brings a deep knowledge and understanding of GFS to this role, she also brings an unflappable enthusiasm, strong sense of collaborative leadership and an inspiring vision for how the Boyce Center can truly elevate the experience of every student on our campus.
Margaret comes to Garrison Forest from McDonogh School, where she spent 26 years serving in various roles on campus, including Houseparent, Coach, Lower and Middle School Teacher, Coordinator of Character and Service, and Grade Coordinator and Dean. In addition to her time in the classroom, Margaret has tutored students across all grade levels, and is trained in IMSE’s Phonological Awareness & Orton-Gillingham programs. Margaret earned a bachelor's degree from Washington College and a master's degree in Leadership in Teaching from Notre Dame University. Margaret is excited to live on campus as a member of the Residential Life Faculty with her husband, Andy, three college-aged sons and two dogs.
Julia has 28 years of experience teaching mathematics, including 16 years as a Lower School Math Specialist at Calvert School and, most recently, three years as a Lower School Math Specialist and Middle School Math Teacher at St. James Academy. Julia brings a wealth of experience using Singapore Math and a background in providing enrichment and extra support to students in Kindergarten through Algebra I. Julia earned her bachelor's degree from Carleton College and her master's of arts in teaching from Simmons College and has experience running numerous summer camps, including Young Engineers Camp and Harry Potter Camp, in addition to coaching cross country, soccer and track.
LEARNING SUPPORT TEAM
COUNSELING TEAM
GFS HEALTH CENTER
Skip To Main Content
The Amabel Boyce '70 Center for Learning and Thriving at Garrison Forest School is a comprehensive program that unites our
academic success, counseling and wellness resources
to take a holistic approach to each student’s overall success and wellbeing.
Building on a long history of excellence in educating girls and expertise in how students learn best, the Boyce Center aims to help each student become the healthiest, best version of themselves. At its core is a commitment to research-based best practices in learning for girls and cross-campus collaboration that will create a tailored experience meeting each student’s needs. The Center was founded on the idea that students—and especially girls—learn best when:
their academic and social-emotional needs are met throughout the evolution of their learning journey;
support and enrichment is proactive, intentional and meaningful;
they are seen and valued as individuals.
Recognizing the vital connection between a student’s overall wellness and their academic success, the Boyce Center:
Provides structure and clarity around academic enrichment opportunities for all students.
Builds resiliency, proactive wellness and long-term well-being.
Empowers students to embrace their gifts, explore their passions and tackle challenges with a growth mindset.
Helps each student build a toolbox of resources to power future success .
The Boyce Center for Learning and Thriving is located on the first floor of McLennan Library.
December 2025
October 2025
September 2025
April 2025
March 2025
February 2025
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
Click here to read the December 2025 Boyce Bulletin
Click here to read the October 2025 Boyce Bulletin
Click here to read the September 2025 Boyce Bulletin
Click here to read the April 2025 Boyce Bulletin
CLICK HERE TO READ THE MARCH 2025 BOYCE BULLETIN
CLICK HERE TO READ THE MARCH 2025 BOYCE BULLETIN
CLICK HERE TO READ THE DECEMBER 2024 BOYCE BULLETIN
Boyce Center Advisory Board
Representing a wide range of industries and expertise in many different areas of academic achievement, wellness, girls' education and social-emotional wellbeing, the following group will serve as an advisory board for the Boyce Center for Learning and Thriving—click here to learn more:
Lisa Fleck
, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Susan Resnick
, math education consultant and author of Math in Focus K-8 (2020), Primary Math (2022) and Singapore Math Fact Fluency K-6
Ben Shifrin
, Head of School, Jemicy School, Owings Mills, MD
Rachel Simmons
, Internationally known expert in raising and supporting girls and women in school and business. Author of
Odd Girl Out
, T
he Curse of the Good Girl,
and
Enough As She Is
Rev. Caroline "Stuart" Rinehart Stewart '66
, Spiritual Director and Chaplain
Karen Swartz, M.D.,
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University; Founder and Director of Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP)
Martha Sweeney
, Head of School, The Odyssey School, Lutherville, MD
Meet the Boyce Center Team!
CLICK HERE TO READ THE NOVEMBER 2024 BOYCE BULLETIN
CLick to read the Oct 2024 Boyce Bulletin
CLick to read the Sept 2024 BOyce Bulletin
Boyce Center Advisory Board
Representing a wide range of industries and expertise in many different areas of academic achievement, wellness, girls' education and social-emotional wellbeing, the following group will serve as an advisory board for the Boyce Center for Learning and Thriving—
click here to learn more
:
Lisa Fleck
, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Susan Resnick
, math education consultant and author of Math in Focus K-8 (2020), Primary Math (2022) and Singapore Math Fact Fluency K-6
Ben Shifrin
, Head of School, Jemicy School, Owings Mills, MD
Rachel Simmons
, Internationally known expert in raising and supporting girls and women in school and business. Author of Odd Girl Out, The Curse of the Good Girl, and Enough As She Is
Rev. Caroline "Stuart" Rinehart Stewart '66
, Spiritual Director and Chaplain
Karen Swartz, M.D
., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University; Founder and Director of Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP)
Martha Sweeney
, Former Head of School, The Odyssey School, Lutherville, MD
Director of the Boyce Center: Shannon Schmidt
Boyce Center Reading Specialist: Margaret Bitz
Boyce Center Math Specialist: Julia Holt
Prior to coming on board as the inaugural Director of the Boyce Center for Learning and Thriving, Shannon served as the Head of the GFS Middle School for five years and before that, served as the GFS Middle School Curriculum and Academic Resource Coordinator. She has been a member of our Residential Life community for five years. While Shannon brings a deep knowledge and understanding of GFS to this role, she also brings an unflappable enthusiasm, strong sense of collaborative leadership and an inspiring vision for how the Boyce Center can truly elevate the experience of every student on our campus.
Margaret comes to Garrison Forest from McDonogh School, where she spent 26 years serving in various roles on campus, including Houseparent, Coach, Lower and Middle School Teacher, Coordinator of Character and Service, and Grade Coordinator and Dean. In addition to her time in the classroom, Margaret has tutored students across all grade levels, and is trained in IMSE’s Phonological Awareness & Orton-Gillingham programs. Margaret earned a bachelor's degree from Washington College and a master's degree in Leadership in Teaching from Notre Dame University. Margaret is excited to live on campus as a member of the Residential Life Faculty with her husband, Andy, three college-aged sons and two dogs.
Julia has 28 years of experience teaching mathematics, including 16 years as a Lower School Math Specialist at Calvert School and, most recently, three years as a Lower School Math Specialist and Middle School Math Teacher at St. James Academy. Julia brings a wealth of experience using Singapore Math and a background in providing enrichment and extra support to students in Kindergarten through Algebra I. Julia earned her bachelor's degree from Carleton College and her master's of arts in teaching from Simmons College and has experience running numerous summer camps, including Young Engineers Camp and Harry Potter Camp, in addition to coaching cross country, soccer and track.
LEARNING SUPPORT TEAM
COUNSELING TEAM
GFS HEALTH CENTER