Signature Programs

Marvelwood is one of only a handful of schools in the nation to offer a year-long program in Ornithology, the scientific study of birds. Through field study in the richly bird-populated areas surrounding the School and in New England, the program objectives are to increase students' knowledge of birds, highlight conservation issues facing birds and other animals in today's world, and to help students to become better citizen scientists.

A Focus on Worldwide Conservation

Students practice conservation at home, wherever home may be, and work with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to help maintain and monitor a growing number of inland colonies of purple martins, a species of Special Concern in Connecticut. Opportunities exist for Marvelwood students to work closely with the Audubon Society in neighboring Sharon to care for birds in rehabilitation and/or their educational programs. Students also work closely with the Kent Land Trust to monitor avian populations in their preserves. To see how students have been involved in avian conservation over the years please see the following links:

Macedonia Forest Block Important Bird Area

Important Bird Area Conservation Plan Macedonia Forest Block

MAPS

Under the guidance of the Institute for Bird Populations (IBP), Marvelwood operates oneMAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) bird banding station on Kent Land Trust properties surrounding the campus In 2022 this station completed twenty-two years of participation in this research program. Students learn bird banding here, and many return throughout the summer to assist with research. Over the past dozen years, Marvelwood has documented over 147 species of birds utilizing the land for breeding or during migration!

To learn more about this partnership between Marvelwood, Kent Land Trust and the Institute for Bird Populations please see this link to a recent issue of MAPSChat

After Marvelwood

Many Marvelwood graduates continue to pursue ornithological studies in college and enjoy life-long birdwatching as a fascinating hobby as a result of their experience at Marvelwood. Sean Graesser '09 (below) with Science Department Chair Laurie Doss, is currently working for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History and is a regular contributor to their Facebook page. Sean shared his passion for ornithology in the American Birding Association's publication, Birding Magazine.

At Marvelwood, we’re committed to doing our part to minimize our carbon footprint. We now boast an impressive four acres of solar fields that offset the power being used in our schoolhouse, athletic center, arts center, and dining hall.. Our gardening program offers students the opportunity to participate in the growing process and learn about the origins of the food we enjoy. Fruits and vegetables grown in our garden head directly to our campus chefs who utilize this produce in our daily meals, with any excess being donated to local pantries and food banks. Take a peek at some impressive fun facts geared around the energy we save on campus every day!

Certified Wildlife Habitat

In July 2025, The National Wildlife Federation (NWF), America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization, designed Marvelwood’s garden as a Certified Wildlife Habitat^® through its Garden for Wildlife™ movement.  Every Certified Wildlife Habitat garden provides natural sources of food, water, cover, and places to raise young and is maintained in a sustainable way that incorporates native plants, conserves water, and doesn’t rely on pesticides.

Marvelwood School has a long history of wildlife preservation and research. Our school's food studies garden should be no exception. Redesigning our garden to make it more inviting to wildlife, not only gives our students and faculty an additional opportunity to support our efforts in preservation, but also provides the beauty of the natural landscape for those passing by,” said Kym Zwick, Garden Manager. “With the addition of new native perennials, such as yarrow, milkweed, coreopsis, echinacea, phlox, and rudbeckia, our garden has come alive with wildlife we hadn’t seen before. The garden uses no pesticides and only natural fertilizers and mulch from local farms, which also reduces water usage and soil erosion. Our entire garden dances with pollinators, and students love learning about their importance in our ecosystem.”

OUR GARDEN & GROWING DOME CLASSROOMS

Gardening is an essential skill that enriches lives. Our gardening program focuses on the connection between the earth, society, and the food that sustains us. When we learn how our food is produced, and participate in the process of growing it ourselves we become vested in the outcome, and begin to care about the nature and origin of our food sources. Gardening is a microcosm for the complexity of the world in which we live, and sharing the skills of gardening with students will give them tools to support them throughout all areas of their lives as they work and grow into rational, responsible, and compassionate adults.

As a teaching garden, we focus on biodiversity as opposed to volume production, so there are often as many as 50 varieties of fruits, flowers, and vegetables. We practice succession planting, crop rotation and no-till methods. Heavy mulching keeps the soil moist, prevents weeds, and provides shade to the roots of the plants. We rarely water, except in a drought. We use natural and organic treatments for bugs and pests. The addition of a geodesic growing dome gives us the ability of turning a limited participation activity into a regular part of the year-round curriculum, offering more students the possibility to experience the wonder of growing and the challenge of solving complex indoor gardening problems. Garden produce is used in the dining hall, and surplus crops are donated to the Kent Food Bank. Students work in the garden throughout the year as part of our weekly community service program, and on a daily basis in the spring as an afternoon activity.

SOLAR ENERGY

Marvelwood has two small solar fields powering four buildings on the School’s 83-acre campus: the Performing Arts Center, Athletic Center, Calhoun Schoolhouse, and the Dining Hall. Together, the fields generate approximately a half-megawatt of power. In addition, four electric vehicle charging stations are available on campus, and overhead lights in the School’s gymnasium and theatre have been switched out for energy-efficient LEDs.

Surplus energy generated by the our solar fields will be exported to Eversource’s distribution network.

Marvelwood is a proud member of Round Square, a worldwide association of over 200 schools in 50 countries on six continents that encourages students to push beyond academic excellence to discover and develop their full potential.

Round Square schools are characterized by a shared belief in an approach to education based on six pillars - IDEALS - drawn from the theories of education philosopher Kurt Hahn.

Marvelwood students can inquire about all Round Square opportunities by contacting Marvelwood's Round Square Representative and Director of Residential Life, Misty Jordan P'29.

International Conferences

Each year, Marvelwood sends a delegation to the Round Square International Conference. Students who will be 16-19 years of age during the year of the conference are eligible.

The Big Build

Round Square sponsors two international service projects each year. Participation in a Round Square Big Build Project is a great way for young adults to learn about global citizenship and community engagement, develop a deeper understanding of the world’s problems, and experience a new culture.

Exchanges

Round Square is an association of over 180 schools on 5 continents which share a commitment to personal growth and responsibility through service, adventure, leadership and international understanding. Global citizenry is an important part of Round Square, and exchanges are a means to foster relationships and develop an understanding of and respect for different cultures, religions, and traditions. We look forward to welcoming students to Marvelwood to experience the culture and atmosphere of our small and welcoming school community.

Marvelwood students are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to spend time abroad. Learn more on the Round Square website and by speaking with the Marvelwood Round Square Representative and Marvelwood's Director of Residential Life, Misty Jordan P'29