The Archer School for Girls Makes Mindfulness a Reality

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Archer School for Girls, an independent all-girls school located in the Brentwood community of Los Angeles, uses the practice of mindfulness to help students make deliberate, wise decisions regarding their identities both online and off, and to cope with the self-induced pressure that ambitious students often experience.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131216/PH31217-a)

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131216/PH31217-b)

Since 2009, mindfulness has been a defining element in Archer's Human Development class offered to students in grades 8, 9, and 10. In practical terms, the class empowers girls to make smart, healthy choices, which affect not only their grades, test scores and college admissions process, but also their overall well-being.

"At Archer, we believe that high stress does not equal high achievement," comments Elizabeth English, Head of School at The Archer School for Girls. "By incorporating mindfulness into learning, we help girls develop better self-awareness and self-discipline. We want our girls to be ambitious and strive to meet their full potential in their academic and extra-curricular pursuits. But Archer girls want to do it all and it is our job to help them hone their passions and channel their strengths so that they learn to lead generative, yet balanced lives."

A hot topic in Archer's Human Development class, taught by Kari Morioka who holds an MA in Human Development from Harvard, is something which tweens and teens often treat casually: their digital footprint. Students' online presence, as well as their relationships in the non-virtual world, are explored as keys to future success, both academically and personally. Discussions are often focused on the mindful and responsible use of technology, not just for school but for social interactions online.        

Morioka's class also gives girls real-life skills for stress-management, including tips for healthy nutrition, rest and fitness. In this academic setting where the ambitious curriculum inspires girls to push themselves hard, teachers at Archer often integrate other mindfulness techniques into the school day. For example, a few minutes of meditation may be offered prior to taking exams, or classes may include a break with www.calm.com, a stress-reducing online community which offers an iPhone app and other features to support personal balance.

"School shouldn't hurt," says English. "All of the research shows that chronic stress impedes learning and high-level achievement. We do our best work when we are happy, and Archer's joyful culture creates an environment where every student can excel."

The Archer School for Girls is located at 11725 Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California 90049. For media relations, contact Christina McIntosh Director of Communications and Marketing at:  Tel 310-873-7025, Email or Alexia Haidos Tel 310-450-6890, Email

About The Archer School For Girls
Founded in 1995, The Archer School for Girls is an independent school that provides a 21^st-century college preparatory program for students in grades 6 through 12 in an environment that explores and refines the ways girls learn best. The cultivation of a strong sense of individuality, personal identity, independence, a sense of global engagement and an array of leadership opportunities defines each student's experience. For more information, please visit our website at www.archer.org or call 310-873-7000.

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SOURCE The Archer School for Girls