The Hockaday Experience
Innovation and Collaboration
Developing Creative and Divergent Thinkers
“Hockaday will be the recognized leader in education and a model for how to educate girls – developing creative and divergent thinkers who are prepared to lead lives of purpose and impact in a rapidly changing, complex, and connected world.”
– Goal One, The Hockaday Difference Strategic Plan
– Goal One, The Hockaday Difference Strategic Plan
What is Possible?
When we think about innovation and collaboration at Hockaday, we are guided by the following questions: how do we make learning a journey of discovery, where students aren't just memorizing facts, but are actively engaged, collaborating with peers, and shaping their own educational paths? How do we prepare them to be the leaders and innovators of tomorrow? Alongside our strong college prep curriculum, we will create new opportunities and reimagine some existing programming to expose our girls to new fields with an increased relevance to the world around us.
Areas of Focus
Click to learn more about each area.
Dr. Bivin Sadler, SMU Data Science Professor
"It is a dream to work with Hockaday's incredibly talented, energetic, and driven students, faculty, and leadership. To this point in my career, this type of partnership only existed in theory; after a year of working together, it is clear that there is no limit to what these students can accomplish."
Education Evolved Podcast
Education Evolved is a monthly podcast series exploring the future of education, what it should become, and how we make it happen.
Join Director of Innovation and Collaboration Laura Day and Eugene McDermott Head of School Dr. Laura Leathers as they dive into thoughtful, forward-looking conversations about how education must evolve to stay relevant in a rapidly changing, complex, and connected world.
Together, they explore key questions, including:
- Where is the world going?
- What should our children be learning at school?
- What does future-ready learning look like in practice?
Each episode provides insights into what students, schools, families, and leaders can, and should, do now to shape the future for the next generation. New episodes every month.
Outcomes
-
Complex Problem Solving & Imperfect Solutions
Teaching students to approach challenges with creativity, resilience, and adaptability, recognizing that solutions may be iterative and not always right the first time. -
Leadership and Social Influence
Cultivating the skills to inspire and positively impact others through ethical actions, decision making and collaboration.
-
Self Advocacy and Agency
Empowering students to confidently express their needs and take ownership of their learning and personal growth. -
Synthesizing
Developing the ability to integrate diverse information and viewpoints into cohesive, informed decisions or insights.
Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton President and CEO of United Way
“Hockaday is educating students today in the ways they can lead now and inspiring them to do so in the future, no matter their professions. Students have the opportunity to pursue ideas that change the way our communities work—for the better."
Innovation and Collaboration in Action
List of 20 news stories.
-
Lower School Partners With Research Project
Pre-K and Third Grade students are exploring “STEMs Do Specialize! – The Oak Tree Project,” a hands-on research partnership with Baylor Scott & White Research Institute and the Texas A&M College of Medicine.Read More -
Faculty Innovation Spotlight
At Hockaday, innovation and collaboration are at the heart of how we inspire girls to think critically, solve problems creatively, and lead with confidence. Each month, we spotlight a faculty member who brings these ideals to life in our classrooms.Read More -
Students Present Summer Research
Read MoreFour members of the Class of 2026, Nadia G., Ai-Vy H., Sara K., and Anjali K, recently presented to the Board of Trustees’ Education and Student Life Committee, sharing insights from their summer research experiences and the impact of Hockaday’s longstanding Summer Research Program for Students. -
Lower School Penguin Project
First Grade and Fourth Grade joined forces yesterday to kick off our annual Penguin Project collaboration!Read More -
Robotics Students Shine
We’re celebrating a HUGE weekend for Hockaday robotics and STEM engagement!Read More -
Third Grade Learns About Native American Heritage Month
Third Grade students tied art and outdoor learning into a social studies unit on Native American Heritage Month!Read More -
Financial Literacy Class Works with Middle School
Read MoreUpper School’s Financial Literacy class worked with Middle School students as they prepare for the Middle School Bazaar! They spoke about pricing, how to position your product in the market, and other fun economic lessons. -
2026 SMU Research Fellows
As part of Hockaday’s ongoing focus on Innovation and Collaboration, the School has announced the 2026 cohort of Hockaday Research Fellows.Read More -
Faculty Innovation Spotlight
At Hockaday, innovation and collaboration are at the heart of how we inspire girls to think critically, solve problems creatively, and lead with confidence.Read More -
SMU Professor Works With Math Department
Dr. Annie Wilhem, Professor of Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning and Department Chair at Southern Methodist University, held a workshop with Middle School math teachers as part of Hockaday's ongoing commitment to professional development for our faculty. -
Alumnae Speaks With Upper School Clubs
Upper School’s Investment Club and Aspiring Entrepreneurship Club welcomedJulia Tucker-Huth '03, Director of Data Strategy and Innovation at PwC, and Hailey Neher, Private Wealth Advisor at Goldman Sachs, to campus yesterday to speak with students about their career paths! -
Austin Dennard '03 Named Ela Hockaday Distinguished Alumna
The Hockaday Alumnae Association recognized Dr. Austin Dennard ’03, DO, FACOG as this year’s recipient of The Ela Hockaday Distinguished Alumna Award.Read More -
Focus on Field Studies
Hockaday’s First Grade Field Studies is an interdisciplinary class that combines art, science, writing, and math.Read More -
Statistics Class Visits Lower School
Upper School Statistics students visited with First Graders this morning to share their data findings after working with Dallas Animal Shelters.Read More -
3D Printed Car Visits Campus
Students and faculty enjoyed a visit today from a 3-D printed Electric Vehicle created by a team from the Savannah College of Art and Design.Read More -
Lower School Hears From Meteorologist
Earlier this month, Lower School students were excited to hear from NBC5 DFW meteorologist Ryann Jones.Read More -
Teacher Award NCTE Prize
Read MoreCongratulations to Upper School English Teacher Dr. Claire Cothren, who has been named a recipient of the National Council of Teachers of English’s Paul and Kate Farmer English Journal Writing Award. She will be presented with the award at the NCTE annual conference in November. -
October Innovation and Collaboration Spotlight
At Hockaday, innovation and collaboration are at the heart of how we inspire girls to think critically, solve problems creatively, and lead with confidence.Read More -
SMU Professor Presents to Lower School
Candace Walkington, an Annette and Harold Simmons Centennial Chair, Professor, in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Southern Methodist University, presented to our Lower School faculty about teaching Hockaday's new math curriculum, and data around the four outcomes in Lower School: wonder, agency, collaboration, and resilience! -
Teacher Partners with Smithsonian
Upper School teacher Kristen Blevins spoke at the Smithsonian National Education Summit in Washington D.C. this summer in collaboration with an ongoing partnership she has developed with the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum.Read More
From Our Community
Innovative Faculty Development
Hockaday strives to keep our teachers at the forefront of pedagogical approaches. Through innovative professional development sessions, travel opportunities, and research fellowships, Hockaday's faculty and staff are well-positioned to lead through creative and collaborative teaching methods and partnerships.
SMU Research Fellows
The inaugural cohort of Hockaday Research Fellows will consist of five teachers who will partner with Dr. Jeanna Wieselmann and the Simmons College of Education at Southern Methodist University from January through April 2025. Research fellows will learn about the action research process as a tool for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of new pedagogical approaches. Action research allows teachers to study their own classrooms — their instructional methods, their students, and their assessments — to better understand them and to be able to improve their quality or effectiveness.
Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University
Commonly known as the "D School," the Institute is a design thinking institute based at Stanford University. Hockaday faculty participated in two recent sessions: AI-Powered Teaching and Navigating Ambiguity.
SMU Research Fellows
The inaugural cohort of Hockaday Research Fellows will consist of five teachers who will partner with Dr. Jeanna Wieselmann and the Simmons College of Education at Southern Methodist University from January through April 2025. Research fellows will learn about the action research process as a tool for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of new pedagogical approaches. Action research allows teachers to study their own classrooms — their instructional methods, their students, and their assessments — to better understand them and to be able to improve their quality or effectiveness.
Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University
Commonly known as the "D School," the Institute is a design thinking institute based at Stanford University. Hockaday faculty participated in two recent sessions: AI-Powered Teaching and Navigating Ambiguity.
Our Partners
Take The Next Step
Just as we encourage our girls to be curious and engage in the process of discovery, we encourage and invite you to visit our campus and experience a day at Hockaday.
The Hockaday School
Within the private school community, The Hockaday School is an independent college-preparatory day school for girls from grades PK–12 located in Dallas, Texas. Students realize their limitless potential through challenging academic curricula, arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs so that they are inspired to lead lives of purpose and impact.
The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.
The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.