Writing Center

Founded in 2005, the Writing Center is a place for Upper School students to seek out a peer's advice on writing assignments in any subject. A total of 30 teacher-nominated Writing Advisors from the junior and senior classes conduct more than 250 conferences each semester. Writing advisors receive ongoing training to learn different techniques for identifying and correcting common writing problems.

Students are welcome to bring assignments in any stage of development, but the earlier in the process the better, says former writing advisor Amanda Amorosi '16:

One of the most important parts of the writing process that is commonly overlooked is brainstorming. Talking out an idea does wonders to clarify the various thoughts that often clutter a writer’s head when first trying to tackle a topic, and many times they discover something they had never thought about before when bouncing ideas off of someone with a different perspective.

Visiting Authors and Writers in Residence

The Writing Center, under the direction of Upper School English teachers Robynne Graffam '86 and Alicia Evans, is also the nexus for GA's Visiting Authors and Writers in Residence programs. Many established novelists, poets, playwrights, and journalists have spoken on campus or spent a week leading classes and special seminars. Interacting with talented, passionate writers opens up a whole new realm for students to contemplate, and the Writing Center serves as an important bridge between academic and real-world writing.