House System

Certamen

Each year Rhetoric School Students (9th-12th) compete in a year-long competition known as the Certamen (Latin: competition). Each student is drafted onto one of two teams: the Candidi Krakens or the Caerulei Chimeras. The Certamen consists of seven competitions:

  • Kickball Under the Lights-- A kickball showdown between the teams.  

  • Shakespeare in the Park-- Each team must create and present a 20 minute version of a Shakespearean play. 

  • Fall Field Day-- Consists of Medieval Games, Discathlon (Ultimate Frisbee) or Clash of the Classics on a three year rotation.

  • Humanities Bowl-- A quiz bowl style competition.

  • Brassell (Math and Science) Bowl-- A quiz bowl style competition.

  • The ECS Art Show-- Teams are awarded points based on the winners in each category

  • At Large Points-- Points awarded throughout the year for participation, good behavior, team work, volunteering, etc.

The team with the most trophies at the end of the year are hailed as the winners and may hang their banner in the Stairwell of Champions for the next school year.  

Logic School students (6th–8th grade) are also divided into two teams: the Centaurs and the Griffins.

Each August, all Logic School students kick off the year with Orientation, where our new sixth graders are officially welcomed into their houses! Once inducted, students stay in their same house all the way through eighth grade, building friendships and school spirit along the way.

In March, the Logic School hosts its own exciting Field Day — a day full of big group games, team-building activities, and friendly competitions. At the end of the school year, the house with the most points is crowned champion and recognized for their success. 

House points are updated every week on the Certamen bulletin board, so students can keep up with the leaderboard and cheer their teams on!