A unifying idea

Round Square is a worldwide association of more than 80 schools on five continents sharing unique and ambitious goals. Students attending Round
Square schools make a strong commitment beyond academic excellence, to
personal development and responsibility  – based on the ideas of the reforming educationalist and founder of Salem, Kurt Hahn.

By taking on responsibilities, serving their fellows, accepting challenges, having adventures, and sharpening their awareness of international issues, the pupils are able to discover and develop their whole identity.

This basic principle is manifested in the six pillars of the Round Square, the IDEALS:

Internationalism – means being open to the world: Round Square promotes this by means of regular worldwide pupil exchanges, participation in international projects, and the annual Round Square Conference, in which delegations of pupils from all Round Square Schools take part.

Democracy – means participation in the democratic process and the development of a democratic way of thinking, by which democratic awareness is fostered and strengthened as an important element in the school community.

Environmental awareness - Round Square Schools commit themselves to harming the environment as little as possible, and strengthening environmental awareness through projects and campaigns within their schools.

Adventure – Pupils learn to accept physical challenges and achieve moral strength through the outdoor activities and ventures outside school

Leadership – Pupils learn that leadership qualities are based on personal responsibiity, courtesy, justice and discipline. Because pupils at Round Square Schools can take on offices, they can train and develop their leadership qualities.

Service – means serving other people. Round Square pupils learn to help – beyond the school boundaries. Every pupil can take part in aid projects anywhere in the world, as well as their service in school (e.g. in St. Petersburg, Ubombo, Ladakhetc.) or support the fundraising campaigns with which Round Square helps those in need.

Salem is one of the founding schools of Round Square. Every Salem pupil is a member of Round Square and can contribute to the realisation of the IDEALS not only in internal fundraising campaigns, but also in service projects or regional and international conferences.