Head of School's Message: October 21

The visitors were not the only beneficiaries from their interactions with members of the Chandler community at Saturday’s Admissions Open House. Faculty and staff were inspired by the trustees, parents, students, alumni and alumni parents who chose to come to Chandler for the morning. Your commitment to community, the knowledge you shared, the questions you answered, your advocacy for the school epitomize Chandler’s mission. We are grateful to everyone who came to school on Saturday morning. Being present on campus and talking to people made a big difference to our visitors. Thank you for volunteering.

 

Turnout was huge. Final visitor numbers are being tallied, but after serving more than 500 people, the caterer ran out of food shortly after 10:30 a.m.

 

A common thread to the conversations throughout the morning was ‘added value.’ The strength of Chandler’s academic program is well known and a core value proposition. What is less well known to those unfamiliar with the school is the ‘added value’ of fine and performing arts, PE and athletics, interdisciplinary learning, maker and project-based learning, global initiatives, community partnerships, community service and outdoor education.

 

Chandler faculty are in service to the school’s core value propositions of a challenging academic program and a commitment to developing good character. Yet, there are many ways for students to become engaged with learning beyond the core curriculum. Chandler faculty are an exceptional group of dedicated, professional people on a quest to engage and challenge. Together with our students, they embody Chandler’s culture and bring the mission to life. That was apparent to our visitors.

 

“You can feel this is a strong community,” said one parent of a four-year-old in a sentiment echoed by many, “The 5th-grade girl who toured us was so articulate. She loves the school.” Admissions Open House is always a reminder that nothing wilts faster than laurels rested upon, that communities get stronger by operationalizing their values and that Chandler can only sustain itself by adding new families each year. One-quarter of the students who apply to the school will be admitted for the 20-21 school year. We hope that we will admit students and families who will become as committed to the Chandler community in the future as those who volunteered on Saturday.