Head of School Blog

Last week, a community member shared the departing message of the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy. I read it on the same day the California wildfires started, as we were all working urgently to find ways to support those impacted and comprehend the scale of such devastation.

One of my favorite things about All Saints’ is our commitment to continuous growth and learning. Truly exceptional schools view the constant pursuit of knowledge through a growth mindset lens as essential to success. A core driver in our work as educators is the belief that the craft of teaching and learning is constantly evolving—there is always more knowledge to explore and expertise to be gained. We teach students to be lifelong learners and get excited knowing we are walking alongside them on the same journey of evolution and growth.

At All Saints’ our mission is our greatest strength: it defines who we are, what we do, and where we are going. Although we’ve grown and evolved throughout the years, our mission has always remained at the center.

Every word of our mission provides profound direction for our community, including the closing line, “to serve a world in need.” We want our graduates to have a well-developed desire to take action to help others and make the world a better place. 

However, it is important to reflect on what service truly means at All Saints’. It’s more than the act of gifting—it’s about giving of yourself and understanding. Service learning is about exploring, perspective-taking, and understanding. Service learning is about engagement.

In the past 100-plus years, we have made great strides in understanding child development—what kids need to learn and how kids learn. However, one thing is certain: the world will never stop changing. Students need skills that transcend time and change. As part of the All Saints' mission, we believe this includes educating children in mind, body, and soul. It is our role as educators, parents, and the community to provide opportunities for our children to play, take risks, and even make mistakes in a supportive environment. They need the ability to think, inquire, problem-solve, and collaborate. Most importantly, they need joy.

One of my favorite parts of every new school year is connecting with our youngest and oldest students. I visit with our youngest students to read a couple of books—usually one about friendship and one with plenty of funny voices to bring out a few giggles, and we talk about being a good friend and the excitement of school. This is also the time of year when Mrs. Miller and I visit eighth-grade students to discuss what it means to be a leader at All Saints’, how they can enjoy their final year, and how to prepare for high school and beyond.