Dear Parents,
At the end of every school year, I try to take a quiet moment to look back—not just at the milestones, but at the subtler things that don’t always make it into the headlines. A conversation in the lunchroom that stuck with me. A student lingering after School Meeting to ask a thoughtful question. A faculty member finding a new way to reach a child who needed it. These moments, stitched together, begin to tell the story of a year.
This particular year felt especially full. Not just in the number of events (though there were hundreds!), but in the depth of the learning, the joy, the effort, and the sheer momentum of it all. It’s the kind of fullness that’s hard to summarize neatly. So instead, I’ll share a few things that have stayed with me.
I think of our youngest students in the Forest School—muddy and delighted, learning about cooperation by lifting a log together. I think of our fifth graders stepping into the Upper School with a mix of pride and nerves, and how quickly they grew into roles as mentors and teammates. I think of eighth graders—so many of whom I’ve watched grow up here—reading aloud to their third grade buddies for the last time, with an awareness that they were now the big kids, ready to say goodbye.
This was a year of growth. The kind you can see—stronger writing, bolder performances, more confident problem-solving—and the kind that happens quietly, internally. Perseverance. Curiosity. A greater sense of responsibility for each other and for the world beyond our walls.
We end the year in a strong place. Not just in numbers or metrics, but in the vibrancy of our community and the clarity of our purpose. We are preparing to launch a new strategic plan in the fall—a plan shaped by many voices, rooted in our values, and oriented toward the future. It will give shape to where we’re headed, but I hope we never lose sight of the simple things that matter most: connection, care, and the confidence we aim to build in every child.
If I don’t get the chance to see you over the next few days—at Closing School Meeting, Commencement, or just in the hallway—I want to thank you. Thank you for your partnership, for your trust, and for the many ways you make Brookwood what it is.
Wishing you and your family a joyful and well-earned summer.
Warmly,
Jon
