Head of School's Letter - Oct. 31 - Commitment to Excellence

Dear Families,

Happy Halloween! The courtyard was a blur of capes, cardboard wings, and pure joy this morning as our students paraded through in full costume. By School Meeting, the scene had shifted to the Employee Basketball Shootout — a true Brookwood spectacle of enthusiasm over accuracy. Each missed shot was instantly met with a chorus of “That’s okay!” from the kids, which might be the most heartening and humbling soundtrack imaginable. Between the laughter, the PA coffee, and the creative expression, it was one of those days that reminds you why schools (particularly this one) are the best places on earth.

That same sense of community energy is what propels our work forward. Just one month after launching Horizon 75: The Power to Soar, that energy is taking shape in new and exciting ways. Across campus, our community has moved swiftly from conversation to action—bringing the plan’s aspirations to life through meaningful, measurable progress.

Progress Spotlight: Commitment to Excellence
Over the next five years, I’ll share updates on how each of our four strategic pillars is unfolding. This week, I want to begin with one that captures Brookwood’s relentless drive to elevate every aspect of the student experience — Our Commitment to Excellence. This pillar challenges us to ensure that the same high standards that define teaching and learning at Brookwood also shape the spaces where we learn, the food we share, and the ways we care for our environment and one another. Already, two exciting initiatives are underway that bring this to life.

Creation of the Food Task Force
The first is the formation of our Food Task Force, a collaborative of parents, healthcare professionals, nutrition and wellness experts, teachers and staff, and a food sourcing consultant. Together, this group is setting out to develop a foundational Food Philosophy — a bold and practical statement of what we believe food can and should be at Brookwood. This work began with a community survey last spring and summer, and the insights shared have helped shape the Task Force’s direction. If you haven’t yet had a chance to participate, we’d still love to hear your thoughts. The philosophy will capture how thoughtful sourcing, sustainable practices, purposeful menu design, and integrated educational programming support health, connection, and learning in our community. The Task Force will move through a series of milestones this fall and winter, culminating in a draft set of principles in February. The end result will be more than a document — it will be a guidepost for everyday decision-making and future initiatives.

Share your Thoughts >>

Development of the Campus Master Plan
The second initiative is the launch of a Campus Master Plan, in partnership with the firm Olson and Lewis Architects. With this work, we are defining how Brookwood’s physical campus can continue to reflect our values of educational innovation, community connection, environmental stewardship, and inclusivity for decades to come. Under the leadership of Olson and Lewis, we will engage multiple constituencies—students, faculty, parents, alumni—to surface how our current spaces support our learning, what is missing, and how future improvements might amplify our mission. As part of this first phase, we will host parent focus groups on Tuesday, December 2 at 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to gather your insights — what you love about the campus now, what you imagine for its future, and how you hope Brookwood supports your child’s journey beyond the classroom. Please save the date — more details will be shared in November.

These efforts are early signs of what it means to bring our strategic plan to life—collaborative, thoughtful, and built to last. Our Commitment to Excellence reminds us that every decision, from how we nourish our students to how we shape their learning spaces, should reflect the same care and purpose that define a Brookwood education.

Warmly,
Jon Bartlett
Head of School