Message from the Head of School

Message from the Head of School

I HAD THE great privilege of taking retired Country Day teaching legends David Ball and Frank Justice on a tour of Cannon Campus to see the incredible improvements that have been made over the past three years. Our tour instantly brought back memories of my first time visiting our school.

More than 11 years ago, Frank took me on a tour as the school searched for a new leader. I remember how joyfully he spoke of our school, and how impressed I was with the community members I met. Everyone was student focused and that spoke volumes to me about the culture.

That sentiment continues to ring true for me today, just as I believe it did for those who came before me and it will for those who will carry our legacy in the future. Country Day was built on the ideals of innovation, continuous improvement, and always doing what’s best for students.

True to our mission, eight years ago we asked our community what they valued most about Country Day and what our priorities should be for the future. Then we set out to implement changes and improvements with intentionality. Thanks to a visionary Board, talented faculty and staff, and a supportive community, we’ve made tremendous strides in delivering on the promises made in our strategic plan. We are truly a school at the forefront of educational leadership in Charlotte and the nation.

In addition to the pride we have in our new learning spaces, we can also look to the many, many opportunities that have been created for students in recent years as evidence of our collective success. To name a few—the Science Outreach program, Middle School Artists in Residence program, global learning experiences across all three divisions, social/emotional learning in Lower School, 1:1 classroom technology, Diversity Awareness Forums, the Robert C. Witman Leadership Academy and, most recently, student wellness surveys—are examples of how we have worked as an educational community to continuously improve our ability to support and prepare students for the future.

Mark Reed, Frank Justice, David Ball, and David Mancos in the Purdy Center.

We are nearing the end of our current strategic cycle. But, we’re not done yet. Often, what matters most in life isn’t how you start but how you finish. Our campus improvement projects got underway three years ago, thanks to some very generous lead donors. We have already seen what a tremendous impact these new learning and gathering spaces have had on our students.

This year, we need our entire community to lean in and do what they can to help us finish strong. The thoughtful work and planning that occurs before we see the positive outcomes is oftentimes years in the making. As you read this issue of Perspectives, I hope you will consider how our history of intentional innovation has impacted you and your family.

In a note following my tour with Frank and David this past summer, Frank wrote: “I am thrilled and excited to see all the opportunities that the new generations of students will have.” Students are at the forefront of everything we do, and your support will truly help us shape tomorrow together.

Sincerely,

Mark Reed, Head of School