Message from the Head of School

AS I REFLECT on this issue of Perspectives, I cannot help but see the vibrancy with which our Key Values and Commitments came to life throughout this past year.

In the realm of Educational Excellence, we first celebrate the amazing achievement of the Class of 2023, as well as their exceptional results in the college process. As scholars, athletes, artists, and leaders, they set a standard for excellence both in and out of school. There is also a tribute to the enduring legacy of retired history teacher Ed Kelly, who taught at Country Day for 37 years and passed away in March. His ability to challenge, inspire and support his students exemplified our calling to develop each student’s love of learning and to celebrate each student’s abilities and talents. We also highlight the impact of Simon Keilty, science teacher in the Middle School, whose commitment to inquiry-based learning and innovative programming invites students each day to engage with and question the natural world around them.

Our commitment to Community at Country Day asks us to value the relationships uniting us as a school and connecting us with our local and global communities. In this issue of Perspectives, we celebrate the amazing journey of 10 students and faculty leaders to Ghana, Africa—Country Day’s first visit there—where our students visited local schools, engaged with dignitaries, and learned about the culture and history of this remarkable country. The learning in this journey, as well as the relationships built, strengthened our students’ and our school’s connection to the world. It reminds all of us that the local and the global are intrinsically connected.

In the domain of student Service and Character, there is the inspirational and innovative “24 in 24” challenge, spearheaded by Will Grainger ’23 and Casey Scott ’23, with the ultimate goal of raising funds for the Second Harvest Food Bank. Their answering the call of giving of themselves for public good and exemplifying compassion for others not only raised essential funds for a crucial organization, it taught the students what they could achieve together when they put their minds to the task and framed challenges as opportunity.

This is just a sampling of the stories from this past year. At the start of 2022–23, wanting to have our community experience a year free of the constraints of COVID, we established the theme of “inspired normalcy” to guide our thinking and our efforts. And thankfully, we did have an uninterrupted year. However, so much that transpired transcended the “normal.” Each day there was vibrant evidence of our Mission and our Key Values and Commitments come to life.

A profound example of Country Day’s commitment to Community is reflected in the final section of this issue where we celebrate the dynamic leadership of our parent support groups, the diverse ways in which Country Day gives back to the community, and finally, a celebration of the extraordinary philanthropy of our parents and enduring friends of the school. Whether it be, for example, the gift of land in Weddington by Smoky and Margaret Bissell—which has provided already so many opportunities for our students—or an endowed scholarship celebrating an important individual in the present or from the past…or a generous gift to the Country Day Fund, we are blessed to have a community that is united in supporting the legacy and the future of Country Day.

2022–23 was indeed an inspirational year! Special appreciation must go to our Board of Trustees, whose leadership and collaboration is foundational in the health of our school. We must also thank our parent leaders and volunteers who ensure our community is united and supported in multiple ways. And finally, we must thank our faculty and staff who go above and beyond to make our Country Day Mission come to life each day. Enjoy this issue of Perspectives and celebrate the 2022–23 school year with us!