What does it mean to be sustainable?

Any institution that has been in existence for over 180 years would be considered an exemplar of sustainability. And yet the future of Miss Porter’s is not a given but rather dependent on policies and practices necessary to ensure our strength. It is as much about stewardship as it is about leadership.

Since 1843, Miss Porter’s has been in Farmington, educating girls and remaining true to our mission. Miss Porter’s School educates young women to become informed, bold, resourceful and ethical global citizens. We expect our graduates to shape a changing world. It is a school built by women, led by women and designed for women. The stewardship of our community provides the foundation for each generation of leaders to lead and to do what is best for the students.

At MPS, sustainability is not merely a buzzword or a passing trend. It is a fundamental principle guiding our actions toward ensuring our well-being and that of the planet.

It is how we engage with one another on our historic and iconic campus and how we interact with our community. It is how we take responsibility as a school for the land on which it sits, formerly of the Tunxis Indigenous people. It is our commitment to our neighbors in the Farmington Village and to people around the globe. It is a fundamental value captured in our mission statement that is the root of our efforts today and sets a vision for the future.

In this edition of the Bulletin, you will learn more about the MPS commitment to sustainability, which extends beyond mere environmental concerns. It encompasses social responsibility, economic viability and the preservation of resources for generations to come.

It includes academic opportunities for international travel for our 11th grade class and the studentrun Earth Club, which prepare us to be conscientious global citizens who are equipped to address complex environmental challenges.

The school is actively reducing energy consumption and improving waste management and operational efficiency. We recognize our institutional responsibility to minimize our carbon footprint while ensuring our collective community impact is meaningful and valuable to others. We take responsibility for our stewardship of the school’s land and its resources, including the historic campus and the endowment, which provides an annual source of revenue.

At Porter’s, you will see the tenets of sustainability in the multitude of decisions we make as we live the words of our mission to shape a changing world and maintain our position as the school of consequence for women and girls.

All members of the Porter’s community have a role to play in sustainability simply by leaving the school better than when they came.