At Pike, we believe that education is not just about preparing students for the future but empowering them to shape it. Our classrooms are filled with the energy of discovery, collaboration, and academic rigor, as students embrace challenges, connect with one another, and step into their potential. This year’s Impact Report celebrates how Pike’s Portrait of a Graduate—Trusted Friend, Curious Learner, Optimistic Innovator, Agile Collaborator, and Courageous Advocate—manifests in our classrooms and beyond, shaping the daily experiences of our students.
From our youngest learners in Pre-K to our graduating ninth graders, Pike students are developing the qualities that will serve them for a lifetime of discovery. They are becoming Agile Collaborators who both listen and engage with intention, Optimistic Innovators who think deeply and embrace creative problem-solving, Courageous Advocates who lead with empathy, Curious Learners who create playfully and purposely, and Trusted Friends who build lasting connections. Most importantly, they are discovering who they are and growing into their most authentic selves.
At Pike, learning comes to life through meaningful experiences that inspire growth, leadership, and creativity. Whether it’s a first grader conducting an interview to understand the workings of our school community (see page four), a fourth grader writing letters to champion justice (see page six), or a ninth grader programming a Mars Rover (see page five), Pike students embody the spirit of curiosity, inquiry, and engagement that drives our mission.
Together, we will continue to nurture these qualities in every Pike student, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support in shaping the next generation of leaders. With our values of Authenticity, Intellectual Ambition, and Social Good at the core of a Pike education, our students are not just ready for the future—they are prepared to lead it.
Thank you for making an impact.
Debby Murphy, Assistant Head of School
Will Powers, Interim Head of School
Tasneem Dahod Dohadwala ‘96 P’20 ‘23 ‘33
Chair of the Board of Trustees
PIKE, BY THE NUMBERS
SOURCES OF REVENUE
$1,070,899
DOLLARS RAISED
100%
of trustees gave to The Pike Fund
Grade-level participation increased by of new families gave to The Pike Fund
566
TOTAL DONORS 36%
AND
Nine out of eleven grade levels surpassed 70% participation; Four grades surpassed 83% participation; One grade hit 100% participation
6,970
square feet of refinished and relined gymnasium flooring
300 feet of new side walk
48%
BUS-SCHOOL
40 field trips across grades PK-9 to enhance learning outside the classroom of the faculty, staff, and admin participated in professional development, fostering continuous growth and excellence in their field
air-conditioner
Two 20-ton heat pumps to heat and cool the Horne Building
money-check-edit-alt
Three faculty members represented Pike and served as presenters at national conferences
17
student-led clubs in Upper School
●11 clubs per term for third and fourth grade students
Five plaques to proudly display recipients of athletic awards
76 financial aid awards given award hand-paper
Seven interactive touch screens for classrooms and meeting spaces
45 new Mac Laptops for Faculty
SHOE-PRINTS UNIVERSITY
25
stools to collaborate in the Makerspace
Four days in Washington D.C. for Eighth Grade Students
You Create CURIOUS LEARNERS
Creates playfully and purposefully
Makes meaning even as they make mistakes
Transforms curiosity into understanding
With Intellectual Ambition at the heart of all learning endeavors, Pike Graduates create playfully and purposefully. They make meaning even as they make mistakes, synthesizing core knowledge with intrinsic wonder, resulting in deep understanding.
Building Connections:
First Graders Transform Curiosity into Understanding Through Community Interviews
Each school year, first grade students have the unique opportunity to engage with members of the Pike community through student-led interviews, gaining firsthand insight into how each person contributes to our school. Through this experience, students practice active listening by using their “school listening
look” to stay focused and engaged. When the interviewee is done sharing, first graders ask meaningful questions, using the structure,“I heard you say ____. That makes me wonder ____.” Students listen intently to the responses, as they begin to transform their curiosity into understanding and develop deeper connections with what they’ve learned. These interviews foster a sense of wonder and give first graders a new appreciation for all the work that goes
Students listen intently to the responses, as they begin to TRANSFORM THEIR CURIOSITY into understanding.
into creating and maintaining a positive school community.
Empowered and Inspired by Curiosity and Wonder: Sixth Grade English Students Reflect on the Power of Stories to Connect Us
In Grade six English, our scholars embarked on an inspiring journey last spring, diving into a storytelling unit that transformed the way they connect with one another. Partnering with the StoryCorps learning community, they delved into the art of the interview, discovering the power of curiosity as they analyzed recordings, refined their questions, and practiced techniques that would help them uncover the stories waiting to be told.
Through playful and purposeful rehearsals and improvisation, students interviewed each other, offering constructive feedback and embracing the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. This collaborative environment fostered flexible, respectful thinking wrapped in genuine curiosity, enabling them to learn about each other’s lived experiences with an open mind.
Upper School students gather for a Writer’s Workshop with a guest author focused on the power of storytelling.
As they engaged in this process, remarkable stories emerged. One student uncovered her grandmother’s poignant experiences with rations during the Korean War, while another learned about his mother’s inspiring dream to build a school in India. Students discovered that stories truly serve as bridges between us, connecting our diverse experiences and enriching our understanding of the world around us. This journey not only deepened their understanding of storytelling and community connection but also empowered students to share their own stories.
Taking Curiosity to New Heights
Our 9th graders were on a mission—one that mirrored the challenges of real-life space exploration. The task was to program their Rovers for a one-shot attempt at navigating around Olympus Mons, the largest volcano on Mars. With only a scaled map and their knowledge of programming, students had to chart the shortest, safest path, avoiding obstacles and the massive
crater. But there was no room for error, just like in a real Mars mission.
Armed with their TI-84 Plus CE calculators, students worked tirelessly to program their Rovers to tackle the challenge. Testing their programming skills and collaborating with their peers, they embodied the essence of a Curious Learner—embracing challenges with curiosity, problem-solving with creativity, and synthesizing their core knowledge with intrinsic wonder to find the best path forward.
After completing the challenge, the students had a chance to connect via Zoom with Pike alum Alex Letwin ‘09, A former SpaceX engineer with a degree in mechanical engineering from Case Western who is now working at Starfish Neurolink. Alex shared his journey from Pike student to working on cutting-edge technology, reminding them that the mindset of a Curious Learner can open doors to extraordinary futures.
Ninth grade students work together to find the best path forward on their mission to Mars.
You Empower COURAGEOUS ADVOCATES
Centering decisions in Social
Centers integrity in decision-making
Lives Non Sibi Solum, not for oneself alone
Turns empathy into action
Good, Pike Graduates embody integrity as they navigate an increasingly complex world.
Reflecting Pike’s motto, Non Sibi Solum, they communicate with purpose and conviction, turn empathy into action, and impact the greater community.
Second Graders Discover Changemakers Through a Blend of Art and Writing
In Grade two, students begin an inspiring journey of discovery, exploring changemakers who have left a lasting impact on the world. Blending the writing and social studies curriculum, this project challenges students to not only express their opinions but also support them with evidence— skills essential to clear, confident
her artistry, second graders begin crafting their own portraits of the changemaker of their own choosing.
Their final creations are more than portraits; they are expressions of admiration and understanding, accompanied by thoughtful opinion writing that illustrates how these changemakers inspired them to think, care, and act by centering their decisions in Social Good.
Through this exploration, second graders don’t just learn about changemakers— they are empowered to see themselves as Courageous Advocates, ready to make a difference in their own unique ways.
communication as they begin to navigate the world around them.
Diving deep into the concept of a changemaker, students learn about individuals who embody activism, advocacy, and social justice. They are introduced to the powerful work of Faith Ringgold, whose vibrant, multimedia portraits help students understand the importance of gathering ideas, capturing the spirit of changemakers. Inspired by
Empowering Fourth Graders to Become Advocates for Justice Fourth grade is a transformative time when students are naturally curious about fairness and justice. At this age, they are keen observers, quick to notice when something doesn’t seem “fair” or “right.” Pike nurtures this stage of development by inviting fourth graders into meaningful discussions centered around one key question: “What is justice, and how can I use my voice to advocate for it?”
After learning about the historical and ongoing injustices Native Americans have faced and still face in this country, the students are ready to take action. They are asked to reflect on the broader world around them and identify an issue or problem that feels unfair or unjust.
The students learn that their voices matter and that they HAVE THE POWER TO STAND UP AGAINST INJUSTICE.
Their causes are personal and diverse, ranging from the lack of women’s teams in the Professional Women’s Hockey League compared to the NHL, to the continued use of harmful Native mascots by sports teams and schools, to the environmental impact of single-use plastics on our oceans.
Fueled by passion, the students eagerly research their chosen topics, gathering evidence to support their call for change. They write powerful thesis statements, naming the injustice and demanding action, backing up their claims with statistics, science, anecdotes, and expert quotes. These elements come together in persuasive letters, each one a compelling call for justice. Next, students learn how to identify the best audience for their letters—lawmakers, organizations, or other influential figures—and prepare to mail them out in hopes of impacting the greater community.
The students learn firsthand that their voices matter and that they have the power to stand up against injustice. As natural “fairness seekers,” fourth graders use this project to extend their sense of justice beyond their own lives, becoming Courageous Advocates for causes that resonate deeply with them. They discover that even at a young age, they can make a meaningful impact on the world around them.
Upper School Clubs That Empower Advocates and Innovators
Upper School Clubs at Pike are spaces where passions ignite, curiosity flourishes, and students come together to create something meaningful. These small groups offer students the chance to dive deep into their interests while developing essential skills for the future.
Through a mix of faculty-offered and student-led clubs, Upper School students find themselves actively embodying the roles of Agile Collaborators and Curious Learners. During any given block, you’ll find Courageous Advocates working on environmental initiatives in Gen Green, broadcasting news in WPKE Student News, or publishing in Pike Press Meanwhile, Optimistic Innovators are hard at work in the Makerspace as part of the Tech Innovations Club, turning ideas into reality.
From math competitions and roleplay gaming, to chess, creative writing, band, and crafting, these clubs are beloved spaces where students can push boundaries, build friendships, and explore new possibilities. Whether they’re solving complex problems, telling stories, or creating art, Upper School students learn that their individual passions have the power to connect them to something greater than themselves. This is where curiosity meets collaboration, and where students grow into the advocates and innovators of tomorrow.
Pike’s Upper School Clubs
3D Printing
Arts & Crafts
BCD (Bracelets, Crafts, Drawing)
Chess Club
Chill Board Games
Creative Writing
Hockey History Club
LEGO Robotics
Math Club
Origami Club
Pike Press
Rock Band
Sketching in Realism
Soccer Appreciation Club
WPKE Student News
Games Club
Life Hacks
Super Sports Appreciation Club
You Inspire OPTIMISTIC INNOVATORS
Imagines possibilities and takes bold risks
Perseveres through challenges
Embraces creative problemsolving
Determined and confident, Pike Graduates embrace productive struggle and take bold risks, persevering in the face of uncertainty. Inspired by possibility, they are both inquisitive and reflective, creating solutions to new and existing problems.
Kindergarten students
Blast Off with Kindergarten’s Mars Rover Projects in Pike’s Makerspace
In Pike’s Makerspace, a lesson on Mars Rovers offers Kindergarteners a unique and immersive experience that blends technology, hands-on creativity, and scientific discovery. Using the Smithsonian Institution’s Mission to Mars app, students are first introduced to the rovers in augmented reality, gaining a tangible understanding
of perspective, size, and depth. This interactive experience is then deepened as they build their own mini-rovers, using a combination of materials that mimic those used by NASA, with other materials that help them to incorporate their own creativity and imagination. The culmination of the project, where students describe their rovers using newly learned scientific vocabulary along with their imaginative touches, highlights the seamless integration
The project fosters a
love
for learning by encouraging them to blend factual knowledge with their own UNIQUE CREATIVITY
proudly present their Mars Rovers creations.
of scientific innovation and artistic expression. The project not only sparks Kindergarten students curiosity about space exploration but also fosters a love for learning by encouraging them to blend factual knowledge with their own unique creativity, empowering them as optimistic innovators who envision a future filled with possibilities.
Innovation in Action: Inspiring Young Third Grade Inventors
The Invention Convention is a hands-on journey into the heart of innovation and collaboration. Inspired by their study of the Industrial Revolution in social studies and engineering principles in science, students step into the shoes of inventors, gaining real-world experience with the invention process. They begin by identifying a problem that affects them personally, then imagine a machine that could solve that problem. With partners or small groups, they bring their ideas to life, building a prototype of their invention.
Throughout this interdisciplinary unit, students engage with every stage of the invention process—identifying, understanding, ideating, designing, building, testing, and communicating. In the Makerspace, they have the opportunity to turn ideas into tangible solutions, creatively problem-solving and learning from their mistakes. Working closely with a partner, they develop critical thinking skills, research existing inventions for inspiration, and gain confidence as they refine their designs.
The culmination of their hard work is the presentation of their prototype to an audience of Pike faculty, staff, and families. This moment offers students the chance to practice public speaking, while reinforcing the value of collaboration, communication, and cooperation. The Invention Convention not only sparks innovation, but it also empowers students to see themselves as creators and problem-solvers, ready to take on the challenges of the future with curiosity and confidence.
Thinking Outside the Box: Seventh Grade Students Solve Real-World Problems
Through Innovation and Collaboration
In the final term of grade seven math, students embrace collaborative problem-solving, using daily situations to push them to think creatively and work as a team. But it’s more than just math—it’s about innovation, communication, and perseverance.
Students explore real- world situations such as finding the percentage of air in a tennis ball can, and the cake-toicing ration on different shaped cakes, examining what they believe are the best solutions. Students learn how to articulate their reasoning clearly, considering how best to explain their approaches to their peers before presenting their solutions to the class. Along the way, they encounter the complexities of teamwork, discovering how to navigate challenges and refine their solutions.
What’s truly inspiring is the way students continue to take their learning to the next level by designing puzzles for future grade seven students to solve, leaving a legacy of curiosity and ingenuity. This project not only sharpens their math skills but also instills in them the confidence to think outside the box, persevere through challenges, and embrace the challenge of innovative problem-solving.
You Activate AGILE COLLABORATORS
Fosters connections
Listens openly and actively
Knows when to step up and when to step back
Pike Graduates are dynamic thinkers who generate opportunities to build relationships and bridge ideas, knowing that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. They listen with an open heart, engage with intention, and discern when to step up and step back, whether in a partnership, classroom, or company.
Racing Into Discovery: Pre-K
Learners Explore Creativity and Teamwork in the Makerspace
Pre-K is a time when children’s creativity and curiosity are boundless, and handson learning opens up a world of discovery. Each year, our Pre-K class visits the Makerspace, where they can explore and connect with their classmates as they dive into different activities. Most recently, they investigated the science behind friction and velocity through a
fun, interactive challenge. Guided by Tom Corbin, Technology Consultant, the children explored the concept of speed by racing Hot Wheels cars down ramps, eagerly predicting which car would win. With cars in hand, they examined every detail, making observations to decide what factors might make one car faster than another. Was it the weight? The size? Some even speculated that the color of the car could be the key—after all, doesn’t red seem faster than blue?
Designs come to life for our youngest learners in the makerspace as they build dynamic thinking skills through fun, interactive challenges.
What truly brings this project to life is the SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION.
At Pike, our youngest learners are naturally drawn to opportunities to express their ideas, and this activity was the perfect chance for them to become Agile Collaborators as they worked together and brought those ideas to life—but the excitement didn’t stop at the races! Students then collaborated to decorate their own paper tube vehicles. These handcrafted cars became prized possessions as they returned to the classroom, excited to work together to replicate the ramp racing activity with blocks and their new vehicles.
Through this experience, Pre-K students not only learned about speed and motion, but also built confidence as they worked together, shared ideas, and supported one another. It was an experience that ignited their imaginations and laid the foundation for a lifetime of creative exploration and teamwork.
Fifth Graders Design Cities For a Sustainable Future
In Grade five, students dream big and imagine what it takes to build a sustainable future. This interdisciplinary unit weaves together math, science, history, and English. Students dive into the complex concept of sustainability while focusing on the United Nations’ 17 Global Goals.
As budding researchers, students learn to navigate databases, cite their sources, and craft formal opinion essays on what sustainable cities
need most. Students also study how master builders (like those from Ancient Rome) developed sustainable structures such as aqueducts and roads that stood the test of time. They become young urban planners, mapping out the intricate details of their sustainable cities. Through teamwork with classmates, they design city models powered by renewable energy, imagining how their creations could lead to real-world solutions. What truly brings this project to life is the spirit of collaboration. Working in small groups, students learn to communicate their ideas effectively, listen to diverse perspectives, and solve complex problems together. As they build their sustainable city models, they embody Pike’s Portrait of a Graduate, becoming Agile Collaborators, Optimistic Innovators, and Curious Learners who are driven by the possibilities of a sustainable future.
Our Sustainable City: students share their perspectives on energy efficient cities of the future.
You Strengthen TRUSTED FRIENDS
Grounded in Authenticity,
Grounded in a genuine sense of self
Sees strength in difference
Acts with kindness and compassion
Pike Graduates see strength in difference and work to foster healthy relationships throughout their lives. Steadfast, generous in spirit, and true to their whole selves, they enrich communities as agents of kindness and compassion.
Eighth and Ninth Grade Students
Craft An Original Play
A transformative journey of friendship and authenticity awaits our grade eight and grade nine Pike students. Each year, they embark on a year-long course in theater that seamlessly intertwines performance and technical artistry. The adventure begins with a blank canvas and a broad theme as their launchpad. Students begin their journey with a deep dive into the world of storytelling,
Drawing inspiration from improvisation and written prompts, shaping their narrative into an original crafted play.
In small, collaborative groups, students engage daily, exploring various theatrical techniques, navigating through different ideas and perspectives, and honing in on what resonates most with their class. Each student has one performance role and one technical role of their choosing including stage management, light crew, sound design, and costume design.
Students will not only BUILD CONFIDENCE in themselves but also in their friendships
Beaming with pride, students take their final bows, celebrating the joy and hard work that brought their play to life.
Through this inspiring journey, students discover the transformative power of theater and the deep connections and feelings of belonging forged through storytelling. The culmination of their hard work and creativity results in two community performances, showcasing the power of collaboration and the joy of storytelling. This experience challenges students to think on their feet and embrace the unexpected, cultivating the agile collaboration skills that are essential both on stage and in life.
Building Bonds with the
All-School
Buddies Program
The All-School Buddies program, designed to foster supportive interactions between Lower and Upper School students, was reimagined this past summer. A dedicated group of teachers from all divisions came together to craft a program that would not only guide buddy time
but also nurture meaningful, long-lasting friendships between Lower School and Upper School students. These educators allowed themselves to dream big, envisioning all the possibilities this time could offer.
The newly imagined All-School Buddies program will focus the first half of the year on play and fine motor skill building, followed by a second half focused on fostering community. In the fall and early winter, buddy groups will use engaging conversation starters to spark connections, allowing Upper School students to model essential life skills, like shoe tying and paper cutting, for their younger counterparts. As winter gives way to spring, these buddy groups will embark on an exciting project to create a new community installation along the nature trail: the Klanggarten. This musical garden
will feature instruments crafted from recyclable materials, such as soda bottle guitars and canister drums. Students will collaborate with their buddies to design and install these instruments, culminating in a joyful celebration on the trail during their final buddy time together.
The All-School Buddies program beautifully embodies the Trusted Friend attribute of the Portrait of a Pike Graduate. Throughout the year, students will not only build confidence in themselves but also in their friendships, creating an environment where opinions are valued and kindness is modeled. Each session is infused with a goal that transcends age or grade, encouraging students to work together with a shared sense of purpose: to bring out the very best in one another and exemplify what it means to be a Pike student.
LIVING OUR PIKE VALUES
AUTHENTICITY | We embrace the identities of every person.
INTELLECTUAL AMBITION | We foster curiosity, inquiry, engagement, and initiative in learning.
SOCIAL GOOD | We care for ourselves, for one another, and for our community.
Club members begin their time together with a unique activity focused on more than just music.
Bucket Drumming & 3D Printing
BY EMERIC VIANI
THUD. KA-THUNK. SLAM. These are some of the sounds you’ll hear if you stand outside of the Lower School music room on a Tuesday afternoon. You might also hear - “READY, TOSS!” - followed by the sound of plastic buckets hitting the floor, students diving out of the way, and a shared expression of surprise that the buckets were actually tossed.
Pike’s newest after-school performing arts offering, Bucket Drumming Ensemble, is open to Upper School students in Grades 5 - 9. While this ensemble is new, bucket drumming has long been a part of Pike’s music culture ever since the bright orange buckets made their debut in the theater in December 2014. In this ensemble, students learn how to play rudiments, read notation, drum in up to three parts, create arrangements to perform with a backing track, and coordinate an eagerly anticipated glow-in-the-dark routine. Being part of this group requires students to be Agile Collaborators and Trusted Friends with a high tolerance for noise and an appreciation for the controlled chaos that comes from giving Upper School students a pair of sticks and a bucket to hit.
Last spring, our group benefited from one of Pike’s many engaging and unique opportunities - a collaboration with the 3D Printing Club, advised by Tom Corbin, Aaron Hovel, and Kathleen Boucher-Lavigne. The challenge: create a set of “grips” that would clip onto the rim of the buckets so that they could sit several inches above the floor and resonate with a deeper tone. Through a process of collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation, students maintained an optimistic outlook as they navigated the challenges of refining their initial prototype to enhance sound output and reduce printing time. They eagerly worked together with both teachers and peers, continuously brainstorming and adapting until their design achieved success.
By the time of our spring concert, students proudly unveiled a complete set of drum grips that enhanced the performance by allowing the buckets to resonate freely without being muffled by the floor. Throughout this journey, our students embodied the principles of the Pike Portrait of a Graduate, demonstrating collaboration, curiosity, and design innovation as they worked together to achieve their goal and address various design challenges along the way.
Clockwise from top left: A work in progress— The beginning of a collaboration between 3D Printing Club and Bucket Drumming Club; Bucket Drumming Ensemble members take a moment for a photo opt before working on a new beat!; Arts Department Chair Emeric Viani shares a moment of success with Upper School 3D printing club members after a test run of their “grips” prototype.
www.pikeschool.org/giving “Pike has transformed our children into curious learners, strong athletes, and confident public speakers. Most importantly, they have become kind and compassionate people with a warm heart for others. We will continue to support Pike with great pride and appreciation.”
—PIKE PARENT AND LEADERSHIP DONOR
Your support of THE PIKE FUND is essential to offer our students develop the qualities of a Pike graduate. Thank you for making an impact.
Second grade Pike students see themselves as courageous advocates during the Changemaker unit.
