Closing in on 100

16 centennial

Closing in on 100

The Meadowbrook School opened its doors on Farm Road in Weston in 1923. It was incorporated as a country day school for boys and girls from age 4 through sixth grade. Much has changed over the years, of course— with new buildings, programs, and the addition of a middle school. But as Head of School arvind grover sees it, there has been one constant.

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18 centennial

“The Meadowbrook spirit is one of continuous improvement,” he says. As the school looks ahead to its 100th anniversary in the 2023-2024 academic year, “we recognize the fortitude of generations of faculty, administrators, families, and board members who came before us. They definitely set us up for success in delivering the highest level of education possible.”

“One hundred years is an extraordinary period of time,” reflects Board of Trustees President Chris Austen ’81, P’18, ’18, ’23. “What started as a small country day school has grown into the extraordinary place that we see today. Meadowbrook is now a school with one of the most innovative academic programs in the country, one with an incredibly dedicated faculty and families who care deeply for their children, learning, and Meadowbrook itself.”

Like grover, Austen sees excellence and innovation as the school’s through-line. As Meadowbrook takes stock as it approaches this milestone anniversary, Austen observes that the school is decidedly not resting on its laurels. “You can’t stand still,” he adds. “We have to be committed to moving forward, building on our strengths, and determining what we want for the future.”

Full Speed Ahead

Under grover’s leadership, Meadowbrook is now engaged in a visioning process to determine how the school wants to launch its next 100 years. Rather than strategic planning, grover calls it “strategic sprinting,” fitting as Meadowbrook makes its way out of the tumult of the pandemic. “Through Covid, we learned that we could reshape on a dime and be extraordinarily successful. It showed us capabilities we never could have imagined— how quickly we could change our curriculum and our classrooms,” he says. “The pandemic also helped us to recognize what was truly important: how interconnected emotional health and academic success are, how much we value face-to-face time with our families, and how much we benefit “What started as a small country day school has grown into the extraordinary from involving diverse teams place that we see today. Meadowbrook is now a school with one of the in decision making.”most innovative academic programs in the country, one with an incredibly “Now we dedicated faculty and families who care deeply for their children, learning, are thinking about what and Meadowbrook itself.” – CHRIS AUSTEN, PRESIDENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES we need to take Meadowbrook to the next level,” he continues. “What will excellence look like? What will the school look like? What will the faculty look like? What do we need to provide so that students and faculty can bring their best selves every day?” Reflecting on the work in progress, Austen observes that while there are no definites as of yet, “families and faculty can rest assured that the future will be one where Meadow-

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brook continues to build on its core strengths. That means being ahead of the curve in our approach to teaching students and developing faculty. It means building a community of families that is inclusive, one where they have the tools they need to help their children be successful in a rapidly changing world.”

“I’ve been around Meadowbrook for 50 years. I started as a student in 1973,” Austen concludes. “While there’s been a tremendous amount of change, we’ve always been a place driven by a sense of innovation and moving forward. We’ve always had outstanding faculty and families who care so much about their children, education, and Meadowbrook itself.” No matter what the new vision entails, “we’ll be building from a really strong place.” u

Archive photos show the Meadowbrook of yesteryear, with notable similarities to today – sports, field trips, and hands-on learning.

CELEBRATIONS TO COME

Plans are in the works for a slate of events to mark Meadowbrook School’s centennial over the 2023-2024 academic year. “We are in the process of forming a planning committee and determining all that the celebration will involve,” says Chief Advancement Officer Michele Daly. “Everyone will be invited: alumni, current families, parents of alumni, grandfriends and friends, as well as current and former faculty.” Stay tuned for details!