Growing with Wesley

As I reminisce over the 15 years my family and I have spent at Wesley, there are many memories and experiences that come to mind.

Like many of us, I clearly recall the day back in 2006, sitting in Verena’s office for the in-person interview, the final part of our child’s application process. Flash forward 15 years, my once incoming kindergartener in 2006 is now a sophomore in college and my younger son is a high school junior. Where did the time go? As I look back at our time at Wesley, both as a parent and as an active volunteer serving on several committees, as well as the Board for nine years, one thing I know is that the school has grown and yet still maintains the very special characteristics that attracted us to Wesley. The close community, the warmth, the inclusion, the happy confident children, the well rounded education, and the sense of a second family are just as strong today as they were then.

Growth wise, I have seen many changes during my time. Three Head of School transitions, the school’s first capital campaign that led to the completion of the first new groundup building on campus, the increase in lower school enrollment from one class to two, and the addition of the London trip are a few of the significant changes I have witnessed. While there were some challenging moments along the way, it was always heartwarming to witness the community unite and provide the support necessary to get through it.

Although the process of selecting a new Head of School can be stressful and instill a feeling of uncertainty for many, each new head brought improvements, right for the times and the school’s growth. They all understood the importance of maintaining the characteristics Wesley is known for.

The new building provided the spaces needed for the school’s increased enrollment and growth: large modern classrooms, administrative and faculty areas, along with flexible spaces.

The London trip was transformative. It provided an opportunity for students to connect their learning inside the classroom to the real world. Personally, one of my son’s fondest memories was seeing Romeo and Juliet at the Globe.

I take great comfort in knowing that Wesley is in a solid position for future generations of Wesley students. While change and growth are inevitable and healthy, I know that Wesley will continue to retain the special characteristics and well-rounded, balanced approach for educating our children. It is my hope that one day, I will see my grandchildren experience the Wesley education that my children benefited from.

I am forever grateful for the contributions Wesley made in providing the strong foundational basis that allowed our children to develop into fine human beings.

Sincerely,

Alain Yotnegparian parent 2006-2019 • trustee 2012-2021