Dear Flint Hill School Family,

As we approach the end of the first quarter, a very natural question to ask is, “How are we doing?” It’s hard to believe we are already at this critical point. Homecoming is upon us this weekend. Our Back-to-School Nights seem like a distant memory. In fact, grades will be coming out shortly, which will give us all an indicator of where our youngsters are standing. The question, “How are we doing?” becomes even more real. And with that question, we must also wonder, “Where are we going?”

Just as grades give students an indication of where they stand, we are constantly working on our own “grading system.” We are always evaluating metrics and benchmarking our school against others to get a sense of where we stand as an institution. Our entrepreneurial spirit drives us to look at ourselves and focus on providing the very best possible education for our students.

To that end, I want to encourage all of you to attend our State of the School event next Wednesday, October 26, at 7:00 pm in the Olson Theater. During that time, we will take a few minutes to reflect on the start of the school year, the strength of our great program, and the opportunities that are ahead for our students before the unveiling of our Campus Master Plan.

The charge to update our Campus Master Plan was an outcome of our Strategic Vision. From that hard work a year ago, we began to work with architect Leon Chatelain of Bowie Gridley Architects. Leon has had a long-standing relationship with Flint that goes all the way back to the 1990s. It was at that time that he began to work with the school — when we realized we needed a separate Upper School Campus. Leon has a unique quality and skillset that serves as the foundation to his approach to architecture. When he designed our Upper School Campus, he took time to fully understand our educational experience, learn about our mission and our curriculum. He worked hard to translate all of that into a very purposeful learning environment. And we all know that our Upper School is an impressive and beautiful facility.

To begin this Campus Master Plan review, Leon performed in-depth interviews with our entire faculty and staff, students and parents to get their feedback on a whole host of dreams and aspirations. He reviewed our Strategic Vision and translated all of the feedback he gathered into an updated Campus Master Plan for both campuses. It is something to behold! At next week’s event, you will have a chance to understand the “why” behind all that we are planning to do, the “where,” and the “how.”

As I have said in previous notes, everything we do is intentional and strategic. We have an incredible program that provides an educational experience that is absolutely focused on creating challenges and opportunities for our young scholars that will propel them into the future. Please join us next week to hear more in depth about all of this and a chance to reinforce our partnership in this exciting effort. It is our responsibility to make each day count, and it is our responsibility to make every moment a learning moment. In so many ways, your ongoing support has made a huge difference in what we can and do accomplish. We clearly will continue that effort, together, for the remainder of this school year.

Enjoy Homecoming! Please make certain to cheer loudly and soundly, “Go Huskies!” If I don’t happen to run into you on the fields, courtside or at Spirit Alley, please know that I look forward to greeting all of you next Wednesday, October 26, for the State of the School.
Best wishes to you!

Sincerely,

John M. Thomas
Headmaster