Dear Upper School Parents and Caregivers,
“Who’s to say what’s impossible?”
That was the opening line of the senior song this year, Jack Johnson’s “Upside Down.” It’s a playful tune, but beneath the surface, it holds a quiet kind of wisdom and reminder that the world is always shifting, that change is constant, and that curiosity is how we make sense of it all.
Midway through the performance during our Senior Run Celebration, the background track suddenly cut out. But the seniors didn’t stop. In fact, they sang louder. With more emotion. More joy. What could have been a glitch became a defining moment, proof of their confidence, connection, and ability to rise together.
As I watched them sing with full voices, I found myself reflecting on the year we’ve had. This year challenged your children to grow in unexpected ways. It invited them to be brave, to explore who they are becoming, and to stay rooted in what matters. And through it all, the world kept spinning, just as Jack promised.
Looking Back: Reflection on Growth
As the year closes, I encourage you to pause and reflect on how far your child has come—not just in grades or accomplishments, but in confidence, resilience, and self-awareness.
- If your child just finished 9th grade, think back to those early days of navigating high school. This year was about finding their footing socially, academically, and emotionally. What did they discover about themselves?
- For those completing 10th grade, this is often a year of steady momentum; less visible from the outside, but full of internal shifts. What patterns emerged? What passions began to take root?
- And if your child just finished 11th grade, you’ve likely seen them navigate moments of pressure, perseverance, and pride. What kind of senior do they hope to be next year, and how can we help them get there?
Reflection doesn’t require big answers. Just noticing the small, steady changes is enough to facilitate big growth.
Looking Ahead: Leadership Updates and New Programs
We’re excited to welcome two new members to our Upper School leadership team next year:
- Mr. Aaron Frim P ’19, our new Assistant Head of Upper School, brings a deep belief in student voice and a wealth of experience in building inclusive, joyful school communities. He will also continue to advise students, teach, and lead our WISE program.
- Mrs. Sharla Starker P ’17 ’22, our new Academic Dean, is a thoughtful educator with a sharp eye for curriculum and a passion for helping students thrive. She will support faculty in instructional design, assessment practices, and pedagogical growth.
We’re also proud to introduce a new pilot program in the Upper School: Honors Humanities 9 and Honors Humanities 10. These interdisciplinary courses will be co-taught by faculty from the English and History departments and will run during Trimesters 2 and 3. The goal of this experience is to challenge students to think deeply and draw connections across disciplines.
Students will meet twice a week outside their regular English and History classes; a detailed schedule will be shared at the start of the school year. This will be a rigorous learning environment, with work required outside of class. Attendance and meeting deadlines will be essential. At the end of the year, students will receive a grade and earn one trimester of non-departmental credit. More information about expectations and enrollment will be shared during Trimester 1.
Shared Values, Created Together
This spring, students and faculty came together to reimagine our Upper School’s Community Standards—a student-led effort that asked, “How do we want to show up for each other?”
While we’ll share the full version in the fall, three themes stood out:
- Be Responsible: Students emphasized the value of accountability, from how we show up in class to how we wear the dress code.
- Be Empathetic: Our students want a culture that listens before it reacts, and where kindness is a daily practice.
- Be Engaged: A new addition this year, this value emphasizes focus on our learning, our relationships, and our use of technology as a tool rather than a distraction.
Our grade-level deans and I have already begun planning how to bring these values to life. We'll also use data from Authentic Connections to support student well-being and address the specific needs of each grade.
Scheduling Reminder
The annual add/drop period is here, and with it, the usual swirl of questions. I want to say this clearly: it always feels tricky—but it always works out. You will receive an email when the add/drop period begins for your child’s grade. Most students adjust their schedules more than once before the school year starts. For any support, please reach out to your child’s advisor, grade-level dean, or Dr. Sullivan.
Looking Beyond: Investing in the Future
As we reflect on student growth this year and look ahead to what’s next, we’re also thinking about the future of learning at Wellington. That includes the very beginning of the journey.
We invite you to support The Wellington Fund through a gift toward the renovation of the Rick O’Hara Room (ROHR) into a purpose-built home for kindergarten. A transformative $500,000 gift from Board Chair Jim Croft P ’17 ’20 ’22 and his wife Michelle P ’17 ’20 ’22 allows the project to move forward immediately—creating an environment where the school’s youngest learners can thrive and supporting future building updates identified in the soon-to-be-shared strategic plan. Learn more and join the Crofts in support of this vital project.
Wishing you a summer filled with rest, joy, and just enough spontaneity to keep things interesting.
With deep gratitude,
Rishi
Rishi Raghunathan
Head of Upper School