Dear Upper School Families,
The first two weeks of school have been filled with energy, curiosity, and purpose. Our grade-level retreats, the first advisory meetings, and the lively buzz in classrooms are all reminders of why this community matters so much. Students are stepping into routines and beginning to form the habits that will sustain them throughout the year.
I know that change is never easy. Our new schedule and phone-free environment, along with updated dress code and attendance procedures, have introduced fresh rhythms for students and families alike. These decisions are about creating the best possible conditions for learning. When distractions are reduced and expectations are clear, students gain the space to focus, engage, and push themselves.
At Parent/Family Night, I spoke about excellence—the foundation of our work. This year, I want to extend that conversation through another Wellington value: Ambition.
Ambition looks different for every student. In academics, it may be mastering a challenging text, persisting through a difficult math problem, or finishing a novel that once felt out of reach. In the arts, it might be practicing an instrument with steady discipline, auditioning for a performance, or building a portfolio. In leadership and community, it could mean organizing an event for peers, collaborating on a project, or finding the courage to share an idea in class. What matters most is not the specific goal, but the way our students reach for it with persistence, resilience, and integrity.
For ambition to thrive, certain conditions must exist:
- Vulnerability — the willingness to take risks and learn from failure.
- Engagement — showing up fully and consistently.
- Autonomy — the chance to take ownership of choices and growth.
- Responsibility — the discipline to follow through, prepare thoughtfully, and contribute to the community.
These qualities of vulnerability, engagement, autonomy, and responsibility are not just ideals—we are creating spaces for students to practice them. One example is JagsConnect, Wellington’s mentoring and professional networking program for alumni, which is launching upper school programming this year. Last week, three alumni met with our 9th and 10th graders for an extended session to review career interest survey results, share their professional journeys, and explore the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, and what the world needs. This kickoff is the first of many opportunities that will allow students to stretch their thinking, learn from role models, and pursue their ambitions with greater clarity and purpose.
This is where our partnership matters most. You can support your child’s ambition by encouraging routines such as sleep, preparation, and balance, and by giving them the space to advocate for themselves, solve problems, and take risks. Responsibility grows best when adults set expectations and also allow students to practice independence. The combination of high expectations and high support is what allows students to dream boldly and work steadily toward those dreams.
The year ahead will bring challenges and opportunities: projects, performances, and assessments that ask students to stretch themselves. By daring to dream and practicing the habits that sustain those dreams, our students will move forward with courage, joy, responsibility, and purpose. Thank you for entrusting us with this important work.
Warmly,
Rishi
Rishi Raghunathan
Head of Upper School
Important Dates
09/15/25-09/18/25:
- Spirit Week
- Monday - Pajama Day
- Tuesday - Cowboys vs. Aliens Day
- Wednesday - Meme Day
- Thursday - Grade Level Theme Day
09/19/25:
- Blue/White/Wellington Day
- Founders Day
- Homecoming Game, 5:00 p.m.
9/20/25:
- US Homecoming Dance, 8:00 p.m.
09/22/25:
- Parent/Caregiver Conference Sign-ups Open, 12:00 p.m.
09/24/25:
- Senior Adoption, Gard Gym, 2:15 p.m.
09/30/25:
- A Toast to Tomorrow - Parent & Caregiver Social, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Thomas Family Dining Room
- register here: https://www.wellington.org/form/toast-to-tomorrow
10/03/25:
- Jag Friday Dress Down
- US Trimester 1 Comments Post
10/06/25:
- Parent/Caregiver Conference Sign-ups Close, 12:00 p.m.
10/07/25:
- US 9-11 Grade Family Coffee with College Counseling, 8:15 a.m. (on-campus) and 12:00 p.m. (virtual)
10/09/25:
- US Parent/Caregiver Conferences, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
10/10/25:
- US Parent/Caregiver Conferences, 8:00-noon
- No School