A Meeting of the Minds: College Presidents & Heads of Schools
by Mike Davis, Ph.D.
Head of School
Earlier this month, I was invited to join an informal conversation with college presidents and independent school leaders to talk about the challenges and opportunities we face in our respective roles. Hosted by Georgetown Day School in Washington, DC, it was an extraordinary chance to reflect and think about K-16 education.
Head of School
Earlier this month, I was invited to join an informal conversation with college presidents and independent school leaders to talk about the challenges and opportunities we face in our respective roles. Hosted by Georgetown Day School in Washington, DC, it was an extraordinary chance to reflect and think about K-16 education.
All of these school leaders share a commitment to academic excellence and innovation. The colleges represented were Claremont McKenna, Rollins College, Kenyon College, Grinnell College, Reed College, Tufts University, Middlebury College, Davidson College, Bowdoin College, Colorado College, and Dennison University. Colorado Academy was in good company with other high caliber independent schools: The Bush School, Wilmington Friends, The Catlin Gabel School, The College Preparatory School, The University School of Nashville, San Francisco University High, Hawken School, Punahou School, Riverdale Country Day, and Georgetown Day School.
Our conversations were on far-ranging and important topics. We shared the challenges of how our respective institutions are responding to a fast-changing and divisive world. We talked about academic freedom and free speech on college campuses. We spoke extensively about the college admission process. We discussed new ways of looking at pedagogy and learning. We thought about the issues of financial sustainability and the value proposition of independent schools. We talked about student mental health and wellness, and we discussed the impact of social media on our students and our institutions.
Nearly every school leader expressed a concern that young people are growing up in an increasingly challenging world, and that more must be done to support students’ social and emotional learning. All confirmed that they see students and families struggle with a world of diminishing opportunity and increased competition, and that this has led to absurdities and madness in the college admissions process. The college ranking system has sadly led many parents of young people to misunderstand the strong value and transformative power of both small liberal arts colleges and public universities.
Our conversations were on far-ranging and important topics. We shared the challenges of how our respective institutions are responding to a fast-changing and divisive world. We talked about academic freedom and free speech on college campuses. We spoke extensively about the college admission process. We discussed new ways of looking at pedagogy and learning. We thought about the issues of financial sustainability and the value proposition of independent schools. We talked about student mental health and wellness, and we discussed the impact of social media on our students and our institutions.
Nearly every school leader expressed a concern that young people are growing up in an increasingly challenging world, and that more must be done to support students’ social and emotional learning. All confirmed that they see students and families struggle with a world of diminishing opportunity and increased competition, and that this has led to absurdities and madness in the college admissions process. The college ranking system has sadly led many parents of young people to misunderstand the strong value and transformative power of both small liberal arts colleges and public universities.
Many of the college presidents talked about their appreciation for the students that are educated in schools like CA; colleges consider what students will bring to their respective institutions, and there is a clear understanding that the kinds of students we educate are those who avail themselves of the many things that a school has to offer; they are students who possess intellectual curiosity and a love of learning. No matter the institution, I found school leaders at all levels to be passionate about helping students feel compelled to tackle the challenges ahead of us and to make the world a better place.
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