Dear Parents,
Our mission is what makes us different from other schools. Our mission statement reads, “Crossroads Academy is an independent day school committed to academic excellence and moral integrity. We inspire our students to love learning, act honorably, and contribute actively to intellectual, cultural, and civic life. ”This mission is delivered, day by day, moment by moment, through the interweaving of Core Knowledge and Core Virtues by our dedicated and talented faculty.
Last week when I took a break to walk Hoopes Loop, I was thinking about how structuring an elementary education is like building a new building. One must first have a vision of the end goal. What exactly do we want to achieve? And then one must plan and staff for the execution of that plan. All along the way, one must check in to make sure that things are going as planned. As well, one must be prepared to look at issues, problem solve, and adjust.
We saw this happen with the Bancroft Building, and we experienced the same with our new Middle School building. In both cases, ledge was discovered and creative “Plan B” thinking had to be implemented. But each building evolved, from planning stages to execution. Each building was created from the ground up, beginning with a strong foundation and unfolding through the knowledge that all buildings are created with building blocks that are independent of one another and yet also interconnected.
We have a parallel structure in our program. Our school is also created with building blocks that are both independent and interconnected. But here, it looks a bit less “concrete.” Here knowledge builds on knowledge. Students learn important content that is then called up in future moments and built upon. As students grow and learn, this knowledge provides them with the ability to analyze what they read and hear, and to think critically. At the same time, they are learning important universal virtues. These virtues also build toward a deeper and deeper understanding of how knowledge and virtue support one another. As our students learn about courage on an intellectual level through exposure to content, such as the story of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., and as they practice courage in their own lives, they become not only stronger students, but stronger people as well. One side of our program supports the other, and together, they have a synergy that you, as parents, and we as educators can marvel at.
We know that we are preparing your children to become tomorrow’s leaders. I can imagine no better foundation than this one to further this lofty goal.
With gratitude, Jean
