From the Desk of the Head of School- February 11, 2022

Dear Harding Academy Learning Community,

As we complete this week and let ourselves go a little further towards a return to the fullest possible expression of our program, I was excited to experience again (after a two year absence) our House System activity centered around creating care packages. 

Every student and employee of Harding Academy is assigned to a House. This means that each House has multiple students and teachers from each grade level. The House serves as a home base of sorts for members where they engage in activities four to five times a school year, interacting with students from different ages and backgrounds. 

Last week, we created care packages for college-age alumni of our Houses and for the incredible front line healthcare workers in Nashville. It was especially fulfilling witnessing our 8th grade House Captains shepherd their Housemates through the activity. It was the manifestation of the value proposition of a PK-8 model: that our middle schoolers are modeling downward, rather than mirroring upward such that they develop a depth of maturity and connection that might, at first glance, seem counterintuitive. However, through moments like the House activity, our kids are immersing themselves in engagement and arriving on a new campus will not seem so daunting. In fact, they will be ready to engage and excite their peers from the get go. 

Experiences like these are mission critical as we look to educate and inspire young people to become thoughtful, creative, lifelong learners and self-disciplined, responsible, caring citizens. 

Have a great weekend!
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Inspiring The Mind  •  Nurturing The Spirit