To reach the deepest potential in students, you must influence the influencers in a young person's life. We believe the two most powerful influencers are the peers and the parents. Our faculty spends a large part of each day helping to inspire and build a peer culture that will stand alone when the adults are not around. Recent examples of this peer culture at work include:
- A group of students sat down to help a young man ask for help. As one of his peers said, "When we struggle together, we can succeed together."
- In our school meeting this week, we wrapped up auditions. As the last round of students and faculty sang in front of the school, there was cheering, finger-snapping, and shouts of encouragement when someone faltered or got nervous.
- A group of students started an evening peer tutoring program in the Learning Center.
- In the weekly Discovery Group, the students did self-evaluations and gave each other feedback in areas such as academics, dorm life, athletics, and leadership.
Hyde's secret weapon has always been parents who grow alongside their children. When parents focus on their potential and strengthen their parenting tools, students benefit. Recent examples of parent initiatives around school include:
- A webinar this week that brought both students and parents together to explore strengthening the partnership between adults and teenagers. As one student shared, "I have watched my parents work together more and we have all gotten closer."
- A current family in Massachusetts hosting a day-long retreat where parents, alums, and HAPA parents came together to learn from each other.
- A group of parents who recently had a ZOOM to talk about admissions and how to let more families know about Hyde School.
- A group having an outdoor family workshop at Lennox Lodge where they enjoyed their family time and the chance to grow together in nature.
The foundation of Hyde's family program is the belief that the parents are the primary teachers and the home is the primary classroom. The job of parenting is both joyous and challenging. When parents set the example of going after their best, they inspire their children. We will not inspire our children with material success and image. We inspire our children:
- When we share our struggles and get real with them
- When we grow, take risks and go after our best.
- When we get up every day and model character, especially in the small moments
Creating a peer culture and expecting parent involvement make a critical difference in education. We unleash a synergy that drives individual achievement and, most importantly, authentic self-confidence in a young person. This effort is not without its challenges, but it is truly the foundation for the Hyde education!