It’s become something of a running joke among the Concord Hill faculty that I rarely make it through a day without saying our tagline: Learning and growing together. But I say it so often because I believe it deeply—it captures the essence of who we are. Two years ago, as we worked through the process of revising our mission and core values as part of our strategic plan, this phrase kept rising to the surface. In conversation after conversation—with faculty, Board members, alumni and families—what rose to the surface was a deep, shared commitment to creating a school where connection, care, and curiosity guide everything we do. At Concord Hill, learning and growing is something we do with one another, in classrooms, in conversations, and across all aspects of school life.

For Children: Mistakes as Stepping Stones

In early childhood, mistakes are not just common—they’re essential. Young children learn by doing, and often by doing something the wrong way first. At Concord Hill, we see this every day: a Preprimary student pours too much water and watches it spill, a Kindergartner reverses two letters while writing, or a Third Grader realizes a math strategy didn’t work out the way they expected. These are not setbacks—they’re powerful moments of learning.

Research in early childhood development emphasizes that young children need repeated, hands-on experiences to build understanding. Their brains are wired for trial and error, and mistakes help strengthen connections. That’s why our teachers respond to errors not with correction alone, but with questions, encouragement, and curiosity: What do you notice? What might you try next?

We want children to see that learning isn’t about being right the first time—it’s about staying engaged, thinking flexibly, and building confidence as they go. When a child realizes they can make a mistake and still feel supported, they’re more willing to take on new challenges. That’s where real growth happens—not in the polished final product, but in the messy, meaningful process of getting there.

My First Year: Still Learning, Still Growing

This year was a “first” for me too—my first as Head of School. And just like our students, I had a lot to learn. A surprising amount of that learning took place below the surface—literally—as I found myself immersed in the world of pipes, HVAC systems, and school facilities. I’ve come to understand that leading a school means tending to everything that supports learning—even the parts families and students may never see.

But more than anything, this year confirmed what I already knew: Concord Hill is a place where learning and growing doesn’t end with childhood. It is ongoing, relational, and shared—among students, teachers, and families alike. Whether you’re three, thirty, or seventy-three, there’s always more to discover, more to understand, and more ways to grow.

And that’s why I’ll keep saying our tagline. Because learning and growing together isn’t just a phrase—it’s who we are.

– Michelle