Derryfield & Google

Dear Friends, When I first considered the Derryfield School four years ago a friend told me “If you are looking for a co-ed, non-denominational, independent day school in that part of the world, Derryfield is the best.” You might know that Derryfield is the only co-ed, non-denominational, independent day school in this part of the world (allow me the author’s license to define “world” as a reasonable driving radius). I see this fact as relevant in a few different ways:

First, I am reminded of the mantra at Google – “never settle for the best.” I have no doubt that Derryfield is the best school of its kind in the area, and I am equally convinced that our faculty and staff refuse, time and time again, to simply settle for the best. We push ourselves. We challenge ourselves. And we keep our students at the center of our deliberations as we seek to improve.

This attitude is essential to my second thought:

One of the central virtues of being an independent school is cultivating the habit of routine innovation. If we have a good idea for our students on Thursday, we can implement it on Friday. We are free, to a very high degree, of the constraints that come with working in a school that is not independent. And unless we actively leverage that freedom for the good of our students, we leave the inherent benefits of being an independent school at the front door. Several years ago Pat Bassett, the Executive Director of NAIS (The National Association of Independent Schools (the leading independent school organization representing more than 1400 independent schools) said “The No Child Left Behind law was one of the best things that ever happened to independent schools.” As I tested this assertion with friends in other schools I came to see the wisdom in Pat’s statement – Derryfield is blessedly free of restrictions and regulations, and we use this freedom to our student’s advantage every day.

A final thought on the notion of being an independent day school. Over the past few years several of Derryfield’s Founders have said to me “we wanted a great education for our children, and we wanted them home for dinner.” Their motivation captures the essence of the day school’s advantage. However, (not unlike the idea of being “independent”) to realize the full value of a day school parents need actually to take the time to have a meal, attend a game, or get to know their child’s teachers. Once again, I see the Derryfield community as being exceptional in this realm. Our parents our thoughtfully engaged in their child’s education, and this works to Derryfield’s advantage time and time again.

I hope this issue helps you reflect on what it means to be an independent day school, as well as how Derryfield combines these advantages in unique and remarkable ways.

Sincerely,

Craig N. Sellers

Head of School