Institutional Priorities

August 11, 2023

Thaden Community,

Greetings from Coleman in North Hall!

We are excited to welcome more than 320 students to campus for their first day of classes on Tuesday, following our orientation for new students on Monday. Our preparations over the past week have impressed on me, once again, that our professional community is remarkably creative and dedicated, and that we carry tremendous momentum into the new academic year, our seventh since opening in 2017.

This orbit around the sun also holds special meaning for our school as we anticipate the Great North American Eclipse on April 8. As some of you will recall, we first chased the totality to California, Missouri, with just 48 students in the fall of our founding year, and I predict with a high degree of confidence that we will do so again when it passes over Russellville this spring. More to follow regarding this prediction.

Today, in our first issue of The Flyer, I offer a birds-eye view of the broad institutional priorities
that will guide us in pursuing our lofty mission and goals for the coming year.

 

BALANCE

As our world navigates politically and culturally divisive times, we must continue
to offer educational programs that are responsive to the needs and perspectives
of our diverse school community.

 

STEWARDSHIP

As we scale-up our operations and diversify our base of financial support, we
must promote a culture of resourcefulness and partnership that inspires
confidence across all constituencies and allows us to be effective stewards of the
resources and lives entrusted to our care.

COMMUNITY

As our school community continues to grow, we must be intentional in fostering
a sense of belonging that makes each and all of us feel known, seen, heard, and
celebrated.

While our mission statement holds the most complete articulation of our aspirations and guiding principles, these three priorities are particular points of emphasis that I will revisit throughout the year, beginning with a special letter on Tuesday regarding our professional community and academic leadership team.

Together we fly into a new year of celestial navigation!

Clayton K. Marsh
Founding Head of School