The parent of a recent graduate sent me a link to a
New York Times Article exploring the role of character traits to educational success. It seems that positive human qualities such as "grit," optimism, zest and curiosity are greater predictors of success than are I.Q. scores or achievement tests. This insight may be novel at an elite New York day school, but it has been understood for decades here in Andover, New Hampshire.
In the Times article, the notion that matters of human
character enable achievement and fulfillment leads educators to the question, "How do we teach character?"
These educational theorists wrangle over desired character traits and ponder how classroom teachers impart noble values, but little attention is paid to the
culture of the
school community.
This is understandable, because no one really knows how to design, implement or measure something as abstract as community culture, but it is also true that residential schools can be successful incubators of the healthiest human dynamics.
Students at academically elite schools know intense pressure, to be sure, but do they know how to rebound and learn from
failure?
It's tempting to consider how the Times article would read if Proctor were one of the schools studied, because we provide such a distinct alternative. Here in a culture that prizes attitude and motivation over prior achievement, the challenges of a college prep curriculum are balanced by safety systems that yield just the character traits espoused by educational theorists.
In her email introducing me to the article, the past parent writes, "It's about character as part of the educational process. As I read it, I said to Michael [her husband] that I hope that Proctor never loses that part of its curriculum. It would not be the same school."
The culture of a school community cannot be fabricated by design; it is the product of time. It is organic. It evolves. It carries momentum. It is communicated by those who return to those who are new. It is priceless.
Another parent--the mother of a new ninth grader--tweets, "My teenager's post on Facebook: 'Fun. Amazing. Awesome. Best Decision. Ever.' Pretty good start at #ProctorAcademy."
