Seventy-one prospective Proctor students returned to campus today for another "look" before determining where they will study and grow over the next few years. This is--by far--the largest population of revisiting families in history, which bodes very well for our effort to craft the optimal community for 2009-10. The kids immediately attend two regular, morning classes with student partners. Below, parents mingle over coffee in the Morris Lobby outside the Norris Theater.
While those classes transpire, parents are entertained by administrators who share key perspectives on the nature of this very unique school, its systems and functions. At ten o'clock, the youth descend upon the theater for assembly, making this the largest crowd in this facility in its eight years. Student leaders Duncan and Dan welcome the throng.
This assembly contained all of the spontaneity and nonsense (a whipped cream catching game!) that we expect, while the Chamber Chorus's performance of two Croatian folk songs was stunning and settling.
Assembly over, Proctor students (already enrolled, I mean,) and faculty went on their way for the rest of the day's academic business.
Visiting students joined their families for a student panel discussion.
As individuals, Proctor students are impressive people; they're here for very good reasons. But when you put eight of them on a stage in front of visitors who want to know about their school, their maturity, pride and love for the community is revealed as never before.
They fielded dozens of questions...on balancing workload, transition from home, making friends, Wilderness Orientation, dorm life...with adult insight and candor.
Afterward, the father of a boy who will be joining us from L.A. next fall asked me, "How do you teach that kind of dignity?" The answer--if there is one--is found in the nature of relationships that elevate teenagers. I didn't have time to explain....
On Tuesday, we will do it again!
