Wardlaw+Hartridge: Now More Than Ever

A true test of an individual or an organization really comes to light in a crisis. COVID-19 is certainly one of those times when individuals, groups, communities and our Wardlaw+Hartridge family are being tested.

Some educators frown on the term ‘family’ to describe a school setting, but I disagree. We spend an exorbitant amount of time with our students and with our colleagues, more so than in many other industries. In an independent school like W+H, you chose to belong to the community. You investigate the school, do your own deep dive of the website, read over dry curriculum guides, see fancy admission collateral pieces, read the school’s mission statement, have a day visit and an interview with an admission officer.  All of this is done in hopes of what? Finding a home for your child and quite frankly for your family. At W+H you will find a place of common and shared values and one of mutual respect of individuals, character and beliefs. It’s a wonderful environment in which to shape your child.

This current crisis continues to demonstrate the high quality of education, innovation, community, character, personalized attention and commitment our school provides. As an alumnus, as an educator, as a former coach, as the admission director and more importantly as a father of two W+H students, I say with absolute certainty that we provide all of those things and more! Now more than ever I am so happy to have W+H in my life and more importantly in the lives of my children.

The personal experience offered in a W+H education is tried and true and also expected, but to find that in our distance learning program is quite amazing. To see our small classes at work, the extra attention given to each student by the teachers, which includes the specials in subjects like art, music and physical education, is extraordinary and highly appreciated as a working parent. The sharing of screen shots and a quick message of “I wanted to share with you…” just goes a long way and reaffirms my wife and my decision to send our children to this school.

There is a family feeling here. Parents have been reaching out to one another to check on them and their kids. Board of Trustees members have been reaching out to say, “Are you OK and how can we help you?” That personal outreach goes beyond what a community is; it more resembles what a family does to make sure everyone is being cared for academically, socially and mentally. I challenge anyone to say they feel they haven’t been connected with or not checked in on. To me this goes beyond the tuition dollars and cuts through the growing negativity in our society. Where you send your kids to learn and experience, will shape them for the rest of their lives. That’s why it is so important to vet and scrutinize the schools before enrolling your child in them. Look for the hand extension, how faculty truly work with your child and you, not just the college placement list when evaluating a school. How is that school going to extend itself to your child, to you, to your overall family experience?

I personally invite you to look over our website and see what an amazing community, school, family, Wardlaw+Hartridge is. Don’t just take my word for it. Hear from parents in our community.

Check out https://vimeo.com/416111320

When you are ready, please give us a call so we can engage with you about our admission process and just how affordable this extraordinary education can be. Let’s make this a reality for your family this fall. Especially now with public schools furloughing teachers and the average class sizes swelling beyond an acceptable number. Our average class size of 14 lends itself to social distancing easily. 

Stay healthy, stay strong!

#NowMoreThanEver

 

My very best to you,

Gerard Gonnella

Director of Admission