Whitfield: Reflecting in the Present, Planning for the Future

Dear Friends,

In the winter of 2023, early in my tenure as Head of School, we launched a strategic planning process to draft the roadmap that would guide us through the end of the decade. We called the finalized plan Whitfield 2030: a vision of the future that is grounded in our values and shaped by our community–with ambitions to create the Whitfield of our highest aspirations.

At the same time, we began preparing for a major milestone in the life of any independent school: reaccreditation by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). The reaccreditation process would require a year-long, 160-page self-study—an intensive review of every aspect of our school, from academics and student life to governance and facilities. To do it well, we knew we needed a compelling and coherent vision of where we were headed. That vision came from the strategic planning process.

In October 2024, a team of educators and administrators from peer schools across the region visited campus to see our work in action. They observed classes, met with students, faculty, parents, and trustees, and compared the Whitfield we described in our self-study to the Whitfield they experienced. Their report, delivered this spring along with formal reaccreditation, affirmed what we’ve always known: Whitfield is a school defined by kindness, grounded in trust, and committed to empowering students to discover and become their best selves.

The report also underscored the urgency and importance of the work ahead. As Bill Hudson, Head of School and chair of the visiting team, wrote in his letter to Whitfield, “Finally, I want to ignite a sense of urgency in you. Across the country, the long-term sustainability of independent schools, mine included, is at a critical juncture. Whitfield’s new strategic plan sets forth a bold, ambitious vision, but it will take bold action from each of you to bring it to life. Now is the time for intentional and collective effort to secure the future of this exceptional school. Whitfield offers something truly unique that helps students understand themselves and the world around them. It’s a mission worth overcoming all obstacles.”. 

Next week, we’ll share the full Whitfield 2030 plan and introduce a dedicated website that outlines the key initiatives and strategic priorities guiding our work through 2030.

Warmly,

Chris Cunningham, Ph.D.
Head of School

P.S. If you’d like to read more from Bill Hudson and the visiting team’s reflection on Whitfield, I invite you to read my October 2024 letter to Whitfield parents and students.