A Message from our Head of School

 

All children deserve a school that will see them for who they are, will develop their potential, encourage a lifelong love of learning and accomplishment, and nurture a sense of respect for themselves and for others. As a parent, teacher, colleague and educational leader, I deeply appreciate the uniqueness of each child as an individual and learner.  The very best schools function as supportive communities that prepare children to be skillful, thoughtful and caring individuals capable of meeting the future with knowledge, optimism, resilience, innovation and creativity. In such a school community, academic excellence, personal excellence and civic excellence are one and the same.  Windrush is such a school, and the above values and goals lie at the very heart of our mission and vision.

The Windrush philosophy is to bring out the best in each child while encouraging teamwork and collaborative achievement. Both inside and outside the classroom the learning atmosphere combines joyous exuberance with intensity of purpose. Students, faculty and parents work cooperatively as a learning community. Our challenging academic curriculum encourages learning in depth and develops thinking skills that empower students to solve problems, to accomplish their own learning goals, and to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom. The program insures that students develop the powerful reading, writing, and mathematical skills required for future academic success. Content in the humanities and sciences is carefully selected with an eye to the future so that it addresses the concepts, skills and understanding that will enable our students to make dynamic contributions to the world of tomorrow. At every level, academic learning at Windrush is intertwined with critical thinking and decision-making. We prepare our students to make choices that involve complicated problem solving, collaborating with others, navigating by their moral compasses, and evaluating through the lenses of social, community and ethical responsibility.

As Windrush students move through the grade levels, they refine their academic skills and embrace their roles as active and engaged citizens. All students participate in service learning activities matched to their studies, interests and ages. Students in grades 4 through 8 participate in student government. A buddy system matches younger and older students. This teaming of mixed-age students encourages academic, social and community responsibility, as it creates a sense of empathy and caring in our students.

Middle school students at Windrush are prepared for the academic rigors of competitive high schools as they master academic and curricular challenges and acquire the emotional maturity to make thoughtful and critical choices. Windrush students are analytical readers, creative problem solvers, independent thinkers and eloquent writers. Above all, they have confidence in their competence. Over 95% of Windrush Students are admitted to their top choice high schools, ready to meet the challenges of the next step in their education. Visitors to Windrush are struck by the sense of joyous achievement, the academic purposefulness, and the respectful cooperation that pervades our school. Windrush is excellent without being exclusive. We celebrate our diverse community and take pleasure in each other's achievements. I invite you to come share the spirit of Windrush School. I believe that when you have visited our classrooms, met our staff and reviewed our programs, you will agree that Windrush School is an inspired setting for learning and living.

 

Ilana Kaufman

Head of School

Windrush School