The Campus as Mission

Yesterday, I was fortunate to spend an entire day with our board in retreat to discuss the future of Berwick Academy. The day included strategic conversations about the future of financial aid, innovation, and our amazing campus. In considering the strengths of the Berwick campus, almost everyone spoke to the remarkable quality of our main quad, the blend of old and new buildings, and the incredible open space we have to support our programs. There is an aura of learning and support on this campus that is clearly bolstered by the physical space and buildings. This sense will only be strengthened by the addition of the new Wellness Center next year.

Looking ahead, there are still improvements to be made. Certainly parking is a concern, and we continue to dream about new facilities that might make the Berwick experience even more special for our students. One of the key insights that emerged from these conversations was the way in which the physical campus needs to reflect the mission and values of the school. It is interesting to step back and consider how our buildings, walkways, and fields, force people to congregate or connect in certain ways. When we consider a new master campus plan for the Hilltop, we must always put our program goals at the center of the conversation.

In just a few weeks, we will undergo our first detailed facility audit so that we might get our arms fully around what it will take to maintain this amazing space for learning. I am quite sure the cost associated with that will be sobering. That said, we are also excited about new opportunities that continue to emerge through our incredible donor community to improve the experience for future generations of children. Yesterday was a reminder that everything we do: campus layout, academic schedule, and even our annual budget – is an outward expression of our mission. These are the conversations that will continue to move us forward.

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Berwick Academy Head of School

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