Letter from the Head of School
Dear Students, Parents, and Friends,
Welcome to the Mizzentop Day School Website!
Charles Dickens had a broad and comprehensive philosophy about education, as evident in several of his satirical works. One overriding philosophical view is summarized in this quote: “There is a wisdom of the head, and a wisdom of the heart.”
Mizzentop Day School is a very special place because we believe in the wisdom of the heart. I learned that a little over a year ago when I came here to interview for the head of school position – one of nine schools at which I had the opportunity to interview that year. What I found here was a school that did a tremendous job educating children - from 3-years-old to 14. However, I found that same thing at the other schools I visited as well. What was different here was an environment that was so blatantly clear to me shortly after I walked under the blue canopy and through the front doors of the building – an environment that is truly caring, nurturing, kind, compassionate, and family-like. Now that I have been at MDS for just over a year, I know that my initial impressions were right on target. This is how I define “wisdom of the heart,” and I see it modeled and taught daily by our staff.
I have been an educator in one capacity or another for 34 years and have had the opportunity to spend 24 years as head of four different schools, visit 26 schools for the purpose of accreditation evaluation, and visit dozens of other schools to attend meetings. With this solid basis for comparison, I can confidently say that Mizzentop Day School is one of the very best at teaching “wisdom of the heart.” In only ten short years – making us an infant in the independent school world – much has been accomplished here. MDS students receive an outstanding education from a group of professional staff who are trained and experienced professionals. But equally as important, MDS students know that here they are cared for, guided in a positive direction, and prepared in every way possible for secondary school, post-secondary education, and most importantly, life - as good and productive people.
How does this happen? A Living Values Program that is emphasized in every program of the school; an integrated curriculum that brings subjects and concepts together so that students can form relationships about what they are learning; hands-on methods – the idea of learning by doing – that peaks students’ interests and helps them think critically and to fully understand the learning process – these are what make learning come alive for students in both academic and life-skills areas.
In case you can’t tell, I am pretty excited about being a part of this Mizzentop Day School family and seeing on a daily basis how our staff teaches and our students learn. I would love to share that excitement with you.
If there is something you would like to know about us that you don’t find on this website, or if you have any questions about what you do find, please do not hesitate contacting us. But, most importantly, I encourage you to take the opportunity to come and share in the excitement at Mizzentop Day School.
Sincerely,
Steve Cash
Head of School
