Welcome from our Head of School

Leading with Purpose, Intention, and Impact

I began my career in the summer of 2001 as a Teach for America Corps Member in Paterson, New Jersey, where I learned the transformative power of providing every student with an excellent education. After several years in public schools, I joined the Charles Wright faculty in 2006 as a sixth-grade English teacher. It took me some time to fully understand what makes an independent school education unique, but over the years, I’ve developed a deep sense of purpose rooted in our mission. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of serving in many roles, each offering a new perspective on our school and our community. Today, I am honored to serve as the ninth Head of School at Charles Wright Academy.

In August, during our Opening Meetings, we launched this year’s theme: Leading with Purpose, Intention, and Impact. When I think about purpose, I think about being grounded in a shared foundation—our school’s mission, vision, and values. At Charles Wright, our mission is to inspire active, joyful learning while nurturing and challenging our students to develop the character, creativity, and skills to successfully navigate the future with confidence. One phrase that particularly resonates with me is to “nurture and challenge our students.” I want every child in our community to feel seen, known, and valued. I also want our students to grow as critical thinkers—both in how they care for others and in their awareness of their unique ability to positively impact the world. Intention is the way we show up each day, with care, commitment, and the desire to bring our best selves to our roles. And impact is what becomes possible when purpose and intention come together in service of our students and families.

At Charles Wright, we offer students opportunities to step beyond their comfort zones, to learn from nature, and to rely on one another. Whether it’s through deep classroom discussions, immersive outdoor learning, or real-world experiences, students begin to see the world through new lenses. From our first graders visiting a local farm to our tenth graders heading into the backcountry on a multi-day backpacking trip, each experience builds nuance and depth in their understanding of our interdependence and shared humanity.

Now more than ever, our school values anchor us. We hold fast to excellence, compassion, integrity, respect, and perseverance. These are not just words on a wall, they are the principles we strive to live by each day. In a country that can often feel deeply divided, we are intentionally teaching our students how to listen, to recognize and honor one another’s humanity, and to understand how we all navigate the world in different ways. We seek curiosity over judgment, empathy over assumption.

This work is not always easy. At times, these ideals feel more aspirational than lived. And yet, they are worth pursuing. We need the next generation of leaders and thinkers to examine their choices with care, to speak up for their beliefs, and—most importantly—to seek what unites us, rather than what divides us.

At Charles Wright, we create transformational experiences every day. Together, we are shaping the future, one step, one student, one conversation at a time.

Warmly,

Rachel Rippl

Head of School

headofschool@charleswright.org