TK: The answer starts with discussing how Thayer Academy possesses the qualities most people associate with all good private schools. Small classes, excellent and inspiring teachers, top-notch facilities, and rigorous academic standards stand at the center of our mission. We emphasize the development of strong reading, writing, research, and computational skills, and at the same time, we infuse our students with a passion for learning. In addition, we offer a rich array of extracurricular pursuits, particularly in the arts, athletics, and community service. But that is only the beginning of the answer.

TK: To some extent, yes, but families also understand that every school has its own unique set of qualities, and they are seeking the best possible match. The challenge for families is to understand what distinguishes one school from another and how those distinguishing features might pertain to the needs and aspirations of their child.

TK: First of all, I would cite the strength and vibrancy of the Thayer community. In the most general sense, our community is caring and supportive, qualities that are manifest in our core relationships. Students benefit from teachers who work hard and effectively to support them academically and in their extracurricular pursuits, but the students are also supportive of one another; and they derive additional comfort from the support of their parents and even the parents of their friends. The net effect is that students at Thayer feel accepted and affirmed for who they are, even as they are challenged to improve themselves in numerous ways. Happily absent from this equation is a negatively charged attitude that affirms only the few and leaves the majority of students feeling they can never measure up.

TK: It is what surrounds our core program that adds true depth to the Thayer experience and sets us apart. To be more specific, Thayer places a premium on broad-based involvement in the life of the school. We set student expectations and arrange programs and schedules in such a manner that students can and must do more than simply meet their academic responsibilities. For example, 80-90% of our Upper School students play a sport and participate in the arts program during the academic year. The percentages are even higher in Middle School. Virtually all of our students are involved in service projects, and many of our students participate in our growing international programs in the Dominican Republic, Canada, the U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Peru, China, and India. This balanced experience enriches the opportunities for personal growth and promotes a sense of belonging to the broader community.

TK: Our school culture provides access to a wealth of growth opportunities. Yes, there is acceptance and affirmation, but there is also access to an extraordinarily broad range of ways for young people to grow.

TK: I would add that Thayer stands among those independent schools that are very well integrated into the surrounding community. We host many recreational and cultural events that serve the Braintree community, and our relatively new turf fields and performing arts center are frequently used by organizations that advance athletics and the arts for the entire South Shore region. We are very happy to provide this access, as it offers real benefits to the outside community and reminds our students that we are members of a larger community. In addition, one of the most distinctive features of Thayer is its own socio-economic diversity. More than one-third of our students receive financial aid, and the Academy's budget to support financial aid is one of the most generous among all private schools in the Boston area. We are particularly sensitive to the very real fact that middle class families may require financial assistance, even as we devote impressive levels of support for families that are especially disadvantaged financially. The result is that we have a mix of students that reflects the full spectrum of the world outside our campus.

TK: Well... speaking with absolute objectivity... I can say as Head of School, as an alumnus, and as a parent of two Thayer graduates... that Thayer is a very special place. Our community is grounded and representative of the larger society of which we are a part. We have a traditional reverence for academics, and we are equally committed to ensuring that our students grow through involvement in the arts, athletics, and service. Our school culture is one that values achievement and aspiration, and we pursue these goals through support and encouragement. In the end, we could not be more proud of the students who graduate from Thayer Academy. And we welcome, in equal measures of pride and anticipation, the new families who join our community each year.