“What drives kids to our school is that amazing combination we have—the terrific athletic programs and the sense of school spirit all in the context of one of the best academic environments [around].”
I’d love to have said that about our school, but I didn’t. This quote came from the Dean of Undergraduate Admissions for Duke University (sorry, Tar Heel fans) acknowledging that “the exposure generated from successful, high-revenue athletic programs positively affects the outlooks of prospective students toward their schools.” 1
Consider that in 2008, Stephen Curry and Davidson College’s Elite Eight appearance caused the school’s admissions office to process an increased number of applications and acceptances. App State’s win over Michigan in 2007 gave that school its biggest bump in admission applications in school history. And George Mason University has increased its enrollment by over 9% since their Final Four appearance in the NCAA Basketball Tournament in 2006, including a 20% application increase immediately following that successful season. A Virginia Tech research study concluded that a Final Four appearance increases applications by 7 – 8%.2
Did these schools suddenly become better schools to warrant the increase in applications? The reality is that the increased publicity and school cache resulting from their successful athletics performances made more kids want to go to that school.
Here at Davidson Day, we are experiencing a similar phenomenon. We’ve received more publicity and media attention about our school because of our athletics program. Our unexpectedly successful basketball season has inspired families who have never heard of us or considered us before to check us out. With the announcement of our football program along with the hiring of top-quality coaches in soccer, girls basketball, volleyball, as well as football, we are experiencing a surge of interest in our school from a wide variety of families from throughout the region.
Does that mean we are doing anything more in other areas of the school – like arts and academics? In this case, yes.
We have hired a renowned archaeologist to teach Middle and Upper School History who will also spearhead our school’s development of a research center in Belize – a unique program we are developing that will enable our students to work on excavating one of the largest Mayan ruins in Central America. We have hired a math specialist, who is completing his PhD , to re-design our math curriculum from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 while teaching our Middle and Upper School students.
We are investing a quarter of a million dollars in our Theatre to support the growth of our performing arts programs and we are investing a similar amount in technology to bring Smart boards and other innovations into the classrooms. Furthermore, we are weaving global initiatives throughout our curriculum and developing unique study abroad opportunities to better prepare students for success in the world they will live and work in.
All of these wonderful, exciting, and educationally transformative initiatives are being funded by our school to provide our students with unparalleled educational experiences. But quite frankly, I will bet that you won’t be reading all that much about these amazing initiatives in the media, or hearing kids and parents talking all that much about them during their social gatherings or play dates. I bet what you will hear about is football, basketball, lacrosse, soccer and a variety of our other sports. Kids and parents will engage in passionate debate over athletics. The media will add its voice to the mix. The wonderful non-athletics initiatives will take a publicity and public relations back seat.
Am I complaining? Not in the least. It’s the reality of our American culture. It’s just the way it is.
I love athletics. I know what athletics means to kids and families and to the social well-being of a school. In the words of a blogger who attends App State and who posted this excerpt back in January: “there is one girl on my hall who had never heard about App State until they beat Michigan. For the record, she hates football … but here’s at least one person who has come to Appalachian that wouldn’t have without the Michigan game.”
Funny how you get to think some deep thoughts when you’re stranded on the side of a mountain in a snowstorm waiting for a tow truck for five hours.
I’ll spare the details, but when that tow truck finally came and we were back on the road, my husband and I had the option of pulling off at the next exit to stay the weekend in a nice hotel chain. Or we could risk the next 15 miles of unknown icy road conditions to achieve our destination at the one-of-its-kind inn we reserved.
My husband and I quickly decided to keep going. That got me thinking. Why would we risk going on when there was a perfectly fine, upscale hotel chain at hand that would provide the safety, security, and accommodations we needed? Why did we feel so strongly about pushing on? The answer was simple. We didn’t want good or even great. We wanted memorable and exceptional. That got me thinking about schools. (It appears that even on a weekend get-away, a headmaster can never really stop thinking about school.)
Which brings me to the theme of this blog: I believe schools are like hotels.
Over the past few weeks, I have been meeting one-on-one with each of our new parents to talk about how their family’s and their child’s transition to our school has gone.
Overwhelmingly, the new parents I met with are thrilled with Davidson Day and expressed how happy their children are. Whether they have come from a public or private school, each parent has had an inspiring story to tell about how their child is working harder than ever, is challenged in ways they never before experienced, and is loving every minute of it. They have singled out caring teachers, approachable administrators, and new school friends who support them. They talk about opportunities their child has had to try new things that have become a previously unknown passion. And they are grateful to us because their children are happy and excited to come to school each day.
Building Davidson Day's Future Around Unwavering Passion to Develop the Potential in Each Child
I love our school.
This past week, our administrative team went off campus for a day of reflection and planning. It was our opportunity NOT to discuss the day-to-day running of the school, but to get at the heart and soul of who we are as a school, what we want to become, and how to ensure we retain our very best qualities when we finally get there.
I can’t remember who delivered my commencement address. And over the years, I’ve listened to more graduation speeches than I care to remember…covering topics I can’t recall…delivered by notable public figures I cannot recollect.
But not today, and not for you.
I may not be a local dignitary, nor accomplished VIP. But I have something few other speakers of celebrity can claim. I know each and every one of you for the outstanding men and women you are…I know your beauty, your strengths, your kindness, and richness of heart…and yes, I even know your warts.
