From the Head of School: Then, Now, and Tomorrow

As we mark 100 years on our magnificent campus, I find myself thinking about the remarkable continuity of purpose that has defined Hopkins for more than three and a half centuries. This hilltop campus—dedicated in 1925 with the laying of Baldwin Hall’s cornerstone—has provided a setting for generations of students to think critically, ask bold questions, and embark on a lifelong journey of self-discovery.

This spring, we celebrated that legacy by opening a time capsule created during the 1925 dedication of Baldwin Hall and placing a new one outside the brand new Academic and Performing Arts Center (APAC). Together, the capsules speak across time, reflecting both continuity and change. And while the world and the School are different than they were in 1925, the ideals that defined Hopkins then remain firmly in place today: a commitment to academic excellence, character formation, and the preparation of young people for meaningful lives.

In this issue of Views from the Hill, we go behind the scenes of both time capsule events to discover the motivations, hopes, and dreams of those who set them in place. We honor our past by spotlighting alums who returned to campus this school year to speak or share memories with one another, and we celebrate the legacies of alumni families, retiring educators, and three unforgettable teachers—Peg Connolly, Bob DuCharme, and Les Wrigley—who recently passed away. In this issue, we also honor the present by marking APAC’s inaugural season, as well as showcasing the achievements of students in the classroom, on our stage, and on our playing fields. 

As a school in constant motion, our focus is now set on our bright future. A spirit of forward movement is at the heart of Hopeful Youths: Renewing Hopkins’ Promise in the 21st Century, our strategic plan. After the first year of implementation, I am proud to report that the plan has become a living framework shaping the way we teach, learn, and grow as a school.

As you may recall, Hopeful Youths has four pillars that make up its foundation. Under the pillar of Citizens of the World, we are designing a new suite of advanced courses to replace standardized APs—courses designed by our own expert faculty that explore sophisticated material in depth and foster transferable skills. We are also developing ways for students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world challenges. This spring, for example, students in a new Software Development class built original apps to address real needs on campus—from streamlining senior sign-outs to planning high school course sequences.

We are also deepening our commitment to civic engagement, with student participation in programs like Princeton Model Congress and the Young Global Leaders Program at Harvard. And this coming year, with generous donor support, we’ll launch a new Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation program, giving students the chance to learn financial literacy and partner with local nonprofits on community-based projects.

The Next-Door Neighbors pillar has inspired new connections with our surrounding city. This past school year, we created paid student internships at an incredible youth development program called LEAP (Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Partnership) and expanded our support for other organizations like NewHYTES (New Haven Youth Tennis and Education) and Elm City Internationals Soccer. Hopkins students also volunteered in large numbers with groups like IRIS (Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services), Fridge Haven, and local schools, continuing our proud tradition of service.

Through Campus Renewal, we are ensuring that our physical spaces match the caliber of our programs. As you will read in this issue, APAC is already transforming life on campus—with
performances, lectures, admissions events, and academic gatherings taking full advantage of its flexible, inspiring design. This summer, we began creating a new strength and conditioning space in the Athletic Center, and launched construction on a robotics lab and practice competition field in Malone Science Center—a response to the rapid growth of our robotics program, which now includes more than 130 students.

Finally, the Home on the Hill pillar focuses on the well-being and belonging of every community member. Our counseling team led vital initiatives this year—from peer support programs to Mental Health First Aid training—and we created new advisory groups for parents and employees, which we named BeWell. These efforts reflect our belief that students’ academic success is closely linked to their physical, mental, and social health.

Looking ahead, we will continue to evaluate how best to support healthy boundaries with technology—particularly around student phone use—and how to foster a culture that balances achievement with wellness.

The Hopkins of 2025 looks very different from the Hopkins of 1925, as will the Hopkins of 2125. But what connects us across generations is a shared belief in the power of education to change lives and a willingness to adapt—with purpose—to a changing world.

Whether you’re reading this as a student, parent, alum, faculty member, or friend of the School, I hope this issue gives you a sense of how we honor the past while charting a purposeful path toward the future. It’s a time to look back with pride and forward with hope.