Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year

Dear Poly families,

As August arrives, thoughts of the new school year shift from a distant idea to an immediate reality. I have faint memories of my first day as a kindergartener at The Harvey Wheeler School: my new shoes, the yellow school bus, and a school bag filled with spanking new supplies symbolizing the beginning of another year. Fifty-eight years later, I still find myself oscillating between the apprehension and the excitement I felt that day. One of the gifts of a new academic year is the possibilities it brings—a chance to explore, imagine, create, and be seen. The structure of the academic calendar provides us all with time and space to grow. With the support of an extraordinary faculty and a robust program, our transformation begins anew, and we welcome the embrace of a community dedicated to who we are and who we aspire to become. 

Each year, the Poly community has the opportunity and responsibility to reaffirm our commitment to the ideals represented in our vision and mission. In today's cultural, technological, and political climate, it is more important than ever to fully embrace our vision's commitment to being a “community of students, inspired by transformative teaching, who will contribute to the world as intellectual leaders," and the promise of our mission “to develop the unique intellect, talents, and character of each student in a community dedicated to academic excellence, personal responsibility, and service to others.” These two foundational statements guide us as we strive to celebrate our purpose—to teach and to learn. 

The year ahead offers an exciting array of opportunities for your children, for you, and for the community. The division directors reached out to you on August 1 with initial information about the school opening. This letter also includes updates on new colleagues, policies, procedures, and announcements about upcoming events.

I look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks and months; rest assured that you have joined something extraordinary, and the adventure ahead will live up to its promise. Let’s begin!

Best,

JWB