I realized that Hyde School is not only interested in academic excellence, but in forming better human beings. And how much the world needs that.

I could begin and end with this: I got so much from my Hyde School education that I sent my daughter. But there is more to the story—and it’s worth telling.

Wrestling at Hyde truly changed my life. It grounded me, disciplined me, and gave me confidence. For the past 15 years, I’ve been coaching kids and teaching them the same lessons I learned at Hyde—about effort, honesty, discipline, and heart.

At Hyde School, I was pushed to explore what Courage, Integrity, Curiosity, and Concern for Others truly meant.

Hyde asked something radical of us as parents: to let go, to share uncomfortable truths, to examine our own growth, and to inspire our children through our own example if we wanted to see real change in them. I’ve always said that my son brought us to Hyde, but I was the one who needed the emotional and spiritual transformation.

At Hyde School, I was both challenged by hard truths and lovingly supported as I learned to make meaningful changes in my parenting.

This is the bedrock of the Hyde way: a transparent record of following through on your promises and living with mission-driven hard work.

Through the Family Learning Center (FLC), we as parents were encouraged and challenged to integrate the Hyde philosophy into our family life. Incorporating courage, integrity, leadership, curiosity, and concern into our lives

I began to excel in academics and sports, stepped into performing arts, and took on leadership roles all over campus.

The school raised the bar and expected more of me, and I rose to meet those expectations. I graduated with a renewed sense of self, a stronger set of values, and a higher standard for how I live my life.

The Hyde philosophy has informed my relationships, choices and actions. My conscience is strong. I’m committed to truth over harmony and I believe deeply in the unique potential (the greatness) of every individual.

The school’s curriculum is not just academic; it is a framework for building character, and it taught me to see challenges not as barriers, but as opportunities.

There were teachers, coaches and staff who gave me their best. I earned my share of kitchen duty. Team sports were great and my grades improved as a few of The Five Words began to take hold, until…

What I learned at Hyde was many things: to live by my principals and values, to trust that a circle of caring people can become a family, and to believe that I was (and am!) a good person. Hyde believed in me before I believed in myself.

As a 1974 Black graduate of Hyde School, the most important life lesson I learned was that I mattered and that my voice was just as important and valued as anyone else’s

And then a tectonic shift happened in 10th grade. I went to Hyde, where my character and potential were recognized and pulled out of the hiding places they had found. I was challenged on many levels. I began doing things I didn’t know I could do – like rowing a dory up the Maine coast, sharing my struggles with others, winning medals in sports, and performing solos in front of hundreds of people.

Since Hyde I've worked at MIT and then Harvard, as a researcher, an instructional designer for online courses, and now - unexpectedly - a manager. I came into Hyde with years of teaching experience, but I wouldn't be the core of my team without the calm, connection, and insight I learned in my three years.

While it is true that times change—fundamental values, ethics, and character do not. Hyde’s approach of developing adolescents into young adults is holistic and focuses on foundational concepts that have withstood the test of time.

We felt privileged that Hyde valued character development, truth above harmony and believed in teaching for your potential.

I honestly believe that if it weren't for Hyde with its incredible philosophy, faculty, and sports programs, I would not have succeeded in life.