Focusing on what really matters

By Aléwa Cooper
Head of School

Each new school year gives us all a chance to refresh and renew. To ask important questions — big questions — like: What truly matters? Those questions shape not just our lives as parents and educators, but also the very heartbeat of Foote School.

At Foote, our mission is simple but profound: to empower children to lead with courage, compassion, and purpose. That mission is about preparing children for lives of meaning. And that starts with us helping define what truly matters.

At Foote, learning is at the heart of all we do. Academic excellence matters deeply. We challenge students to think critically, solve problems creatively, and to work at the upper edge of their ability. When they engage fully in the process, they grow, and when they grow, the quality of their work rises. This is how we prepare them not just for the next step, but for a lifetime of curiosity and achievement.

What matters is independence and self-advocacy. Our students are encouraged to find their own voices, to advocate for themselves, and to build the skills that help them navigate challenges with confidence.

Giving back matters. We ask our students: How do you show up for those you care about? For your community? The answer might be as small as being a good teammate on the playground or as large as organizing a service project. At Foote, we believe that every student has the right to a first-class education. And with rights come responsibilities, responsibilities to use their knowledge to improve their world. That deep connection to community builds both character and purpose.

Childhood itself matters. We want children to be children, to explore, to take risks, to discover who they are in a safe and supportive environment. As adults, we know that lessons are learned, even with skinned knees. When we meet students where they are developmentally and challenge them to stretch toward their personal best, the process fuels growth, and that growth drives a vigorous, dynamic learning environment.

Discovery matters. We know that students learn best by doing, whether they are digging in the garden, rehearsing for a play, building in the tech lab, or conducting a science experiment. The arts, the outdoors, technology, collaboration, all of these enrich learning and prepare children not just for the next grade but for the future.

Balance matters. Childhood should be full of richness, academic challenge alongside creativity, music, and art; structure alongside unstructured time; seriousness alongside joy. Education is not just about producing, but about becoming.

And family matters. Let this community be your village. Parenting today can be overwhelming, but here, you are not alone. Together, we can raise children who are resilient, joyful, and ready to contribute to the world.