What does it take to make a school great?
Great people. Sure. But people believing what, doing what, being like what, becoming what?
It’s somewhat silly, but maybe useful, nonetheless, to put an answer in six points to such a big question. Perhaps presumptuous is the best descriptor. I do it with respect, however, and even a fair bit of trepidation.
But I do put it out there in case it’s the beginning of something useful to someone. I believe I’ve been allowed to lead in this kind of work once. Seen it done another time. Didn’t stay quite long enough so didn’t quite get there with a third. I’d love to do it again. I’m working on it where I am now, and we’re off to a good start down that good road
Six points. All of them listed here. The first explained a bit. The rest to follow in five short posts.
Success defined as pursuing the fullness of God’s created intent for each student.
Humility of spirit, shared among leadership and woven into the very fabric of the school community. Otherwise, it will blast apart or sink into bilious intrigue by ego and private agenda long before greatness is seen.
Vision. Not for greatness as a school. Not against it, but instead a vision for flourishing of a web of relationships, a nexus of community, and for the good of every child and every family.
Love of truth, wisdom and the Good. Exclusive progressivism would probably think anything of use in this point was covered in point #1 (along with stuff, of course, that shouldn’t have been covered at all) and that anything left here should be left out. I don’t.
Continuity of faculty first and leadership second. Values which breed greatness do not bear fruit amidst the passing waves of the next big idea or the party in power at the moment.
Resources. Material provision and protection. Greatness grew in the Catacombs (given birth on the Mount) and spread its seed by ash in the winds of the Martyrs. But great schools grew with time and cultivation, with care and feeding, just like the children within them.
Number one for this first post. How will success be defined and passionately pursued in a great school? Not dollars nor degrees. Not traditions nor trappings. Not prestige nor professionalism.
I can’t stop as broadly as AA with a Higher Power, but neither sectarian nor parochial presuppositions are necessary conditions, though certainly not excluded either.
Two keys:
First, great schools are about the biggest and the smallest of the persons involved, the greatest and the least of these. God as that than which none greater can be conceived (thanks to Anselm) is the ground of the work for the school much greater than itself.
Second, the fullest realization of that creative intent in each of the little ones, those for whom the school exists, is the only success large enough to engender and inspire the work and life of a school.
No greatness enters nor ensues without transcendent purpose and joyous yet humble invitation.