October 2017

Dear Parents and Friends:

For me, the glass is usually half-full. However, in the last couple of years, I have felt increasingly like Cassandra of ancient Troy fame with my commentary about the future world our children and grandchildren will inherit from us. Actually, the great news is that, for those prepared for it, the future will be rosy; they will indeed inherit the Earth, and enjoy lives filled with tremendous potential and rewards. But, only if they are prepared.
Unfortunately, most schools are actually preparing our children for our past and not for their future. In fact, if you visit a classroom today, many would really not look that much different from that classroom you experienced as a child. While the world of business, medicine, communications, etc. has been transformed schools, largely, stay mired in the past, gathering pace towards obsolescence.

The future is not about the latest, greatest technology doing your work for you; it is about creating in our schoolchildren the habits of mind and body that will sustain them, no matter what the next challenge or change society will throw at them. I like to proudly tell people that I missed the whole VCR era of the 1980s by simply ignoring it; however, what I really demonstrated was my inflexibility in dealing with change. Our children will not have that luxury. They must learn to be flexible, to engage in critical thinking and problem-solving, to collaborate with and appreciate all peoples and cultures, to understand themselves and others, and to create a Me.Inc. the mindset in which they are their own corporations, responsible for their own lives. We need to teach them how to care for bodies that will likely see the 22nd century, and most of all, we need to teach them human happiness, what that means, and how to best achieve it. The present number of children with anxiety issues is startling; we need to help our children achieve a balance in their lives.

A tall order, but aren’t our children worth the effort?

Later in the fall, McClelland School will unveil a new document outlining the Four Pillars that drive its educational philosophy and practices. It is a renewal of our mission to grow our children in mind, body, spirit, and character, and to do so in an environment of grace and happiness. It is what all children deserve. We will be distributing a copy to you, and I will be arranging opportunities for anyone who is interested to discuss further.

Sincerely,
Brendan Sheerin
bsheerin@mcclellandschool.org
719-543-5271
At times, when a family joins the McClelland community, they do so without fully understanding why we exists and what we are all about. Below is some information to help answer those questions.
Why does McClelland have a Board of Trustees?
The McClelland School’s full legal title is The McClelland’s Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity. Each non-profit must have a governing body by law, and at McClelland, this consists of our Board of Trustees, anywhere from 7-12 members of the Pueblo community, who serve in volunteer positions. Their job is threefold: first, to protect and promote the mission of the school (see below); second, a fiduciary duty to make sure that the school is financially sound; three, to hire one employee, namely the Head of School. In general, they leave the day-to-day business of running the school to the Head, and their focus is on the big, 30,000 feet issues.
Why do you charge tuition?
McClelland is an independent school-almost 100% independent of government, federal, state and local. This is a choice on our part, as it allows us to teach what we want and how we want it. The downside is that we largely depend on two sources of our income: tuition and fundraising. In this respect, we follow the model used by most colleges.

It is worth noting that as a non-profit, our goal is not to make a profit but to simply cover costs. No family pays the true cost of a McClelland education, and we make up the gap between real cost and tuition income through fundraising.

We are accredited members of the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS), and we are proud that the experience at McClelland compares extremely well to schools in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs where school tuition is often $25,000-$30,000, annually.  
An early morning last week found our treasured #math teacher, Ms. Simon, posing with 8th graders & scarecrows! #mcclellandschool #community
What does the
"Head of School" do?
The Head of School is different from a traditional principal in that he/she has full and complete responsibility for the school, both its academic program and for the business operations-from making sure the milk is ordered to being the final arbitrator on innumerable issues. A smart Head understands that he is the first among many and surrounds himself with intelligent people as teachers and staff, and he leans heavily on the wisdom and experience of his board. At McClelland, we have experts in various areas-Admissions, business, technology, and an Academic Leadership Team-whose work is invaluable to the school.
Why does McClelland call itself a community?

By deciding to join us here at McClelland, a family is not just attending a school, but buying into the mission of our community to support the children of Pueblo. We are, first and foremost, an academic community, although our way of doing things is different from other schools. However, we are a community where the members care for each other and respect each other, and where we can call upon each other for support. Finally, we are all members of a wider Pueblo community with alumni that stretch into every corner and that are very proud to be associated with McClelland.
How is McClelland accredited?

The Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the continuous improvement of member schools by providing accreditation, professional development, and advocacy services. It is affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).The Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the continuous improvement of member schools by providing accreditation, professional development, and advocacy services. It is affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
Is private school "worth it"?
Nationally, private schools beat out public schools on numerous critical criteria. Our objective evidence in Pueblo ties closely to national trends. Our students achieve at a high level on standardized tests; our graduates, mostly, are very successful at both the private and public honors high school levels; they are sought after by such schools because they are confident as students and delightful as people. They enter high school with a toolbox of personal and academic skills that take them far beyond high school into college and adulthood.
back_view_of_happy_student.jpg
How do your graduates transition into much larger high schools?
In a small school, students get called upon to be leaders in many different areas. They receive so much individual attention, they enter high school much more confident and much more comfortable with the role adults can play in their lives. They lead by example, in and out of the classroom, and are seen as leaders among their peers. Schools want McClelland kids.
What is my role as a parent?
Your role as a parent is vital to your child and to the health of our school community. Ensuring that your child is set up for success by making certain your child is healthy, comes to school ready to learn, and has the proper homework environment is vital. Moreover, you are the most influential person in your child’s life. It works best for your child when we are a partnership. No-one knows your child better than you; no-one knows school and childhood better than us; working together, we can ensure that your student is always moving forward, no matter the inevitable bumps in the road.
This is McClelland.
Supporting the promise in every child.