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August 3, 2026
Dear Academy Community,
Although I would gladly never bring an end to summer weather, I suspect I am not alone in that opinion, but it is with great excitement that I welcome you back to the start of the 142nd school year at Staten Island Academy.
I hope the summer months provided opportunities for rest, renewal, and quality time with family and friends. I also hope everyone had at least a few mornings without alarms, schedules, athletic practices, or the age-old question: "What time do I need to pick you up tomorrow?” As we prepare to open our doors once again, I am energized by the many ways our school community continues to grow, innovate and invest in the success of every student.
As I reflected on the year ahead, I was reminded of a simple idea from Simon Sinek's book Start With Why, successful organizations begin by understanding their purpose. Before we focus on what we do or how we do it, we must be clear about why we do it. Our "why" is simple yet powerful: we believe every student deserves the opportunity to discover their strengths, develop confidence and build a future filled with purpose, passion and possibilities. Everything we undertake as a school is guided by this why.
This year begins with several exciting additions to our school community. We are pleased to welcome a talented group of four new faculty members whose experience, expertise and dedication to student learning will further strengthen our programs. I encourage you to visit our website and social media platforms to learn more about these outstanding educators and the unique perspectives they bring to our school. They have already demonstrated enthusiasm and professionalism.
We are also proud to announce the addition of the Staten Island Learning Center, which will enhance our ability to provide targeted support and educational opportunities for students in our PARC program. This addition reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every learner has access to individualized resources, services and pathways for success. It is another example of our "why" in action: meeting students where they are and helping them reach where they want to be.
As part of our continued focus on creating exceptional learning environments, we are continuing to move forward with the implementation of our Facilities Master Plan. Throughout the year, you will see significant infrastructure improvements, including the removal and replacement of our outdated boiler system and critical HVAC upgrades. While new boilers may not generate the same excitement as a new property across the street, these investments are essential. Admittedly, it is difficult to compete with the excitement of a new property when announcing, "Good news, everyone, we have upgraded the heating system!" Nevertheless, these investments support the long-term sustainability, comfort and safety of our facilities while ensuring that students and staff learn and work in environments that meet the highest standards.
Equally important are the enhancements we are making to our academic and student development programs. This year, students will have access to new electives and expanded opportunities designed to prepare them for success in an ever-changing world. Our goal is not simply to help students master content, but to help them navigate professional environments, collaborate effectively with others, solve complex and ambiguous problems, and contribute meaningfully both inside and outside the classroom. In other words, we want them to be prepared for whatever comes next, even when "whatever comes next" was not on the syllabus.
The world our students are entering will continue to evolve. Many of the careers they will pursue have yet to be invented, and the challenges they will encounter will require creativity, resilience and adaptability. That is why our focus extends beyond academics. We are committed to helping students discover their own "why" by identifying their passions, strengths and aspirations, and by learning how they can make a positive impact on the people and communities around them. While we cannot predict every job of the future, we are fairly confident that the ability to think critically, communicate effectively and work well with others will remain valuable regardless of how many passwords life requires us to remember.
As educators, parents and community members, we share the responsibility of preparing students not only for graduation but for lives of purpose, independence and impact. The initiatives we are introducing this year are intended to help students build the skills necessary to thrive in the classroom, on the playground, in college and their communities.
I am grateful for the partnership and support of our families, faculty, staff, Board of Trustees and community members. Together, we continue to build a learning community that embraces innovation, celebrates achievement and remains steadfast in its commitment to every student.
I look forward to seeing all that our students will accomplish in the months ahead. Thank you for being part of our school family. Let us begin this year by remembering our "why," embracing new opportunities, and supporting one another along the way.
And if we can do all of that while remembering locker combinations, locating missing chargers, responding to emails before they become archaeological artifacts, and arriving at school on time, I would call that an exceptional year indeed.
Please enjoy the next few weeks before we all come back to campus. Make sure to log into your account on the Portal to view the Academy's Private Calendar, which shows all school events. You can click here to view the calendar so that you are aware of all that is expected of you in late August and the days that follow.
Additionally, please mark your calendars for our Parent Book Clubs, Tea Tuesdays, Casa Events or just come by the office to say hi! Tigger loves the company too!
Please do not hesitate to reach out (e-mail or call) anytime if you have questions.
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