The start of a new school year is always exciting. New teachers and classes, newly renovated hallways and collaborative spaces, and an administrative team that’s always one step ahead of the curve.
“We have a lot of exciting changes this year,” says Head of School, Terry Grigsby (US’97, C’01). “Between facility updates, new faculty and classes, a continued dedication to our Christian Science principles, and a refreshed approach to technology, there’s a lot of good going around the School.” Grigsby himself is a part of the momentum. When it was announced late last year that Dr. Merry (Pease) Sorrells (C'79) would be stepping down from Head of School into the Middle School Principal position, Grigsby took the helm early with grace and a future-ready mindset. Now, as the newly appointed Head of School, Grigsby leads the charge on the renovations taking place at the Upper School. “We're really just thinking about the future of Principia, and ensuring every detail has the student experience at heart,” he says.
Some of these changes come with a brand-new look, like the A-Wing renovations at the Upper School, which have been underway since last May. This makeover comes with new tech-savvy whiteboards, ergonomic furniture, and top-of-the-line printers creating a dynamic modern environment that fosters creativity, connectivity, and student success. "Form always follows function, and we needed spaces better suited for collaboration,” says Upper School Principal Sam Dry. “We've made do in our other great spaces around the School, but it’s such a blessing to be able to have spaces that are intentionally designed to help students learn collaboration and other future-ready skills.”
“We’re so grateful to our generous donors—everybody who loves Principia and wants to see it grow and evolve,” adds Grigsby. “Creating innovative spaces for students and faculty collaboration supports our long-term goals. With Upper School thriving in the new A-Wing, we can look more closely at expanding the Middle School footprint, allowing us to support more students at that level. It’s exciting to think about.”
And with new classrooms come new classes—and a couple of new faces as well. This year, students can expect an expanded sustainability program and a reintroduced robotics class. Several new faculty members have also joined the Principia teaching team. “I think one of the most important jobs that I can do is help bring high-quality people to the institution,” says Grigsby. “We can have the best facilities and the most innovative curriculum, but it won’t have the impact we want if we don’t have the highest caliber faculty members in front of our students—faculty members who see our students as limitless and as perfect children of God.”
Not all of the changes are happening in the classroom. In fact, one will be left at the front door. Starting this year, student cell phones will be left in a designated area at the front desk for the duration of the school day. “We’ve done this for years in the Middle School,” says Dry. “All the research shows that phones—even if they’re off and in bags—have major negative effects on children. We’re aligning with best practices—responding to research, being data-driven, and setting our kids up for success. If we know something is a detriment, why continue to ignore the problem? We want technology to be a tool.”
“We're not walking away from technology,” adds Grigsby. "We still issue everybody a one-to-one Mac laptop. We just want to make sure we have the right balance. Students still need to be tech-literate and innovative, but they must use it in the right ways. We want to make sure our technology usage is oriented towards academic and student success, as opposed to social distractions.”
“Another priority for our community is to deepen our focus on spirituality,” Grigsby shared. “We want to consistently uphold our foundational Christian Science principles while ensuring every member of our community, regardless of their faith, is uplifted in thought and reminded of the efficacy of prayer.”
Looking ahead, Grigsby is optimistic about the year to come. “There’s much important work before us,” he says. “I’m grateful that we can draw on our faith and prayer to meet these challenges. Whether it’s further instilling the whole-child approach, ensuring vertical alignment of curriculum, or supporting the strategic plan, the future of Principia is one of meaningful progress and exciting change!”
“Come with us on the journey,” encourages Dry. “Ask questions, tune into updates, trust the vision, and get ready for an exciting year!”