Again this year, middle school students spent their first three days of school on retreat at Camp Lakewood in Potosi, MO. For students at an urban school, says trip leader Mark Norwood, this time in nature “creates disequilibrium that invites change, reflection, and openness.” “We go away to get closer,” Mark says. “We start with relationships first. Relationship are key to the...

by Howard Granok, Science Department Chair Last Monday, the entire Crossroads community traveled to Washington State Park near DeSoto, Missouri to witness the total solar eclipse first hand, and nature did not disappoint. Prior to the big event, students spent time in their advisory groups learning more about each other, enjoying the park scenery, or wading in the nearby Big...

Friends, The 2017-2018 school year has begun! We started with 232 students this morning, our largest enrollment in the last ten years. One of my favorite moments as a school leader is welcoming students back to school on the very first day. The Crossroads lobby and hallways were resounding with laughter, conversations, and excited hellos. We began the day in the...

Friends, The events in Charlottesville, Virginia yesterday are weighing on me. Yesterday as I read news articles and watched videos from those who were there, I had to resist the impulse to separate myself from the bigotry and racism that fueled the protest and the violence. This is challenging and important to share. Even with my personal and professional commitment...

Friends, Welcome to the first Wednesday Notice of the 2017-2018 school year! I am looking forward to beginning together again after a relaxing, thoughtful, and joyful summer of rest, reading, and vacation. The Crossroads learning community, our commitments, and our effort and work are inspiring to me. We return to school with an updated mission statement, as announced in this summer’s edition...

Earlier this summer, Mandarin teacher Diana Corey traveled with 14 Crossroads students and 5 parents to China. The group spent 12 days visiting Beijing, Chengdu, Tibet, and Shanghai.   In Beijing, they visited the Great Wall of China, the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City. They practiced Tai Ji with a Tai Ji master and learned to cook a...

Baseball The baseball team worked hard this spring, fighting through adversity and inexperience all season. With no seniors on the active roster, there were many players filling new roles and gaining invaluable experience in different positions and new spots in the batting order. Juniors Daniel Shabsin, Brendan King, Kellen King, and Joey Blank anchored the infield all season. Kellen did...

Friends, Graduation is the culminating event of each academic year for our community. I love that our graduation is here at school; I love that the ceremony is simple and features more student voices than grown up ones; and I love that all of us, families, community, faculty, staff, and Board, gather to acknowledge and name the milestone that high...

Friends, Over the last 10 school days, I have had several conversations with faculty and staff, parents, students, and other advocates that have been challenging and thought-provoking. Based on these conversations, I wonder about whether or not I focus too often on the “network of mutuality” phrase in our primary tenet and not enough on this sentence: “Whatever affects one...

Friends, Next year, we would love to welcome five more students to both our 7th and 8th grade classes. We say it time and again: Word of mouth is the best way to promote and fill our school. We would like to ask for your help talking with your neighbors and colleagues about Crossroads College Preparatory School and why it...