The Wheeler School Mission Statement
Founded in 1889, The Wheeler School is an independent day school for girls and boys from Nursery through Grade Twelve. Central to the School’s philosophy is the assumption that all of us, students and teachers alike, can and should contribute to and draw from the extraordinary energy and vitality which is characteristic of this community. Although preparation for college is a primary goal of the Upper School, our program in all divisions is intended to be both academically rigorous and developmentally appropriate. Most importantly, we believe that all those who participate in the Wheeler experience will recognize, celebrate and respect:

Individuality – Each member of the Wheeler community is unique as a learner and as a person. We understand that the human mind is capable of thinking and creating in many different ways, and our multi-faceted curriculum encourages each student to explore his or her strengths and weaknesses in the context of a supportive environment.

Commonality – We use cooperative experiences in order to build a spirit of community, an acceptance of cultural responsibility, and an awareness of the role of the collaborative effort in human interaction. Our goal is to build relationships based on appreciation and trust.

Opportunity – Our program is designed to offer flexibility and choice through its exceptional richness of offerings. We continually seek to find a balance between what is required or expected and what is possible beyond these limits.

Awareness – We have much to learn about the cultures that comprise our community and our world. To value different ethnic, racial, religious and socioeconomic perspectives is to promote concern and respect for each other and for the earth and to encourage an involvement in a world beyond self and school.

The School believes in the importance of high expectations and standards. At the same time, we recognize that academic, artistic, social and physical development are the results of a process which allows each individual to identify and draw upon his or her own resources. Our hope and expectation is that at Wheeler each student will have learned to solve problems, to express himself or herself creatively, to engage confidently in new activities and to communicate effectively and sensitively with others.