Welcome to The Vanguard School’s 2026–2027 academic year! It is with deep joy, hope, and gratitude that I welcome each of you—returning families and those joining us for the first time—to another year of discovery, connection, and growth.

At our core, we are a school built on the strength of diversity, where every student’s unique way of thinking, learning, and being is not just accepted but celebrated. We believe that neurodiversity enriches our community, challenges us to grow in empathy, and reminds us that there is no single path to excellence or fulfillment.

This year, we renew our commitment to the values that guide everything we do:

Diversity as a source of strength,

Community as a foundation for belonging,

Empathy as a daily practice,

Leadership as an opportunity for every student,

Resilience as a shared journey,

Integrity as a cornerstone of trust, and

Individualized Learning as our promise to see and support each learner fully.

We know that boarding life brings its own rhythms and opportunities, and it is in the day-to-day moments—shared meals, late-night talks, projects that stretch our thinking, and celebrations big and small—that our school becomes a second home. Here, every student is known. Every voice matters.

As we begin this new chapter together, I invite each of you to lean into this year with openness and courage. Let us model what it means to support one another, to ask questions, to take meaningful risks, and to honor the journey of becoming—not just academically, but personally and collectively.

On behalf of our dedicated faculty and staff at The Vanguard School, we would like to thank you for being part of this remarkable community. We are honored to walk alongside you and your children this year, and we look forward to seeing your child's confidence grow.

Sincerely,

L. Shannon Graves

Head of School