May 19, 2023
It is our understanding that Nardin Academy/the Board of Trustees will announce that the Lower School and Middle School will move to a parochial K-8 model under one principal, the current Middle School Principal Jill Monaco.
A major attraction to Nardin Academy for families is the unique model of the school. Specifically, providing direct access to a qualified Lower School Principal for grades K-4 and direct access to a separately qualified 5-8 principal. This significant change is unacceptable.
Parents and families were neither consulted nor engaged regarding this major decision to disrupt the successful, current independent school model. This model was introduced at Nardin five years ago and many credit the outstanding transition from the Elementary to flourishing Lower and Middle School programs as key to their children’s ability to thrive.
We continue to go backwards. We believe that this irresponsible decision was made without consultation and is in poor judgment. It wholly disregards what parents believe is in the best interest for their children who are students of Nardin Academy. Many faculty members are not in support of this change and are also concerned about the implications this will have on the students and their families.
Why did the Board of Trustees and the President fail to consult or inform parents of this decision that fundamentally changes the structure of the school and directly impacts the learning of our children? Our current Lower School Principal brings three decades of premier independent school experience to Nardin. Why is the Board of Trustees and the President not securing her talents/experience for the coming years?
Nardin is in crisis… keeping the structure of the school would have aided in the stabilization of our children’s education. We implore leadership to reconsider this decision. As the Board of Trustees and President are aware, many families have previously committed to making their enrollment deposits once assurances were provided that the structure of the school would remain the same. Despite these assurances, the Board of Trustees continues to make unilateral decisions that are contrary to the wishes of parents and sustainability of Nardin Academy.