We are writing this not just as parents, but as proud and passionate members of the Ardrey Kell community. We have witnessed firsthand the kind of extraordinary leader, advocate, and human being Mrs. Jamie Brooks truly is and we cannot stand by in silence as the future of our school is put in jeopardy. At the end of a successful school year, the absence of transparency from CMS is threatening the stability of the Ardrey Kell community. As parents, we need answers. 

Jamie Brooks is more than just a principal. She is the face students see when they walk into the building each morning. She is the guiding hand behind every carefully thought-out decision. She is the steady voice of calm during chaos, and the fierce protector of what’s right when things go wrong. Over the years, she has cultivated a school culture rooted in empathy, trust, and growth. Ask any student, any teacher, any parent who’s ever crossed paths with her: Jamie knows your child’s name. She knows their strengths, their struggles, their stories. That kind of leadership is rare, and it is irreplaceable.

This year wasn’t easy. Ardrey Kell was tested in every possible way, but Mrs. Brooks stood front and center, offering transparency, strength, and reassurance when our community needed it most. In an age when school leadership often feels distant or performative, Jamie Brooks has always been present, real, and ready to act.

Under Mrs. Brooks' leadership, Ardrey Kell High School has maintained exemplary academic standards. The school boasts a graduation rate of 97%, significantly higher than the state average of 86%. Students have achieved average SAT scores of 1320 and ACT scores of 29, reflecting strong college readiness. Furthermore, 53% of students enroll in Advanced Placement courses, with an impressive 86% pass rate. In fact, by Niche’s rankings, it is the 7th best school in the state, with few other public schools in the top 10. These numbers reflect trust and consistency more than strong academics. They reflect a school where leadership and community are working in harmony, and Jamie Brooks is the glue holding that delicate balance together.

From her time at Community House Middle to her role now as principal of Ardrey Kell, many of us have known Jamie Brooks for more than a decade. We’ve watched our kids grow under her guidance. We’ve seen her shake hands at graduation and cry at senior awards. We’ve seen her fight for equity, push for excellence, and never settle for less than what our kids deserve. She shows up at every game, every concert, every crisis, every celebration.

This is not a political move. This is about preserving the essence of our school. We, the parents, guardians, students, alumni, and community members of Ardrey Kell, ask CMS to provide full transparency about the current situation at our school.

In this time of uncertainty, we need more than an obscure email. We need continuity, which only Mrs. Brooks can provide in this time of shifting tides. We demand of CMS that we receive full transparency and open dialogue. We urge CMS for representation and communication, for the future of Ardrey Kell.