The Puzzle: Blog

Schools from all corners of the country that serve various student types in various settings embrace this idea, and they strive to cultivate learners who work well together, who are open to and accepting of the perspectives and ideas of others, and who are committed to giving back to their respective communities.

The importance of relationships transcends school models and student types, transcends location, and even transcends school type: private, public, or charter. When constituents from these various school types (that can sometimes feel, in the national dialogue, that they are at odds with one another) work together and learn from one another, all students can benefit.

This is the basic premise behind Private Schools with Public Purpose, a group of private school educators that partners with public schools, non-profits, foundations, businesses, and communities to serve all students at all school types. PSPP began in 2006 as leaders from the George Lucas Educational Foundation, Lick-Wilmerding School, Punahou School, Head-Royce School, and Lakeside School united to share their vision of private schools’ leveraging resources, networks, and knowledge in order to strengthen larger communities. Over its eight years, PSPP has grown, hosting conferences that connect impassioned educators in all school types and establishing an effective model of collaborative partnership both regionally and nationally.

PSPP has a laser-focus on relationships, and it draws educators together to examine these relationships closely, finding ways to strengthen and deepen schools’ connections to and with their greater communities. Relationships, which create a sense of belonging, build community, and enhance learning in powerful ways, are at the heart of PSPP’s vision.

“When you have a professional development session between public and private educators, they learn a lot from one another,” said Carl Ackerman, co-director of PSPP, in a January interview with The Atlantic. “By uniting public and private educators, we’re able to make a greater impact on all children, and hence all communities…I think it’s a calling in life to promote things like this, because what it really does is level the playing field. We want to give everyone in America a chance.”

At CS&A, we have the privilege of working with over 1,500 private, independent, charter, and international schools across the country and worldwide. Each school has its unique culture and identity, and each its own set of challenges and opportunities. Every day, we work closely with the inspiring and motivated educators who comprise the faculty of these schools and who challenge and innovate to help improve the quality of education their students receive. We are thrilled by PSPP’s mission and by the vision of giving everyone—regardless of income level, background, or school choice—a chance for a better education.

If PSPP’s vision speaks to you, consider getting involved in this initiative. You can learn more about PSPP on their website or on Facebook. Better yet, join them in person at the PSPP 2015 Conference, March 13-14 at Lick-Wilmerding School in San Francisco. PSPP will honor the late Tom Little, a pioneer in his field, with a scholarship in his honor at this event. Check out the conference agenda here and register before March 2 here. Questions? Contact Guybe Slangen at pspp2015@gmail.com.

Sources: http://privateschoolspublicpurpose.org/;http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/01/bridging-private-and-public-schools/384673/#disqus_thread;http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/its-all-about-relationships-private-schools-public-purpose-conference-2015

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