Dear Members of the BB&N Community,

At a great many institutions, the goal of crafting a statement of mission and values can be a dry, uninspiring exercise. I am happy to report that this could not be further from the truth at BB&N!

Over the past year, we at BB&N have been busy re-evaluating the School's mission statement and its values. We’ve held a series of town meetings, focus groups, and coffee klatches with each and every group that cares for and contributes to the life and mission of this extraordinary place: faculty, students, parents, alumni/ae, trustees, and more. We’ve traded viewpoints and opinions, floated ideas, shared aspirations, and engaged in spirited debate.

The goal that inspired each of these invigorating meetings was to capture the essence of what BB&N truly means to the many individuals who are part of this School’s family. What are the core convictions of our School? What is it that BB&N strives to accomplish on our three campuses each and every day, year after year? What can students and families expect from us, and what do we as teachers, coaches, and administrators expect of each other?  

At every meeting and discussion that has taken place, someone invariably would ask the question: Is this mission, are these values, meant to represent what we are today, or what we aspire to be looking forward? The answer is both. Everything stated in our revised mission and values is a genuine priority for the School today. At the same time, it is fair to acknowledge that every statement within these documents is, and will continue to be, a work in progress. Because the day that BB&N settles comfortably on its laurels is the day that it would cease to be the school that has made such a difference in the lives of the thousands of people who learn, teach, work, and grow here.

The easy route with a statement of mission and values is to list everything under the sun. In one respect, that approach wouldn’t be entirely out of place here, since by its very nature, BB&N is a vibrant, dynamic, sprawling institution—a place of frequently “messy vitality” as I’m fond of saying. We felt, however, that this document would take on so much more meaning if the list were condensed down to the shortest possible representation of BB&N’s most essential qualities, characteristics, and beliefs.

What emerged at the end of the process is indeed a meaningful document for this School, and even better, one that reflects the shared understandings of the entire BB&N community.

It is in that spirit, therefore, that I proudly share with you (see below) BB&N’s newly revised Statement of Mission and Values! To assist me in the presentation, I’ve included as well a brief video containing some thoughts and perspectives from several of our most trusted mission/value experts—our very own students.

Thank you to all the members of our community, and I wish each and every one of you happy and rewarding months ahead.

Rebecca T. Upham

Head of School

BB&N MISSION

BB&N’s mission is to promote scholarship, integrity, and kindness in diverse, curious, and motivated students.
The School prepares students for lives of principled engagement in their communities and the world.

BB&N VALUES

→We value a learning environment distinguished by a broad, deep, and challenging program of study that inspires thorough and sustained engagement among our students.

→We value a diverse and inclusive community that fosters respect for the identities and perspectives of all. 

→We value balancing a culture of high expectations with a strong commitment to support intellectual, social, emotional, and physical well-being.

→We value kindness and compassion among all members of our community.

→We value the widespread, authentic connection with students that our teachers, coaches, and mentors seek to cultivate.

→We value a program that reinforces key characteristics for 21^st-century success—especially creativity, curiosity, resilience, and teamwork.

→We value the importance of helping students develop keen ethical standards in their behavior, habits of thought, and decision making.

→We value a vibrant, healthy, and safe community where engagement and risk-taking promote lifelong learning.

→We value encouraging our students to learn and serve in their local, regional, and global communities.

→We value a well-rounded education that offers our students ample opportunity to explore, evolve, and excel in academics, arts, athletics, and all phases of school life.

Click here to download a PDF of the School’s statement of Mission and Values.

Click here to read a message about supporting BB&N’s mission.