A Message from the Head of School
Bill Kuhn in the News
Antifragility, Uncomfortable Conversations, Freedom of Expression, and AI Co-Pilots in the Future of Education, Inspiring Schools Podcast
Back to Basics, Forward Together: The Case for a Traditional Education That Evolves, Medium
Inviting the "Wrong" Voices: What Schools Lose When We Stay Inside Our Bubble, Medium
Against the Tyranny of Opinion: A Fellowship in Practice, Medium
Attention, Please: A Different Kind of Back-to-School, Medium
What Would Wesley Do, Medium
Struggle vs. Shortcuts: AI, Learning, and the Temptation to Outsource Thinking, Medium
Red Boys, Blue Girls — and the Classroom as Common Ground, Medium
Fulfilling the Promissory Note: Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy and Teaching Hopeful Engagement, Medium
Leading the Way: A Positive Path Forward from the PoCC Antisemitism Controversy, Medium
A New York Private School Prioritizes Constructive Dialogue and Respect for Different Viewpoints, City Journal
How one NYC school is challenging DEI dogma—and shaping the leaders of tomorrow, New York Post
Building Resilience, Not Fragility: The Role of Schools in a Polarized Election Year, Medium
Seeing Ourselves: The Power of Representation in K–12 Schools, Medium
From Tragedy to Awareness One-Year Later: Combatting Anti-Semitism Through Education and Dialogue, Medium
Weaving Responsiveness into the Fabric of School, Review 2024, Parents League's Annual Education and Parenting Journal
Welcome!
When I first entered the doors of Birch Wathen Lenox, I was drawn to its philosophy and culture: a school with a long history of rigorous academics and with an encouraging and responsive environment that feels like a home away from home for students. I grew up in New York City and attended an independent school in the area, so I was immediately impressed by the way BWL provided an excellent academic experience while fostering a calm and welcoming atmosphere, which isn't always the case at independent schools. As one of our recent graduates put it, “BWL allowed me to be me.” It’s been a privilege to work within that culture for the last decade and now lead this institution as Head of School.
BWL students are afforded the space to focus on themselves, their strengths, and their inspirations. We accomplish this through our tight-knit community and talented and effusive staff. Students can take giant leaps in preparing themselves for the “real world” while learning the skills essential to becoming resourceful and independent citizens. Diversity and inclusion have long been core values of BWL, and we are also committed to diversity of thought and the free exchange of ideas, encouraging students to listen to viewpoints different than their own.
Our faculty and staff foster an environment of what a K–12 school should be: one of exploration, personal growth, and community. We meet students where they are and help take students to where they want to go. And they go on to great things: Students graduate from BWL and attend some of the country’s best universities, buoyed by the self-knowledge they gained during their time here. They create fulfilling careers, and they make a difference in their communities.
Recently, I along with other administrators and faculty members, have developed groundbreaking programmatic initiatives, from our Entrepreneurship Program and Constructive Dialogue, to the Let Grow Project and Lower and Middle School Robotics. These unique programs help BWL stand out, and there is a feeling in the air that this is truly a new era for BWL. In addition to our innovative programs and more prominent profile, the building has undergone recent renovations. Our Library has double the usable space, with a new Lower School Library situated near Lower School classrooms; we have an Entrepreneurship Lab for Middle and Upper School students; a new Fitness Center for our Athletics and PE program; a Yoga studio to complement our Mindfulness offerings; and a renovated and expanded EXCEL center that houses our EXCEL program to name just a few of the exciting changes. Our most recent Strategic Vision gives an overview of these updates and our future plans.
Please enjoy exploring BWL’s signature programs and follow us on social media to keep up with the daily happenings in our community. Better yet, tour the school and see our new spaces and our values in action. The energy and the spirit of the student body bring the campus alive. And, please, stop by my office for a visit; my door is always open.
Bill Kuhn
Head of School