Launching Extraordinary Lives

Launching – (noun) – the act of propelling with force

Extraordinary – (adj)  – far more than usual, ordinary or expected

Lives – (noun) – series of events making up a person’s life

In a recent interview with Shawn Achor, I learned of research that gave great clarity to the promise of Darlington.  Many times, we speak of  moving to a 21st Century curriculum, self-efficacy, the power of positive mentors and the proper way to handle stress.  We use stories to illustrate the individual paths that our students take and, in the case of alumni, the transformation that each individual experienced while at Darlington.  In all of these stories, a theme has emerged that brings a clarity to the promise Darlington makes to the families we partner with – something we do better than anyone else. 

We launch extraordinary lives.  Below is how we do it.

Research suggests that if you know someone’s individual intelligence, you can only predict 25% of their long-term job success.  This is contrary to our society’s view on what success is.  It is about money, power, things – right?  This is not what we believe at Darlington.  We prepare students for success, no matter how they choose to define it.  Therefore, if intelligence only makes up 25% of a proven success rate, what are we doing to ensure that we prepare our students for the highest probability for success?  What are we doing to make sure each individual student has as extraordinary life?

The answer lies in three of the key areas that make up the Darlington experience. 

At a recent Senior Dinner hosted by the Board of Trustees, our seniors spoke of the Honor Code and how it created a community – a family if you will – of students forged together in the common bond of honor.  At its core, honor means that an individual believes that their behavior matters.  When students believe that their own behavior matters, they study more in school because they see the connection between hard work and success.  They work harder and are proud in the work they do.  They abhor cheating because it goes against what they believe.  A belief that through hard work, anything is possible.

The second area is a social support network of individuals who believe you have a high potential for success and are relentlessly positive.  Again, at the Senior Dinner we asked them to sum up the Darlington experience in one sentence.  Responses such as “Welcome to family,” “Way more than a school,” “A place of endless opportunities” and “A part of you for your entire life” proudly echoed throughout the room.  We know that with the constant messages that media and the secular culture are pushing on our students, it is essential that our faculty and staff speak with one voice – sharing the common message that we believe in each student’s high potential to succeed.

The final area of focus that I want to address here is how we handle stress.  Stress is a powerful tool if used constructively.  We work through years of individual pressure, collaborative work, leadership positions and team challenges to empower our students to view stress as a challenge to be overcome.  Otherwise, it can be viewed as a threat to run from.

So there you have it, our promise to you.  We will take your child’s innate intelligence; build in them a deep belief that their work matters; and surround them with adults and peers who are like-minded, believe in their potential for success, and cheer them on while they tackle each challenge, one by one.  In doing these things, Darlington takes a life that what was once ordinary creates something EXTRAORDINARY!

Launching Extraordinary Lives. It's what we do. Join us for our next launch: May 15, 2011, on the Chapel Lawn.