Autumn is the perfect time to start a new chapter. For Whitfield School, this fall brings even more excitement than the usual hustle and bustle of back-to-school season. The independent coeducational college preparatory day school is welcoming Chris Cunningham, Ph.D., as its new head of school.
A graduate of Stanford and Duke universities, Cunningham brings more than 25 years of experience in independent school education to Whitfield. Most recently, he worked at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. During his 19-year tenure at the school, he served as an English teacher, coach and dorm head before transitioning to administrative positions, ultimately becoming dean of faculty and then assistant head of school. “I loved working with students, but I found supporting my fellow faculty members was the best job I ever had,” he notes. “It’s rewarding to help them in their work taking care of students and ensuring everyone has the best possible school experience.”
When considering his next move professionally, Cunningham felt an instant connection to Whitfield. While the school is very different from The Lawrenceville School in many ways, he saw that they had a similar approach to education. “The teachers here are passionate about their students and building strong relationships that are based on trust and care,” he says. “They want to create hands-on, student-centered, collaborative environments, and there is a crucial balance between challenging students with high expectations and providing them the support and skills necessary to meet those expectations.”
While traditional approaches to college prep education focus on mastering basic disciplines, Whitfield’s Habits of Mind & Heart curriculum goes further, challenging students to develop their creativity, problem solving, communication, critical thinking and cultural competency. “The half life of knowledge gets shorter as society innovates, so traditional preparation isn’t enough to thrive in college and beyond,” Cunningham says. “A different set of skills is necessary. That’s what is special about Whitfield. It offers a traditional liberal arts education, but one reimagined in a forward-thinking way.”
Whitfield’s size was another factor that attracted Cunningham to the school. Coming from a larger institution, he found that it was difficult to connect with every member of the student body, regardless of his efforts to do so. “Even as a coach and dorm head, come graduation, there would still be students I didn’t know,” he explains. “Whitfield is the perfect size for providing rich opportunities for learning while still being small enough that every student can feel known. They really do thrive in this kind of supportive community. As I learned more, it became clear that Whitfield offered the premier small school experience in St. Louis.”
Cunningham comes to St. Louis with his wife, Helena, who also is a lifelong educator. They both are looking forward to engaging more with the Whitfield community. “Helena is in talks to help with the school’s upcoming theatrical productions—she’s excited to get involved,” he notes. “Right now, I’m just enjoying walking the halls, poking my head in classrooms and getting to know the culture and history. It’s exciting to be part of a school with a sense of momentum. Whitfield has a solid foundation and endless potential for opportunity looking forward, and I’m proud to be a part of that future.”
Whitfield School is an independent, coeducational college preparatory day school for grades six to 12. It endeavors to cultivate ethical, confident and successful students in a community of innovation, collaboration and trust. Pictured on the cover: Head of school Chris Cunningham, Ph.D., with students Morgan, Mia, Nathan and Zack. For more information, call 314.434.5141 or visit whitfieldschool.org.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography
Pictured at top: Head of school Chris Cunningham enters the building on his first day at Whitfield.
Photo courtesy of Whitfield School
