Twenty Villa Duchesne graduates sat in front of the upperclassmen and spoke about their careers, which ranged from law to design to community service. “It was a watershed moment for this faculty, who taught them,” says head of school Michael F. Baber. “For them to go out and be so successful, I got teary just listening to their 3-minute introductions! I knew they were ours, and they were so successful and happy.”
Three words Baber often uses with students are fearless, confident and courageous. He repeats them to get even the youngest students at Oak Hill School thinking what their futures may hold. Depending on their age, the reaction to his encouragement varies. “Some get very excited because they are called to new heights,” he says. “Some get a little nervous. They’ll say, ‘I’m not sure I can do that, Mr. Baber.’ But no matter where they are when they come to us, our goal is to get them moving forward.”
For Baber, that does not mean pushing each student to earn a 5 on the AP exam and enroll in an Ivy League school, although he notes students at Villa Duchesne do achieve both those feats. “Pushing them forward cannot be at the expense of their soul,” Baber says. “We’re not going to push them beyond their ability. That is not healthy. We’re going to push them a little past their capacity and watch them stretch and grow.”
From the stories that returning alumni share, Villa Duchesne is right on track. Baber says recent alums, alternately, have told him they tested out of their college’s entry-level theology class and that they are the only girl who will raise her hand in a pre-med science class. “I like to instill in the girls and boys a clear sense that there are no limits for them,” he says. “It’s directly because of their experience here. All questions are good questions, so they do not leave wondering what others will think if they raise their hands. That is what we cultivate and demand here.”
Baber cannot wait to see and hear the stories current students will return to share with him, especially as he continues to implement changes and make the school more appealing to an even wider range of talented students. “We have a great gift to give the world,” he says. “Our students leave with a lifelong love of learning and they do not keep it to themselves.”
Photo: Bill Barrett
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School offers a Catholic education in the Sacred Heart tradition for boys and girls ages 3 to grade six, and for young women in seventh to 12th grades. pictured On the cover: Head of school Michael F. Baber with Oak Hill and Villa Duchesne students in their new makerspace, a workshop for students to encourage creativity, critical thinking, innovation and teamwork. For more information or to schedule a private tour, call 314.810.3566 or visit vdoh.org.
Cover design by Allie Bronsky | Cover photo by Bill Barrett