A MESSAGE FROM CATHERINE J. HALL, HEAD OF SCHOOL
At the heart of the Nobles experience is our steadfast belief in the power of connections—to faculty and staff, to classmates, and to our beloved Nobles campus. We invest in building community every moment of every day. The evidence is everywhere: students discovering, ensembles creating, athletic teams achieving, educators inspiring, and graduates leading. Through a combination of individual strengths and shared purpose, we thrive.
As we map out our next strategic chapter as a school, our mission is increasingly threatened by a world that is more disconnected and unkind, more unaffordable and anxious, and more specialized and focused on outcomes. Amidst this challenging backdrop, our mission and core values serve as our compass.
Our vision clarifies our approach to the challenges ahead by identifying the opportunities within them and harnessing our mission to overcome them. We approach this next chapter with confidence and pride. I feel deeply privileged and honored to lead a school so uniquely equipped to embrace this next era, one in which we can assure our families that we will always work to fulfill the promise of our mission.
We will embark upon our next strategic journey as a school the way we always have: together. Thank you for your enduring partnership and support.
Warmly,
Catherine J. Hall, Ph.D.
Head of School
MISSION
At Nobles, we forge human connections to inspire a lifelong process of discovery and unlock the potential to do good.
CORE VALUES
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Curiosity inspires intellectual inquiry. By questioning, reasoning, and thinking critically, we embrace complex ideas and value the exchange of diverse perspectives.
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Respect for self and others is the bedrock of our community, guiding us to act with honesty, humility, kindness, empathy, and trust.
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Playfulness sparks creativity, energizes us to give our best, and fortifies resilience to face challenges. We balance hard work with humor.
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We show up for each other. We practice generosity in all its forms—sharing our knowledge, time, resources, and passions. Giving deepens our understanding of each other and ourselves.
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Community means everyone. When we are known and valued, we flourish. Together, we create an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to be their best selves.
STRATEGIC PLAN VISION
Noble and Greenough School is committed to a future built on the power of our connections, guided by our mission and values to inspire growth and innovation. We will continue to invest in cultivating a thriving community by ensuring academic excellence and student well-being are mutually reinforced, expanding access and affordability, and reinventing and reenergizing our campus. We strive to ensure that Nobles remains an exemplar of educating students to be curious, resilient, compassionate, and impactful leaders in an increasingly complex world. Ultimately, we aim to graduate extraordinary students who pursue a lifetime of doing good.
Education is most powerful when rooted in human connection—when intellectual challenge, personal growth, and meaningful relationships intersect. Through a dynamic academic program, a deep commitment to student well-being, and a culture of teamwork, we prepare students to develop the confidence to take academic risks, the resilience to navigate challenges, and the collaborative spirit to lead with purpose. The transformative relationships they form here shape a lifelong commitment to curiosity, community, and impact.
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A Nobles education promotes lifelong intellectual curiosity, empowers learners to approach challenges with a playful spirit and courage, and prepares students to become engaged global citizens. Over the past several decades, the educational landscape has changed rapidly, reshaping what and how we teach. Technological advances redefine how we prepare students for higher education and the evolving workforce. Our academic program will become increasingly interdisciplinary, experiential, and purposeful in its evolution. We will prepare students for the future by encouraging their agency and fostering a culture of collaboration.
We will prioritize connecting our students to the world while also bringing the world to our campus, preparing our learners to thrive in and contribute to a complex global society. Nobles graduates will continue to share their experiences, wisdom, and mentorship in furthering lifelong learning opportunities for our students. Our efforts will be guided by research-informed best practices, where teaching and learning demonstrate smart rigor and are firmly anchored in our mission and core values.
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We have long believed that striving for excellence, building community, and promoting student well-being are inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing. This belief drives intentional programming and a comprehensive support system that has made Nobles an educational leader in promoting student well-being. When our students are challenged and have the tools and support to care for themselves and one another, they will flourish.
At Nobles, the pursuit of success—in classrooms and on fields and stages—embraces the concept of “safe failure,” understanding that mistakes and unmet goals are catalysts for growth. Our foundation in human connection means our students are surrounded by caring adults who will support and guide them through these important life moments. Among rising concerns about adolescent mental health and social isolation, we will equip every Nobles graduate with the skills, resources, and confidence to thrive holistically as learners, leaders, and people, intellectually and personally.
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Whether in athletics, the performing arts, Model UN, robotics, or an EXCEL experience, Nobles teams help students learn important life skills and develop a sense of belonging while forging connections with peers and mentors. Through collaboration, they engage with different perspectives and experiences, broadening their understanding and deepening their ability to work meaningfully alongside others. When they contribute to a shared purpose, students discover their individual strengths and gain greater meaning through teamwork as they overcome challenges with a playful spirit and resilience.
We value both depth and breadth in challenging our students to develop multifaceted interests and experiences. Students can excel at a deep passion while exploring new areas and taking safe risks. Engagement on multiple and varied teams challenges students to be leaders in one setting and followers in another. We will deepen our commitment to multi-team participation across our program to uphold our mission and provide an unparalleled learning experience.
Nobles is anchored in its people. Lifelong connections among classmates and faculty are a hallmark of our history. However, spikes in the cost of living in the Boston area, with housing and childcare among the most expensive in the country, could make enrolling at Nobles unattainable for many families and choosing a career at Nobles untenable for many educators. We are dedicated to bridging these gaps to ensure we can continue to attract and support the people who make our community thrive.
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We are committed to ensuring exceptional students have access to a Nobles education, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. Broadening access deepens excellence for everyone in our community as we affirm our mission and put our core values into practice. We will significantly increase financial aid funding to meet the full demonstrated need of admitted students. Beyond covering tuition, we are committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of financial circumstances, can participate in all aspects of the Nobles experience and feel a true sense of belonging.
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Our exceptional educators make up the heart of our community. Educators consider their careers a calling driven by purpose. To honor their commitment, we are taking bold steps to ensure our employees can pursue their passion while living with dignity and security.
We will continue to attract, support, and retain the best educators. We are exploring initiatives wide in scope and deep in impact, including committing to providing a top-of-market compensation package and expanding housing opportunities. Our initiatives will invest in employees at various stages of their personal and professional lives so that they can afford to commit to this meaningful work.
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Educators play a vital role in shaping the future of our society and make an immeasurable impact on students’ lives. At Nobles, we recognize the growing demands on teachers and see an opportunity to redefine and elevate the teaching profession.
We will identify creative and impactful ways to invest in the faculty, as educators and as members of the Nobles community. This investment includes substantive opportunities for growth, ensuring our teachers remain at the forefront of educational best practices and experience the intrinsic joy of dedicating time to their craft. Additionally, we will identify ways to harness the power of connections to cultivate an environment where educators can thrive, innovate, collaborate, and find fulfillment in their careers at Nobles.
Whenever we come together, we strengthen our connections. The spaces where we live, learn, and work profoundly influence our experiences. Our environment shapes our behavior, perceptions, and interactions in subtle yet powerful ways. Intentionally designed spaces and a thoughtfully sustained landscape inspire creativity, foster collaboration, and enhance learning. We will reimagine our use of campus spaces to forge new connections, strengthen existing ones, and learn and celebrate together.
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Shattuck Schoolhouse, original to Nobles’ campus since our move to Dedham in 1921, is ripe for reimagination. We are eager to incorporate the best teaching and learning practices in classrooms that hum with energy, collaboration, discovery, and playful problem-solving. We will centralize and integrate student support services, including college counseling; academic support; diversity, equity, and inclusion; psychology and counseling; and the health office. Our reimagined Schoolhouse will enable these offices to collaborate and coordinate in ways that fulfill our vision around student well-being.
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For generations, Nobles athletes have competed with passion, purpose, and a commitment to excellence. To uphold that legacy, we will enhance our facilities to provide the spaces student-athletes need to thrive. Planned upgrades include renovating our 70-year-old Bliss Omni and Flood Rink, updating our turf field, and adding a track. The enhancements will nurture athletic potential, foster playfulness and belonging in teams, cultivate respect for the game and opponents, and inspire generosity in supporting one another.
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The Nobles campus reflects the vision of architect Henry Hobson Richardson and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who believed in the power of a landscape to enhance education and recreation. Our 173-acre campus embodies boundless opportunities to enrich learning, nurture well-being, and foster connections. As stewards of this land, we are committed to sustaining and protecting our campus and the broader ecosystem, which includes the Charles River, wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife. In the years ahead, we will deepen our engagement with this landscape, ensuring that it remains a source of inspiration for environmental stewardship and responsible engagement for generations to come.
Next is an exciting new chapter for Nobles, anchored in our history, mission, and core values, and inspired by opportunities to innovate and lead.
We will be true to who we are while always aspiring to be better. We will show that growth and balance, challenge and support, and academic excellence and well-being are not mutually exclusive. We will affirm that an intentional focus on human connections and community is the cause and the effect of an excellent education.
This vision for Nobles, composed of challenges and opportunities facing our mission, serves as the map for our strategic plan, one that will guide us in bold and empowering ways.
As we always have been, we will be Nobles, together.
A Strategic Plan as Unique as Nobles
After a thoughtful three-year planning process, we are excited to share a clear and comprehensive overview of our aspirations and key areas of focus that will drive our institution forward. This vision is the first part of a two-part process that will shape Nobles’ evolution in the coming years. Later this year, we will present our full strategic plan, which will map out the priorities and initiatives that will guide our path over the coming years. We are grateful for your support and partnership in making it a reality.