Our Wildwood, Volume 52

“” …WHAT I LOVE MOST IS THAT WILDWOOD STUDENTS ARE CONSISTENTLY THOUGHTFUL. NO MATTER THE TOPIC—ACADEMICS, SPORTS, OR THEIR OWN EXPERIENCES—THEY ENGAGE WITH CURIOSITY AND DEPTH. —JONATHAN DRUMMEY

OWW: As directors of the middle and upper schools, your divisions represent two-thirds of the K-12 journey. How do your programs complement each other? JONATHAN: In middle school, we focus on building and strengthening—helping students develop self-awareness, social-emotional skills, and academic readiness. By the time they reach high school, they’re prepared for the rigor and cognitive challenges ahead. ROBIN: Jonathan has an incredible feel for what middle schoolers need to thrive. His leadership helps students grow into themselves, preparing them for high school, where our focus shifts toward college readiness. Thanks to the foundation built in middle school, I can concentrate on guiding students through the next stage of their academic and personal development.

OWW: Has anything surprised you about the students, community, or program?

JONATHAN: More than surprised, I’d say affirmed. It’s rare to find a school that truly embodies its mission at every level, from DEIB initiatives to pedagogy. Wildwood does. That’s not always the case in independent schools, so seeing it in action has been refreshing. ROBIN: Wildwood did an incredible job of showing us exactly who they are. Because of that, I wasn’t surprised when I arrived—this is what I wanted, and this is exactly what it is. ROBIN: Getting to know the students and the broader community even better. Strong communities create incredible experiences, and I’m excited to contribute to that. JONATHAN: Meeting more parents and understanding their journeys at Wildwood. Programmatically, I’m eager to experience 8th grade’s Into the Wild projects, our upcoming student exhibitions, and another round of student-led conferences. Each of these highlights the growth and self-reflection that are core to Wildwood’s approach. OWW: What are you most looking forward to in the months and years ahead?

OWW WINTER 2025

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