Welcome to our website. I am glad you found us! Since I accepted this position I have received hundreds of inquiries about Besant Hill School. The questions run from the mundane – “So, Paul, what kind of a name is that?” or, “What is happy about Besant Hill School?,” to questions that demand that we quantify who we are and demonstrate our unique character. I hope that our website will serve as an introduction to Besant Hill School and offer you a glimpse into this historic learning community.

For more than 65 years, Besant Hill has been a place where individual potential is maximized in a learning environment that affords students the opportunity to discover their creative as well as their intellectual abilities and prevents what founder Aldous Huxley said, “the premature hardening of the mental arteries.” We are a school that honors the individual – and we have no desire to be part of an evolution or revolution that instills in students a college prep education neither of common mediocrity, nor even for ordinary distinction. We believe for example, that intellectual curiosity, not competition for grades should be the motivating factor in the educational process.

Our emphasis remains as a college prep school that evaluates the individual as distinct from group placement and comparison. Our motto of "Aun Aprendo" reflects our belief that life can be lived in its fullest sense through lifelong efforts towards personal development and growth. As rules for schools rule the day – and mistrust between adults and students becomes the norm – we are committed to a learning environment where we all value one another’s voice and listen to one another. We believe we are a model for the way education should occur, where students are taught how to think, not what to think, where our magical land is a laboratory for a sustainable planet, where rules are replaced with values and principles developed by all of us, where the arts are a foundation for our belief that creative expression is as important as reading, writing and arithmetic. We are a school that believes that life isn’t about finding yourself – it is about creating yourself.

As you are entering into a daunting and difficult task of selecting a school, I am certain that there is a school that will meet your needs. This is an important time for you. Take your time. I encourage you to ask hard questions and make admissions officers and others define their schools to your satisfaction. Make us all prove our mettle - including ours!

However you found your way to our website – congratulations! Please take the next step and come and see us. I am certain that your visit will be worthwhile and helpful as you consider a school. I guarantee that of all the schools you visit, Besant Hill will feel and look different. If you are looking for a school that honors the individual and expects collaboration in a rich college prep environment, Besant Hill needs to be on your itinerary. When you come, please stop and introduce yourself, and let us answer all of those questions. Oh, and make sure you ask someone about our name – we will be happy to share the story.

Aun Aprendo,

Paul Amadio
Head of School