Head's Welcome
Hello and welcome!
Ralph Waldo Emerson proclaimed “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” My enthusiasm for Sage Ridge stems from the fact that our school shares my deepest values and passions:
- developing authentic academic excellence for all learners
- creating opportunities for leadership through a wide variety of athletics, arts and activities
- fostering and supporting teaching that inspires curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation
- supporting a school culture that guides every child's development through our pillars of Scholarship, Respect, Integrity, Courage, and Community
The spirit of our mission reaches out locally and globally as our students and alumni engage in making a difference in the world. Our community spirit connects us as we work together to support a great learning environment so our students can thrive. That same spirit connects us to our wider community through service, partnerships and good will.
Building on these strong foundations is critical in preparing our students for the future. Innovations in neuroscience and advances in psychology are deepening our understanding of what works in education. Even as the skills and dispositions needed for taking on the challenges of the future shift, we are recognizing that the core is still developing intellectual character in liberal arts and sciences. This is so critical thinking and engaged citizens are honed as they become life-long learners. A Sage Ridge education sets all our students on a path to make a difference well past graduation - applying courageous scholarship with integrity and respect to contribute to their communities.
If you are new to our community or considering joining us, please explore our site and social media and then visit us to see for yourself why our community is a perfect place to learn, grow and succeed.
Enthusiastically,
Tobin S. Bechtel, Head of School
Our Mission:
Sage Ridge School graduates curious and confident citizens who embrace rigorous scholarship, respect the dignity of individuals, choose integrity, embody courage, cultivate a compassionate community, and ultimately thrive in college and in our global society.
Recent Notes from the Head
Tobin Bechtel discusses Winter Open House and growth in Reno.
We have high hopes that there is an end in sight with the pandemic. Even with variants wreaking havoc and ongoing supply issues for vaccinations, we finally seem to be making headway with COVID-19...
There is a time honored joy that comes from having an unexpected day to sleep in, catch up, have fun when the elements are not cooperating. I remember a college friend from Southern India who had never seen snow in person before and the wonder he had when classes were called off for a day - twenty year olds making snow sculptures.
Our campus is fully buzzing again as the majority of students are back on campus. While we need to continue adhering to our pandemic protocols, it does look like we can start planning to move past the pandemic.
As parents, we worry about our children being not only being successful but also being accepted. And often attempting to understand, support and guide our own children’s social lives is highly coloured by our own childhood experiences...
The strength of democracy comes from the role we play in protecting it. As Norman Cousins observed, “In a democracy, the individual enjoys not only the ultimate power but carries the ultimate responsibility.” Democracy relies on our ability to hold passionately to differing views while engaging in civil dialogue...
This year has certainly hammered home the importance of education. More importantly, it has shown us that not all schools or programs are created equal. We have been fortunate at Sage Ridge to have a faculty and community that have worked closely together to ensure our children are continuing to engage in an education that has meaning, challenge, and fun...
December is usually a time of reflection and gratitude - yet this year we are all looking forward more than usual with hope that 2021 will be better than the pandemic predicament within which we had to manage. In spite of this, we have a lot we can be proud of this year.