Message from our Interim Head of School
Our world needs places like Black Pine Circle School.
DeAndre Calhoun
Interim Head of School 2024-25
Black Pine Circle School stands out in the Bay Area independent school landscape because of our excellent academic program and joyful learning environment.
It is unusual for a school to put a stake in the ground and hold firm to not ability-grouping students while at the same time producing graduates that are regularly accepted in disproportionate numbers to some of the most selective high schools in the area. Meaningful and challenging academics are the foundation of a Black Pine Circle School education: our stellar educators are experienced, thoughtful, innovative and relish in getting students to grow as learners. We are a school where you get to be your authentic self as a child learning or as an adult teaching, bound together by intellectual curiosity, kindness, and integrity.
Cultivating Curious and Critical Thinkers
At Black Pine Circle School, we take curious students who have a demonstrated capacity to thrive at our school, and we feed that curiosity in age-appropriate ways. We are dedicated to developing our students' critical thinking skills, primarily through Socratic instruction in the classroom. This method teaches students how to engage in meaningful dialogue, build off the ideas of others using evidence, and become generous learners who are collaborative and supportive.
Social and Emotional Learning
We see social and emotional learning (SEL) as developing in students the essential life skills and tools necessary for fully participating and succeeding in their learning community and the world. Academic achievement and personal growth go hand in hand. You can only help students be their best selves when they feel safe and known. It is important to differentiate between safety and comfort. Discomfort is part of growth, and we aim to nurture students by giving them the tools they need to manage challenges rather than removing those challenges for them. We want school to be fun and joyful, a place where all students feel a sense of belonging.
A Partnership with Families
We understand our parents make a significant investment in their children's education, and we strive to partner with families who want to engage while valuing our expertise as educators. We aim to get students to ask better questions by investigating the world. We are not in the business of telling our students how to see the world; instead, we maintain an environment where curiosity is encouraged and every student is supported and can find their place.
Our school has just celebrated its 50th anniversary, and I am profoundly grateful to everyone who has contributed to its success over the years. Our collective commitment to excellent teaching and learning, in partnership with our families, has allowed Black Pine Circle School to flourish. The future looks bright.
Sincerely,
DeAndre Calhoun
Interim Head of School
