Belonging, Excellence, and the Work Ahead.
RIISE Newsletter - September 2026.
A new school year is the perfect opportunity for renewed commitment. And this community is ready to RIISE with you.
As classrooms fill and independent schools welcome students back, we begin by recognizing the labor of Black and Brown scholars and educators who continue to show up, excel, contribute, and build a sense of belonging.
Our scholars work hard in and out of the classroom, and many are still working to feel fully seen. We pray that when our educators bring rigor, care, and cultural understanding to their work, they are valued for it. We understand the extra effort parents and caregivers make to show up to advocate and partner with schools to make sure their children have room to thrive without leaving who they are at the door.
And we recognize the schools doing the work, too.
To the independent school communities examining their practices, strengthening relationships, and working to become the best version of their missions: keep going. Belonging is not a finished initiative. It is an ongoing commitment made visible through culture, curriculum, leadership, and the everyday experiences of students and families.
This year, we are making room for both excellence and belonging without compromise. Our scholars deserve nothing less.
Admission season is here. Move with intention.
Applications are live, school tours and open houses are available, and families are anxious about what comes next. It is not a race to hit submit, rather a moment to explore educational opportunities, while identifying communities where your scholars can soar. It is about telling their story with confidence as older scholars articulate their own. It is about entrance exams and staying on top of what is expected.
Our admission deliverables are designed to help families move from an applicant to an enrolled mindset—with clarity, strategy, and a stronger understanding of what matters.
Our latest blog and social posts explore how to approach the admission season without confusing urgency with readiness.
DOERS: Your next move starts now.
The admissions season is underway, and RIISE is here to provide families with a roadmap for the journey.
Our DOER families are excited to move forward together with their vision for educational legacy, while being encouraged to navigate this admissions season confidently and strategically.
Whether you are just beginning or already deep in the process, the question can't be, “Where can my child get in?” It should be, “Where can my child belong, excel, and become?”
Let’s build your roadmap.
RECAP: Lonely Graduation Book Talk and Community Workshop
After 12 years of RIISE on Martha's Vineyard, we asked, "What happens after the milestones?"
Our recent gathering at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum brought scholars, families, educators, alums, and community members together for a conversation that stayed with us