the big difference

A high school senior, one of our alumna, made the following statement. When you read it, think Drive; think Dan Pink.

“I think that most of the people I met in high school have been just as motivated as I have been. But if you look at the deeper reasons they want to do well, it’s completely different. When I went to high school, I didn’t know what a GPA was; I didn’t know about ‘the top ten percent.’ A lot of people I met came to high school with everything planned out: “You’ve got to play the game.” They were getting good grades to get into a good college, and I was getting good grades because I wanted to know the material and learn more about it. I guess it might seem like it’s not important why you’re motivated, as long as you do well. In college, it’s going to be a bit different, you’re going to see more of a divergence. I think the fact that we want to learn because we love to learn, not because our parents are making us—that’s the big difference I’ve seen.”

100 word challenge

Jim Fitzpatrick, head of Santa Barbara Montessori School sent out this message:

Dr. Steven Hughes in Atlanta 23 months ago challenged us to create an 'elevator speech.'
Now, here in SB, a local newspaper, print and digital version, has a space listing for each school if you advertise--you know the drill-- advertise and you get "100 Words" to describe your program.

Here's SBMS's most recent "100 Words;" they result from two parents collaborating last night after a conversation before a fundraising meeting. Here's what they came up with:


Do you want your child to be an independent thinker, able to solve new challenges, with a life-long passion for learning? At SBMS, we foster children’s natural curiosity of the world around them. Through practical hands-on activities children gain a deep, comprehensive understanding of language, math, history, geography, all sciences, the arts, and more. Our children’s learning experience allows them to excel in their further academic careers and become the creative, entrepreneurial leaders of tomorrow.

Now I say:
Take the challenge. Send me your 100 word description. Describe what? Look at it from a parent's perspective: what does your child get out of the experience?