Kicking off the 2024-2025 academic year, Head of School Felicia Wilks found moments during the opening weeks to share with the Spence community her enthusiasm around the many recent school updates, and an eager look at what’s to come. 

During the opening faculty and staff meeting, Wilks began by reflecting on her lifelong enthusiasm for the Olympics, noting that this year's games were historic for women's representation: 50% of competitors were women and 67% of all U.S. medals were won by women. “As educators who have chosen to work at a girls’ school, these victories are yours,” Wilks told staff and faculty. “You are a part of a long legacy of educators and advocates before you, and what you do has an impact.”

Over the summer, faculty and staff read Donna Hicks’s Dignity, a text that will be utilized throughout the year as the Spence community continues to practice dialogue skills, civic discourse, and supporting mental health initiatives. During the opening Upper School Assembly, which brings together all Upper School students and faculty on their first day back, Wilks offered students the opportunity to benefit from Hicks’s theory on dignity as well. “My hope is that each of you is nurturing your own deep internal, personal sense of dignity,” she told the Upper School. “It matters how others treat us and how we treat those around us—and we must know that our value is undeniable and inherent.”

This summer the 91st Street building underwent construction, adding new classrooms and expanded spaces for counseling services, academic and administrative offices, and more. Acknowledging the significant work done by Spence Facilities, Security, and IT teams, Wilks told faculty and staff: “I want to thank you all for the work that happened this summer, on campus and elsewhere, to prepare for our students’ return to school next week.” More details on the building updates can be found here.

This year will also see the sharing of the Strategic Plan, which is currently being reviewed by the Board of Trustees. The plan has incorporated feedback from various stakeholders to ensure bold and achievable outcomes. “We are building ambitious goals because of the strength you bring as professionals; we are moving forward as a school together and our plans will need all of us,” said Wilks to faculty and staff. Emerging areas of the plan’s focus include academic excellence, global leadership, intentional community, and thoughtful operations. 

“I feel lucky to be here with each of you,” shared Wilks with the Upper School students. “Take good care of yourselves and each other and go deep into all aspects of your learning this year. I am so excited for this year and all of the work we will do together.”