The Buzz

For the last twenty-five years, Proctor has led the way in understanding how to teach health and well-being to its students. We enter an exciting new chapter of this work under the leadership of Dr. Nancy Turkington. 

As year-end reflections from 2025 start filling our social media feeds, we are reminded of just how much has transpired during the past 365 days.

During this liminal period between holidays and the year’s end, time seems to operate differently. What might we learn from it?

When prospective families ask what makes Proctor different, perhaps the answer is best articulated by our students. They speak not of programs but of permission – to be curious, to explore, and to expand their sense of who they are within a community of adults who genuinely know them, believe in them, and care about them.

Proctor has been honored with the single largest gift in the school's 177 year history: a $10 million planned gift. This remarkable, anonymous, and unrestricted gift will have a profound impact on Proctor, significantly enriching our ability to impact the lives of young people through our educational model.

The Proctor/Holderness rivalry dates back well over a century, evolving over time, but always keeping at their core a mutual respect and healthy competition for both schools.

Student leaders are discovering that leadership is not about titles or authority, but about paying attention to the people around you, reflecting on how your actions affect them, and choosing to lead in ways that strengthen community. And this kind of engaged, reflective leadership promotes growth and supports long-term development, identity formation, and well-being.

While schools nationwide struggle with teacher retention, Proctor defies the trend. A recent gathering with former community members underscored why: this is a place where passionate people find ownership, autonomy, and purpose.

For those of us who choose to spend our careers in education, we know that in the long run, student engagement and individual growth are the ultimate measures of success.