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How Student Council Builds Leadership Skills at Renbrook
What does it mean to be a leader? Is it standing confidently before a crowd, organizing an event, or inspiring others to get involved? At Renbrook School, students are discovering that leadership is all of these things, but it is also something more fundamental: listening, collaborating, taking responsibility, and making a positive difference in their…
Inside Nozko: The History and Life of a Renbrook Landmark
by Kevin Mirando, Physical Education Teacher The Story Beneath the Blue Roof Anyone who has walked the campus of Renbrook School knows that its history is visible almost everywhere. The architecture of the Rentschler Estate, the stone walls and pathways, the buildings that have evolved around the original home, and even the landscape itself tell…
Mental Math and Number Sense: Building Confident Mathematicians at Renbrook
By Julie Schlossinger, Ed.D., Associate Head of School and Head of Lower School Sometimes a meaningful math lesson begins with a sheet of paper, a pair of scissors, and a yardstick. Recently, I stopped by the Jane Shipp Terrace as our Grade Four students were finishing a collaborative challenge. Working in small groups, students had…
Growing Up in a Digital World: Finding the Right Balance with Technology and AI
For today’s children and teenagers, technology is woven into nearly every aspect of daily life. Smartphones keep us connected. Digital tools open doors to information and creativity. Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how we learn, work, and solve problems. The challenge for families and schools is no longer simply whether children should use technology. It…
Why I Still Teach: Marianne Michailow Reflects on 42 Years in the Classroom
Each year, before students return to campus and another school year officially begins, Renbrook faculty and staff gather for Opening Meetings. Among the conversations about goals, programs, and the year ahead is a beloved Renbrook tradition that asks two faculty members to reflect on a deceptively simple question: Why do you teach? This year, longtime…
Why I Teach: Natalie Kirkpatrick Believes in the Journey
Every August, before students return to campus, Renbrook faculty and staff gather for Opening Meetings and the beginning of a new school year. Among the planning, preparation, and conversations about the year ahead is one of our most cherished traditions: two faculty members are invited to reflect on a simple but meaningful question. Why do…
Renbrook Graduation Speaker Inspires the Class of 2026
Renbrook Alumna Barrie Kreinik ’00 Encourages Graduates to Go Where the Doors Are Opening The Class of 2026 received an inspiring message at this year’s Renbrook School commencement ceremony from alumna Barrie Kreinik ’00, an award-winning writer, actor, singer, and audiobook narrator whose career has been defined not by following a straight path, but by…
Student Diversity and Belonging Leaders Honor Pride Month and Juneteenth
At Renbrook School, learning extends beyond the classroom and into the values that shape our community. Through meaningful conversations, shared experiences, and student leadership, we strive to create an environment where every member of our community feels seen, valued, and respected. This commitment to diversity and belonging at Renbrook School was on full display in…
From Classroom Idea to Meaningful Impact: Renbrook Alumni Launch “It Matters” Apparel
What starts as a classroom assignment can sometimes grow into something much bigger. That is exactly what happened for Renbrook alumni Sadie Tulley and Mackenzie Toro, both members of the Class of 2022, who returned to campus today to share the story behind their nonprofit clothing company, It Matters Apparel. Their presentation took place during…
“Reel Learning” – The Power of Renbrook Outdoors
Renbrook School’s 5th graders recently spent the day immersed in a hands-on fishing and outdoor education experience at Forster Pond State Park in Killingworth, Connecticut. The trip was part of Renbrook Outdoors, the school’s growing commitment to experiential learning and meaningful connections with the natural world. While students certainly learned the fundamentals of fishing and…
Renbrook School Celebrates 90 Years
A milestone moment connects generations through storytelling, innovation, and the enduring spirit of the Rentschler estate. Renbrook School recently marked its 90th anniversary with a special assembly that brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni, retired educators, and members of the extended Renbrook community. The event honored the school’s rich history, its founding vision, and its…
Renbrook School Featured on All Access with Andy Garcia: A Story Worth Sharing
There are moments when you get to see your community through a new lens. For Renbrook School, being featured on All Access with Andy Garcia was one of those moments. This nationally distributed Public Television program is known for telling meaningful stories. It highlights organizations that are making a difference, shaping ideas, and influencing the…
Celebrating the Impact of Title IX: Opportunity, Confidence, and Leadership at Renbrook
by Heather Singer In February, the Renbrook community came together to celebrate the anniversary of Title IX, a landmark federal law that has transformed access to education and athletics for generations of girls and women. More than 50 years after its passage, Title IX continues to open doors on the playing field, in classrooms, and far…
Do the Math: How Renbrook Builds Confident, Capable Mathematicians
by Eleanor Strumolo and Barbara Doyle At Renbrook School, mathematics is not simply about mastering procedures or memorizing formulas. It is about developing confident, capable thinkers who understand how and why math works—and who see themselves as mathematicians. “Every student is a mathematician,” says Eleanor Strumolo, Chair of Renbrook’s Math Department. “To learn mathematics, students…
Building a Culture of Diversity and Belonging at Renbrook: Student Leadership in Action
At Renbrook School, we believe that learning comes fully to life when students feel seen, valued, and empowered to bring their whole selves into the community. Our commitment to Diversity and Belonging is not an abstract ideal. It is a lived experience, shaped daily by students who lead with curiosity, empathy, and courage. One powerful…
Raising Children in a Digital World: How Renbrook Guides Healthy Technology and AI Use
By Julie Schlossinger, Associate Head of School As parents and educators, we are navigating a moment unlike any other in history. The pace of technological change and the use of AI is accelerating, leaving many families wondering how to support healthy development while embracing the opportunities these tools bring. At Renbrook School, we believe that…
Stewards of the Forest
Renbrook School’s Living Classroom on Avon Mountain An interview with Lincoln Vaughan ’91, Upper School Science Department Chair and alumnus Bringing Learning to Life in the Forest High atop Avon Mountain, Renbrook School’s 75-acre campus is more than a scenic backdrop—it’s an extension of the classroom. Guided by a spirit of stewardship and scientific inquiry,…
Bringing Learning to Life for Grade Three at Chatfield Hollow State Park
By Julie Schlossinger, Associate Head of School and Head of Lower School I recently had the wonderful opportunity to join our Grade Three students on their Fall Outdoor Education Trip to Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth, Connecticut, bringing learning to life. Organized by Assistant Director of Athletics and Physical Education, Carley Elkin, this trip…
Renbrook School to be Featured on All Access with Andy Garcia
Renbrook School is proud to announce that we will be featured in an upcoming segment of All Access with Andy Garcia, a Public Television program dedicated to highlighting excellence and innovation. The program will showcase Renbrook’s intentional approach to independent school education—where academic rigor, character development, and hands-on experiences come together to create a vibrant…





