School with a Big Why
School with a Big Why
Embedded Files
This summer, the Trinity community continues its tradition of reading together through our annual Trinity Reads program. Over the years, Trinity Reads has taken us into the imaginative worlds of Hans Christian Andersen and George MacDonald, the beauty and challenge of the Gospel of Mark and the book of Amos, and even the realm of technology, with Andy Crouch’s The Tech-Wise Family.
This year, we’re turning our attention inward, to a book that speaks directly to the heart of our school: School with a Big Why by our Head of School, Chip Denton.
This collection of essays—written during Trinity’s third decade—offers both a look back at what has shaped our school and a vision for the years to come. It’s a book about mission: how it forms a school, how it holds together even in times of pressure, and how it passes from one generation to the next. In it, we can explore the four pillars of Trinity’s mission, the tensions that come with holding those values together, and the deep “why” that undergirds all that we do. Our faculty and staff are reading it too, so this will truly be a ONE Trinity Reads.
The paperback edition of School with a Big Why is available for purchase and will be a meaningful addition to your summer reading stack. Whether you’re reading it on the porch, taking it on vacation, or marking up your favorite chapters, this gives you a tangible way to engage with Trinity’s mission. Read it on your own or with your family, and let the story of our school inspire reflection all summer long.
Prefer to listen? The audiobook version of School with a Big Why is available through Audible—and it’s free with a trial account. While you're driving to the beach, walking the dog, or making dinner, this is a great way to hear the heart of Trinity, in Chip Denton’s own voice. Listen alone or as a family, and let the story of our school accompany you through the rhythms of summer.
Written by our Lower School librarian, Mrs. Julie Burson, and her daughter, Emma, Little by Little is a beautifully illustrated story that tells the founding and mission of Trinity School in a way that our younger students can enjoy and understand. It’s a perfect companion to the summer reading for older students and parents—and a meaningful way to help even our youngest learners grow in love for their school.
Reading the Book with Children
Reading the Book with Children
Although School with a Big Why wasn’t written for young children, many chapters are accessible and engaging for family reading. We encourage parents to find a chapter or two to read aloud and discuss with your children. You might start with something concrete and familiar—perhaps the chapter on sports, the arts, or "What Is a Winner?" Or take a walk back to the early days of Trinity with one of the origin stories from the school’s founding. Ask questions, share your own memories, and invite your children to reflect on what they hear. This is a way to share not only a book, but also the story of the school they’re part of.
Have a Great Summer!
Have a Great Summer!
Wherever your summer takes you, we hope this shared reading journey brings us all a little closer to the heart of Trinity.
Page updated
Report abuse