Barrie School community members gathered on October 15 for the first event in our "What is School For?" Series to hear about the books the faculty and staff read this summer, the future of education, and what learning could look like. 

These books may be purchased here, thanks to our friends at People’s Book in Takoma Park. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Barrie School.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Denny Gonzalez at DGonzalez@Barrie.org.

Barrie School is in the midst of great momentum. We are excited to be the first school in the United States to offer the full Global Impact Diploma. Of course, with great excitement comes great anticipation, and we know you have questions and curiosities about what this new academic enterprise entails.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Personalized Pathways: Global Impact Diploma Info Session on Nov 5. The energy in the room—and online—was inspiring, with so many thoughtful questions, great insights, and opportunities to connect. Leadership shared what the Global Impact Diploma means for the Barrie School community; and engaged attendees in a collaborative conversation about this next chapter in Barrie School’s future.

If you missed the in-person event or Zoom session, you can watch this video recording (Passcode: x9upN&ay).

We’d love to keep the conversation going! Send your questions or curiosities GlobalImpact@Barrie.org.

“What is school for, if not to prepare students for life?”

On Thursday, December 4, Barrie School hosted a community screening of Multiple Choice, an inspiring documentary that explores innovative approaches to education and career readiness.

The film follows a Virginia school district where students engage in career-based learning that values both academic and vocational pathways — challenging the traditional “college-for-all” mindset and highlighting how schools can better prepare young people for meaningful futures. Multiple Choice showcases students collaborating, exploring diverse careers, and developing both traditional and new-economy skills. The screening served as a springboard for conversation around expanding educational opportunities and creating more equitable pathways to success for all students.

Watch the trailer here

Barrie is evolving to meet this moment in education—and we’re so glad you’re part of the journey.

On January 15, 2026, Barrie School welcomed Dr. Scott Morrison, Professor of Education at Elon University, and his student Grace Rasmussen, to spend time with faculty, staff, and friends to discuss the rearticulations of progressive education.

At the same time, we discussed the ways in which progressive education lays the foundation for the future of education. Both Scott and Grace shared information about their research into the question, “What does progressive education look like in the 21st century?” and highlighted the ways in which Barrie is part of a larger cohort of institutions wrangling with this question.

We also spent time in facilitated dialogue with one another, considering how schools engage in the six domains of progressive education—content, assessment, pedagogy, culture and community, DEI, and responsiveness to students—both now and in the future. In the process, we also explored the tensions inherent in progressive schools and began to think through the ways in which we as a school—this includes educators, parents and caregivers, and advocates for children—can reckon with, even embrace, these tensions.