SCH Academy Bids Fond Farewell to Head of School Delvin Dinkins

SCH has been celebrating Head of School Delvin Dinkins in his final weeks of the school year. From coffee with parents to sweet send-offs from students (with cookies!), the school community has been able to thank him for his leadership and tenure. Dr. Dinkins will take on his role as head of school at Gill St. Bernard's School in July.

Throughout his years at SCH, Dr. Dinkins has been a constant presence on campus. He connected with the community in countless ways, from greeting students on their first day to attending Moving Up Ceremonies and alumni events. He regularly observed classes, interacted with students during lunch, and celebrated school achievements, whether a sporting victory, a theatrical performance, or a holiday concert. He was a familiar face throughout the campus, deeply engaged in the life of the school and cherishing every opportunity to witness the ordinary and extraordinary moments.

“I find opportunities to stand alongside students and teachers to see them and our academic program in action,” says Dinkins. “I learn a lot from this practice and draw inspiration from it. Our teachers are doing amazing things with our students. I want them to know that I see this, see them, and recognize what they do daily to deliver our mission. As scholarly activities, teaching and learning are fundamentally hard. I want teachers (and students, for that matter!) to know I understand. I’m a teacher and a learner at heart, and I regard teaching and learning with the utmost personal respect.”

Whether at the podium, in his thoughtful missives, or at an impromptu greeting at an event, he has regularly delivered important messages not just about the power of moments but also the strength of community and the importance of elevating SCH’s mission.

In recent remarks during one SCH celebration, he said, “Throughout my tenure, I kept returning to four themes: moments, chances, ideas, and craftsmanship. Moments, especially the small ones, build the emotional architecture of a school. The chances we take—and offer—and the ideas we make room for and nurture open the door to change. And craftsmanship reminds us that doing something well, with care and integrity, is itself a form of leadership.”

SCHool magazine sat down for an insightful conversation, reflecting on the cherished moments that defined his time at SCH and the strategic initiatives that he helped to define and refine. Read that Q&A here. 

Please join us in expressing our gratitude for Dr. Dinkins’ leadership and wish him all the best at his new school!