Welcome from the Head of School

Welcome to the Dunn School Web Site!

The essence of Dunn School is found in this simple statement: Dunn cherishes and cultivates individual talents in a safe, nurturing and challenging environment. I was struck by this concept when I first became acquainted with Dunn. For me, the most important two words are "individual talents."

In the Dunn community, we understand that every single student arrives with certain talents and gifts. These gifts may be immediately apparent in the classroom or on the athletic field, or they may be as yet undiscovered potential, waiting to be realized in an art or music room, on top of a mountain, or behind a podium. Discovering the passion of each individual and cultivating that passion into their personal vision of the future is why we are here and what we do best.

When Tony Dunn founded this school over a half century ago, I believe he did so with guiding principles or core values in mind. To me, values such as Integrity, Fairness, Scholarship, Service and Courage are at the heart of a Dunn School education. Combined, they define personal character and form the foundation necessary not only for college, but for a life of learning and responsible leadership in society.

Please take time to review our website. I hope that you will find a sense of what distinguishes Dunn School as a special place. You will read that we believe the depth and quality of the relationship between students and teachers are central to our process of education. At Dunn, we understand and act on Benjamin Franklin's entreaty of more than two hundred years ago: "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn." Dunn students are challenged beyond their comfort zone and engage themselves in every aspect of their intellectual, social, physical, and moral growth while they attend this school.

While this website will provide answers to some of your questions and give you an idea of what goes on at Dunn, only after a visit to our beautiful campus in the Santa Ynez Valley of California can you fully appreciate what makes this community unique. My wife Maura and I invite you to visit us and to experience for yourselves the enthusiasm, vitality and decency of the Dunn community!

Sincerely,
Mike Beck