PDS Spirit Magazine - Spring 2026

March 23, 2026

Since the first publication of PDS Spirit nearly twenty-five years ago, the magazine has sought to capture the meaningful moments of school life. Each edition offers a window into the experiences that define boyhood at PDS and highlights the traditions that have shaped our community for generations. This edition continues that tradition. Within these pages, you will find stories that reflect moments of learning, creativity, service, and discovery that are essential to a boy’s foundation. These experiences remind us that education at PDS extends far beyond the classroom.

One of the most significant developments you will read about in this issue is the launch of the Campaign for Boyhood, an initiative designed to elevate and expand the spaces where our boys learn and gather each day. The campaign includes the construction of a new dining hall that will serve as a central hub of student life as well as the creation of an outdoor learning commons that expands opportunities for time in nature. These additions reflect our belief that the spaces where boys spend time together influence their experiences and define their education. As we shape our spaces, they, in turn, shape us; what we build today will influence our boys for years to come.

As part of the Campaign for Boyhood, you will read about the continued development of the Center for Educational Growth, an initiative dedicated to advancing our understanding of how boys learn best and strengthening collaboration with others pursuing the same work. Through partnerships with leading organizations and boys’ schools around the world, our faculty continue to deepen their understanding of boys’ development and bring those insights back into our classrooms.

You will also read about several moments that reflect the rhythms of life at PDS. From the lively activity before the first bell each morning to meaningful service and hands-on learning experiences, these glimpses capture the spirit of our daily life together. What may appear to be simple games of kickball or basketball in the gym are actually an important way boys prepare for the day, giving them space to connect with friends, release energy, and enter the classroom ready to learn. This issue also highlights the impact of our fourth-grade study of A Long Walk to Water, a project that has, for more than a decade, challenged boys not only to understand the experiences of others but also to take action by raising funds for clean-water wells in South Sudan.

Finally, featured in this magazine is Derby Days, our signature STEAM event—where boys become engineers and designers as they build gravity-powered cars and test their ideas on a custom track. Through experimentation and iteration, they discover that learning often happens by doing.

Together, these stories offer a snapshot of the many ways boys grow during their years at PDS. Each moment contributes to a foundation for life that prepares our boys not only for academic success but for lives of faith, character, and leadership.

Thank you for partnering with us and entrusting us with your son’s education. We consider it an incredible privilege and an honor to work with your son and witness his growth and development. We hope you enjoy this edition of PDS Spirit.

Brad Sewell
Head of School

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