The school administration has confirmed that the admissions policy will remain focused on girls as we requested. This outcome reflects the commitment of those who care about the long-term identity of this institution. I am grateful for the dedication shown by the community during this period of uncertainty.
September 22, 2022
Final supporters
Dear Mrs. Hill and Harpeth Hall Board of Trust,
We are writing to you today on behalf of a significant number of current parents, former parents, and alumnae. The past week has been challenging for everyone, regardless of viewpoint. One thing on which we all agree is that, you, the faculty and the board, care deeply about our girls and Harpeth Hall as an institution. With that in mind, nothing can surpass a parent’s love and concern for a daughter. Adopting a policy that invites application to Harpeth Hall by anyone other than females is a critical change in the structure of the school, and by extension, has a major impact on our daughters.
We understand deeply the need for each and every child to be supported and to find the best environment for each stage of their development. We also admire every parent that seeks to find the very best environment for their unique child. Nashville presents many options, including schools spread across every social and educational dimension – who accept and develop children without consideration of sex/gender. But we chose Harpeth Hall intentionally because of its educational excellence, its many traditions, and, yes, its focus on girls. As much as many see issues of sex/gender as very complex, there is also a simple approach for our school: that Harpeth Hall selects and develops girls across a wide spectrum of backgrounds, but only girls, girls at birth who also identify as girls today. We feel strongly that this is ideal for our daughters and granddaughters, and will allow them to develop and grow, compete, and thrive without the distractions and complexities of boys, born or declared, in the classroom, and on the fields and stages.
A significant number of families and donors in the Harpeth Hall community, including those copied on this message, feel that the administration and board at Harpeth Hall have failed to include us in the process of considering such major change. Harpeth Hall’s reputation is damaged and we would all like to be part of the process of fixing it.
We respectfully request a live, open-forum town hall, with all school administrators, committee members, and board members involved in the creation and adoption of this policy.
Given recent damage to the Harpeth Hall brand nationally and internationally, the matter is urgent. We submit the following dates and times to you to be held in Harpeth Hall’s main gym with no media, crisis management, or PR teams present:
Wednesday, 8/17 at 7:00pm Thursday, 8/18 at 7:00pm
On behalf of all Harpeth Hall community members that have consented to CC on this message, we thank you for your consideration as we seek to restore trust in The Harpeth Hall School.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 18, 2022
August 17, 2022
The steady growth of this petition reflects a shared commitment to the future of our school. Reaching the thousand signature threshold will provide a clear indication of our collective concern when we present these findings to the board.
Reached 100 supporters
August 15, 2022
189 Comments
Is NO ONE even slightly bothered that the diversity and inclusivity czar is a male at an ALL girls school (at least currently) Way to go HH, that really empowers females to have one more male telling them what to support and believe. NO MORE annual giving from me.
I believe those involved with this decision had their hearts in the right place but strongly disagree with the decision. Had my daughter not graduated this year, she would not have finished her education at harpeth hall.
Class of 1994. I firmly support the LGBTQ community and also recognize institutions cannot be all things to all people. This policy is an unnecessary distraction that takes away from the learning environment and simultaneously abandons the greater HH community.
This is an incredible misstep and a pure overreach from the board and the board of trustees without any consultation whatsoever to past parents students and financial supporters. I am firmly of the opinion that only biological girls should be considered to attend Harpeth Hall.
The fact that Harbeth Hall was a girl school made me strong and willing to take challenges. I teach high school and I see the difference in girls in a Coed school and a girl school. Harbeth Hall needs to stay all girls
Please contact me about public postings of HH trustee progressive activism related to this issue.
This is astonishing. It used to be that a young woman would say with great pride that she was an alum from HH. Now, she will forever be looked at differently..."oh, yeah, that school that messed up so terribly over the gender issue. Whew, THAT was embarrassing." Jess Hill & the board have ruined the reputation forever. They should all resign and bring in people that restore the school to it's former excellence.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
The school administration has confirmed that the admissions policy will remain focused on girls as we requested. This outcome reflects the commitment of those who care about the long-term identity of this institution. I am grateful for the dedication shown by the community during this period of uncertainty.
September 22, 2022
Final supporters
Dear Mrs. Hill and Harpeth Hall Board of Trust,
We are writing to you today on behalf of a significant number of current parents, former parents, and alumnae. The past week has been challenging for everyone, regardless of viewpoint. One thing on which we all agree is that, you, the faculty and the board, care deeply about our girls and Harpeth Hall as an institution. With that in mind, nothing can surpass a parent’s love and concern for a daughter. Adopting a policy that invites application to Harpeth Hall by anyone other than females is a critical change in the structure of the school, and by extension, has a major impact on our daughters.
We understand deeply the need for each and every child to be supported and to find the best environment for each stage of their development. We also admire every parent that seeks to find the very best environment for their unique child. Nashville presents many options, including schools spread across every social and educational dimension – who accept and develop children without consideration of sex/gender. But we chose Harpeth Hall intentionally because of its educational excellence, its many traditions, and, yes, its focus on girls. As much as many see issues of sex/gender as very complex, there is also a simple approach for our school: that Harpeth Hall selects and develops girls across a wide spectrum of backgrounds, but only girls, girls at birth who also identify as girls today. We feel strongly that this is ideal for our daughters and granddaughters, and will allow them to develop and grow, compete, and thrive without the distractions and complexities of boys, born or declared, in the classroom, and on the fields and stages.
A significant number of families and donors in the Harpeth Hall community, including those copied on this message, feel that the administration and board at Harpeth Hall have failed to include us in the process of considering such major change. Harpeth Hall’s reputation is damaged and we would all like to be part of the process of fixing it.
We respectfully request a live, open-forum town hall, with all school administrators, committee members, and board members involved in the creation and adoption of this policy.
Given recent damage to the Harpeth Hall brand nationally and internationally, the matter is urgent. We submit the following dates and times to you to be held in Harpeth Hall’s main gym with no media, crisis management, or PR teams present:
Wednesday, 8/17 at 7:00pm Thursday, 8/18 at 7:00pm
On behalf of all Harpeth Hall community members that have consented to CC on this message, we thank you for your consideration as we seek to restore trust in The Harpeth Hall School.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 18, 2022
August 17, 2022
The steady growth of this petition reflects a shared commitment to the future of our school. Reaching the thousand signature threshold will provide a clear indication of our collective concern when we present these findings to the board.
Reached 100 supporters
August 15, 2022
189 Comments
It is sad that an issue of such import to the entire Harpeth Hall community was not first presented to parents, alumnae and the students themselves, with the ability to express their concerns and disapproval, before making the Ill advised decision in such a public manner.
Is NO ONE even slightly bothered that the diversity and inclusivity czar is a male at an ALL girls school (at least currently) Way to go HH, that really empowers females to have one more male telling them what to support and believe. NO MORE annual giving from me.
I believe those involved with this decision had their hearts in the right place but strongly disagree with the decision. Had my daughter not graduated this year, she would not have finished her education at harpeth hall.
Class of 1994. I firmly support the LGBTQ community and also recognize institutions cannot be all things to all people. This policy is an unnecessary distraction that takes away from the learning environment and simultaneously abandons the greater HH community.
This is an incredible misstep and a pure overreach from the board and the board of trustees without any consultation whatsoever to past parents students and financial supporters. I am firmly of the opinion that only biological girls should be considered to attend Harpeth Hall.
The fact that Harbeth Hall was a girl school made me strong and willing to take challenges. I teach high school and I see the difference in girls in a Coed school and a girl school. Harbeth Hall needs to stay all girls
Please contact me about public postings of HH trustee progressive activism related to this issue.
This is astonishing. It used to be that a young woman would say with great pride that she was an alum from HH. Now, she will forever be looked at differently..."oh, yeah, that school that messed up so terribly over the gender issue. Whew, THAT was embarrassing." Jess Hill & the board have ruined the reputation forever. They should all resign and bring in people that restore the school to it's former excellence.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
It is sad that an issue of such import to the entire Harpeth Hall community was not first presented to parents, alumnae and the students themselves, with the ability to express their concerns and disapproval, before making the Ill advised decision in such a public manner.