Dear GEMS families:

Three years ago, Carol and I chose to forgo retirement to return to our roots in Chicago and join a once-in-a-career opportunity to form a learning community dedicated to a bold and extraordinary mission:

To inspire inquiring, knowledgeable, reflective, and intercultural learners to become morally responsible leaders with the skills and attributes necessary to create a more connected and prosperous world.

It has been a tremendous honor to serve this school through these nascent years. We have grown tremendously during this time, as must continuously happen in any great and dynamic school, but certain constants – generosity of character and spirit, truly outstanding faculty and staff, deep civic engagement, joyful and talented students, pioneering parent involvement – are the strengths that give us such great promise.

We are immersed everyday in dialogues involving different voices, perspectives and experiences, the systematic exploration of “big ideas,” and the power of interpersonal attunement and collaboration in the pursuit of excellence. The care we show for one another, and the shared passion for our students and their futures, combine to create an ethos that nurtures us all.

The next few years will be tremendously important for our school. While still in a start-up phase, stability and persistence are critical in every aspect, including leadership. This March, Carol and I are celebrating our 50th year together. We have worked hard and played well together for all of these years, and the time we have spent together and with our family has always been precious. It seems even more so at this stage of our lives. It is therefore with mixed joy and sadness that we are leaving this July to return to our home and family in the Washington D.C. area. I will, however, continue my relationship with GEMS World Academy–Chicago in an advisory role as President Emeritus.

As we reflect on our time here, Carol and I will treasure most the wonderful people – students, colleagues, families and friends – we have come to know here. I am extraordinarily privileged to have partnered with you to achieve the significant milestones we have celebrated. I am honored by your unflagging support throughout my tenure. There are really no words adequate to fully express my appreciation.

I have great trust that Kim Wargo, our new Head of School, will bring strong leadership to our GEMS World Academy–Chicago family.

My best wishes and my thanks,

Geoff Jones
Head of School
GEMS World Academy–Chicago