In this episode, Head of School Rachel E. Skiffer chats with Dr. Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at Stanford’s Graduate School of Education, about how schools can balance academic excellence with student well-being. Their conversation touches on a range of topics—from how academic rigor and well-being can go hand in hand, to rethinking homework and assessments so they better reflect real learning. Dr. Pope also shares her thoughts on the impact of AI in the classroom, the importance of thoughtful school schedules, and why centering student voice and strong relationships matters more than ever.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Academic Excellence and Well-Being

02:57 The Interplay of Rigor and Well-Being

05:54 Rethinking Homework Policies

08:51 Supporting Students Without Pressure

11:48 Assessing t ...