There is so much Ellis has to offer right away, and we want Gianna to get as much out of the Ellis experience as she can possibly can. We also want her to build strong relationships with her classmates because you can’t put a price tag on Ellis friendships. It will be really special for her to go through Ellis from kindergarten to grade 12 as a lifer.

We think she will be able to stand in her truth and be sure of who she is and where she wants to go. When alumnae come back to campus, it’s really amazing to see how they’re thriving in every way imaginable. When you go to Ellis, there’s a sisterhood that’s always there to support you, and that’s invaluable. Combined with the stellar education, we know our daughter will leave Ellis prepared and equipped for whatever comes next.

We send Gianna to Ellis because we know without a shadow of a doubt that she's receiving the best education she could possibly receive. We know that every day she's being celebrated for who she is, and we know that Ellis will prepare her for the world. When she graduates, she will be ready to take the world by storm and know that the sky’s the limit. What more can you ask for from your child’s school?

The families here are so wonderful. With the Ellis Parent Association, we can be involved as parents. There's always an available volunteer opportunity, and we appreciate that the functions are all about the community—it’s not just School events, but family events.

We hope she’ll avoid the need to fit in at school. We want her to be secure in who she is and know that it’s okay to see and feel things differently than everyone else. At Ellis, we know she’ll be embraced and celebrated for who she is. For instance, sometimes she would be insecure about how her hair looked in comparison to everyone else, but now that she’s at Ellis and sees all different types of girls and hair, she feels good about who she is. Those little things add up.

She has been able to self-regulate her own emotions better. Before, if a teacher would talk to her about something, she might cry and fall apart, but now she’s able to find solutions and strategies to control herself. As a parent, that’s invaluable. At home, we see her thinking outside of the box and we always say, “You’re such an Ellis girl!”

Ellis opens her eyes to the world. All of the partnerships the School has with local institutions, nonprofits, and organizations give her an educational experience beyond the classroom. In art class, she’s learning about Picasso; in music class, she’s learning about Mozart. It’s not just reading and writing; she’s learning how to be a good person. At Ellis, she’s not just a body in the classroom; she’s a person who is loved and known.