The Ripple Effect: Turning Missions Into Motion Through Public Purpose Partnerships
Posted on by Guybe Slangen
On a bright summer morning in Westport, CT, Christina Whittaker walks the halls of the Greens Farms Academy (GFA) campus. She knows these corridors well—first as a student, later as a volunteer at Horizons GFA, and now as the Executive Director of this program celebrating more than 25 years at the school. Hundreds of miles away in Chicago, David Rupright sets up for another day with his ninth-grade computer science students at Curie Metropolitan High School, a school where 87% of the student body is low-income. His student-centered, community-focused teaching style traces back to lessons learned not only in college, but also as a high school student volunteering at Horizons at San Francisco Friends School (SFFS).
Both Christina and David are living proof of the public purpose ripple effect—when independent schools open their doors to partnerships like these, they animate and amplify their mission and values creating lasting impact for all. Through this work schools do not merely give—they grow.
The phrase “private school with a public purpose” has become a touchstone in independent school circles and for many it’s not just a slogan—it’s a practice. In an era where independent schools are seeking tangible ways to live their missions and deepen their relevance in the wider world, public-purpose partnerships offer a compelling and catalyzing path forward. These programs are more than a “nice to have” feature—they are a strategic way to bring a school’s values to life, strengthen communities, and cultivate deeper purpose within and beyond school walls.
While many see summer as time off for students, the exact opposite is true. It is actually an important time on–for learning, growth, connection, and joy. Every summer, schools and classrooms across the country buzz with a different kind of energy. There are countless summer programs out there, all with different themes, audiences, and settings, and all designed to foster learning and growth.
For those enrolled in Horizons—a national network of summer enrichment programs serving under-resourced public school students—these months are not simply a break from the school year; they’re a time of discovery, exploration, and possibilities. And for the independent schools who host these programs, it’s a chance to live their values, build lasting relationships, and create change.
David volunteering with Horizons at SFFS students during his high school years