Recent News

With over 200 alumni returning to campus, the evening was filled with laughter, reconnecting, and celebrating shared memories. Classes ranging from 1975 to 2021 gathered with faculty to honor our retirees and see Ike Veal '20 play the bass guitar! Thank you to all who made it such a night to remember.

Big news as Will Reilly '21 joined Atlanta United FC in 2025 playing center midfield! Will writes, "I graduated from Stanford in December of 2024, majoring in Symbolic Systems with a concentration in Neurosciences. Some of my favorite experiences at Stanford include a number of lectures from world-experts in their fields, evening campus strolls and long dining hall dinner conversations. That being said, being a part of the soccer program at Stanford and all that came with it was undoubtedly the most special part of my Stanford experience. I am in preseason with ATL right now having started up the second week of January and I play center mid (until they tell me otherwise)."

On view starting February 10, the Black Alumni Organization (BAO) will host On The Come Up, an exhibit honoring the impact of notable Black alumni and faculty & staff at Paideia and beyond. Join us February 23 to come together as a community for food, presentations and more to celebrate Black History Month. Featuring a live dance performance from our Cecelia Caines Artist in Residency, Raianna Brown '13 of Komansé Dance Theater!

The boys basketball team was one of 25 teams from across the United States invited to play in the Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions in Peoria, Illinois. “The boys grew closer together from the game experience, but more so from our team outings and time together off the court,” shared coach Eddie. Paideia alum Joey Metzloff ’98 hosted the team and their parents for dinner and lunch during their time in town. “The boys saw a real life example of the bond and love that Paideia alums have for the Paideia community. It was a great experience for the program, as well as myself."

Congratulations to Zoe Searles '16 on her acceptance into the University of Georgia's Council of Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Minority Fellowship Program (MFP). Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), this program seeks to reduce the effects of substance use and mental health challenges on America’s communities by increasing the number of individuals trained to work with underrepresented and underserved persons at risk for mental health and/or substance use disorders. Keep up the good work Zoe!

The eraser toss is a long-held and beloved tradition at the Paideia School, occurring on the first day of each school year. As legend has it, when the eraser is thrown into the crowd of high school students, the lucky student who catches the eraser is destined to become a teacher. Because the auditorium is dark, sometimes rather than a student catching the eraser, it will hit them in the head – that less fortunate student is destined to become an administrator. Head of School Tom Taylor has continued the tradition that began with founding Head of School Paul Bianchi. This past August, 11th-grader Ruhi Patil ’26 caught the eraser. When asked if she would like to become a teacher, Ruhi was less than enthusiastic, but she did say if she were to teach any subject, she would like to teach science or music.

Last Thursday, a new sculpture memorializing this tradition and the legacy of Paul Bianchi was unveiled at the Paideia Alumni Back to School Night. The Eraser Sculpture was commissioned by a group of alumni, created by sculptor Walker Jernigan '08 and gifted to Paul to express the gratitude of Paideia’s alumni community. The sculpture, most recognized as a symbol of the tradition Paul started, symbolizes Paul passing the baton to the next generation of leaders and teachers, who will continue to develop and improve the Paideia School.

A special thank you goes out to Mike Walbert '03 for organizing this creative effort.

The plaque’s inscription reads:
"Paideia is not just an accumulation of curriculum and facilities, programs and achievements. The magic sauce is a school culture that regards children optimistically and joyously, as well as celebrates the teachers who create the school every day." - Paul Bianchi