Meet the Jenkins
Anne Claire '29, Emily '19, Kathryn '19
Anne and Jim met in college at Vanderbilt and have lived in Nashville since 1994. All three of our girls are Nashville natives; Emily started at Harpeth Hall in 7th grade and graduated in 2017 before studying computer science at Northwestern, and Kathryn entered Harpeth Hall in 5th grade and graduated in 2019 before studying engineering at Duke. Anne Claire '29 started at Harpeth Hall in the 7th grade and is currently in 9th grade.
What initially drew you to consider Harpeth Hall, and what ultimately made it the right choice for your family, again and again.
Our family was initially interested in Harpeth Hall because of its rigorous academic programs, opportunities for athletic and other co-curricular activities, and the values of the Harpeth Hall community. As we visited the school and talked to current families, it became clear that this community is special. The teachers and staff go above and beyond to help and support their students, and each girl is given the opportunity to grow and thrive. Again and again, our daughters were pushed to become better versions of themselves as students, athletes, and people.
In what ways have you seen Harpeth Hall encourage Anne Claire’s curiosity?
Harpeth Hall creates an environment where asking questions is celebrated. Anne Claire's teachers don’t simply provide answers; they guide her to explore ideas, think critically, and make connections across subjects. Whether it’s through hands-on projects, class discussions, or opportunities to dive deeper into topics that spark her interest like Winterim, the school nurtures her desire to learn. Because of this, she feels confident exploring new subjects and continues to be excited to discover more on her own.
Harpeth Hall has helped Anne Claire shape her academic interests and passions. Her English classes have inspired a love of reading - her 8th grade English class last year read "Lord of the Flies," and we loved hearing her share the metaphors and symbolism her class had talked about each day from their assigned chapters. As a result, she's spent a lot more time developing and working through her own independent reading list. This passion has also influenced the way she engages as a writer and listener of music as well. In our house, we're constantly discussing the literary meaning of songs and albums in the context of an artist's broader catalog of work, and Anne Claire's ability to critically think and engage has helped her to think more deeply and develop more nuanced opinions about digital and written media. Because she discovered this passion of hers through her English class, she feels more confident exploring new subjects and continues to be excited to discover more on her own.
How well do you feel Harpeth Hall prepared Kathryn and Emily for their next steps after graduation?
Harpeth Hall prepared Emily and Kathryn not only for academic rigor at the undergraduate level but also to navigate the world as critical thinkers and leaders. Both inside and outside the classroom, they were taught to be confident in their voices and resilient when facing challenges. Emily and Kathryn's Harpeth Hall experiences became the foundation on which they built their paths, both through college and professionally.
Emily and Kathryn's Harpeth Hall experiences became the foundation on which they built their paths, both through college and professionally. After graduating from Harpeth Hall in 2017, Emily studied Computer Science and Engineering at Northwestern University and spent 3 years post-grad in management consulting at Bain & Company in Chicago and Atlanta. She is currently getting her MBA from Kellogg School of Management and will return to work at Bain after graduation. Kathryn graduated from Harpeth Hall in 2019 and studied Computer Science and Engineering at Duke University. After graduation, she moved to South Carolina and currently works as a software engineer for American Credit Acceptance.
How would you describe the friendships and peer relationships your daughters have formed here?
The friendships our daughters formed at Harpeth Hall have been some of the greatest gifts of their time here. They are surrounded by peers who encourage, challenge, and support them. Harpeth Hall fosters a culture where girls celebrate each other's successes and lift each other up through challenges, and that sense of belonging has been just as formative as the academics. These relationships go far beyond the classroom and last well beyond graduation - last month, our family attended the wedding of one of Emily's closest Harpeth Hall friends.
What has exceeded your expectations about Harpeth Hall?
What initially drew us to Harpeth Hall was its strong academic reputation, but once there, the teachers both in the middle and upper school ultimately were foundational to our girls' journeys. Our daughters have had teachers who not only challenged them intellectually but also truly knew them as individuals. They invested time, energy, and care into helping our daughters discover their strengths, ask big questions, and believe in themselves. Their teachers' dedication goes far beyond teaching and has shaped who they are today.
What would you want other families to know about the Harpeth Hall experience that might not be obvious from a campus visit?
Harpeth Hall's academic and co-curricular opportunities are second to none, but the community of students, parents, teachers, and staff are what makes it so special. Our biggest piece of advice is to talk to as many people as you can throughout the admission process to help you make the right choice for your family.