Services announced for former Paideia headmaster

Plans have been announced for a memorial service for former Paideia headmaster Paul Bianchi, who died May 10.

An announcement from The Paideia School said services have been set for Friday, May 16 at 1 p.m. at Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center.

The announcement said that the school will be closed that day.

“In the last 24 hours, I have heard from many of you who have reached out to express the ways in which Paul Bianchi touched your lives,” current Paideia Headmaster Tom Taylor said. “These stories have prompted both laughter and tears, and I’ve learned so much from those who had the great privilege of knowing Paul far longer than I did.”

Taylor also announced that the state-of-the-school session scheduled for May 12 has been postponed.

“Information about revised plans for that event will be shared in the coming days,” Taylor said. “Thursday night’s senior dinner and graduation on Sunday, May 18, will continue as planned.”

A statement released by the school said Bianchi, 79, passed away at his home, “leaving behind a remarkable legacy of leadership, care, and commitment to progressive education.”

Bianchi, who led The Paideia School from its founding in 1971 until his retirement in 2023, shaped the school’s identity that “valued curiosity, compassion, and community,” the statement said. Even after his retirement, Bianchi continued to teach at the school.

Taylor said his memories of Bianchi remind him of the lessons that the former headmaster imparted.

“His knack for keenly articulating what is good for kids in schools was remarkable, and I will never forget what he taught me: When you get curious kids around caring adults, magic happens,” Taylor said in a communication to students and parents. “The Paideia ‘magic’ is, ultimately, unquantifiable . . . but I think we all know it when we see it.”

The post Services announced for former Paideia headmaster appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.