Ready to Lead: Preparing the Next Generation
Cooper Featured on the Cover of Living Magazine
The John Cooper School is featured on the cover of the September 2026 issue of Living Magazine in a special feature exploring how Cooper is preparing students to become responsible citizens and leaders who will shape the future of their communities and the world.
Titled “Ready to Lead: How The John Cooper School Turns Curiosity into Citizenship, Character, & Purpose,” the cover story highlights Cooper's commitment to developing critical and creative thinkers, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifelong learners. As the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the article examines how Cooper connects the lessons of the past with the responsibility of preparing the next generation to lead with character, purpose, and wisdom.
Head of School Dr. Stephen Popp shares how the School's mission and motto, From Curiosity to Wisdom, guide an educational experience that encourages students to think independently, engage thoughtfully with others, and recognize their ability to make a meaningful difference.
“The phrase 'responsible citizens and leaders' invites students to consider not only what they know, but how they live, serve, speak, question, collaborate, and contribute,” Dr. Popp shared with Living Magazine.
The feature explores how citizenship and leadership take shape throughout the Cooper experience, from community service and student-led initiatives to innovation, athletics, and the arts. It also highlights the importance of emotional intelligence, diverse perspectives, and responsible technology use in preparing students to navigate an increasingly complex world.
Looking toward the future, Dr. Popp reflects on founder George P. Mitchell's vision for a School that would serve generations of students while making a lasting impact on The Woodlands community.
“George Mitchell, our founder, wanted Cooper to be a school for the future, not just for the students in our charge, but for this whole area,” Dr. Popp shared.
As Cooper approaches its 40th anniversary, the School remains committed to honoring that founding vision while preparing students with the curiosity, empathy, judgment, and courage to lead and serve in a changing world.
The future is not simply something Cooper students will inherit. It is something they will help shape.
Read the full cover feature in the September 2026 issue of Living Magazine, pages 16–17.
The John Cooper School
From Curiosity to Wisdom TM
The John Cooper School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day school. Our mission is to provide a challenging education in a caring environment to a diverse group of select students, enabling them to become critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifelong learners.
The John Cooper School seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.
The John Cooper School seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.
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