CRESCENT REPORT CARD 2017-2018
PROMISES MADE PROMISES KEPT
Message from the Headmaster
Crescent School, like the world around us, is constantly evolving. We are now more than halfway through our Strategic Plan 2015-2020. Looking back on the past three years, we can reflect with pride on how many of our promises have come to fruition and anticipate with excitement the work that is yet to come. Crescent is a great school – an opinion that I can confidently state is shared by many. One need only look to the CAIS Accreditation report from 2015-2016, the Ministry of Education report from 2016-2017, the staff experience survey from this past year, or to the hundreds of families who apply each year to come to Crescent. These are just some of the indicators which affirm that Crescent is indeed a special place. This report provides a snapshot of Crescent School today. It begins with a reference to our Strategic Plan 2015-2020 goals and it highlights our major strategic accomplishments to date. Then it dives deeper to profile the great work that our faculty and staff perform each day in service to our boys and Crescent’s mission. Our journey towards providing the best learning and character development environment for our boys is never over. Each year we set new goals and objectives and we continually strive to be better. These are the promises that we make to every Crescent family and these promises have been kept. We hope this report card demonstrates our commitment to this journey. Enjoy the read.
Michael Fellin P’24
Message from the Chair of the Board
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Crescent School’s Board of Governors is populated by dedicated parents, past parents and alumni who care deeply about the family that we call Crescent School. The Board’s mandate is to set the strategic direction of the school, oversee financial affairs, and, in a broad sense, risk management – anything that could impact the strategic direction, financial affairs, or reputation of Crescent. The day-to-day running of the school is the purview of the administration, and rightly so. They are a collection of passionate and compassionate educators who understand the needs of the boys and the skills required in order to guide them on their journey from boys of promise to men of character. In short, the Board focuses on governance of the school. To give you some insight into what we do, what follows is a brief summary of our schedule and our regular business. The Board has eight scheduled meetings every year (plus inevitably some ad hoc get-togethers). At each of those meetings, we receive reports from the committees of the Board (finance, governance, facilities, development, technology and human resources); reports on all the major initiatives undertaken in connection with the strategic plan; a report from the Headmaster; and special presentations focused on ensuring continued governance best practices. Over the past year, the Board has spent significant time considering and helping to shape what the campus of the future should look like. You will hear lots more about that this coming year. We look forward to your feedback as we make some strategic decisions about our Master Campus Plan. This is the start of my last year as Chair of the Board. I am extremely pleased with our accomplishments. We are carefully moving the school into the future while remaining firmly rooted in our proud past. Crescent School is truly a special place and we are dedicated to ensuring it stays that way. Veritate Stamus et Crescimus
Barry Gordon ’87, P’21
MISSION
MEN OF CHARACTER FROM BOYS OF PROMISE. VALUES
RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY HONESTY COMPASSION
Crescent’s Portrait of a Graduate
Our Portrait of a Graduate identifies the knowledge, skills and character strengths that we believe a graduate of Crescent School needs to achieve future success, wellbeing and purpose in his career, community and family life. It consists of three guiding questions and six essential qualities.
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A moral person with the courage to uphold and act upon the highest standards of ethical behaviour.
WHO AM I?
Self-aware and self-regulating with a strong sense of purpose, agency and potential.
A positive leader who builds relationships and understands the importance of serving others in order to inspire action and accomplishment. A critical thinker who listens clearly, communicates effectively and collaborates well.
HOW DO I LEAD? An engaged citizen who respects people’s differences, is mindful of interconnectivity, and seeks betterment in his local and global community.
WHAT IS MY LEGACY?
Adaptable, resourceful and creative in meeting the challenges of an increasingly complex world.
Strategic Plan Goals
Our Strategic Plan 2015-2020 was created collaboratively by our Board of Governors and school management team. It demonstrated our commitment to the long-term growth and development of our school. The plan was structured according to our people and our place.
Our People
Our Place
Students Prepare students for life by building and delivering a rigorous, relational and relevant academic program that supports the character development of each boy.
Facility Continue to develop and build an infrastructure that will maximize our ability to attract and develop the best mission-fit boys from across the city through fundraising, growing endowment and cost containment.
Continue using established best-practice approaches to support boys’ learning while developing measures of success for the students that reflect Crescent’s unique mission, vision and values. Enhance and broaden the range of student services and align an integrated staff to support learning from admission through university acceptance. Faculty and Staff Foster a culture of high performance where professional growth, relational learning and personal accountability are recognized and rewarded. Community Become a more diverse teaching and learning community by enhancing the cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds of our students, faculty, staff and Board of Governors. Build a more engaged and connected community that includes our alumni, students, parents, friends and others across the Greater Toronto Area.
Develop and execute a long-term master facilities plan to support the evolving learning environment for boys and staff. Technology Support a technology ecosystem that is designed to make learning personal, deepen student engagement, strengthen collaboration and critical thinking, and prepare students for the professional world.
Strategic Plan Achievements
Each year, the school sets specific goals and objectives that reflect our most pressing needs while leveraging the opportunities that support our strategic plan vision. The following lists the major achievements over each of the past three years.
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2015 – 2016
2016 – 2017
Launch of the Strategic Plan 2015-2020
2017 – 2018
Deepen community engagement
Launch of Crescent’s Portrait of a Graduate
Expansion of Crescent Student Services
Establishment of the health & wellbeing platform
Staff & Faculty core competencies
Complete strategic academic plan
Initiation of the strategic academic plan
Launch master campus plan
Expansion of alumni engagement initiatives
CAIS accreditation
Implementation of succesion and risk management plans
Challenge Success partnership
School Facts
1913
750
established
students
8:1
student to teacher ratio
16
average class size
165 faculty/staff
46
faculty with Master’s or PhDs
3
Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence
Curriculum Highlights
46% Reach ahead math
Crescent AP mean scores (2014-2018)
Global Mean
2.93
Ontario Mean
Calculus AB
3.54
Crescent Mean
4.86
of Grade 8 students earned a Grade 9 math credit
Global Mean
2.85
84%
86%
86%
91%
Upper School honour roll
Ontario Mean
132 awards of distinction in national math contests
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Grade 10
Grade 11
Advanced Placement courses offered
Grade 12
87% 196
Macroeconomics
total Upper School
Advanced Placement exams written
3.36
Crescent Mean
4.39
Global Mean
3.14
Ontario Mean
Microeconomics
3.41
Crescent Mean
4.50
Global Mean
3.09
Ontario Mean
Computer Science
3.82
Crescent Mean
3.91
Grade 9
Accreditation: Ontario Ministry of Education and Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS).
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Global Mean
3.37
Ontario Mean
Statistics
3.69
Crescent Mean
4.25
Crescent Student Services
Helping our boys reach their full potential in the classroom, in their day-to-day relationships with their peers, teachers and coaches, and in their post-secondary journey.
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Learning support
Six
specialists across
Three schools
Programs to address exam anxiety and academic stress
Guidance and university counselling
Social work
Wellness centre
counsellors for Upper School
social worker in each of Lower/Middle and Upper Schools
school nurses
Added third counsellor to team
Individual and small group mental health support
Operationalizing new medical legislation: Ryan’s Law (Asthma) Rowan’s Law (Concussion)
3 1 2
Partnership with ADHD clinic
Classroom instruction
University planning begins in Grade 9 Summer transition programs for Grades 3, 7 & 9
Building professional networks with university admissions counsellors
Leading Crescent’s diversity team with emphasis on gender identification and visible minorities
Prevalent medical conditions policy Naloxone training
CHARACTER-IN-ACTION
ARTS ATHLETICS BUSINESS OUTREACH ROBOTICS Crescent’s five Character-In-Action programs provide additional opportunities for our boys to develop their character, build invaluable skills and push the limits of their comfort zone outside the classroom.
ARTS
Character-In-Action The Arts
Enriching, nurturing and challenging students to express themselves creatively while stepping beyond their comfort zones to foster self-expression and confidence.
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600
Luna an annual full school interdisciplinary arts event
3
students from Grades 3 - 12 are involved in the arts at Crescent
Lower School Treasure Island
14
dedicated arts faculty team members
MS Air Band Competition, MS Improv Showcase, LS & MS Public Speaking Competitions
senior dramatic arts Broadway theatre trip
Middle School Inherit the Wind
Four
international choir trip to Ireland
mainstage Drama productions featuring over 200 students (performance, stage and design roles) Upper School If Not for Love
co-curricular MS/US instrumental bands Two yearly musical concerts featuring all LS & MS students, all Grade 9 students and approximately 60 senior US students
Dala girls performance made possible by Noble Marks Family endowment for the arts
ATHLETICS
Character-In-Action Athletics
Providing a broad range of opportunities for boys to explore character through action in a competitive environment and to develop a lifelong passion for an active, healthy lifestyle.
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74 Crescent teams
Medalists
Sports Crescent competes in
teams in total
Three Eleven
swimming
OFSAA medalists
softball
CISAA silver medalists
soccer
Participation in athletics
100% 92% 74% Lower School
Middle School
x-country
baseball badminton
Upper School
Eleven
volleyball squash
track & field
CISAA championships U11 X-Country U13 D1 Soccer Junior Volleyball U14 Squash
Senior D2 Basketball Senior Ultimate Junior Badminton U13 Rugby
tennis
golf
U14 Rugby Junior Rugby U14 Softball
CAIS national tournament champions U13 D1 Basketball
rugby
hockey
basketball frisbee
BUSINESS
Character-In-Action Business
Inspiring passion and excitement for business and entrepreneurship and a foundation for future success in business.
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$34,000 19 Investment team
value of student-managed Investment portfolio
Business case competitions
Four of Eight
students were on 1st place teams at BSS Case Competition
real-money investments, including the first in the U.S. investment market
DECA
Achieved distinctions at the regional, provincial and international levels, including:
7
students who were provincial champions
2
students who were world champions
First, Second & Third overall placed teams at Ivey School of Business Case Competition
First & Third placed teams at Appleby Case Competition
Junior business club opens to students in Grades 9 and 10
OUTREACH
Character-In-Action Outreach
Inspiring our graduates to become engaged citizens interested in making a positive difference in their world.
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75% Number of students engaged in service
of all Crescent boys took part in some form of local community service this school year
students participated in the 5 outreach service trips to Ecuador, South Africa, Tanzania, India and to the First Nations community of Superior North
Over 20 community organizations partnered with Crescent as part of our local outreach program
100%
of Middle School students were involved in local outreach initiatives with local community partners
Ecuador
More than 100 Crescent students and families came out to support two Crescent community service events Operation Raise a Flag honoured our veterans and Street Connection provided meals for the homeless
India
Tanzania
2,552 community service hours were logged by Grade 9 students
South Africa
Superior North
Launched the 40 in 9 program; 25 Grade 9 boys completed their mandatory 40 service hours required for graduation
ROBOTICS
Character-In-Action Robotics
Grooming students for careers in science, technology and engineering while providing invaluable experiences in collaboration, competition, sportsmanship, leadership, problem solving and perseverance.
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Lower School
33 10
club participants
Middle School team accomplishments
D1 team earned numerous local and provincial awards including Excellence Award, Energy Award, STEM Research Project Award & Judges’ Award; qualified for Vex World Championship
MS introduced a D2 Robotics team, allowing a greater cross-section of participation; D2 team placed 3rd in provincial tournament
team participants
Middle School
10 32
Upper School team accomplishments
record for the year
club participants
team participants
Upper School
48
team participants
54-14-0
Ranked 1st
@ Ontario District Windsor Essex Great Lakes event
Ranked 2nd
@ Ontario Provincial Championship
Ranked 8th
overall ranking in Ontario
Ontario Durham College District Tournament Champions, Gracious Professionalism Award
World Championship Daly Division semi-finalists; Excellence in Engineering Award
Student Leadership
Providing every Crescent student with the opportunity to accomplish positive change together.
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Student leadership
1 6 10 12 32 head boy
house prefects
portfolio prefects
house captains
Lower & Middle School class representatives
Grade 10 & 11 leadership course
This course, in its second year of implementation, prepares students to act in leadership roles by designing and implementing solutions for groups in their community, such as Senior’s Wish and New Circles
122 6700 Grades 10 and 11 boys enrolled
leadership hours logged
I acknowledged the social influence of the leader and learned the power and responsibility accompanied by it. With the design thinking skills I have sharpened this year, I am confident that I can lead with my own “why” in the future. —student reflection
Enrolment Highlights
565
applications for September 2018
3:1
applicants to spots available for Grade 3
4.5:1
applicants to spots available for Grade 5
7.3:1
applicants to spots available for Grade 7
4.6:1
applicants to spots available for Grade 9
150 offers extended
101
offers accepted on offer day
117
new boys joining Crescent
over $1,000,000 in student financial aid available
4.7%
of students on financial aid in 2018-2019
Class of 2018
85 graduates
91% graduated with Ontario Honours
3
graduates received full 4-year scholarships
18% pursuing post-secondary education in the U.S. or abroad
31
University programs of study
20% Engineering incl. Computer Science
25% Business/ Commerce
15% Science
33% Liberal Arts/ Social Science
7% Other incl. Architecture, Fine Arts and Law
University Destinations
Our graduates attend first-rate universities in North America and overseas as indicated by the list of destinations from the past five years. All of our 2018 graduating class accepted offers.
*University destinations for the Class of 2018
Canada Acadia University Bishop’s University Brock University Carleton University Concordia University Dalhousie University* Fraser Valley University Huron University College* McGill University* McMaster University* Ontario College of Art and Design* Queen’s University* Ryerson University St. Francis Xavier University Western University* University of British Columbia* University of Guelph University of King’s College* University of Ontario Institute of Technology University of Toronto* University of Victoria University of Waterloo* Wilfrid Laurier University* York University
United States Adelphi University American University Babson University Brandeis University Boston University Brown University Carnegie Mellon Chapman University* Claremont McKenna Colby College* Columbia University* Cornell University Danton College Dartmouth College Denison University Depauw University Duke University* Harvard University* Johns Hopkins University* New York University Northeastern University* Northwestern University Parsons School of Design Pratt University Quinnipiac University* Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rice University
Santa Clara University Syracuse University* University of Arizona* University of California —Los Angeles University of Chicago University of Detroit Mercy University of Miami University of Pennsylvania University of Rochester University of Southern California University of Syracuse University of Wisconsin Wake Forest University Overseas London School of Economics (UK)* Newcastle University (UK)* Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland University of Bristol (UK) University of Edinburgh (UK)* University of Glasgow (UK) University of St Andrews (UK) Warwick University (UK)
Our Alumni
Lasting friendships and strong bonds are an inherent part of the Crescent School experience. Our alumni engagement programs keep our boys connected, offering an active and diverse network and a gateway to personal and professional development programs.
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2,799 of Crescent alumni engaged
Alumni program highlights
New alumni engagement and social media networking site launched
23
alumni events held including networking events, career and mentoring events, university and international branch events
Past & Present magazine relaunched with an “alumni-first� editorial focus
alumni internship program
alumni mentoring
alumni recognition awards
$180,000 alumni funds raised toward student financial aid in 2017/2018
School Goals
To lead Crescent School’s evolving culture, strategy and practice, the School goals for 2018-2019 are:
Consolidate engagement with key stakeholders, including students, staff, parents and alumni, in order to listen and respond to feedback regarding the Crescent experience.
Commence implementation of Crescent’s Strategic Academic Plan by introducing a new master timetable and by reviewing school practices related to assessment and evaluation.
Finalize our Master Campus Plan by conducting a feasibility study of Crescent’s financial and regulatory environment and revising it for key development opportunities and program fit.
School Leadership
Crescent is overseen by an Administrative Leadership Team and dedicated volunteers who make up the Board of Governors and Parent Association. Collectively they devote countless hours each year to deliver an unparalleled school experience for our students, staff and families.
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Administrative Leadership
Nick Kovacs Head of Upper School
Doris Loo
Michael Fellin Headmaster
John Lynch Executive Director of External Relations
Peter Osborne
Martha Miller Director of Innovation and Technology
Glenn Shyba
Ryan Bell ’98 Assistant Head of Lower School Fraser Bertram Director of Athletics Dr. Sandra Boyes Head of Lower and Middle Schools Jill Cannon Director of Advancement Rob Costanzo Assistant Head of Upper School Robert Cranston Assistant Head of Middle School David Grant Dean of Studies Arjuna Kadawathage Director of Finance Carolyn Kanhai Executive Assistant to Headmaster and Board of Governors
Richard Prosser Assistant Head of Upper School Lorne Rabinovitch Director of Facilities David Shaw Director of Enrolment and Financial Aid Carolyn Smith-Green Chief Finance and Administrative Officer Lynda Torneck Director of Marketing and Communications
Board of Governors Barry Gordon ’87 Chair
Gina Kay Executive Director of Student Services
Jamie Coulter ’87
Lara Koretsky Executive Director of People and Culture
Dr. Eileen de Villa
Beth Currie Watt Catherine Herring Brian Lang ’87
Linda Mantia Stuart Raftus Paul Spafford Nicole Swales Kevin Teng Rob Watt ’85 Tim Wiggan ’90 David Williamson Dr. Charlotte Youngson
Crescent Parent Association Beth Currie Watt President Matilda Mavroudis Vice President Tori Newall Past President Camalita Singh Secretary Andrea Bunker Treasurer Martha Vesey Communications
Crescent School 2365 Bayview Avenue, Toronto ON M2L 1A2 416.449.2556 www.crescentschool.org