HEAD OF SCHOOL Leadership Donor Report – Fall 2018
GREETINGS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL “The student experience is at the center of my enthusiasm for my work, as is for my drive to continue building this strong community that fosters an authentic love of learning.”
Top: Jim & Lucy Hamilton, Left to right: Jackson ’25, TJ ’20, Cameron ’23
Dear Leadership Donors, Greetings from the Hilltop! It is hard to believe that it’s mid-October and that the fall trimester is just about at the halfway point. The leaves are changing and with that, fall activities are in full swing. Our teams are competing at a high level and our productions are starting to take shape. The student experience is at the center of my enthusiasm for my work, as is my drive to continue building this strong community that fosters an authentic love of learning. Berwick’s joy of learning through discovery cannot exist without your support. Much of my experience in schools has been in advancement (admission and development) and it is clear to me that the partnership between a school and its donors is the catalyst for meeting its goals and vision. These relationships can be transformational for the school and students. I am eager to begin my work with you as donors; building this partnership is something that I love to do,
and I look forward to getting started. Berwick has clearly demonstrated that it will steward your philanthropy in powerful ways. Leaders before me like Greg Schneider, Hap Ridgway, and countless others have set a high standard for ensuring that Berwick is meeting and even exceeding the expectations of our students. The administrative team is the strongest that I have seen, the faculty are exceptional at what they do and are working to innovate and develop their skills, our facilities are top notch, and our financial foundation is strong. Your support of Berwick and the growth of philanthropy at the school speaks to your confidence in what we are doing and where we are going. I want to ensure that we retain that privilege to ask you for your support and that every time we talk about how we are stewarding your gift, you know how meaningful it is and how carefully we utilize our funding.
This is not to say that we don’t have work to do and that Berwick doesn’t have its challenges. We do and it does. It is my hope over the next several years to work together with you to best understand where we need to go next and how you might be interested in helping us get there. I am looking forward to meeting you very soon. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this report and seeing the impact of your philanthropy at Berwick. Sincerely,
Jim Hamilton Head of School
THANK YOU FROM THE ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS It is such a pleasure to share with you, our most impactful donors, this Head of School Leadership Donor Report.
“None of the incredible accomplishments that are highlighted in these pages would have been possible without your support. Yo u h a v e b e e n t h e fuel that has brought Berwick to this amazing point in its history.”
None of the incredible accomplishments that are highlighted in these pages would have been possible without your support. You have been the fuel that has brought Berwick to this amazing point in its history. I hope that you know how grateful we are for your generosity and that you feel a sense of pride in seeing the power of your own philanthropy in these pages. This past year was one of transition for all of us, as we said our goodbyes and passed on our gratitude to Greg Schneider. His leadership, along with your partnership, has been transformational for Berwick. This year, we celebrated his tenure with the creation of The Gregory J. Schneider Fund for Financial Aid, raising over $200,000 in endowed funds.
Whittier Falls, a division of the Dover (NH) Housing Authority. The Katz Fund for Financial Aid was revitalized this year and a bequest from Mary Byrd Platt (G ‘06, ‘08, ‘14) has allowed us to set up a Financial Aid fund for a student who loves the performing arts. These are just some of the exciting ways in which Berwick donors have made a difference. As we gear up for the year ahead, I am so optimistic about what we can accomplish together. Jim Hamilton brings deep experience in helping families and alumni make the most of their philanthropy. He is enthusiastic to meet and thank all of you. Thank you for the difference that you make for Berwick. Your partnership is absolutely what keeps me excited about what is ahead for this wonderful school. Sincerely,
The Berwick Fund remained strong again this year, beating the budgeted goal by more than $35,000. Gifts to The Berwick Fund are the foundation for all that we do and its strength remains critical for our community. Thanks to a generous gift, the Board moved forward on a campus planning initiative that will allow us to articulate to our supporters where our attention is most needed for our capital projects on campus. In addition to many ongoing funding initiatives and programs, financial aid and access was a significant focus for a number of generous donors this year. Two have stepped forward to fully fund two exceptional students from Boston as our Hancock House Scholars. The Bill and Kathryn Matthews Memorial Fund has been reinvigorated and connected to our work to bring students from
Amy Smucker Assistant Head of School for External Affairs
THE STORER FUND SUPPORTS OUTDOOR PROGRAM Incorporating outdoor education into our Lower School curriculum is an ongoing effort. The benefits of this practice are critical for young learners, encouraging and supporting the development of inquisitive, self-assured, and engaged students. When children are able to learn about and interact with the environment and world around them, they learn with all of their senses. This type of learning leads to increases in confidence, motivation, and better communication skills, as well as a deeper appreciation and understanding of the outdoors. In addition to individual gains, there is also greater strength in the community as students learn how to work collaboratively.
With an award of $10,000, The Storer Fund grant sent three faculty members to the annual North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) conference in Washington in early October. Upon their return to campus, these teachers will bring ideas to integrate into the curriculum. There will be a focus on sharing pedagogy and program content with their colleagues and spreading what they have learned across the school. Their new knowledge will directly impact the experience of all our Berwick students, by making additions to our curriculum with increased opportunities around environmental education and outdoor play.
This spring, the Lower School received a generous gift from The Storer Fund in support of integrating nature more fully into the curriculum. The gift will allow us to build on progress made in experiential programs and spaces, such as the Wonder Garden, plans for a permanent storywalk, and increasing greenhouse activities. To grow the focus on and instruction around the natural environment, faculty professional development is essential. This need, coupled with the knowledge that education and learning never stop, recognizes the importance that our faculty and their growth in learning shouldn’t stop either.
This grant allows us to make a significant investment in faculty professional development, in a subject matter we are committed to enhancing. While direct outdoor education developments have been made in the Lower School, this grant will allow our faculty to continue that work, while also learning and beginning to look at incorporating more of this important programming into the Middle and Upper Schools. We are so appreciative of this grant that will strengthen both our current program and our faculty.
THE STORER FUND The mission of The Storer Fund is to promote an ecologically rich and economically prosperous future for current and future generations. The Foundation pursues its mission by focusing grant making in three strategic areas, one being Early Childhood Education. The goal of this area is to support the development of healthy, happy, creative, and curious children. This requires the integration of developmentally appropriate, natural and imaginative learning opportunities into the fabric of early childhood education. The Foundation supports projects that demonstrate some or all of the following strategies:
K-1 Snowshoe Story Walk
• • •
Improving teacher quality Facilitating the sharing of best practices Using place as an integrating context for learning
THE MARY BYRD PLATT SCHOLARSHIP Planned gifts are essential for Berwick’s long-term financial future, and allow donors to directly support an area of greatest interest. These gifts can be earmarked for a specific academic or extracurricular program, given in honor of a beloved faculty or staff member, or in support of a scholarship. Donors who make planned estate gifts are members of our Chadbourne-Thompson Society. With nearly 30 members, these donors are helping to shape Berwick’s future. M ar y By rd Platt
Liz-Anne, Ch uck '06, an d Tim at comme nce me nt
Liz-Anne an d Tim w ick pe rf or m ing at Be r
Tim as John Hancock for Ber wick's 225th celebration
This year, Mary Byrd Platt, mother of longtime Berwick faculty/staff member Tim Platt and his wife Liz-Anne, grandparent of Chuck Platt '06, Meg Platt '08, and Will Platt '14, passed away after a period of failing health. Mary was a lover of the performing arts, a passion that remained with her throughout her life. In this spirit, The Mary Byrd Platt Endowed Scholarship Fund was established to provide financial assistance for students who have a passion for the performing arts. Mrs. Platt was born in New York City in 1931, and grew up in Princeton, New Jersey. After graduating from Winsor School, Polly, as she was affectionately known to her friends, attended Smith College and majored in English. She married Charles Platt III in 1957, and they made their home at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Massachusetts, where her husband was a member of the history faculty. The Platts moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 1971, when Mr. Platt accepted a position with The Episcopal School of Jacksonville. They remained in Jacksonville with their two sons until Mr. Platt’s retirement from teaching, but the family continued to spend each summer on Newfound Lake in Hebron, New Hampshire. The Platts then moved to Concord, New Hampshire, in 1988, where Mrs. Platt was active with various organizations in the local community. Mrs. Platt’s love of the arts was ever present in her life, including her singing with the Songweavers women’s community chorus in Concord. The Mary Byrd Platt Endowed Scholarship Fund was created in her memory, honoring her passion for the performing arts, and enabling a student with the same love, to experience Berwick. We are thankful for the Platt family’s support, and look forward to welcoming our first Mary Byrd Platt scholar.
2017-18 THE BERWICK FUND: YOUR INVESTMENT AT WORK On July 2, Kristina Powell joined the advancement office as the Director of The Berwick Fund. Most recently, she was the Development Manager at the Center for Grieving Children in Portland, Maine. Prior to that she was Associate Director of Multicultural Alumni & Parent Engagement at Bates College. Kristina and her son are new Portsmouth residents. “I am excited to have joined this community, and look forward to meeting you and feeling the energy of this campus come alive this fall,” shares Kristina.
Special thanks to: The Berwick Fund parent volunteers who were crucial in helping us reach our goals
& Berwick faculty & staff for 97% participation this year
UNRESTRICTED INCLUDING LEADERSHIP DOLLARS $1,000,000
$875,070 $879,135 $800,000
$600,000
$400,000
$200,000
$780,471
$902,566
$860,401
$812,806
$794,754 $815,708 $784,365 $790,033 $658,131 {90%} {90%} {91%} {90%} $621,872 $726,679 $649,383 {89%} $549,562 $578,136 {88%} {88%}
{89%} Berwick’s 225th Anniversary THE BERWICK FUND Unrestricted Dollars Raised LEADERSHIP Unrestricted Dollars Raised
FY 20102011
FY 20112012
FY 20122013
FY 20132014
FY 20142015
FY 20152016
FY 20162017
FY 20172018
THE HIGHLIGHTS • $928,401 Total The Berwick Fund • $860,401 The Berwick Fund – unrestricted gifts • $68,000 The Berwick Fund – restricted gifts • $784,365 Leadership gifts • 97% Faculty and staff participation • 859 Gifts to The Berwick Fund
TH A YOUNK !
2017-18 THE BERWICK FUND Each year, The Berwick Fund allows our school to live its mission of “promoting virtue and useful knowledge among the rising generations” and to provide an exceptional educational experience to students in the Seacoast. The Berwick Fund is our most critical fundraising initiative, providing the school with the necessary support to meet our most pressing needs.
$928,401 THANK YOU, LEADERSHIP DONORS, FOR PROVIDING CRITICAL SUPPORT TO THE BERWICK FUND EACH YEAR.
FIVE-YEAR UNRESTRICTED GIVING COMPARISON Every gift to Berwick Academy is valued and appreciated. It is noteworthy to mention that our Leadership Donors consistently account for close to 90% of The Berwick Fund. In 2017, The Berwick Fund experienced a steep increase in the number of donors, many of whom were making donations in celebration of the school’s 225th Anniversary. Coming down from a year of particularly special celebrations, there was a decrease in parent participation. It is a priority for the school to attract and retain an increased number of Leadership Donors every year. Leadership gifts are critical for sustained growth in The Berwick Fund and help drive our success and nurture the culture of generous philanthropy at Berwick. YEAR
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
PARENT PARTICIPATION
ALUMNI PARTICIPATION
LEADERSHIP GIVING
LEADERSHIP DONORS
2013-2014
$812,806
843
68%
11%
$726,679
112
2014-2015
$875,070
859
71%
12%
$788,508
116
2015-2016
$879,135
855
73%
12%
$794,754
114
2016-2017
$902,566
1,012
74%
12%
$815,708
126
2017-2018
$860,401
859
66%
13%
$784,365
118
Berwick’s 225th Anniversary
THE ADMISSIONS TEAM Left to right: Sonya Quinn, Colleen Meader, Jen Wing, Haley Preston, Sarah Gurry
76
%
The Berwick Admissions team is excited to announce two personnel changes. Jennifer Wing is the new Director of Enrollment Management. A graduate of Governor’s Academy, the University of Southern Maine, and Northeastern University (MS in Leadership with a Specialization in Non-profit Management), Jen has a combined 11 years of K-12 admissions and financial aid experience in day and boarding schools including Kents Hill, and Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall. She most recently served as the Director of Admissions and Access at Applewild School in Fitchburg, MA. Haley Preston is a new Assistant Director of Admission. Haley received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at St. Lawrence University (M.Ed in Educational Leadership), and has worked in admissions at Western Reserve Academy and St. George’s School. Sarah Gurry continues as an Assistant Director of Admission, with Colleen Meader and Sonya Quinn in their respective roles as Director of Financial Aid and Admissions Office Manager.
APPLICANTS, ACCEPTANCES, AND MATRICULANTS (as of Sept. 2018)
Average acceptance rate over the last three years
41 66% %
Students receiving financial assistance
Average yield over the last three years
Year
2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019
Applications
320
316
341
336
294
Yield
76%
69%
64.4%
62%
71%
Total Enrollment
592 (goal 580)
589 (goal 588)
592 (goal 590)
591 (goal 585)
604 (goal 585)
SHARING THE BERWICK EXPERIENCE: A NOTE FROM JEN WING I am delighted to be at Berwick Academy, leading this talented and enthusiastic admissions team. I strongly believe in independent schools and the incredibly positive, powerful experiences they provide for students, and was especially drawn to Berwick’s Seacoast values, authentic and kind community members, and diverse, forward-thinking academic and extracurricular programs. I am eager to share the Berwick experience with prospective families, promoting our full PK-12 grade program throughout our communities a program and educational experience that is incredibly unique, innovative,
empowering, creative, balanced, and student-centered. The driving force that generates the Berwick experience are our faculty and staff, and the ways in which they empower our students, create a safe community, and deliver meaningful, studentcentered curricula using best practices in teaching each day. Through strategic, collaborative, and creative admission and outreach efforts, I am most excited to highlight this key ingredient and differentiator.
The Admission Team is dedicated to providing all prospective families with an individualized, memorable, differentiating, and fun experience, and looks forward to collaborating with all of our community members as we advance Berwick’s mission and attract and enroll students and families who value a Berwick education. Sincerely,
Jen Wing Jennifer Wing Director of Enrollment Management
THE HANCOCK HOUSE OPENS ITS DOORS The Hancock House, formerly the Academy Street Inn, opened its doors to residents in early September. We were pleased to open this first year with eight Upper School boys, six of whom are new to Berwick this year. The grade levels of students range from 9 to postgraduate, and there is a mix of five- and seven-day borders. Students hail from Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, China, and the Dominican Republic. The Hancock House has an incredible group of faculty caring for our students, including Residential Life Coordinator Kara Cross. Kara oversees all programming and residential life. Kara, her husband, Ian, their son, Russell, and two dogs, Rocky and Rex, live in Hancock’s carriage house. Kara has an extensive background in residential programs. Having grown up on the Taft School’s campus, Kara has a deep understanding of the benefit from living, learning, and playing as a residential student. She appreciates
that this family-like atmosphere leads to strong bonds that allow for learning experiences far beyond the classroom. Kara has both a master’s degree in English from the University of Vermont and master’s degree in Social Work from the University of New England. She previously taught, coached, and was part of the residential staff at Blair Academy. The faculty have designed an innovative residential experience for our students that is based on a family-style model. Students are eating together each night, and have input on the menu, including meals at local restaurants. This year’s activities will include both experiencing and exploring the Seacoast, as well as engaging and building the Berwick community. From enjoying local fairs and festivals, to getting to know neighbors, Kara’s plans include welcoming our community to coffee houses, club meetings, and other events hosted at the house.
Already the goal of expanding what Berwick has to offer beyond our bus catchment area has become a reality. We are thrilled with this initial success and the administration plans to keep a close eye on how the program unfolds to make sure that these students have an exceptional residential experience.
Left to right: Ian, Russell, & Kara on the steps of the Hancock House
A MESSAGE FROM JON DOUGLAS, CFO Berwick Academy is fortunate to be built on and surrounded by a committed and supportive community. We are in a position to proudly acknowledge our many accomplishments while maintaining a clear vision of and preparedness for the goals and challenges that lie ahead. Our success is due to a combination of: our ongoing commitment to a disciplined fiscal approach, strong cooperation between the Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and staff, and the extraordinary support of our community of donors and volunteers. Led by another year of strong enrollment, solid endowment performance, and inspired philanthropic support, the 2017-18 academic year was among the strongest in recent years. While achieving a modest operational surplus, Berwick enjoyed growth of our endowment to $17.98 million and net assets to $31.16 million. Berwick remains committed to the belief that there cannot be excellence in education without the inclusion of students from diverse backgrounds. In 2017-18, Berwick awarded $4.3 million in financial assistance grants to 239 students, with the average grant totaling just over $18,000, allowing us to welcome the most vibrant and capable students to our community. As we continue through the first trimester of the 2018-19 academic year, there is much anticipation and promise. The recently purchased and renovated John Hancock House marks the return of a residential program to the Hilltop after more than 40 years, and this fall we started operation of our in-house transportation, purchasing nine buses to enhance our student experience. Coupling these endeavors with our continued academic excellence, marked by a broad and deep curriculum, we look forward to another fantastic year on the Hilltop. On behalf of Berwick Academy, thank you for your continued support. Investments: $18,323,711
$25,000,000
Debts: $8,228,929
Investments & Debt
$20,000,000
$15,000,000
$10,000,000
$5,000,000
ASSET MANAGEMENT
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
$0
The assets are deployed in a manner that seeks to avoid a 25% or greater peak-to-trough decline in their total, Endowment assets are managed by the Board of Trustees inflation-adjusted, unit value. Subject to this drawdown Investment Committee which consults with professional limit, the assets will be managed to maximize annualized managers and grants them investment discretion consistent returns, net of all expenses and management fees, over with the objectives. rolling seven-year periods.
TOTAL BERWICK EXPENSES & REVENUE: FY 17-18 Programs: Instructional, Auxiliaries, Food Service, Transportation: $2,011,407
Administration & Facilities:
12% $2,626,449
Tuition Assistance: $4,355,006
10%
Other Income:
$1,134,549
5%
3% Endowment Draw: 5% The Berwick Fund:
20%
TOTAL Expenses
$700,000
$983,058
TOTAL Revenue
$21,567,702
$21,924,862 1% Debt Service: $215,712
57%
Compensation & Benefits:
$12,359,128
87% Tuition (gross): $19,107,255
TOTAL BERWICK ASSETS & LIABILITIES: FY 17-18 Property & Equipment: $20,437,053
Payables & Accrued Expenses: $2,010,306
47%
17%
Receivables & Prepaid Expenses: $2,197,144
5% TOTAL Assets
$43,342,435
TOTAL Liabilities
$12,183,957
16%
48%
Cash & Investments: $20,708,238
67% Notes Payable: $8,186,648
Prepaid Revenue: $1,987,003
COLLEGE COUNSELING: ACHIEVING PERSONAL EXCELLENCE Berwick’s college counseling program continues its individualized work with students, combining a philosophy that aligns with the school’s core values and meeting the students in a structure that is developmentally appropriate for the course of their Upper School career. The core values are applied by: Balancing ambition with realism and challenging tasks with support; stretching through exposure to colleges, majors, and experiences; focusing on integrity, not gaming the system, throughout the process; and defining personal excellence for each student individually. During their time in the Upper School, the program changes to meet students where they are both developmentally as well as tactically in the process: • Grade 9: Integration into the Upper School • Grade 10: Exposure to testing, and making academic choices • Grade 11: Exploration, on a personal level, of both the understanding of excellence and the formal application process • Grade 12: Preparation of materials to first meet tasks and deadlines, and focusing on college life
Director of College Counseling Moira McKinnon ‘88, and Assistant Director Lynne O’Shaughnessy continue to emphasize personal exploration with students, and are seeing a trend of increases in the diversity of acceptances that reflect students’ individuality. Six new colleges were added to the list of matriculations list in five years, and eight were new to the list over the past two decades. Our student athletes were recruited in baseball, basketball, crew, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, and tennis. Highlights from this year’s 77 seniors in the Class of 2018 include: • 298 acceptances to 137 different colleges and universities • Matriculations at 56 different schools in 21 states including D.C., as well internationally in the United Kingdom • All non-early decision students received multiple acceptances • Second highest acceptance rate in 15 years We are proud of the student successes represented in the updated matriculations list, and expect another great list this year.
Class of 2018
COLLEGE MATRICULATIONS FOR THE CLASSES OF 2013 THROUGH 2018 Allegheny College American University (4) Babson College (3) Barnard College (3) Bates College (2) Becker College Bentley University (2) Berklee College of Music Boston College (3) Boston University (4) Bowdoin College Brandeis University Brown University (6) Bryn Mawr College Bucknell University (2) California Inst. of Technology Carnegie Mellon University (2) Castleton University Catholic University of America Champlain College (3) Chapman University Clark University (3) Clarkson University Colby College (4) College of Charleston (2) College of the Holy Cross (5) College of Wooster Colorado College Connecticut College (4) Cornell University Dartmouth College Denison University (3) Dickinson College (4) Drew University Drexel University (2) Eckerd College (3) Elms College Elon University (9) Emmanuel College (2) Endicott College (7) Fairfield University Fordham University (3) Franklin & Marshall College (3) Furman University (2) George Mason University (2) George Washington University (5) Georgetown University Gettysburg College (3) Goucher College Hamilton College (2) Harvard University Hillsdale College Hobart & William Smith Colleges (9)
Indiana Univ. Purdue Fort Wayne Ithaca College Keene State College Kenyon College (2) Lafayette College (4) Lehigh University (6) Lewis & Clark College LIM College Loyola Marymount University (2) Loyola University Chicago Lynn University (2) Lynchburg College Maine College of Art (2) Maine Maritime Academy (2) Massachusetts College of Art (2) Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (2) McGill University Merrimack College Middlebury College Montana State University New England College New York University (3) Northeastern University (15) Northwestern University Norwich University Occidental University (3) Ohio Wesleyan University Oklahoma State University Point Loma Nazarene University Pratt Institute Princeton University Providence College (4) Quinnipiac University (4) Roanoke College Rochester Inst. of Technology (5) Roger Williams University (2) Rollins College (3) Rose-Hulman Inst. of Technology Sacred Heart University (2) Saint Lawrence University (8) Saint Michael’s College (2) Salve Regina University (2) School of the Visual Arts Seattle University Simmons College (2) Smith College (2) Stanford University (3) Stevens Inst. of Technology Stonehill University Suffolk University (2) SUNY Oneonta (2) Swarthmore College Syracuse University
Texas A&M University Trinity College (3) Tufts University (8) Tulane University (3) United States Coast Guard Academy Unity College (2) University College London University Laval Univ. of Alabama Univ. of British Columbia Univ. of Chicago Univ. of Colorado – Boulder (3) Univ. of Denver (2) Univ. of Edinburgh Univ. of Hartford Univ. of Kentucky Univ. of Maine – Farmington Univ. of Maine – Orono (7) Univ. of Maryland College Park Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst (2) Univ. of Miami (4) Univ. of Michigan Univ. of Mississippi Univ. of Montana Univ. of New England (2) Univ. of New Hampshire (22) Univ. of New Haven (2) Univ. of Oregon Univ. of Pennsylvania Univ. of Rochester (2) Univ. of South Carolina Univ. of Southern California Univ. of Tampa Univ. of Toronto (2) Univ. of Vermont (5) Ursinus College Vassar College Villanova University (4) Virginia Polytechnic Institute Wake Forest University (3) Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College (2) Wesleyan University Wheaton College (MA) (6) Wheelock College Williams College Worcester Polytechnic Institute (7) Xavier University Yale University
THE BILL AND KATHRYN MATTHEWS MEMORIAL FUND: PARTNERSHIP AND ACCESS In 2015, Berwick made a commitment to creating a more inclusive and culturally competent community. The opportunity to attend a high-quality independent school can be transformational for students, and the ability for schools to provide resources can be challenging. Through partnership, collaboration, generosity, and a mutual vision and value on diversity, access, and opportunity, a more diverse and stronger community can be actualized. Former parent and current grandparent, Pat Silberblatt, helped Berwick to establish this type of partnership with the Dover (New Hampshire) Housing Authority (DHA). Pat is a board member of this federally funded entity that has provided housing to low-income families in Dover, NH since the early 1950s. The Dover Community Scholar Program was created, and in the fall of 2016 admitted its first student to the 4th grade. Since then the DHA has changed its name to Whittier Falls and we have made substantial inroads in spreading the word about this partnership.
academic year, not only have Dick and Jan agreed to make another $25,000 current-use gift to cover tuition costs, but they have also put forward a $25,000 match to help build the endowment portion of this fund. Dick and Jan’s generous gift is intended to inspire others to help make this partnership possible and we look forward to encouraging others to join the program. As we embark on fully funding this program over time, the endowed fund and program has been renamed The Bill and Kathryn Matthews Memorial Fund, after beloved faculty member Bill, who served Berwick Academy from 1964 to 1984, and his wife, Kathryn. Dick and Jan shared their motivation and the meaning of their gift: “There are few instances in life when you can view the concrete results of charitable giving. The Dover Housing Authority project offers a unique educational opportunity to a promising child in the local community. This initiative helps Berwick build a student population that is reflective of the communities they serve as well as the world around them. Supporting this program is our opportunity to pay it forward. We hope others lucky enough to have been part of the Berwick experience will do the same”.
Funding for this program began with Berwick’s need-based financial aid, subsidized by fundraising that was supported by Whittier Falls. Donor support and generosity continues A sketch of former Middle to support Berwick’s financial aid, School Director Bill Matthews This fall, the third scholar begins as a and therefore our ability to support fourth grader. We will continue working promising low-income students. This year, Dick Shafner ‘65 with Whittier Falls to bring students to Berwick Academy each and his wife, Jan Eustis, stepped forward and took a leadership year, and appreciate the community’s support of financial aid, role in initiating philanthropic support behind funding this and Dick and Jan’s support of the program. program and directed a $25,000 current-use gift to cover the tuition costs for one student. And again, in the 2018-2019
THE GREGORY J. SCHNEIDER FUND FOR FINANCIAL AID The Fund-A-Need, our annual spring fundraising focus on critical projects and initiatives on campus, honored Greg Schneider’s final year as Berwick Academy’s Head of School. Greg’s tenure saw incredible growth in campus improvements, increased financial sustainability, and curricular evolution. As a community, it felt fitting to honor him with an endowed fund to provide financial aid to students for years to come. While at Berwick, Greg had a passion for and commitment to financial
access, believing that a Berwick education should be available to promising students in the Seacoast region, regardless of their ability to pay. Thanks to the generous support of many in our community – trustees, parents, alumni, and friends – we raised over $220,000 to endow The Gregory J. Schneider Fund for Financial Aid. This year’s Fund-A-Need broke all records, was a tremendous accomplishment for the school, and a testament to Greg’s leadership and vision for Berwick.
CAMPUS PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
T F A
R D
Berwick is fortunate to have a campus that serves the needs of our community well. The facility work that has been done over the past 50 years means that we have some of the very best facilities in the independent school world. Thanks to the generosity of many, Berwick’s last five years have included the completion of a number of facility renovations and campus improvements, and the introduction of new and exciting spaces to the community. With the completion of these projects, the Board has thought strategically about what is next for the school. When it became apparent that there was a need for campus planning, trustee Bob Richards (right), generously stepped in to fund a campus planning project with Market Square Architects. The two areas of greatest need are driven by the need for more space: in the Commons, the school’s dining facility, and the Patricia Baldwin Whipple Arts Center, which houses the theater and numerous visual arts and music classrooms. Market Square Architects presented the Board with some preliminary ideas for expansion of these two spaces. We look
forward to sharing these initial designs, and will seek input from a variety of constituents and supporters over the coming years to help solidify the needs of the school. If you are interested in learning more about either project, please contact Amy Smucker (asmucker@berwickacademy.org).
With Gratitude Sadly, Trustee Bob Richard passed away this past spring, without being able to see the completed campus plans that he funded. Berwick Academy is forever grateful for his leadership and support.
BERWICK ACADEMY
VISION STATEMENT By 2020, Berwick Academy will become a nationally recognized coeducational day school. We seek this recognition for the unique qualities of the Berwick experience. Excellence at Berwick will continue to be attained by local Seacoast day students who stretch and engage in ways that catalyze achievement of their individual potential in all areas of school life. Berwick will be further distinguished in its peer group through its synergistic relationship with the values and priorities of Seacoast families, which include quality of life, balance, perspective, and authenticity. This combination of national excellence and Seacoast values will result in Berwick being pursued by educators from across the nation and by prospective Seacoast students and families. Berwick Academy’s culture and first-rate facilities will be known as a reason for families to relocate to our area. Our graduates will be equipped to thrive at the finest and most diverse colleges and universities in the country, but they will be grounded by the core values of our community. We will bring this vision to fruition by engaging the talent and resourcefulness of our exceptional students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and parent community. Together we will improve all aspects of the School with particular focus on enhancing our programs and bolstering financial durability. We will know that our vision has been realized when enrollment selectivity has increased substantially, net endowment has improved significantly, and other private day school educators routinely seek our input on teaching, finance, diversity, program, and campus development.