IgnitingHearts,TransformingLives THE CAMPAIGN FOR AUSTIN PREPARATORY SCHOOL A CASE FOR SUPPORT The beginning of 2020 heralds another year of growth and progress at Austin Prep. We are so proud of what we have already accomplished, and we continue to be as inspired as ever by the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. During the fall semester, we had the opportunity to share with our community the campus expansion efforts that are currently underway. Much is closely aligned with an intentional strategic vision and our multi-year capital campaign program, Igniting Hearts, Transforming Lives. The Igniting Hearts, Transforming Lives Campaign, which has made unprecedented progress since its inception in 2013, has facilitated a continuous investment in innovation. Our trajectory of achievement has been nothing short of extraordinary and Austin Prep is pleased to present the Case for Support that defines the vision for our future progress. As we move forward into this watershed era of expansion, the Campaign has catalyzed our success and forward momentum. A project of this scope and magnitude will appreciably impact the Austin Prep experience for current students and for those in generations to come.
Purpose & Rationale The principal theme during this period of growth and innovation never varies. We remain resolute in our commitment to expand services, programs, curriculum and co-curricular activities, and to modernize the campus and its facilities—all in support of our students and their teachers. Improved learning opportunities for students are at the core of our mission. The original charge of the Campaign has stayed true to Austin Prep’s mission—an unprecedented investment in our students’ potential and in the institution itself. Such a commitment produces graduates who embrace Augustinian traditions of scholarship, character, faith and service. The initial phase of the Campaign was completed with the construction of the football stadium, the new dining hall and outdoor eating area, a modern and well-resourced fitness center. Additionally, there have been major improvements to the entranceway lobby, the construction of a more functional and attractive campus entrance, upgraded HVAC systems, and the reconfiguration of offices, classroom spaces and studios. These campus upgrades improve the quality of life of our students, staff, and faculty. Our growth has been steady and incremental, yet at the same time, has been undeniably substantial and impactful. Imagine the possibilities!
Our Progress We have now moved into the more pubic phase of the Campaign, and there has been considerable progress. During the past few years, with strong leadership and support from the Board of Trustees and an army of volunteers, we engaged parents, former parents, and alumni in what was referred to as the “quiet phase” of the campaign. As a result of these discussions, we are proud to announce that we solidified over $1.7 million in commitments toward our $3 million campaign goal, enabling Austin Prep to break ground in November 2019. The Groundbreaking Ceremony signaled the commencement of the next phase of the Igniting Hearts, Transforming Lives Campaign. This initial support is very significant in that it represents approximately 57% of the entire campaign goal. We cannot thank enough the many Austin Prep alumni, as well as current and former families, who so graciously and willingly made a significant commitment to underwrite major components of the Campaign.
Winning Through a Shared Community Commitment Austin Prep’s Igniting Hearts, Transforming Lives Campaign is the largest fundraising effort in its history. The Campaign continues to make an extraordinary investment in students, faculty and campus facilities.
Building & Construction The master campus design for all facilities and athletic improvements in Phase Two include: ☦ ☦ ☦ ☦ ☦
Dining Hall and David E. Nelson ’81 Fitness Center (Completed) Baseball Field and Dugouts (Under construction) Tennis Courts (Under construction) Parking and roadway improvements (Planning underway) Softball Fields and Dugouts (Planning underway)
Progress Report PHASE ONE:
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January 2015: Phase One Campaign launched: Football Stadium and Dining Hall November 2015: Stadium Completed May 2016: Phase One raised $1M August 2018: Dining Hall Completed
PHASE TWO: ☦ June 2019: $1.5M raised in a quiet phase to start Phase Two ☦ November 2019: Public Phase begins with Groundbreaking – Baseball Field and Tennis Courts ☦ January 2020 : Campaign Public Phase support increases to over $1.7M ☦ Future Goals: o June 2020: Phase Two support reaches $2M dollars o June 2021: Phase Two support reaches $3M dollars o September 2021: Commence Phase Three: Scholarships and Endowment Campaign support has been overwhelmingly inspirational.
Academic & Co-Curricular Life – Priorities That Never End The Igniting Hearts, Transforming Lives Campaign is broad-based in design and purpose. At each phase of the Campaign, we have continued to thoughtfully invest in academic programs and cocurricular activities, supporting our goal to sustain a student-centered educational journey. From state-of-the-art programs in science and technology to innovative pedagogical learning systems, to high profile speakers’ forums to technological enhancements in the classrooms and studios, to domestic and international travel, we observe firsthand the impact of such advancements on the evolving educational experience. Gifts to the Campaign have not only relieved the annual operating budget, but financial support from the Campaign has placed Austin Prep in a leadership role in the world of education. We are thriving and flourishing at a time when a high-quality education has become one of the most important commitments parents can make—and the dividends are priceless. Students thrive on opportunities that tap their innate talents and diverse interests.
Athletics & Team Sports – The Value-Added The Capital Campaign underway is aimed at many aspects of school life, including athletics. It is well-known that, in such athletic experiences, students acquire invaluable leadership skills, and internalize the values of collaboration, discipline and concentrated practice. These lifelong skills nurture a vibrant mindset that impacts all future endeavors. New baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, and expanded parking arrangements are a significant part of the overall program. All Middle and Upper School students will have uninterrupted access to athletic practice, competition, and recreation throughout the year. Modern water drainage systems and new turf surfaces minimize the number of canceled or rescheduled athletic events due to extended periods of rain or snowy conditions.
More Safety & Security Given the growth of Austin Prep, improving the campus’ parking arrangements remains an ongoing challenge. As such, the Campaign includes these much-needed campus upgrades as a major objective, as a safe and secure campus is by far a top priority. With the addition of better roadways and transformed traffic flow, the safety of our community is significantly enhanced.
Affordable & Accessible It is an ongoing objective of Austin Prep to help qualified, mission-aligned students afford an Austin Prep education. With an expanded budget for this precise purpose, we can offer families with limited means the opportunity to apply for tuition assistance. Many of these prospective students bring high levels of aptitude, great potential, and will make meaningful and distinct contributions to our academic and co-curricular programs. Our goal is to gradually increase the designated funds for tuition assistance to support these outstanding students.
Aspirational Goals Become Reality Our Campaign aims to capitalize on the special history and culture that Austin Prep has developed to train the leaders of tomorrow. Such an undertaking requires a future that has bold, principled thinkers and adaptable problem-solvers who can embrace rapid change and engage with the complex issues facing society. By focusing our expansion on all four areas — academic enrichment, modernization of campus and facilities, enhanced access and affordability, building financial sustainability — we equip Austin Prep students and faculty with every competitive advantage to thrive. We proudly observe our alumni advance innovative ideas and generate creative solutions to complex world problems, continuously exhibiting the value of service and faith and the virtues of veritas, unitas caritas. This tradition will flourish and expand for generations to come.
An Invitation We remain extremely grateful for such a high degree of parent and alumni support, and for the many volunteers who have contributed endless hours of involvement to make the Capital Campaign so successful to date. Such dedicated involvement is a sharp reminder of our evolving culture of participation and engagement. Participation in the life of the school and contribution to its mission are why Austin Prep continues to be a beacon of educational distinction. Now we must keep advancing. The educational requirements and challenges of our time are too significant to ignore, and Austin Prep’s capacity to address them is too promising to withhold. To sustain the trajectory of growth, we need the support from our entire community. We cordially invite you to learn more about our commitment to our students and faculty by becoming a partner with us in this transformative era. Our children deserve nothing less than bringing to light the potential of what Austin Prep is capable of providing them. The success of this Campaign thus far has been extraordinary, and our continued success will provide current and future generation, of students with an unparalleled and comprehensive education.
PLEASE JOIN US. “Education is the food of youth, the delight of old age, the ornament of prosperity, the refuge and comfort of adversity, and the provocation to grace in the soul.” — Saint Augustine