It all started in 2012-13, with a 229-year tradition of educational excellence extended by a visionary head of school leading 42 Discernment Dialogues, with 1,000 community members, resulting in 1 vision for the future of education, with 3 guiding principles, our North Stars: Expert Thinking Global Stewardship Ethical Leadership, and 9 distinct priorities, that inspired a $65.23 million campaign, with 3,399 contributors, who have given nearly $54 million so far, resulting in
In 2012-13, Matt Glendinning led the school through a creative and iterative strategic planning process. He hosted 42 Discernment Dialogues around the country with 1,000 participants who became co-designers in MB’s vision for the future of education.
60,000 sq. ft. of new facilities, 78% growth in endowment (now $39m+), 400 students on TRIPs each year, 2X more funding for faculty training, and
Dreaming and Delivering on MB Believes Matt Glendinning, Head of School TIME PASSES QUICKLY in a school, and
of big, interconnected projects designed to create
this year marks my tenth as MB’s Head of School.
the
Arriving in the summer of 2009, I recall having
financial, and physical—for fostering those traits
Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation
butterflies in my stomach (much like everyone on
in our students. It was a wildly ambitious plan
Project-Based Learning
their first day of school). How could I help MB honor
and now, five years into its implementation, we’ve
Engineering & Design
its remarkable past while embracing an exciting future?
made a series of investments, outlined in the pages
What is the best model for education in the information-
that follow, that have dramatically enhanced the
rich, globally-interconnected 21st century? And how
learning, people, and places of MB.
COUNTLESS new opportunities for students to be creative problem solvers:
Coding, and 2X more students on scholarship (29% of the student body)
could we prepare the school for the next 200+ years of its history? These were just a few of the big questions that kept me up at night.
conditions—programmatic,
demographic,
These investments in MB’s future have been fueled by nearly $54 million in fundraising, an unprecedented amount for our school (indeed for
Fortunately, the first thing I learned at MB is
any N-12 school in Rhode Island). As exciting as
that the school has always been far-sighted, nimble
these results are, we’re not finished. With less than
at adapting to changing times while not losing
two years to go in our fundraising campaign, two
sight of its fundamental values. The second thing
major priorities remain: achieving our $15 million
I learned is that MB is blessed with really creative
goal for scholarship endowment, and renovating
people—students, parents, faculty, staff, and
and expanding the lower school. And just before
alumni—and when I asked for input about the
Thanksgiving, we announced that these objectives
future of the school, the response was resounding
are now within reach. Inspired by our progress to
and innovative.
date, two anonymous donors have now given a total
In October of 2013, we published MB Believes: a Vision For Learning, People, and Place, a strategic plan that emerged from a yearlong, communitywide series of Discernment Dialogues with 1,000 participants, including numerous business and educational leaders. In MB Believes, we define the skills and values we think students will need to be successful in a rapidly changing world, e.g., creative problem solving (what we call Expert Thinking), global awareness, and ethical leadership. And we identify a number
of $8.9 million, including a $3 million lead gift to the lower school project and the largest scholarship endowment gift in school history! Their generosity ensures that our long-held dream of renovating the lower school becomes reality, and—with a dollarfor-dollar matching challenge—that we reach our $15 million scholarship goal. In the five years since we launched MB Believes, my confidence in MB’s strategic direction has only grown. This summer I read an intriguing book, The Half-Life
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
Learning MB Believes Accomplishments
Rackets, Robots, and Ratios Kailas Kahler ’20 WHEN KAILAS KAHLER ’20 entered Moses Brown’s upper school with a remarkable
The Expert Thinking Model enriches the school’s liberal arts curriculum with an explicit focus on applied and experiential learning, including: • School-wide adoption of ProjectBased Learning (PBL) • All-school Engineering & Design program • Program in Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation • MB Immersion
aptitude for mathematics and science, his timing was perfect. The school had begun a vigorous expansion of its STEM curriculum in every division, responding to intensifying student interest. As a freshman, Kailas enrolled in Pre-Calculus. Two years later, he is on the vanguard of MB’s advanced offerings, studying Multivariable Calculus, AP Physics C, and AP Computer Programming. The new STEM curriculum and activities
and pursue their passion in depth. “I’m proud
New England Prep Tennis Champion Kailas K. ’20 volleys a serve launched by the robot he designed and built as part of MB’s robotics program.
to have been a part of MB moments at the
on weekends to tinker with systems, optimize
Harvard-MIT Math Tournament and Vex
mechanisms, improve coding, practice driving
Robotics World Championships,” he says.
skills, and hone defensive strategies.
have allowed students like Kailas to develop
TRIPs (Travel, Research, & Immersion Programs) promote exploration of diverse cultures and global perspectives, with 400+ students of all ages now traveling annually to places like: • Cuba, Nepal, Kenya, the Hague, Dominican Republic, Galapagos Islands, China, Spain, Italy, Colorado, the White Mountains, Wyoming, Washington, D.C., and New York City
One of the most prestigious high school contests in the world, the Harvard-MIT Tournament draws top scorers from national and international Math Olympiads. “It’s a crazy high-level competition,” Kailas says. Last year, an MB team qualified for the Vex Robotics World Championships for the first time, to compete with more than 500 regional champions from around the world. Kailas
School-wide coding and robotics highlights include: • Among first schools in the country to offer AP Computer Science Principles • New Python offering and coding with Microbits in Geometry
is captain of that team, one of four in MB’s program. “Our robotics program has benefited a lot from the Y-Lab,” Kailas says: 22 students joined when the new maker space opened. The Y-Lab’s robotics space is accessible to students
“Kailas is one of our most enthusiastic robotics students and a key contributor to our math team,” says math faculty member Brett Ford. “He’s also a singer and percussionist, and one of the most joyful students on campus. He takes the time to connect with others, to appreciate his friends, and to enjoy his journey.” When Kailas isn’t in the Y-Lab, he’s probably on the tennis court. In another high-level competition, last spring Kailas won the New England Prep School Tennis Championship. He hopes to play Division I tennis in college, as he pursues a major in robotics or computer science.
whenever they’re free, and even draws students
• Middle & upper school VEX Robotics clubs; US qualified for and competed in world championships! • Seventh grade programming with Spheros • Lower school coding with Creatorverse, Cargo-Bot, Code-a-pillar, Dot & Dash, and Lego robotics kits Enhanced Math program focused on computational thinking: • Expanded differentiated learning; supports skill-building and additional challenge • Eighth and ninth grade summer Geometry and Algebra acceleration • Math clubs/teams, competitions and enrichment opportunities in all divisions • Added Multi-variable Calculus and multi-level AP Physics
dents ign 450 Stgiu es neering & d
en e Y-Lab engaged in ar one of th ye in s project
udents 1,643 Stcational travel in 12 u past 5 years erienced ed
exp s in the d 8 US State countries an
Annual $55K+ in upport lS Financia r all students
s possible fo makes TRIP
er le & Upp s d id M 5 4 Student Schoolin their new Y-Lab home
teams on robotics
s student 100+ USand engineering last year coding engaged in ived ift rece g n o li ip il rsh & $1 m Entrepreneu to establish vation Program Social Inno
2 | Areté, Winter 2018
2018 Nepal, Summer
VEX Robotics
MS cars in
US Social Entrepreneur Pitch
riculum r u c g in d o c LS
the Y-Lab
People
Lost...and Found
MB Believes Accomplishments
Melissa Arias ’18 MOSES BROWN’S FOCUS on increased scholarship support allows the school to welcome students of exceptional promise, to the
The new Russell H. Carpenter ’59 Program in Teaching Excellence has:
benefit of all. Melissa Arias ’18 made a lasting impact as a peer leader, easing new students’
• Doubled the funding annually available for faculty professional development and travel to $250,000
transition. “Melissa established a respectful and fun rapport with the ninth graders in her Freshman Studies class,” says Beth Lantz, Director of Student Life. “Her sense of humor and friendly demeanor did much to help ninth graders navigate the first months of upper school at MB.”
For Melissa, it was all about
reassuring younger students that they “have a voice in this community.”
“I’m accomplishing what few in my family have: going to college,” says Melissa, shown above at MB’s 2018 Commencement. Advisors Cathy Van Lancker and Lisa Ardente helped her adjust and take advantage of resources. Melissa says, “Mrs. Ardente was
• Created new teacher leadership opportunities, incentivizing faculty as change agents • Supported a new evaluation process for faculty and coaches, including a cohort model for veteran teachers (year-long process of growth and evaluation every 5 years) • Funded faculty development of two new cross-disciplinary, team-taught electives offered each year
one of my biggest cheerleaders, which led
Melissa’s parents are natives of Colombia
me to do the same for younger students, so
and Peru. Fredy discovered MB while running
they’d know someone was on their side. Peer
a Rhode Island Blood Center drive there in
leadership allowed me to make friends with
2003. “I got lost on my first day,” Fredy recalls, freshmen who were nervous about navigating “so I asked a student where to find Alumni Hall.
such a big step.” Lisa recalls, “Melissa never
I thought he’d point it out, but he put down his
hesitated to reach out to someone in need. I
backpack and walked there with me. I wanted
have yet to meet a student as compassionate, as
my daughters to be like that, one day.’”
kind and as grateful for every opportunity.”
With her parents’ encouragement, Melissa
Now a freshman at Holy Cross, Melissa
applied to begin in sixth grade. “It was a strange
says, “Mrs. Ardente taught me how to advocate
place, so different from the predominantly
for myself, to work hard and be resilient, and
Dramatic expansion in scholarship funding ensures the quality and enhanced socioeconomic and racial diversity of the student body: • Nearly $10 million raised in new endowed scholarship funding • 130% increase in the scholarship budget since 2008-09 to $4.4 million
Latin community I knew. I felt that I’d get lost.” become a strong independent woman. Not only Given the opportunity to enroll, she took it, but
am I fully prepared academically, I feel I can do
“it was culture shock. It seemed almost no one
anything I set my mind to. I’m accomplishing
• 82% increase in the number of students receiving scholarship support since 2009-10 (now 215 or 29% of student body)
lived the same lifestyle as I did.” As she’d feared, what few in my family have: going to college.”
• 50% increase in students of color (now 23% of student body)
she did get lost, on her way to science class.
Scholarship @ MB: L ast 10 Years Dramatic Prog ress, Growing De mand
Thanks to MB Believes,
MB has dramatically inc reased need-based scholarships , supporting a talented and increasingly diverse stu dent body. But consisten t with national trends, demand for financial aid has grow n exponentially in recent years, making continued expansion of scholarship support an imperative.
! WOW rship a l o h c ts larges er! gif t ev pg. 5 -
2008-09 vs 2018-19
Students Receiving Scho
118
larship Percent of applicants requesting scholarship
215
82% increase! Average Award
2008-09
2018-19
Percent of students on scholarship
$15,975 $20,315
15%
2008-09
Annual Scholarship Budg
$1.89 m $4.36 m
54% 70%
et
29% 2018-19
130%
increase!
Winter 2018, Areté |
3
Place
Leading Big Changes in Lower School
MB Believes Accomplishments 60,000-sq.-ft. of new and upgraded facilities have transformed Moses Brown’s physical infrastructure and support for student learning.
“THE LOWER SCHOOL program has grown dramatically in the past few years,” says Head of Lower School OJ Martí, “but our facility isn’t up to the level of our program.” Redesigned curricula in science, technology,
Woodman Family Community & Performance Center
engineering, and math education have lower
Complete renovation of Walter Jones Library
Y-Lab: 5,000-sq.-ft. engineering and maker space
schoolers tackling sophisticated material at
back into the building. “The ladybug parade
a young age. A student support team ensures
has been a culmination of learning in
that every child can have skill-building and
nursery for years,” says OJ, “and now fourth
accelerated learning as needed in school, and a
graders, who are studying plant reproduction,
rich social-emotional learning program keeps
design flowers for the ladybugs to pollinate.
Friends values and development of the whole
Both grades kinesthetically reinforce their
child at the center of our work. However, the
learning, while also forming important bonds
lower school building isn’t quite as cutting-
between kids of different ages.” Creating
edge as the curriculum and teaching. That’s
distinct, dynamic, and flexible early childhood
why redesigning the lower school emerged as
education spaces for MB’s youngest learners is
an important priority of MB Believes.
also a key project goal.
Recently, an anonymous donor offered the
Gorgi Family Squash & Education Center
In
addition
to
upgrading
important
school a lead gift of $3 million for the lower
infrastructure
school renovation. This gift ensures the project
community areas are an important part of what
will move forward, and has inspired teachers,
makes the lower school experience special at
students, parents, alumni, and donors to
MB. “Having a community space lets children
dream about the ideal 21st-century elementary
practice communicating what they know,” says
education environment.
OJ, “and develop confidence as public speakers
“We want to preserve what’s great about
and
learning
spaces,
the
and clarity as presenters. These are critically important life skills for the 21st century.”
Renovated McCullough Baseball Field
the lower school,” says OJ, “like the indoor
Renovated Wasserman Soccer Field
sandbox and play areas that foster closeness
The recent $3 million gift has ensured this
and community.” He also sees an opportunity
essential renovation will begin. However, it will
to increase interdisciplinary, multi-modal
take the sustained belief and commitment of the
learning by bringing library, art, and science
entire MB community to ensure it’s completed.
Renovated Cooper Tennis Courts New high-efficiency heat plant for financial and environmental sustainability
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Head of Lower School OJ Martí emphasizes community in the lower school. OJ is an expert in developing faculty as a Teach for America leader and was the founding Head of Blackstone Valley Prep.
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MATT: CONTINUED FROM FRONT
of Facts, by Samuel Arbesman, about the astonishing speed at which knowledge grows, evolves, and becomes obsolete. And I was fascinated by several articles about what business leaders are calling VUCA—Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity—and the ways that every industry is having to navigate these conditions. This kind of research validates our vision for MB’s
liesh
rdalg
experiences to help students explore a complicated
to fulfill the ambition of our strategic vision and
world
value
fundraising campaign. In this issue of Areté and
experiential learning, where students work in teams
in conversations in the weeks and months ahead, I
to solve authentic problems that don’t have simple yes
hope to inspire the involvement and philanthropic
or no answers. We honor humankind’s accumulated
support needed to meet our scholarship goals, renew
wisdom and literature, even while pushing students
our lower school facility, and reach our $65 million
to become conversant with emergent fields like
campaign objective.
from
multiple
perspectives.
We
coding and entrepreneurship. And throughout, Quaker values provide an animating sense of purpose, which is to inspire the rising generation to make the
future. Far more than a list of disconnected priorities, world a better place. Thanks to MB Believes, I believe our new programs and facilities reflect a holistic
that Moses Brown’s graduates are truly prepared for
and powerful model for 21st-century education. We
success in today’s world.
seek to provide foundational knowledge, skills, and
rg
own.o
esbr @mos
Now ten years in and with a new school year well under way, I still have those butterflies in my stomach. But they’re ones of excitement, as we take a great school to even greater heights.
It’s this belief that motivates us to finish the job,
Winter 2018, Areté |
5
A PUBLICATION FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL MATT GLENDINNING
Winter 2018
Dreaming& Delivering MB Believes Five Years Later
What’s Inside: Dreaming and Delivering Head of School Matt Glendinning reflects on our accomplishments and plans for the future.
Leading Big Changes in Lower School Head of Lower School imagines the shape of school to come.
Lost...and Found A young alumna finds herself at home.
Rackets, Robots, and Ratios MB student is a remarkable competitor, on and off the court.
LEFT: Moses Brown publicly launched MB Believes with a unique celebration—StoryDrive —attended by 1,200 community members. (October, 2015)
Two anonymous donors finalized plans to contribute a total of $8.9 million to MB. Read more inside!
What a Week!
250 Lloyd Avenue, Providence RI 02906
Moses Brown School