ranney school strategic plan 2010–2013
Turning Vision Into Reality ... The Dream Continues Final Report
Nil Sine Magno Vita Labore Dedit Mortalibus Life Grants Nothing Without Hard Work
Lawrence Sykoff Center for Excellence
A Living Mission
During the 2009–2010 school year, Ranney School developed a three-year Strategic Plan, “Turning Vision into Reality ... The Dream Continues.” An all-encompassing, collaborative effort developed by trustees, administrators, teachers and parents, the Strategic Plan was designed to provide children with a 21st-century education in a culturally stimulating, state-of-the-art environment while maintaining our traditional values. Our school’s mission statement framed the plan’s direction and approach: Ranney School provides students with an exemplary, well-rounded education, one that promotes the development of every child’s intellectual, personal, creative and moral promise. By serving a diverse community that values a rigorous, wide-ranging program of study, Ranney students are inspired to reach their full potential. Guided by dedicated and compassionate professionals, the Ranney experience is distinguished by the heartfelt bond between student and teacher—the hallowed principle celebrating the unique nature of every child. In an environment with contemporary learning resources, students learn the value of contributing to their local and global communities through leadership and service. The school’s motto—Knowledge,Vision, Honor—is as much an inspiration as it is a social imperative, one that informs the thinking and actions of our students. Awakening students’ intellectual potential and encouraging them to communicate with confidence in their own unique voice remains fundamental to the Ranney experience. The ultimate success of our students is the result of a simple yet powerful mission–promise: every child will be known and valued. With this mission as a guide, our strategic plan was developed with one simple goal aimed at fulfilling our mission–promise: to develop opportunities that add to the quality of student life. During the past three years, the school has steadily achieved remarkable milestones and even surpassed its initial goals. Implemented throughout the 2010–2013 school years, the strategic plan’s goals are now nearly 100% achieved and the stage is set for the development of a new set of strategic initiatives in the years ahead.
About the Lawrence Sykoff Center for Excellence On May 21, 2013, students, parents, faculty and board members joined together to dedicate the Middle and Upper School Building on Ranney School’s campus to Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff, naming the building the “Lawrence Sykoff Center for Excellence” in his honor. After 20 years as Headmaster of Ranney School, Dr. Sykoff is retiring at the conclusion of the 2012–2013 school year, but leaves his everlasting vision and legacy to current and future students, saying: “I hope that the Sykoff Center for Excellence will be a symbol of permanence and of strength in your lives and in our community for many years to come. While this dedication is a formal recognition of excellence, please remember each time you enter the Sykoff Center for Excellence, that excellence is always the goal to pursue.”
The summaries included herein provide an overview of our achievements in these areas: • • • • • • • • •
Academic Life, including Technology Student Life, including Athletics Faculty & Administration Family Life, including Summer Programs Strategic Marketing Financial Planning Development Governance Facilities & Campus Infrastructure
The Board of Trustees, 2012–2013.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees Strategic Planning Committee, the faculty, staff and administration, we thank you for your support and assure you that excellence remains in Ranney’s future and all that this great school holds for our exceptional students and the community we serve.
James Price President
Josephine Esquivel Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ed.D. Chair, Strategic Planning Committee Head of School
Board of Trustees (2012–2013)
Headmaster’s Cabinet
James Price, President (Madison ’13)
Frank Austin ’88
Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ed.D., Head of School
Daniel Goldberg, M.D. Past President (Adam ’99, Jeffrey ’03)
Robert Chandler (Jillian ’21, Morgan ’22, Brooks ’27)
Patricia Marshall, Head of Lower School / Associate Head of Academic Administration
Marshall Knopf, Sr.Vice President (Emily ’01, Jennifer ’03, Laura ’06, Max ’09)
Scott Fischer (Veronika ’13, Francesca ’15, Myles ’17)
David Fischer, Head of Middle School (Lauren ’23, Drew ’26)
Josephine Esquivel,Vice President (Alexandra ’14, Joseph ’14)
Kristen Gerhard (Peter ’15, Madison ’18)
Paul Zanowski, Head of Upper School
Michael Jones, M.D. (Siobhan ’21, Gavin ’25)
Charles Zalewski, Chief Financial Officer
Michael Oster (Aidan ’21, Devin ’22, Dylan ’24) Stephen Papetti (Julia ’07, Anthony ’12)
Kathleen Deeken, Director of Student Support Services and Summer Study (Tessa ’05)
Douglas Roberts ’79 (Elizabeth ’15, Alexander ’18)
Valerie Francois, Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications (Nicolas ’22)
Ann Ross, M.D. (Jillian ’18, Nicholas ’18)
Lynn Lucarelli, Director of Development (Molly ’25)
Patricia Kurdyla, Secretary (Amy ’88, Phillip ’94) Christopher Fitzmaurice, Treasurer (Liam ’17, Shana ’19, Tyge ’23) Carol Martin, Educational Development Advisor (Elizabeth ’14) Brian Torpey, M.D. , Strategic Planning Advisor (McCall ’11, Kendall ’13, Matthew ’17, Jack ’18)
Joseph Tweed, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
www.ranneyschool.org/strategicplan 1
Once upon a time on Hope Road . . .
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t gives me great pleasure to present to you the final “report card” for Ranney School’s three-year strategic planning efforts described in detail in the 2010–2011 “Turning Vision into Reality…The Dream Continues” report. That document represented two years of steady community planning and collaboration to develop a working set of strategies for the years ahead. The 2012–2013 school year, the capstone year, has been incredibly successful and the details contained in the report herein highlight the enormous momentum our school has sustained for two decades. In the spring of 2012, I announced my intention to retire at the end of the current school year. The Board of Trustees and Headmaster’s Cabinet know only too well that this period of time would be just as ambitious as the past decade, ramping up activity even more so to meet head-on the goals, projects and high aspirations that were included in our three-year strategic planning document. We have done just that and our great school is well-positioned to advance educational excellence well into the future. In reading through the report, it will quickly become clear that from every aspect of school life–programs, teacher development, technology, student life, volunteerism, facilities, safety and security, marketing and admissions, fundraising, financial planning and Board governance, our school has reached new levels of success. While there is always more to do and more to contemplate, the three-year strategic initiatives gave meaning and direction to our school, providing new opportunities for children at all levels to flourish and thrive. The lists of student, teacher and program achievements is far too numerous to mention here, and I encourage you to visit our website and online publications, where you will find many of these accomplishments featured.
2 Strategic Plan Final Outcomes 2010–2013
Suffice it to say, the continuing achievements of our students are the result of having them educated in a school with a clearly defined mission statement that is firmly focused on their overall well-being, growth and development. Each child is inspired by the mission–promise held by every teacher and administrator that ensures them that every child is known and valued. Our mission is the centerpiece of our work—and an expression of the dedication the community has for Ranney School to remain a beacon of hope and inspiration in every child’s heart and mind. In recent years, Ranney School has garnered regional and national attention. Our graduates attend some of the best colleges and universities in the world and they continue to make a difference in their professional lives beyond college. Our school’s facilities, technology and programs are so highly regarded that the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS) selected our school as the host site for its 2012 Biennial Professional Development Conference last fall. Close to 1,200 educators visited our campus for the conference—an event that was widely discussed in the independent school community throughout the United States. Our recent accreditation with the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges under “excellent” standing is one more exemplary demonstration of the school’s outstanding record of success. The accreditation was an opportunity for our school’s achievements to be validated by other independent school educators from nearby states with whom we share a common purpose. Here is an excerpt from the final accreditation document: “Ranney School has made tremendous strides not just since the last Middle States visit, but over the last two decades.… This type of growth does not happen without deliberate, thoughtful, and strong strategic planning.”
The final year of the strategic plan implementation saw many firsts at Ranney School, which are highlighted in the pages of this report. Below are just a few highlights that we experienced during the past nine months: • Ranney School hosted the prestigious three-day Two Rivers Arts and Antiques Show; the funds raised supported Monmouth Medical Center’s Wilentz Breast Cancer Institute. • We entered the competitive Shore Conference. • The Board of Trustees completed the Head of School search with the highly regarded selection of Dr. John Griffith, Head of Battle Ground Academy, in Tennessee. • The school community united during and after Hurricane Sandy, providing ongoing help to displaced and challenged families within and outside our Jersey Shore community. The outpouring of compassion from RSPA volunteers, students, teachers, administrators and parents throughout that tough time was a moment in our school’s history that our families will cherish forever. • The Athletic Department hosted its largest and most highly attended Alumni Hall of Fame ever. • The Walling Aquatic Center was named after our beloved coach, friend and mentor, Emmett Walling. • Ranney students performed at the legendary and iconic Carnegie Hall in New York City. • The Communications Department launched a redesigned website–a one-year project that opened a new world of digital and social media opportunities. • RSPA hosted a well-attended and successful Panther Ball on our school campus, celebrating our community of parents, alumni, past parents and friends. • The school community celebrated the completion of the new Grandstands and Press Box with camera deck. • Upper School students successfully competed in the VEX Robotics World Championship in California. In my 20 years at Ranney, I have learned there is a profound difference between schools that are good and those that strive to be great. The difference is often in a col-
lective will to be the best—to offer unique experiences that change children’s lives. Ranney School is that kind of institution—a place where innovation and imagination are embraced and goodness is the underlying goal. There is never a greater sense of the importance of such a mission than in the eyes of a confident child. Ranney has demonstrated in its three-year strategic plan that a sustainable level of high performance can be achieved. As a result, our school has a defining culture that is built to withstand the unexpected and advance with enduring greatness. A few weeks ago, I visited with a few of my kindergarten friends as we said our final goodbyes to each other. These talks with children have been one of the most heartwarming aspects of my life as Headmaster. When I have time in the years ahead, I will write a book to share these quiet conversations and endearing reflections. It was a nostalgic moment for all of us. I turned to one child and said, “Remember, always work hard to be a good person.” The child looked at me and said, “That’s easy, Dr. Sykoff,” and after a moment offered, “Because there is no place like Ranney School.” Well, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank you for 20 years of irreplaceable opportunities and cherished memories. I love our school and all the people I have known over the years. I leave with enormous affection and everlasting pride in what our school means in the lives of children. They are all my heroes! This strategic report was appropriately themed “The Dream Continues,” aptly representing how we feel about Ranney. I know in my heart that the dream we share for children will always continue. With blessings and endless appreciation, Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ed.D., Head of School
www.ranneyschool.org/strategicplan 3
Academic Life
Academic Life In 2010, the committee charged with developing goals for Academic Life at Ranney School set out to define pathways that would forge Ranney through the 21st century as a leader in education.This charge included shaping a modern and rigorous course of study that would serve to value the work students contribute to learning as much as the outcomes achieved, and thereby focused on creativity, design, ingenuity, collaboration and communication. The committee’s goals also were centered on the value of character and the qualities defined as “grit:” ethical practice, perseverance, commitment, drive and leadership. Key priorities in strategic planning for Academic Life were to: redefine the core values of the Ranney School academic experience and integrate these values into the academic program; make certain that Ranney’s academic program is defined by excellence and instructional best practices; ensure that Ranney’s academic programming and facilities remain competitive and relevant; help prepare students to thrive in the Conceptual and Information Ages; develop Ranney’s fine and performing arts programs into a regional center of excellence; expand summer academic opportunities; and showcase the Ranney School educational experience by developing connections with the local, state, national and global communities. The Academic Life Committee also set goals focused on the environment of learning, thereby setting the stage for state-of-the-art technologies and educational tools as pathways to achieve success.
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In fall 2012, the Science Department forged the first STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) committee at Ranney School with faculty from the Science, Math and Technology Departments. The committee developed initiatives that support curriculum development to advance STEM education within the academic departments and throughout Student Life programs (see also, “Student Life”). In February 2013, the committee incorporated the Art Department and is now known as STEAM.
At left: The Upper School Robotics Team, Shorebots, competed in the 2013 VEX High School World Championship. Above: Discovery learning is threaded throughout all divisions, including the Early Childhood curriculum. 4 Strategic Plan Final Outcomes 2010–2013
Academic Life contin.
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Many achievements have occurred as a result: • The Upper School Robotics team, Shorebots, competed at the state level and national level, earning an Excellence Award and placement to compete at the VEX Robotics High School World Championships in April 2013.The world tournament was streamed live over the Internet during our Lower School science fair, demonstrating a cross-pollination of talent across divisions. • The Lower School received the 2012 Goldenrod Robotics YouthTouch Grant to bring real-world examples of robotics engineering to the classroom. • In spring 2013, the Lower School formed a new Lego Robotics League for students in grades K–5. • Competitive Math Olympiad teams were established in each division, encompassing grades 4–12. • Students in all divisions have achieved regional, state and national recognition through the Math League, Math Olympiad and the American Mathematics Competition. • The Upper School’s Science Research Club hosted its Fourth Annual Science Expo in the Ranney School Parents’ Association (RSPA) Panther Hall in February 2013; a Ranney sophomore placed first in the Delaware Valley Science Fair for her engineering project. • In fall 2012, the Lower School art curriculum was identified for excellence at the national level by Rubicon Atlas for incorporating common core curriculum standards in STEM education at the elementary level and demonstrating exemplar status for horizontal integration (i.e., across subjects). • Our Middle School now ranks ninth in the country, out of 32 schools, and first in the state of New Jersey based on National Science League Testing that took place in spring 2013. In spring 2013, students in all divisions received national honors in Spanish and French for their high exam scores.World Language instruction throughout Ranney now includes three languages (Spanish, English and Mandarin Chinese) spanning all three divisions, starting in Kindergarten. Ranney School earned accreditation from the Middle States Association for Schools and Colleges with exemplar status.The accreditation process established an institutional objective to support the development of curriculum in the areas of reading, writing and math across all divisions, thereby bridging curriculum development from Lower to Middle and Middle to Upper School. Over the course of 2010–2013, faculty members at the elementary grade level completed the competitive Columbia University Teachers College Writer’s Workshop Project. A reading framework was established in the Lower School that uses developmental reading assessments to measure growth in reading. Assessments are conducted three times a year for differentiated approaches to reading instruction, including the Daily Five and Reading Café programs. In the area of standardized tests, 86% of Ranney students passed their Advanced Placement (AP) exams, compared to the New Jersey pass rate of 75% and the global pass rate of 61%. In 2013, a junior achieved a perfect score of 2,400 on the SAT and another junior was admitted to the highly selective Governor’s School for Engineering (15% admittance rate). College admission among Ranney seniors continues at 100%. Approximately 75% of the senior class of 2013 earned acceptance into their first or second school of choice. Ranney seniors also continue to gain admittance to highly selective four-year colleges at a rate that is two to three times the national acceptance rate of the same institutions. In addition to this success, Ranney students each year earn admission to specialized schools in business, fine arts, music and engineering, and our scholar–athletes are recruited by leading colleges and universities (see our “Matriculation and Specialized Schools Lists”).
Summary and Forward Thinking As Ranney School concludes its strategic plan, it celebrates unprecedented success across all divisions and academic departments that speak to Ranney students’ ability to participate and compete in creative design and engineering forums, leadership conferences, standardized testing formats, stage and instrumental performances, athletic leagues and championships, publishing opportunities and collaborative experiences, service programs, and highly competitive college admissions—all within an environment that values the tradition of school values and embraces modern technologies and learning tools. www.ranneyschool.org/strategicplan 5
Academic Life contin.
Throughout the strategic planning process and implementation, the Academic Life Committee worked diligently to envelop into each of the aforementioned goals the core experiences of Ranney student life. We are proud to celebrate the achievements of academic strategic planning in the success of our teachers and students. In reviewing these accomplishments, one cannot question the value of planning for success. As Ranney School prepares to close down its first strategic plan, we are looking ahead at new goals that support curriculum development in science, math, engineering, the arts, technology, ethics and leadership, health, character education and diversity, to name a few.
Technology Update Recognizing that technology offers students an avenue to success as citizens in a global community, our strategic plan encompassed several technology goals aimed at achieving a 21st-century learning environment. A major goal was to develop and implement a 1:1 Student Laptop Program—one of the most ambitious technology initiatives ever introduced in the history of Ranney School. In July 2012, we concluded the first year of this successful program, which provided 500 laptops to Middle and Upper School students. The program was the culmination of several years of careful planning and implementation among administrators, faculty, staff and parents—and it was just one of our many achievements in the area of technology during the past three years. In fact, during the past decade, Ranney School has been at the forefront of implementing educational technology that allows students and faculty to connect, collaborate, present, inspire, listen, learn and communicate. Today, other independent educational institutions aspire to emulate the technological success that Ranney exemplifies. Looking ahead, Ranney School will continue to provide a technologically rich learning environment that can provide students with the instructional equity they need for thorough research and group collaboration and which will inspire productivity in today’s digitized learning environments. Below are key technology achievements made recently. •
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The NJAIS Biennial Professional Development Conference brought more than 900 independent school administrators and faculty to our campus for a full day of workshops that showcased the school’s technology capabilities.Visitors experienced advanced technology in every building, from wireless capabilities to fully connected classrooms. When Hurricane Sandy made landfall, Ranney was prepared and safely secured all technology assets located on campus.The administration was able to stay in close contact using cellphones and our Google Docs for Education software.The software, which students and faculty use regularly for learning and collaboration, along with our cloud-based Ranney Emergency Notification System (RENS), enabled administrators to restore contact and inform the community at large about our school’s status and re-opening. Our use of Skype allowed us to experiment successfully with a virtual-classroom concept, demonstrating that the classroom no longer has to have walls.Teachers and students can use Skype to communicate with experts outside the Ranney community, essentially opening their classroom to the world. Middle and Lower School students were able to take full advantage of the Ranney laptop program with laptop carts and wireless access. In an example of 21st-century test-taking, students took their Educational Records Bureau (ERB) tests online, eliminating the need for pencil and paper and increasing the speed of obtaining results. To keep students, parents and faculty aware of the ever-evolving online landscape, the Technology Department introduced a new Technology Blog for the Ranney community to highlight key changes in Internet safety and protocols.The blog is also useful for providing administrators, faculty and parents with the necessary information to make informed decisions in this area of technology use. To accommodate the school’s growing rigorous academic requirements, we entered into multiyear agreements with Internet providers to quadruple our web access and to provide streaming media as well as redundancy to crucial systems. §
6 Strategic Plan Final Outcomes 2010–2013
Student Life
Student Life As we complete our Strategic Plan, the Student Life Committee continues to see the value of educating the “whole” child. This philosophy considers the development and constant improvement of Student Life programming to be vital. Such programs, which include co-curricular and extracurricular activities, athletic teams and service organizations, offer students the opportunity to explore varied interests, deepen their passions, strengthen relationships with peers, teachers and coaches, and develop skills that will be crucial as they mature in the 21st century. In implementing our strategic goals, the Student Life Committee focused its energies on development programming, which enhances connections within our school community, strengthens our commitments to school values and traditions, and develops an understanding of the value of community and global consciousness.
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Performing Arts is now a regionally recognized department across all divisions, including our awardwinning Middle and Upper School choirs, all-school orchestra, Upper School jazz band, Upper School theater program and stage performers. Three Upper School students and a faculty member were nominated for Count Basie awards in 2013, and a senior won for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama.” Performing Arts faculty members have won and been nominated for regional and national awards as well, including for conducting, costume design and master teaching. The school’s stellar performing arts students shined during a 200-student choral, band and orchestral performance at the renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City in January 2013. Students in grades as early as third grade participated, symbolizing a dream come true after years of devotion and planning among our collective faculty, administration and community members.The event represented an opportunity to witness first-hand the meaning of the Ranney experience and its impact on our students.
The Ranney School Performing Arts Department was proud to have held its 2013 Winter Concert Extravaganza at the iconic Carnegie Hall in New York City—a first for the school.
www.ranneyschool.org/strategicplan 7
Student Life contin.
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International travel opportunities remained part of the Middle School experience in conjunction with ISCA, which organizes international educational travel programs. In addition, Upper School students traveled to Spain in 2012, and to the United Kingdom in 2013. With guidance from RSPA and school leadership, students met the needs of many in our Jersey Shore area after Hurricane Sandy, devoting time and energy to place families in homes and raise money and material goods needed by those affected the most. Drives and awareness campaigns assisted organizations such as Project Recover and Rebuild, Lunch Break and the American Red Cross. To increase connections across campus divisions, new programs were created, including: Admissions Ambassadors, Hands across the Campus, Lower School Internships, Robotics programs, Transition mentorships and Upper School Forensics mentorships. Ethics, Leadership, Diversity and Internship programming for Upper School students continued to provide excellent learning opportunities outside the traditional classroom, including forums with prominent community members. Thanks to Ranney parents who offered to provide dynamic experiential learning experiences, the upcoming 2013 Summer Internship program will offer rising seniors more than 50 internships in various fields. In addition, rising juniors will have the opportunity to acquire internship hours through a partnership with Monmouth Medical Center. Our Upper School Diversity Club continued to enhance programming for our oldest students, including the development of a diversity seminar for all Upper Schoolers in May 2013. Striking art shows by Lower, Middle and Upper School students are now showcased in the Panther Hall Gallery and individual student artists continue to earn competitive fine arts awards. For the second year in a row, the Fine Arts Department includes a modern, online virtual arts exhibit called Artsonia, allowing for portfolio-building at all ages. A Ranney sophomore won the Silver Key Award from the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition for her mixed-media artwork; she competed against 900 student artists from across northern New Jersey. The MAG, Ranney’s Middle School literary and art magazine, has carried on what has now become a nationally recognized winning tradition. The editorial staff and advisor earned awards from the Columbia and American Scholastic Press Associations for the magazine’s “Origins” and “Future of Technology” editions; The Mag also earned the Columbia association’s prestigious Gold Award. Ranney co-curricular clubs continue to take advantage of learning opportunities outside the classroom, with students earning top honors in early 2013. In addition to the Upper School Robotics Team’s participation in the VEX World Championship, the Lower School all-girls Robotics Team won
Approximately 40% of students in the Class of 2013 are “lifers.” 8 Strategic Plan Final Outcomes 2010–2013
Student Life contin.
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first place at the Lego Robotics Competition, the Upper School History Club qualified for entry into the History Bowl/National Championship and the National Geography Quiz Bowl, the Middle School Science Olympiad team competed in regional and state finals, and the Academic Challenge Team competed in the National Academic Team Quiz Bowl, marking the team’s fourth consecutive national competition (in New Jersey, the team ranks ninth and one senior ranks second). Ranney Plus, which supports student enrichment during afterschool hours, expanded in its second year with new programs in robotics, Panther Cub athletics, art, orchestra, community service and leadership, allowing children and faculty to explore and develop skills and interests on campus beyond the school day. Seniors and Beginners celebrate being Ranney now has 40 student Admissions Ambassadors together during senior transition day. who serve as hosts to visiting families throughout the school year. The percentage of “lifer” students (those who have been part of the school community for 10 or more years) who graduate from Ranney has grown (40% of the 2013 graduating class are lifers), demonstrating the value of the distinct Ranney experience over time. Several Ranney traditions experienced anniversary years, including the 10th annual College Alumni panel and 10th annual Forensics Festival.
Summary and Forward Thinking During the three years of strategic plan implementation, Ranney School’s Student Life offerings have both increased in variety and availability, as well as in their ability to positively affect students and the community. Through expanded co-curricular activities and unique programming in all three divisions, our community has worked hard to develop experiences for our students that, in turn, expand learning outside of the classroom and develop skills crucial to 21st-century learning. Future enhancement of these programs, along with their connection to emerging academic priorities, including technology and STEM initiatives, will continue to position Ranney as a leading institution in the provision of student life.
Athletic Update The Athletic Department implemented year two of its 2011 strategic document, “21st Century Vision for the Ranney Scholar-Athlete,” which is separate but in line with the overall three-year Ranney School Strategic Plan. The athletic strategy aspires to develop an even more diversified and competitive sports program through all divisions. Today, the Panther Athletic Program has entered into a new phase of competition which includes the pursuit of athletic excellence through participation in a high-quality program that is centered on commitment, dedication, hard work, preparation and responsibility. These values also incorporate a focus on community and stress the ideals of pursuing victory with honor. Going forward, this vision will establish a standard of excellence that bridges current and future Ranney Panthers. Following are highlights of recent achievements in athletics.
www.ranneyschool.org/strategicplan 9
Student Life contin.
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The school’s “perfect partnerships” program, established in 2012 and aimed at strengthening relationships throughout the area, expanded to include more local athletic clubs: the New Jersey Wildcat Soccer Club, United Lacrosse Club, Central Jersey Hawks Basketball Club, Hoop Group, New Jersey Race Club Swim Team, Brian Bevin’s Golf, Atlantic Fencing Club and Two River Indoor Rowing. The school’s first competitions within the highly regarded Shore Conference began; not only were several meets held in the Gerhard Pavilion for Athletics, but also the Ranney Varsity Girls’ Tennis team brought home the 2012 Shore Conference “B Central” Championship title. Ranney School was honored with the Shore Conference’s “B Central” Sportsmanship award. The Varsity Girls’ Basketball team won the Panther Classic Tournament for the fifth consecutive year. Director of Athletics Tom Moriau completed his 400th career win as Head Coach of the Varsity Girls’ Basketball team as well as his 25th year at Ranney. He was honored as the Shore Conference Coaches Association “B Central” Coach of the Year and the Newark Star Ledger Monmouth County Coach of the Year. Concussion-management safety standards were put into place for varsity athletes and we continued our Zargis cardio-scan testing for Upper School athletes. The Lower School sports program expanded to include new baseball and softball offerings. Participation in already existing soccer, golf and fencing programs grew as well, enabling more Lower School students to be exposed to the important elements of sport that are not matched in the local area. Middle School athletes experienced another successful fall season.With participation at an all-time high, Ranney boys’ and girls’ soccer teams earned a trip to the league championship; the boys’ basketball team won the Central Jersey Athletic League (CJAL) Championship; the boys’ swim team won the Ranney Swim Invitational; the Middle School tennis and cross country teams enjoyed a large turnout and performed at top level play; and the field hockey team overcame a small roster to exhibit strong performances. A freshman was selected to the New Jersey Interscholastic Association First Team All States Women’s Foil for Ranney School, a first for the Panthers. In March, the student earned the silver medal in Girls’ Foil at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Individual Championship; this second-place finish was the first NJSIAA podium placement for a female Ranney fencer. The Varsity Crew team enjoyed a new “home” on the Shrewsbury River, rowing out of the Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht Club. The facility access provided a tremendous advantage to the team. The Ranney Equestrian Club became an active addition to the athletic program in October 2012, bringing together students who share a common passion for horseback riding. §
The new Panther Grandstands and Press Box were dedicated in spring 2013 during a pep rally. 10 Strategic Plan Final Outcomes 2010–2013
Administration
Faculty &
Faculty & Administration In 2010, the Faculty and Administration Committee set out to articulate five overarching goals to steer the important development of teaching success at Ranney School: project a standard of teaching excellence to the community; enhance professional development programs; develop the school’s faculty/administrative mentoring program; attract and retain the best and the brightest to serve our mission; and forge teaching partnerships with universities and professional organizations. As a result of the committee’s work, Standards of Teaching Excellence were developed in November 2010 and now serve as the guiding principles of professional excellence for teachers and administrators alike. These standards, which outline the expectation that our educators are expert leaders in their fields, set the stage for all initiatives over the past three years and serve as the focal point for all goals moving forward. The committee has since played a significant role in fostering a school culture that holds high expectations for Ranney educators and administrators to serve the community as mentors, thereby contributing to a collaborative environment.
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Demonstrating the school’s growing reputation and leadership in independent school education, numerous Ranney teachers presented at the 2012 NJAIS Biennial Professional Development conference. In fact, our faculty and administrators are increasingly selected by national teaching organizations and conferences to be presenters; they are also recognized at the state and national level as master teachers and fellowship and grant recipients. Faculty have had speaking engagements for conferences and workshops hosted by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the National School Public Relations Association, the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the New Jersey Association of Foreign Language Teachers and the New Jersey Association of Art Educators, among others. Hiring standards have been developed and published to attract the best teachers nationwide. As a result, candidates seeking to teach at Ranney School are at the top of their field, with more candidates possessing graduate and doctorate degrees. More teachers and administrators are pursuing graduate degrees and fellowships. Approximately 50% of faculty and administrators hold graduate degrees; seven have doctorates and two are pursuing doctorates. Professional development programs and opportunities have expanded to be inclusive of departmental, grade-level and division needs. In addition, standards for professional development and renewal have been developed to build on professional portfolios. Ranney has developed training partnerships with Monmouth University and Seton Hall University to support training opportunities for teachers and athletic trainers. In addition, a mentoring program has been established by an expert teacher who works with senior colleagues to support new faculty. New recognition awards have been established to reward faculty in areas of leadership, student life, instruction and commitment to the school’s mission. The Headmaster Educational Longevity Program was established, focusing on health and wellness for staff. In 2012, the school re-instated its merit compensation program to reward faculty who are highly accountable in meeting the standards of excellence in teaching at Ranney School. Nearly 50 faculty members have served the school for 10 or more years as of 2013, earning “lifer” status.
Summary and Forward Thinking Today, we are proud that our faculty and administrators embrace leadership within their profession; collectively, the work they do in and out of the classroom has brought regional and national recognition to students and to the school for academic excellence. As we finalize our strategic plan, new goals emerge for the growth and development of Ranney’s teaching culture which will promise the preservation of the school’s mission, incorporating a personalized learning experience, academic rigor and a culture that respects honor. § www.ranneyschool.org/strategicplan 11
Family Life
Family Life As part of its strategic planning, the Family Life Committee aimed to define the core value of the parent–student partnership as well as the community ties that bind our school together. The committee’s strategic goals included expanding parent education offerings, enhancing the offerings for family involvement, and supporting social and cross-cultural programming. Today, Ranney School prides itself on its strong sense of community and our values of compassion, caring and community are abundantly evident across the divisions, including a strong imperative to contribute to those in need at the local, regional and global level.
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The RSPA and the school leadership provided extraordinary support in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which devastated many area towns that our community calls home.Volunteers worked day and night to ensure that community members were safe and had access to the supplies and support systems they needed most. Demonstrating our strong community, volunteers served as the living symbol of our school’s mission when so many families were experiencing enormous challenges. In fall 2012, numerous community service initiatives took place, including the annual food and book drives. The tradition of supporting those outside of the Ranney community continued in December 2012, with the fourth annual Holiday Express Concert in RSPA Panther Hall. In addition to providing our Upper School performing arts students with the opportunity to take the stage with professional musicians, the evening has cumulatively raised more than $55,000 since 2009, donating 100% of ticket sales to help those in need during the holiday season and throughout the year. During the second semester, community building activities were the focus, with two new Family Nights introduced: a Lower School student/parent Pajama Party and Marionette Show, and a Family Bingo Night. The first event included a drive to support Project Night Night, an organization that provides blankets, pajamas, books and stuffed animals to children in need within New Jersey. The annual Rock the Runway fashion show continued to grow in 2013. Expanding the family focus of the evening, this year highlighted Ranney “lifer” seniors and their fathers. The Rockin’ Angels community service aspect of the fashion show played a significant role with all campus collections
The RSPA Garden Sale and Parents’ Day are annual traditions at Ranney, bringing parents on campus to participate in daily student-life activities. 12 Strategic Plan Final Outcomes 2010–2013
Family Life contin.
going to help Monmouth Family and Children’s Service re-open its Thrift Shop, which had been destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. The center was so grateful for the support of RSPA and the Ranney community that it has named Ranney School as one of its honorees for its October 2013 gala. • The Panther Ball continued to be the largest fundraising event for RSPA. In April 2013, more than 230 generous individuals helped to raise more than $70,000 for the school through tickets sales, sponsorship, and live and silent auctions. Held for the first time on the Ranney campus and building tremendous community spirit, the gala, appropriately themed “Come Together,” proved RSPA was instrumental in bringing the Ranney to be a cost-effective way to generate funds for the community back together after Hurricane Sandy. mission, programs and operations of Ranney School. • RSPA worked to develop new ways for parents to contribute time to the Ranney community, with the hope of including more parents into the fold of the volunteer corps. • The Parents’ Association Executive Board restructured the association’s bylaws in 2013, to incorporate a co-presidency model into the leadership structure and to increase the number of elected members serving on the Executive Board, representing the expansion of the parent body over the years.
Summary and Forward Thinking The strength of Ranney’s family ties, nurtured by the RSPA—whose membership includes every member of the parent body, influences the contributions we make as individuals and as a school to the larger community. Without the remarkable efforts of RSPA and the ever-expanding connections they forge on and off campus, our community could not provide the level of exceptional academic, athletic, community service and leadership opportunities that maximize the potential of every child. Going forward, it is this sense of purpose and continued effort to define the values and mission of our community that will sustain Ranney School as the special place it is for all of our children. Finding ways to include all parents, regardless of the amount of time they can commit, will continue to be a priority for the organization as it looks to increase participation in all divisions. Additionally, the RSPA leadership plans to pursue the establishment of a speaker series, partnering with internal and external experts, to bring programs to parents that are engaging and worthwhile.
At left: A Beginner student and a senior student aim high after the Senior–Beginner breakfast. At right: Celebrating Parents’ Day.
www.ranneyschool.org/strategicplan 13
Family Life contin.
Summer Programs Update As the summer extension of Ranney School, our Summer Programs continue to expand and provide exceptional opportunities for students of all ages. Children ages 3 to 18 can pursue an academic or talent development interest or take part in our American Camp Association accredited Day Camp, Trip Camps, Sports Camps or our new Counselor-in-Training Program. Below are a few improvements and additions made to Summer Programs. • •
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Summer Programs are now built into the tuition of Beginners and Pre-Kindergarteners starting with the 2013–2014 school year, creating year-round learning for current and future students. A new Counselor-in-Training Program was added for 14-year-olds in an effort to provide a unique experience for this age-group of campers and with an eye toward developing future camp counselors. Our Interactive Preschool Adventures program has expanded to include two one-week choices each week. Summer academic courses, including reading, writing and math, expanded for the fourth year in a row with specialized talent development and academic offerings for Pre-K–eighth grade. Literature, physical fitness and specialized STEM and arts programming now include exceptional opportunities in archaeology, architecture, engineering, robotics and math and science labs. Gifted & Talented courses expanded in grades 1–3 with new Advanced Reading & Writing programming. Our Summer Music Conservatory Instrumental Insights Orchestra now features two levels of string orchestras with half-day intermediate workshops for violin, viola and cello musicians in grades 3–8. A new full-day orchestra program for advanced musicians has been added to accommodate highlyspecialized and talented young musicians. Non-credit high school summer academic courses have been restructured as three-week offerings to provide families with a better timeframe to pursue introductory humanities and math courses. A 25% discount continues to apply to all Ranney families enrolling in summer academic and talent development programs and Day and Trip Camps. §
Our Summer Programs enable students to gain the benefits of year-round learning, including a focus on specialized interests and talents, and social development and growth. 14 Strategic Plan Final Outcomes 2010–2013
Strategic Marketing
Strategic Marketing The characteristics within Ranney School’s mission, vision and values define the Ranney culture and differentiate our academic strengths and extracurricular opportunities from other academic institutions in the region. As part of our strategic plan, the Strategic Marketing Committee set out to reinforce and promote these characteristics and share “the Ranney story” by defining our core values, exploring our demographic-rich emerging markets, enhancing our web communications and press relations, showcasing our students’ success in meaningful ways and developing a new outreach plan for alumni. This consistent platform was designed to assist Ranney in retaining and attracting the most talented faculty and students while enhancing our reputation and mission through various communications vehicles.
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In 2012–2013, Ranney experienced its highest school-wide enrollment: 823. During the past three years, Upper School enrollment, in particular, has grown tremendously (30% increase). In 2014-2015, the Upper School is poised to have 320 total students compared with this school year’s 278. Interest in the ninth grade is at an all-time high with more than three applications for every space; wait pools also have been established for grades 4, 6 and 8. Aligned with these increases has been the strategic growth of our need-based financial aid program, which has allowed for a greater diversification of the student body. A new Grown-Up & Me Saturday program was designed to bring new preschool families to campus to experience our athletic and arts programs as well as our stellar teaching staff. The newly renovated Ranney School website launched in February 2013, after a year of planning and development; the site provides a fresh and modern interface with easier navigation for visitors. The Communications Team produced a 60-page commemorative print and digital edition of the school’s flagship publication, Columns, which takes a retrospective look at Ranney School’s strategic history, including a pullout timeline.The digital version includes complementary video clips as well as a blog. Two new high-quality dynamic publications, the Viewbook and At a Glance, were created to serve as key marketing pieces for the school. A print and digital Summer Programs brochure was published to highlight the school’s unique yearround learning opportunities from preschool to high school. Student anthologies and newspapers, such as The MAG, RSVP and Taxi are now produced in digital format and available to the Ranney community online. Our Twitter (@RanneySchool) followers rose to a record high of nearly 800, and our Pinterest account now has 15 active boards.We opened an official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/RanneySchool) and also launched four new School Press blogs, including one on college guidance. The school’s social media presence served as a primary tool, along with the Ranney Emergency Notification System (RENS), to communicate with the Ranney community during Hurricane Sandy. Partnerships with targeted media publications have expanded our school’s visibility to women and families in Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean counties. Articles written by faculty experts have appeared in the print and online press, particularly furthering Ranney’s reputation in Early Childhood Education. The National School Public Relations Association selected Ranney to present its Hurricane Sandy crisis communication experience as a case study at its National Conference in 2013.
Summary and Forward Thinking During the past three years, we have ensured that Ranney’s mission, vision and values are reflected in all areas of Ranney’s internal and external marketing and public-relations strategies. Looking ahead, we plan to strengthen this framework as we “share the Ranney story” by continuing to promote our talented faculty, students and alumni across all media channels. § www.ranneyschool.org/strategicplan 15
Financial Planning
Financial Planning In the area of strategic financial planning, the school is committed to continuing the use of a long-range model to: provide sufficient funding to carry out the school’s mission, build an endowment fund that will build a steady source of investment income to the operating budget, attract and retain the best employees by expanding our competitive compensation and benefits plans, and diversify revenue streams by identifying additional revenue sources.
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The school built a model of long-range financial planning by projecting financial statements through 2017. This strategy allows the school to prepare for the economic pressures of running an elite educational institution. The plan has empowered the leadership at Ranney School to continue to enhance the quality of the educational experience while maintaining fiscal integrity. This strategy has offered the community a competitive tuition rate for an unmatched educational experience, allowed leadership to focus on creating efficiencies and enabled the school to attract and retain educators of the highest quality. Our compensation packages have been thoroughly reviewed to attract and retain quality staff. In comparison to NAIS benchmarks, Ranney School faculty and staff are receiving highly competitive compensation, valuing both employee tenure and dedication to the school and recognizing performance and teaching excellence. Furthermore, the school has encouraged and underwritten our educators and professional staff to seek professional development opportunities so that they are prepared in cutting-edge practices to afford our students the latest in innovative learning. We have created “perfect partnerships” with leaders in their areas of expertise that offer our students access to highly trained athletic and educational professionals that use our campus for training and events and that allow the school to create additional revenue streams through the use of our facilities. In addition, we have enhanced our Summer Programs to offer a wide variety of high quality academic courses as well as fun and exciting camp activities that continue to obtain high enrollments. This strategy of diversified revenue streams plays an important role in reducing tuition rates for all families.
Summary and Forward Thinking The improvement of financial planning, including fiscal responsibility, is an ongoing mission of the school. Our forward-looking goals on the Financial Planning Committee include maintaining and enhancing green initiatives, creating budgets to reward and retain top educators and staff, and utilizing resources to continue to educate through professional development— all of which will result in an institution of the highest quality. §
The 2013 RSPA Panther Ball and Gala, themed “Come Together.”
16 Strategic Plan Final Outcomes 2010–2013
Development
Development At the start of this strategic plan, the Development Committee determined that there was an opportunity to increase philanthropic support moving forward with a concentrated effort in three specific fundraising areas: annual giving, alumni support and endowment. The committee also defined the components of a successful development program, including: annual giving, leadership giving, planned giving and endowment, special events, alumni programs and parenting programs through RSPA. The committee determined that a focus on these areas, and a firm grasp on the program’s various components, would provide Ranney School with a greater program of advancement over the course of not only three years, but over 10 years, and produce a more robust stream of revenue from which to achieve our mission.
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The Ranney Annual Fund has grown from $236,000 in Fiscal Year 2008–2009, to an all-time high of $753,000 at the close of the 2011–2012 year; combined philanthropy resulted in $1,009,490 in fiscal year 2011–2012; and Leadership Giving (i.e., $2,500 or more) now comprises approximately 20% of all philanthropic support. Board participation in the Annual Fund has been at 100% for the past three years. A parent committee specifically focusing on expanding the Ranney Annual Fund has been put into place and continues to grow; as a result, volunteer parent participation has increased. The average parent gift to the Annual Fund has grown substantially to $2,500; in addition, parent participation in the Ranney Fund has doubled. Gifts to the Ranney Fund have provided essential funding for the school’s overall operating requirements as well as a variety of special programs and campus enhancements, including: the renovation of the aquatic center, new crew boats, a trailer to transport our teams to and from regattas, musical instruments and wireless microphones for performing arts, robotic equipment for our emerging Robotics Program, the new Panther Grandstands and Press Box, the Lacrosse and Soccer Practice Wall, upgraded technology, faculty professional development and financial aid. The Annual Fund also has supported, in part, unique special trips and programming for students, such as the school-wide performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City in January 2013. The “Support Ranney” section on the website expanded to feature ongoing updates about the fund. Alumni support has steadily increased during the past three years with the largest alumni reunion in Ranney history taking place during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend 2012; the event attracted more than 100 alumni back to campus. A highlight of the event was the celebration of Coach Emmett Walling and the dedication of the renamed Walling Aquatic Center. The event showcased the pool’s recently added swim blocks and bulkhead, made possible by generous donors to the Annual Fund. Connections with alumni through Facebook (900+) and LinkedIn (230+) have grown tremendously. The largest alumni gift to the school to date was received in 2012 in the amount of $35,000. There are currently 19 Legacy Families enrolled at the school, meaning that a family has sent more than one generation to Ranney.
Summary and Forward Thinking As the Annual Fund continues to gain momentum within our parent constituency, the prospect of increasing alumni Annual Fund participation and engagement within our community remains an area of opportunity for Ranney. Future development plans will call for defined strategic initiatives surrounding the creation of an endowment which can positively impact our long-term financial growth trajectory and provide new revenue streams needed to fulfill our mission–promise while keeping tuition increases to a minimum. §
www.ranneyschool.org/strategicplan 17
Governance
Governance The Governance Committee set strategic goals aimed at strengthening the school and the community it serves. With a complete understanding of their roles, the Board of Trustees committed to being involved, active leaders who are engaged in making long-term growth and stability a reality at Ranney School. Governance involves three important parts: a fiduciary role in which the Board and the Head focus on the best use of and stewardship of tangible assets; a strategic element whereby the Board and administration develop and implement a tactical plan that moves the school toward its mission at all times; and an element of envisioning a great future, which includes examining all possible ways to keep the school distinctive and relevant. In this last domain, the Board and the Governance Committee, along with Dr. Sykoff, the administration and faculty, used the past three years to ask the big-picture questions and our strategic planning enabled us to realize enormous growth, even during a time when the economic landscape was very unpredictable. Such results point directly to the importance of governance as leadership, and governance as the advancement of the mission.
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Ranney School was officially re-accredited in October 2012 with Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools under “excellent standing,” the highest ranking of the premiere accrediting association. Our leadership team, with support and guidance from the Board, put its Crisis Communication Plan into action during and in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and worked to fine-tune the plan after the storm. The plan includes new safety and security programs that are current with recommendations from police officials and a security audit conducted by an outside firm specializing in independent schools. Acknowledging that strategic planning requires ongoing participation of the Board, members have become more involved in the daily life of the school; trustees see the value in “visioning” ongoing innovation to sustain the school’s distinctive qualities. The Board maintains an active committee structure in support of development, finance, education, sustainability and governance, among other areas; committees are required to report on their yearly goals.The Board also conducts an assessment of its effectiveness through an annual survey as recommended by the National Association of Independent Schools and a substantive review at the annual Board retreat. In conjunction with bylaws, the Governance Committee has established a format to identify prospective Trustees from the pool of candidates who serve on subcommittees. Prospective Trustees are identified based on professional profiles that align with the Board’s desire to maintain diversity of skills and other important elements such as demographics, alumni and former parents. In coordination with administrators, RSPA and Educator’s Collaborative, the Board carried out a five-month Head of School search which included hiring a national search consultant, sending a questionnaire to the Ranney community to build the Information For Candidates (IFC) document, and a robust interview process including Trustees, administrators, teachers and parents; the search yielded close to 50 candidates from across the globe. Because of our school’s strong reputation, the pool of finalists was robust, and each candidate was thoroughly screened. The comprehensive process led to the appointment of Dr. John Griffith as Ranney’s fourth Head of School, who will begin his term on July 1, 2013. Our Trustees planned extremely well to make the transition to new leadership as smooth as possible. The current school year provided time to celebrate the work of Dr. Sykoff during his 20year tenure and time to plan a warm welcome for our new leader, Dr. Griffith. Both Dr. Sykoff and Dr. Griffith have created a wonderful climate of successful transition for the community.
Summary and Forward Thinking The strategic planning process now has solid roots in Ranney School’s approach to governance and will remain an ongoing exercise by the Board and school leadership. As incoming Head of School Dr. Griffith begins his tenure, the strategic process will carry on, ensuring that our vision, mission and dreams continue. §
18 Strategic Plan Final Outcomes 2010–2013
Infrastructure
Facilities & Campus Infrastructure Long-range planning is a key theme of Ranney School’s strategic goals plan in the area of facilities and campus infrastructure. Part of this planning by the Facilities and Campus Infrastructure Committee incorporated a three-year capital operations plan, exploring alternative energy and “green” initiatives and the ongoing pursuit of enhancing safety and security measures on campus.
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The strategy of safety and security proved to be instinctual following the increase of school security Above: Ranney’s clock tower at night. Below: The dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony of breaches nationwide in recent times.The school’s the Lawrence Sykoff Center for Excellence, May 2013. long-range capital plan has been further developed to take into account the primary goals of safety and security. Key outcomes in this area include: • A Safety and Security Summit was held on campus with representatives from Homeland Security, New Jersey State Troopers and the Tinton Falls Police Department to set objectives for improving school safety. • Ranney hired a full-time Tinton Falls Police Officer as well as two Lower School receptionists to monitor student drop-offs and pickups, and staff members have been issued identification tags to be worn at all times. • A security camera and access button have been installed to the aftercare program building. • Siren and panic buttons and their related systems have been purchased and will be fully installed before the end of the 2012–2013 school year so that drill notifications of all kinds can be heard on all parts of the campus. The Early Childhood Learning Center underwent significant upgrades to support best teaching practices. The facility goals for the center continue to unfold, to incorporate brighter and more spacious classrooms that support team teaching and student development in areas of growth and movement. Ongoing athletic improvements to campus included a new Grandstands and Press Box. • A Sustainability Committee has been formed to review the campus in total; many initiatives have been implemented, including increased recycling. In addition, expansive and modern energyefficient facilities throughout campus have resulted in lower operating costs.
Summary and Forward Thinking The facilities and campus infrastructure mission of Ranney School continues to look into the future. Safety and security on campus will remain the number-one priority, with enhancements to facilities and the process of keeping all constituents safe always at the forefront. Upgrades to classrooms, auditoriums, athletic, performing art and dining facilities will be unending to allow current and future students to grow in a nurturing environment. Ranney is committed to the ongoing improvement of the tangible assets, as well as the intangible processes that take place on a day-to-day basis. §
www.ranneyschool.org/strategicplan 19
Specialized Schools & Athletic Programs* Art/Architecture Drexel University, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design Maryland Inst. College of Art Massachusetts College of Art & Design New Jersey Inst. of Technology Northeastern University University of Notre Dame Penn State University, College of Arts & Architecture Pratt Institute Rhode Island School of Design Ringling College of Art and Design School of the Art Inst. of Chicago School of the Museum of Fine Arts Syracuse University, School of Archit. Tulane University, School of Archit. University of the Arts Virginia Tech, Archit. & Urban Studies Business Babson College Bentley University Bryant University Georgetown University– McDonough School New York University–Stern Northeastern University University of Richmond– School of Business Rutgers University–Business School Villanova University–Business School Washington University in St. Louis– Olin School of Business Engineering Columbia’s Fu School of Engineering and Applied Sciences New Jersey Inst. of Technology Lehigh University Stevens Inst. of Technology Villanova University Wentworth Inst. of Technology Film/TV Production Drexel University, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design Emerson College, Film Production Ithaca College, Film Production SUNY Purchase, Film Production Ivy League Brown Columbia Cornell Dartmouth Harvard University University of Pennsylvania Princeton University
Journalism Northwestern University– Medill School of Journalism Music Conservatories Carnegie Mellon College of Fine Arts Cleveland Inst. of Music Manhattan School of Music New England Conservatory of Music Peabody Inst. at Johns Hopkins Rutgers Mason Gross School San Francisco Conservatory of Music Music Industry Drexel University–Music Industry New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Clive Davis Inst. of Recorded Music New York University Steinhardt– Music Technology Overseas University of Edinburgh University of Saint Andrews Athletic Programs Boys’ Lacrosse: Gettysburg College (Div. III), Marist College (Div. I) Boys’ Fencing: Brandeis Univ. (Div. III), Columbia (Div. I), NYU (Div. III), Pennsylvania (Div. I), Haverford (Div. III), Stevens Inst. (Div. III) Boys’ Baseball: Adelphi Univ. (Div. II) Boys’ Soccer: US Naval Academy Boys’ Swimming: Franklin and Marshall (Div. III),Vassar College (Div. III), Loyola Univ. Maryland (Div. I) Boys’ Track: Rollins (Div. III) Girls’ Lacrosse: Muhlenberg College (Div. III) Girls’ Field Hockey: Massachusetts Inst. of Technology Girls’ Track: American Univ. (Div. I), Univ. of Delaware (Div. I) Crew: Duke Univ. (Div. I), Harvard Univ. (Div. I), Univ. of North Carolina–Chapel Hill (Div. I) Girls’ Softball: Georgetown Univ. (Div. I) Girls’ Soccer: Susquehanna Univ. (Div. III) Girls’ Swimming: Lafayette College (Div. I) *Recent graduates were accepted into these schools or recruited by these programs.
Knowledge Vision • Honor National Merit Scholarship Program: Class of 2013: 4 students commended Class of 2012: 7 students commended Class of 2011: 5 students commended Class of 2010: 4 students commended Class of 2009: 2 students commended Standardized Tests: 86% of Ranney students pass their Advanced Placement (AP) exams, compared to the New Jersey pass rate of 75% and the global pass rate of 61%. In 2013, a junior achieved a perfect score of 2,400 on the SAT. AP Scholar Awards: Class of 2013: • 6 scholars • 6 scholars with honor • 8 scholars with distinction Class of 2012: • 10 scholars • 1 scholar with honor • 19 scholars with distinction Class of 2011: • 12 scholars • 3 scholars with honor • 15 scholars with distinction Class of 2010: • 16 scholars • 3 scholars with honor • 14 scholars with distinction Class of 2009: • 7 scholars • 2 scholars with honor • 10 scholars with distinction College Entrance: Approximately 75% of Ranney graduates earn acceptance to their first or second choice college. 74% of the class of 2013 were admitted through Early Action/Early Decision. Scholarships: Students in the Class of 2013 were awarded scholarships totaling $2,558,060 over four years.
20 Strategic Plan Final Outcomes 2010–2013
Ranney School College Matriculation 2009–2013
Adelphi University American University Babson College (2) Bard College (4) Barnard College (4) Bentley University Boston College (3) Boston University (3) Bowdoin College Brandeis University Bryn Mawr College Bucknell University (9) Carnegie Mellon University (2) College of Charleston (5) The University of Chicago (3) University of Colorado at Boulder (2) Columbia University (4) Cornell University (4) Dartmouth College (4) University of Delaware Dickinson College Drexel University (4) Duke University (4) Elon University (2) Emerson College Emory University (3) Fairfield University (2) Fairleigh Dickinson University Fordham University (3) Franklin & Marshall College (5) The George Washington University (11) Georgetown University (5) University of Georgia Gettysburg College Hamilton College–New York (2) Harvard University Haverford College
Hobart and William Smith Colleges Hofstra University Ithaca College James Madison University Johns Hopkins University (2) Johnson and Wales University Lafayette College (6) Lake Erie College Lasell College Lehigh University (6) Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Maryland (7) Lynchburg College Manhattan School of Music Marist College Marquette University University of Maryland– College Park (2) Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Miami (4) University of Michigan (4) Middlebury College Monmouth University Moravian College Muhlenberg College (6) The College of New Jersey New York University (28) Northeastern University (5) Northwestern University (2) University of Notre Dame (6) Ohio Wesleyan University Pace University, New York City (3) University of Pennsylvania (5) Polytechnic Institute of NYU Princeton University (3) Providence College Quinnipiac University (3)
Rhode Island School of Design Richard Stockton College of New Jersey University of Richmond Ringling College of Art and Design Rollins College Rutgers,The State University of New Jersey at New Brunswick (10) Saint Joseph’s University (3) Santa Clara University Sarah Lawrence College School of the Art Institute of Chicago University of Scranton Skidmore College (2) University of South Carolina University of Southern California Stanford University Stetson University Stevens Institute of Technology (4) Susquehanna University (2) Syracuse University (2) Tufts University (2) Tulane University (5) Union College (2) Ursinus College (2) Villanova University (5) Washington and Lee University Washington College Washington University in St. Louis (3) Williams College The College of Wooster
*Parenthetical number designates number of students maticulating at the college.
Ranney School Established 1960
235 Hope Road / Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 Phone: 732.542.4777 / Fax: 732.544.1629 www.ranneyschool.org