I NVEST POS 15 I N THE ANNUA L FUTURE REPORT
Invest in the future. Mitt Romney said, “Education is the investment our generation makes in the future.” Isn’t that why you enrolled your child in Post Oak? It’s easy to invest in our own child’s future. At the same time, few of us are so visionary that we see our own child’s education in the big picture—as an investment in the future of the culture and the advancement of civilization— but Post Oak teachers see this. We see our work as serving the individual child and in doing so, we serve our culture, and the future.
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High School Managua Field School
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“ Despite the heat and grueling work, we all laughed and sweated together. In the end, every shovelful of dirt was deposited with purpose.�
Brayden Chavis, Class of 2017 speaking about his experience working on a new water system for a sesame seed processing plant in Nueva Vida, Nicaragua
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Lower Elementary outing to Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Maria Montessori observed that the way in which we learn shapes who we become. Montessori students look for new ways to do things. Freedom to choose their own work and to direct their own interests cultivates a lifetime love of learning.
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Post Oak is a Montessori school; one of the best in the world. As society struggles to match education to the needs of the future, an emerging cultural meme was voiced in the Wall Street Journal four years ago: “Is there something going on here? Is there something about the Montessori approach that nurtures creativity and inventiveness that we can all learn from?” That rhetorical question aims to make sense of the disproportionately large representation of Montessori alums leading the list of entrepreneurs in the tech world, and other creative professions—people who are not only successful, but true shapers of the culture — including the founders of Google and Amazon and Wikipedia, whose work has reshaped our lives immeasurably.
This is more than name-dropping. The “Montessori mafia” displays a combination of creativity, entrepreneurial drive, and business savvy that the world values, characteristics attributed to their Montessori education. There are new exemplars from the past few months. In a short span, this spring Steph Curry was named MVP of the NBA and Anthony Doerr won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction; both are Montessori alums. What does success in basketball have to do with Montessori education? Here’s what Curry’s mother said her son took away from his experience: “If you hit a roadblock, don’t be discouraged. It provides a sense of who you are. That life throws you challenges and you need to figure it out.”
Nearly 90 students, parents and chaperones from Post Oak attended the first Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) Conference in Zhengzhou, China. In MMUN , students step into the shoes of UN ambassadors to debate current global and social issues, while also honing their research, writing, public speaking, problem solving, consensus building, and conflict resolution skills.
Montessori Model United Nations China Conference
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You must first master your self before you can master the world. In the Young Children’s Community, children learn to make choices, to work independently, and to manage themselves. This is one reason why Montessori students are different.
Young Children’s Community independent learning
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And when Forbes’ list of the 17 “Youngest Power Women of 2015” appeared, it included three former Montessori students: Beyoncé; Samantha Power, United States ambassador to the United Nations; and Taylor Swift—deemed powerful even before she sweetly and sternly rebuked corporate giant Apple, causing it to reverse course on the roll-out of its new streaming music platform. Taylor Swift: “One of the most savvy and inspiring millennial entrepreneurs I’ve ever come across,” according to Forbes.
Invest in the future. It was a year when we asked you to invest in the future of Post Oak. Parents, alumni parents, grandparents, faculty and staff, trustees, friends and foundations answered the call to invest capital, enabling Post Oak to build a new and larger high school building (in the year when our first class graduates), to relocate middle school to the Museum District campus, and to enhance and renovate the Bissonnet facilities. These improvements will serve your children well, and your grandchildren, too.
S H A Ordinary wonders; it’s what Post Oak is all about. Being aware of differences helps us appreciate variety. It’s the same reason leasons are devoted to bringing descriptive vocabulary to children: rough, rougher, roughest tablets; blue, bluer, bluest colors; ovate, lanceolate, pinnate leaves. The knowledge that there are differences helps us observe them.
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Elementary after-school enrichment
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Upper Elementary “The Great Lessons” research
DI Can you teach curiosity? We at Post Oak believe that you can teach curiosity, but you do so indirectly—by developing a culture that encourages questions. Post Oak students scored in the top 6 percent of schools participating in the Mission Skills Assessment—a study being conducted by a national consortium of private schools to measure and promote the development of curiosity, creativity, teamwork, ethics, resilience, and time management.
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Invest in the future. In June 2015 the Houston Montessori Institute (HMI) graduated its first class of Montessori teachers, and the following Monday began its next three-year course with 20 new trainees. HMI operates as a division of The Post Oak School and resides in the Post Oak High School building during the summer months. Post Oak faculty contribute expertise to the training center in a number of different ways and at the same time, the training center raises our level of professional practice. In a narrow sense, Post Oak benefits through the training and recruitment of its next generation of teachers. More broadly, Post Oak contributes to the wider community, training Montessori teachers for Houston, for Texas and beyond. By doing so, we invest in the future.
Your investment in The Post Oak School helps make real our vision for a vibrant future. Post Oak now serves children from birth to the cusp of adulthood; we train teachers to enter the profession as a part of our commitment to career-long professional growth; and remembering the comment, “I don’t want to be an accidental parent,” we will continue to expand our work with families, helping parents deepen their understanding of human growth and development, and best practices in parenthood. Few schools anywhere can match this scope of aspiration and offer such an integrated range of services. We thank you for helping to make Post Oak a model of possibility. John Long, Head of School
Primary classroom individual artistic expression
Stocking the library of the senses. Classrooms contain carefully designed materials to support children’s explo ration and put names to a variety of sensations: size, color, shape, texture, scent, sound, and more.
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A year of thanks
At the end of a particularly active school year, the whole community seems to breathe a sigh of relief. So it was in the 2014–2015 Post Oak school year, which called for heroic volunteer efforts from parents who rolled up their sleeves to offer help on campaigns, galas, community events, and more. The Big Work 2.0 capital campaign required the robust energy of dedicated parents to bring the public phase to a successful conclusion. Paula Mey and Alan Ying, among many others, worked tirelessly throughout the year to make sure every single family at Post Oak knew the importance of this transformative project. The community generously responded. By the end of the school year, we had reached 73 percent family participation and raised over $6 million of our $8 million goal. And if parents weren’t working to raise funds for Big Work, they were participating in the countless related meetings to discuss planning, finance, architecture, and scheduling of this major renovation and construction project. At the same time, another grand effort was in the works. Post Oak parents spent most of the year in full event-mode preparing for Starstruck: A Night at the Oscars. Under the stellar direction of parent chairs, Laura Citardi and Whitney Walsh, this star-studded, record-breaking, biennial gala seemed to receive the volunteer efforts of almost every single parent at the school. A major piece of gala work was masterfully managed by auction committee chairs, Jenny Mohr and Stelli Parsapour, who worked countless hours to present one of the most creative and successful auction line-ups the school has ever seen. Amidst these major efforts, the yearly cycle of events, the annual fund, and classroom activities continued, which required additional volunteer talent and support from all parents of Post Oak. It was a beehive of activity all year long. Please take some time to review the names of event chairs and other volunteers listed in the back of this report. For all of this, we offer our deep gratitude to all donors and volunteers. We acknowledge that the school would not be what it is without the time and support so generously given by the families and friends of Post Oak.
Christina Kopanidis-Cantu, Development Director
Post Oak Donors
The 2014-2015 Post Oak Fund Chaired by Carol and John Howenstine Donors who generously contributed gifts of , and above to The Post Oak Fund are members of The Post Oak Leadership Circle. LEADERSHIP CIRCLE Shonali and Rakesh Agrawal Terri and Chris Armstrong Louise and Henry Bergeron Bailey Dalton-Binion and Greg Binion Mary Birk Kimberly and Michael Callahan Lisa Heyden and Stephen Douglas Abbe and Adam Forman Amy and Blair Garrou Janice and Barrett Green Jessica and Vean Gregg Windi and David Grimes Cherish and Chris Harvell Rennae Henry Kelly and Blake Hill Carol and John Howenstine Kelly and Erich Janzen Catherine and Andrew Kaldis Carol and Stephen King Amy and Lloyd Kirchner Kathy and John Long Huma and Nabeel Manal Fiona McKone and Francis Giles Regina and Bert Mellinger Paula and Mark Mey Midtown Dentistry– Jonathan Penchas Catherine and Robert Orr Tahia Khan and Shoyab Panchbhaya Melissa Coleman and Robert Pascoe Mayuri and Dharmesh Patel Ashley and Sidney Perkins Kristen and David Ridgway Alicia Kowalchuk and Benjamin Saldaña Daniela and Manolo Sanchez Farrell and Stuart Saunders Sherri and Charles Schugart Brittney and Max Tribble Stacy and Richard Urso
Whitney and Marc Walsh Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro Kim and Chuck Yates Anita and Alan Ying Rocio Diaz and Francisco Zorrilla Jennifer and Fernando Zumbado
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS Louise Alexander Amita and Abid Ali Nancy and John Almon Marcela Beltran-Alvarez and Gus Alvarez Anonymous (2) Frank Apollo Fasiha and Yassir Ashraf Elenir and Rony Avritscher Teri and Thomas Bair Diana Ayala and Juan Balderas Heather Barkley and Christopher Hensley Odette and Clark Bartee Ashley and David Besselman Jessica and Ben Braun Jennifer and Christian Brenckmann Elena and Alexander Brokhin Courtney and Bill Bucy William Bucy Erin and Brett Busby Sara and Brent Bushell Carla Campbell Elizabeth and Walter Cassidy Sara and Juan Pablo Cata Payal and Manny Chana Belisa Diaz and Maninder Cheema Deepa Poduval and Rajesh Chelapurath Courtney and David Chlebus Shirley and Yit Nee Chong Laura and Martin Citardi Audra French and Arnold Colunga Natalie and Austin Crossley Vareen and Dave Cunningham Jodie and Laith Daik Natasha Bashir and Wasim Dar Kelly and Garth Davis Kelly and James Davis Jeffrey Davis Robyn Davis Candace and Frederick Day Lissa Debes Mary and Rony Dev
Maneesha and Manoj Devashish Carmen and Kiki Dikmen Betul Oran and Serdar Dinc Cynthia Duboise Tina Petersen and John Duboise Monica and Derek Dunaway Michael Elam Erica and Glenn Engle Kathleen Padden and Richard Evans Asmaa and Yaser Faquih Gina and Charles Fertitta Hebe Gutierrez and Gabriel Flores Dominique and Nicholas Florescu Lori Ann and Michael Foertsch Rachel and Wayne Franklin Christa Filak and Martin Fraske Suzanna Fulcher Seunghee and Christopher Fuller Karri and Alfredo Garza Hannah and Leonard Golub Erin and Justin Goodman Cynthia Alonso and Ashok Gowda David Graeve Sowmini and Ravi Gudimetla Silvia and Marcos Guerra Leashanne and James Guo Allison and David Hamilton Holly and Gregory Han Victoria Hand Peggy and Virgil Haney Susan Hardwick-Smith Lauren Harte and Kevin Hargrove Sumita Chunchu and Krishnadev Hariharan Jennifer Harrison Vicki and Robert Harvey Enid and Lance Henderson Stephanie and Ben Hertzog Rochelle Tafolla and Richard Hess Anh Doan and Doanh Hoang Cynthia and Darren Hubbard Muriel Brisson-Jackson and Eric Jackson Dawn Thomas and Bryan Janda Komal Shah and Vijay Kale Jane Greenberg and Gregory Kaplan Janet and Mario Kapusta Shilpa Chunchu and Douglas Karabasz Nesrin and Dogan Kartaltepe
Post Oak Donors
Kristen and Matthew Katz Samantha and Ronald Kegge Cynthia DeLaney and Stephan Kinsella Alyson Koval Andrew Koval Vasanthi Jayaraman and Ramanan Krishnamoorti Neha Gupta and Ankush Kumar Teresa Lin and Stephen Lai Marcel and Matthew Lake Ranjeeta Bhatia and Vikram Lalwani Ana Sanchez and Javier Lamuno Renee and Eric Lancelin Beth and Matt Lavine Andrea Lazar Shelly Leeds-Richter Kasia Leon-Lubowicz and Alfonso Leon Grace and James Lewis Yan and Haiyang Li Zoe Littlepage Nicole and Christopher Lombardo Lucinda and Javier Loya Michelle and Thomas Lu Chikako and Denny Luk Monica Lopez and Richard Lyn-Cook Ana and Joao Maciel Lumarie Santiago and Armeen Mahvash Sara and John Mallon Jenny and André Marshall Stacey and Mark Martin John Martinez Jessica and Robert Matos Victoria Matthews Emily Browning and Adam May Evelyn Su-McCain and William McCain Alison Wong and Blaine McElroy Bonnye and Robert McGill Sarah Ellenzweig and Scott McGill Kelly McNamara Ami and Mit Mehta Muriel and Marcel Meicler Michele Meicler Melanie and Nathaniel Mendoza Sara Jurney and Todd Mensing Jessica and Philipp Meyer Lorena and Pietro Milazzo Jamie and Michael Miranda
The Post Oak Dads Club Pat and Bill Mitchell Nandita Gupta and Vikas Mittal Rufina Sunesara and Shehzad Momin Shanell and Walker Moody Quianta and Demango Moore Mary and John Moore Jenny and Stanford Moore Alana Kennedy-Nasser and Dean Nasser Kavitha and Sattva Neelapu Mobeen and Khuram Nizami Amy and Keith Norman Kevin O’Gorman Wendy and Meir O’Hanna Amy O’Neill Heather and Brenden O’Neill Avit and David Pactor Assel and Antonio Palmeirim Sharon Engelstein and Aaron Parazette Pragnya Patel and Kaushik Parekh Meredith and Mark Parenti Jenny Mohr and Matthew Parker Renee Parker Jaana Porra and Michael Parks Stelli and Todd Parsapour Nicole and Anders Pedersen Carole Dickinson and Val Perkins Judy and William Peterson Anh Nguyen and Victor Phan Lisa and Patrick Phelps Jacqueline and Robert Phillpott Teresa and Carlos Pinto Coelho Nancy and Michael Polychronopoulos Amy and Thomas Pugh Elizabeth and Adam Pulaski Susie Dunn and Larry Rachleff Laura and Thomas Rahlfs Paula and Charlie Randall Amber Luong and Terry Ray Karen and Ken Redding Elizabeth Reese Heidi and Bryan Rosenstrauch Andrea and Anthony Russo Cristina Gracias and Gabriel Salinas Suzan and Jeremy Samuels Gena Scurry Sheel and Max Seewann
Zeenath and Arjun Selvakumar Erica and Vadim Sherman Jennifer and Robert Shults Jenny and Michael Siegel Ariana and Steve Smetana Vrushali Deshpande and Aditya Soman Rona and Michael Sonabend Valerie and Michael Sonsino Asha and Gaurav Sood Evy Pappas and Nickolas Spiliotis Mary and Garland Stephens Celine and Richard Stetzer Felicia and Rafael Stone Ellen and Dale Straub Julie and Jeffrey Streich Tish Stringer Erin and Thomas Stus Julie and Jason Styles Sarah and Jami Sweeney Christina and Isaac Tapia Donna and Paul Tassinario Nikayla and Aaron Thomas Stephanie and Robert Tobor Jennifer and Sam Touchet Natalia and Angel Urreta Karen and Raul Valdez Michael Vaughn Aparajitha and Amit Verma Claudia Macias and Alex Villegas Khanhuyen and Huy Vinh Valerie and Jay Volpi Catherine Than and Hoang Quan Vu Shalini Mukhi and Nicolaus Wagner-Bartak Sabina and Mani Walia Ngoc Le and Jason Walls Mary and Robert Warwick Stephanie and Stanley Watowich Misty and Tyson Weihs Jennifer Wheler Lisa Gubbels and Robert Wingo Susan and Michael Wong Terry Fisher and Karl Wygant Samantha and Charles Wykoff Carlie and Richard Yoo Allison and Gustavo Zapata Michelle Luo and Hui Zhang
14 15 EMPLOYEES Ashley and Herbert Addison Irma Alarcon Nazario Anastacio Mirna Andrade-Salgado and José Salgado Alma Armendariz Tamara and Zach Basham Steve Beeman Lauren Bergeron Sarah Berggren Vivian and Henry Blum Ninfa Bridges Deidre and Patrick Brooks Dinah Chetrit Rachel Chetrit Anthony Cisneros Danielle Dalsey Sandra DeLeon Elizabeth DiCesare Elizabeth Dickson Rebecca Duran Crosby Easterling Saida Fagala Asenet Garcia Lilia Garza Amy and Jeremy Grisbee Kim Harrison Jessica Jackson Orly and Yoel Kluk Christina Kopanidis-Cantu and Jorge Cantu Jamie and Andrew Lee Lupe Lopez Robin and Jeff Lunsford Sunila Madiman Manuel Mejia Lindsay Mistretta Monica Moreno Sarah and James Moudry Alicia Mouton Katherine Nava Debbie Nickerson Andrea Novak Alexis Offner Emily Hansen and Kyle O’Heron Beth Olitzki Diana and Albert Onofre Patricia Onofre Janet Ott Julie Parraguirre Jenna Pel
Christine Peterson Amanda Phelps-Smith Maya and Errol Pinto Benjamin Preston Shelley and James Quillin Celia Rodriguez Jessica and Hugo Samano Elisa Schmidt Shonali Jacob and Jeff Schneider Lori Scovill Lauren Simkins Emily Sloan Monica Lundeen and Michael Smith Mirani Smith Simran and Manish Sood Nina Strane Anita Taj Mahmood Diego Tax Amanda Tee Jamie Thompson Jeni and Matt Thompson Phylis Tomlinson Tamara and Robert Townsend Kat Treviño Mark Tucker Courtney Vance James Winslow Miriam Winton Phoebe Yeager Shawn Zhou
Starstruck–The 2015 Post Oak Biennial Gala Chaired by Laura Citardi and Whitney Walsh UNDERWRITERS Best Picture Laura and Martin Citardi Jessica and Vean Gregg Carol and John Howenstine Amy and Lloyd Kirchner Sherri and Charles Schugart Sunday Riley Eames and Bruce Eames Abbe and Adam Forman Farrell and Stuart Saunders Whitney and Marc Walsh Kim and Chuck Yates
Producers Brittney and Max Tribble Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro Carmen and Kiki Dikmen Dominique and Nicholas Florescu Lucinda and Javier Loya Jordan and Dylan Seff Jenee and Nick Stefanakis
Directors BBVA Compass
F O U N DAT I O N S
Vicki and Gislar Donnenberg
D. Kent & Linda C. Anderson Foundation Ray C. Fish Foundation Houston Endowment Inc. The Rochlis Family Foundation Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Alicia and Garrett Gordy
C O R P O R AT I O N S
Anita and Alan Ying Amy and Blair Garrou Nikayla and Aaron Thomas
Bank of America Chevron Matching Gift Program ConocoPhillips Company HP YourCause, LLC Kinder Morgan Lands’ End Safeway Inc. Shell Oil Company Foundation Susser Petroleum Operating Company Target
Windi and David Grimes National Oilwell Varco / Mary Birk Melissa Coleman and Rob Pascoe The Salners Family Foundation Carlie and Richard Yoo
Bailey Dalton-Binion and Greg Binion Courtney and Bill Bucy Julie and Jason Styles Stephanie and Ben Hertzog, Shanell and Walker Moody
Sara and Juan P. Catá Ana Sanchez and Javier Lamuno Christina Gracia and Gabriel Salinas Marisol and Fernando Santacruz Rocio Diaz Sesma and Francisco Zorrilla Jennifer and Clifton Chavis Kim and Michael Callahan Dr. Shelly Leeds-Richter Jenny and André Marshall Erin and Tom Stus Kelly and Garth Davis Stacey and Mark Martin Erica Sherman and Dr. Vadim Sherman Valerie and Michael Sonsino Michelle and Ken Zagorski Robyn Davis Rennae Henry Cynthia Delaney-Kinsella and Stephan Kinsella Paula and Mark Mey Suzan and Jeremy Samuels Ariana and Steve Smetana Hannah and Leonard Golub Jamie and Andy Lee Heidi and Bryan Rosenstrauch Daniela and Manuel Sanchez Carol and Stephen King Regina and Bert Mellinger Carole Dickinson and Val Perkins Suzanne and Bruce Winfrey Jessica and Philipp Meyer Kim Proler Mrs. Susana Stern and Dr. Juan Stern Felicia and Rafael Stone Amber Luong and Terry Ray Kristen and David Ridgway Mary and Garland Stephens
Actors Shonali and Rakesh Agrawal Frost Bank Alicia and Garrett Gordy Midtown Dentistry / Dr. Jonathan Penchas and Mrs. Jennifer Penchas
Post Oak Donors
Misty and Tyson Weihs
Musical Score
BIGWork Capital Campaign
Drs. Muriel and Marcel Meicler Dorothy Lam Wong
Louise and Henry Bergeron
Jennifer and Christian Brenckmann Cari and Tyler Gill Kelly and Blake Hill Jenny Mohr and Matthew Parker Stelli and Todd Parsapour
Ceera Investments, LLC
Chaired by Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro Honorary Chairs: Laurie and Leland Fondren Family Chairs: Anita and Alan Ying
Justice Brett and Erin Busby
Forney Construction Company Christa Filak and Martin Fraske Allison and David Hamilton Yan Zhang and Haiyang Li
Erica and Glenn Engle Dawn Thomas and Bryan Janda Pragnya Patel and Kaushik Parekh Valerie and Jay Volpi Seunghee and Christopher Fuller Cynthia Alonso Gowda and Ashok Gowda Alison Wong and Blaine McElroy Jenny and Stanford Moore Jennifer and Bob Shults Janice and Barrett Green Jane Greenberg and Gregory Kaplan Michelle and Tom Lu Wendy and Meir O’Hanna Katie and Bob Orr Leashanne and James Guo Huma and Nabeel Manal Ami and Mit Mehta Zeenath and Arjun Selvakumar Catherine Than and Hoang Quan Vu
Screenwriters Bank of America Anne Singleton and Jack Douglas Gensler Cherish and Chris Harvell Kelly and Erich Janzen The Kapusta Family Drs. Alicia Kowalchuk and Benjamin Saldaña Kasia and Alfonso Leon-Lubowicz Nicole and Christopher Lombardo Monica Lopez and Richard Lyn-Cook Mayuri and Dharmesh Patel Jacqueline Pourciau and Robert Phillpott Christina and Isaac Tapia Thompson & Horton LLP
Kathy and John Long Pat and Bill Mitchell Ngoc Le and Jason Walls
Lifetime Achievement Award Donations Vicki and Gislar Donnenberg– Dr. James Quillin Kristen and David Ridgway– Simran Sood and Amanda Tee Sterling Associates– All Faculty & Staff
Live Auction– Classroom Project Winners Sabina and Mani Walia Shonali and Rakesh Agrawal Cynthia Alonso and Ashok Gowda Erin and Justin Goodman Tina Petersen and John Duboise Misty and Tyson Weihs Alicia and Garrett Gordy Daniela and Manolo Sanchez Melissa Coleman and Rob Pascoe Whitney and Marc Walsh Julie and Jason Styles Shelly Leeds-Richter Sunday Riley and Bruce Eames Tori DeCora Samantha and Charles Wykoff Amy and Lloyd Kirchner Carol and John Howenstine Kim and Chuck Yates Brittney and Max Tribble
In addition we offer thanks to all those who contributed to and participated in our silent auction and classroom donation collection.
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS Ashley and Herbert Addison Sushila and Durga Agrawal Shonali and Rakesh Agrawal Charlotte and Carlos Aguilar Irma Alarcon Sadia and Zuqair Ali Kay Allen Nancy and John Almon Marcela Beltran-Alvarez and Gus Alvarez Mirna Andrade-Salgado and José Salgado Anonymous (3) Alma Armendariz Terri and Chris Armstrong Fasiha Kanwal and Yassir Ashraf Tori Aumann Elenir and Rony Avritscher Rosa and Carlos Ayala Diana and Juan Balderas Jessica and Darrell Barger Heather Barkley and Christopher Hensley Odette and Clark Bartee Tamara and Zach Basham Esha Rav and Visveshwar Baskaran Mario Beltran Louisa and Henry Bergeron Lauren Bergeron Jeannine and David Bergt Bailey Dalton-Binion and Greg Binion Mary Birk Vivian Blum Beverly Bontrager Greg Borski and Phillip Bowden Pam and Bill Boyar Margaret and James Bragg Jessica and Ben Braun Ninfa Bridges Elena and Alexander Brokhin Deidre and Patrick Brooks Sandy Burckle
14 15 Erin and Brett Busby Betty and R. J. Caballero Reyes Lizarraga and Miguel Calatayud Wendy Calise Kimberly and Michael Callahan Carla Campbell Christina Kopanidis-Cantu and Jorge Cantu Elizabeth and Walter Cassidy Sara and Juan Pablo Cata Harpal and Harminder Chana Payal and Manny Chana Jennifer and Clifton Chavis Belisa Diaz and Maninder Cheema Deepa Poduval and Rajesh Chelapurath Dinah Chetrit Rachel Chetrit Courtney and David Chlebus Jane Davis and John Ciliege Laura and Martin Citardi Jennifer and Scott Clearman Casie and Andrew Cobos Audra French and Arnold Colunga Karyn and Charles Crisp Leslie and Myles Culhane Vareen and Dave Cunningham Arlene Davis Kelly and Garth Davis Kelly and James Davis Jeffrey Davis Robyn Davis Ivy and Samuel Davis Candace and Frederick Day Robert Debes Sandra DeLeon Mary and Rony Dev Maneesha and Manoj Devashish Betul Oran and Serdar Dinc Victoria and Gislar Donnenberg Anne Singleton and Jack Douglas Lisa Heyden and Stephen Douglas Tina Petersen and John Duboise Sunday Riley and Bruce Eames Michael Elam Emily and Robert Emmett Erica and Glenn Engle Kathleen Padden and Richard Evans Saida Fagala Asmaa and Yaser Faquih Hebe Gutierrez and Gabriel Flores
Dominique and Nicholas Florescu Lori Ann and Michael Foertsch Laurie and Leland Fondren Abbe and Adam Forman Rachel and Wayne Franklin Christa Filak and Martin Fraske Seunghee and Christopher Fuller Amy and Blair Garrou Karri and Alfredo Garza Lilia Garza Cari and Tyler Gill Hannah and Leonard Golub Elizabeth and Joel Gooch Erin and Justin Goodman Cynthia Alonso and Ashok Gowda Janice and Barrett Green Jessica and Vean Gregg Sowmini and Ravi Gudimetla Leashanne and James Guo Allison and David Hamilton Holly and Greg Han Susan Hardwick-Smith Lauren and Kevin Hargrove Sumita Chunchu and Krishnadev Hariharan Jennifer Harrison Cherish and Chris Harvell Vicki and Robert Harvey Debbie and Todd Henderson Enid and Lance Henderson Joseph Henry Rennae Henry Stephanie and Ben Hertzog Rochelle Tafolla and Richard Hess Kelly and Blake Hill Anh Doan and Doanh Hoang Carol and John Howenstine Cynthia and Darren Hubbard Lady and David Huffstutler Muriel Brisson-Jackson and Eric Jackson Jessica Jackson Victoria and Randall Jamail Dawn Thomas and Bryan Janda Kelly and Erich Janzen Catherine and Andrew Kaldis Komal Shah and Vijay Kale Jane Greenberg and Gregory Kaplan Janet and Mario Kapusta Shilpa Chunchu and Douglas Karabasz Nesrin and Dogan Kartaltepe
Kristen and Matthew Katz Samantha and Ronald Kegge Patricia and Keith Kilgore Linda King Carol and Stephen King Cynthia DeLaney and Stephan Kinsella Lili and Hans Kirchner Amy and Lloyd Kirchner Orly and Yoel Kluk Andrew Koval Vasanthi Jayaraman and Ramanan Krishnamoorti Neha Gupta and Ankush Kumar Teresa Lin and Stephen Lai Marcel and Matthew Lake Ana Sanchez and Javier Lamuno Renee and Eric Lancelin Tim Langenkamp Beth and Matt Lavine Andrea Lazar Susan and Timothy Leverenz Grace and James Lewis Yan Zhang and Haiyang Li Zoe Littlepage Renee and Michael Locklar Nicole and Christopher Lombardo Kathy and John Long Lupe Lopez Lucinda and Javier Loya Michelle and Thomas Lu Helene and Darrell Lubel Chikako and Denny Luk Sheung Wong and Gary Luk Robin and Jeff Lunsford Monica Lopez and Richard Lyn-Cook Winnie and Michel John Maloof Harold Malveaux Huma and Nabeel Manal Jenny and André Marshall Stacey and Mark Martin Jessica and Robert Matos Victoria Matthews Emily Browning and Adam May Alison Wong and Blaine McElroy Sarah Ellenzweig and Scott McGill Alicia and Christopher McIntosh Rhian and Lane McKinney Ami and Mit Mehta Muriel and Marcel Meicler Michele Meicler Manuel Mejia
Regina and Bert Mellinger Melanie and Nathaniel Mendoza Paula and Mark Mey Lorena and Pietro Milazzo Pamela Griffin-Minnich and Gene Minnich Pat and Bill Mitchell Nandita Gupta and Vikas Mittal Quianta and Demango Moore Jenny and Stanford Moore Monica Moreno Renee and Milton Morris Quenby and Paul Mott Sharon and George Moudry Alicia Mouton Tara and Alex Neblett Kavitha and Sattva Neelapu Debbie Nickerson Mobeen Choudri and Khuram Nizami Andrea Novak Kevin O’Gorman Wendy and Meir O’Hanna Emily Hansen and Kyle O’Heron Beth Olitzki Amy O’Neill Heather and Brenden O’Neill Diana and Albert Onofre Catherine and Robert Orr Avit and David Pactor Tahia Khan and Shoyab Panchbhaya Sharon Engelstein and Aaron Parazette Pragnya Patel and Kaushik Parekh Meredith and Mark Parenti Jenny Mohr and Matthew Parker Jaana Porra and Michael Parks Julie Parraguirre Stelli and Todd Parsapour Melissa Coleman and Robert Pascoe Mayuri and Dharmesh Patel Nicole and Anders Pedersen Jenna Pel Jennifer and Jonathan Penchas Paige Penchas Carole Dickinson and Val Perkins Stephanie and Bill Perkins Ashley and Sidney Perkins Christine Peterson Judy and William Peterson Lisa and Patrick Phelps Amanda Phelps-Smith
Jacqueline and Robert Phillpott Teresa and Carlos Pinto Coelho Maya and Errol Pinto Kristy and Hock Guan Png Kelly and Anthony Policastro Nancy and Michael Polychronopoulos Monica Pope Amy and Thomas Pugh Joy and Richard Pulaski Shelley and James Quillin Fyza and Athar Qureshi Susie and Larry Rachleff Laura and Thomas Rahlfs Paula and Charlie Randall Karen and Ken Redding Elizabeth Reese Bill Richter Kristen and David Ridgway Celia Rodriguez Heidi and Bryan Rosenstrauch Jennifer Norten and Mark Routbort Andrea and Anthony Russo Alicia Kowalchuk and Benjamin Saldaña Jessica and Hugo Samano Suzan and Jeremy Samuels Daniela and Manolo Sanchez Marisol and Jose Fernando Santacruz Farrell and Stuart Saunders Kate and Greg Scheinman Shonali Jacob and Jeff Schneider Sherri and Charles Schugart Gena Scurry Zeenath and Arjun Selvakumar Christianne Melanson and Durwin Sharp Jennifer and Robert Shults Jenny and Michael Siegel Elizabeth Silveira Emily Sloan Ariana and Steve Smetana Monica Lundeen and Michael Smith Mirani Smith Vrushali Deshpande and Aditya Soman Rona and Michael Sonabend Valerie and Michael Sonsino Asha and Gaurav Sood Simran and Manish Sood Evy Pappas and Nickolas Spiliotis
Mary and Garland Stephens Celine and Richard Stetzer Felicia and Rafael Stone Nina Strane Ellen and Dale Straub Julie and Jeffrey Streich Tish Stringer Erin and Thomas Stus Julie and Jason Styles Sarah and Jami Sweeney Anita Taj Mahmood Christina and Isaac Tapia Nikayla and Aaron Thomas Jeni and Matt Thompson Kelly and David Tobin Phylis Tomlinson Jennifer and Sam Touchet Tamara and Robert Townsend Kat Treviño Brittney and Max Tribble Ginya and Clayton Trier Mark Tucker Natalia and Angel Urreta Stacy and Richard Urso Michael Vaughn Aparajitha and Amit Verma Claudia and Alex Villegas Khanhuyen and Huy Vinh Valerie and Jay Volpi Catherine Than and Hoang Quan Vu Sabina and Mani Walia Ngoc and Jason Walls Whitney and Marc Walsh Monique Walsh Geraldine and Louis Waters Stephanie and Stanley Watowich Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro Misty and Tyson Weihs Emily and Adam Weinstein Vallette and Russell Windham Lisa Gubbels and Robert Wingo James Winslow Miriam Winton Susan Shi and Michael Wong Constance and Jeffrey Woodman Terry Fisher and Karl Wygant Samantha and Charles Wykoff Kim and Chuck Yates Anita and Alan Ying Carlie and Richard Yoo Michelle and Kenneth Zagorski Michelle Luo and Hui Zhang
Rocio Diaz and Francisco Zorrilla Jennifer and Fernando Zumbado
F O U N DAT I O N S D. Kent & Linda C. Anderson Foundation The Brown Foundation, Inc. The Cullen Foundation The F.R. Apollo Foundation Ray C. Fish Foundation The George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation Houston Endowment Inc. The Rochlis Family Foundation
C O R P O R AT I O N S Bank of America Blue Teddy LLC Chevron ConocoPhillips Company Halliburton HP YourCause, LLC National Oilwell Varco Shell Oil Company Foundation
Other Contributions Barnes & Noble BHP Billiton Nandita Gupta and Vikas Mittal Ben Preston The Rochlis Family Foundation
Gifts In Kind Asset Management Advisors– Lynn Mathre Pamela Griffin-Minnich and Gene Minnich Paige Penchas PostNet–Jorge Cantu Farrell and Stuart Saunders Jennifer and Robert Shults Phylis Tomlinson
2014–2015 Financial Report
The financial stability of the Post Oak School grew during the 2014– 2015 school year as we enrolled our third class of ninth graders in The Post Oak High School. Our audited financial statements for the 2013–2014 school year resulted in an increase in net assets of $1,307,157. The unaudited results for the 2014–2015 school year show an increase in net assets for all funds of $1,285,231. The School experienced a significant enrollment increase on the main campus to 434 in 2014– 2015 from 414 students the previous year and an enrollment of 35 students in the High School.
The overall financial success for the 2014–2015 School year was driven by positive budget variances in the operating budget, with a record setting Gala as well as donations of over $1.5 million to our capital campaign. The School continued to rebuild cash reserves during 2014–2015. The School maintains a strong working capital position throughout the year due to the prompt collection of tuition and fees in advance of the need for funds to operate the School. In keeping with our commitment to the Post Oak School Endowment the school was able to transfer in $34,750 at the close of the 2014–2015 school year. The investment policy of the Post Oak School Endowment directs a long-term investment approach. The current asset allocation target is 20 percent cash and fixed income, and 80 percent equities to maximize long-term returns. More than 80 percent of the portfolio is invested in low cost institutional asset class mutual funds managed by Dimensional Fund Advisors. The combined portfolio experienced a 2.2 percent investment gain for the one year ended June 30, 2015 and 99.8 percent since inception. The market value of the endowment accounts were $1,872,387
at June 30, 2015. During the summer of 2014, the school completed a master plan for both campuses with assistance of Gensler Architects and Forney Partnership. A building committee was formed consisting of board members, key administrators and several parents to facilitate the project. The architectural firm of Gensler was selected to continue work on the design phase and to complete the construction drawings for both the new high school building on the Museum District campus and the renovation of the Bissonnet campus. As work progressed, a panel of construction firms was interviewed and Mission Construction was contracted to build both projects. In August 2015, the school secured the Museum District campus building permit from the City of Houston and broke ground for the new high school building. Construction on Bissonnet campus will begin in June 2016 and we have initiated the permitting process with the City of Bellaire. Tax exempt bond financing in the amount of $8.5 million has been secured through BBVA Compass Bank at a very favorable interest rate. This will allow us to refinance our current mortgage on the Museum District property at a lower rate and to supplement the capital campaign for construction costs on both campuses. A portion of this loan will be termed out at the end of the project. The School’s continued fiscal discipline as well as donor generosity has allowed us to expand our world renowned Montessori program to support students from birth through the completion of High School as well as the training of Montessori teachers.
Income Statement Operating Fund
Temporary Restricted
Endowment
2014–2015 Total
Percent
Revenue Tuition Based Revenues
8,653,311
74.7%
701,074
—
—
701,074
6.1%
244
—
20,502
20,746
0.2%
Annual Giving
278,159
—
—
278,159
2.4%
Special Events (Net)
381,781
21,350
—
403,131
3.5%
8,000
1,516,684
—
1,524,684
13.1%
10,022,569
1,538,034
20,502
11,581,105
100%
1,660,157
(1,660,157)
—
—
$
Other Hard Income Other Income (Loss)
All Other Giving (Net)
Total Revenue Net Assets Released from Restriction Total Revenue
8,653,311
—
$
$
11,682,726
$
$
6,046,312
$
(122,123)
—
$
$
$
20,502
$
11,581,105
$
—
$
Expenses Salaries and Benefits
6,046,312
58.7%
Financial Aid
969,285
—
—
969,285
9.4%
Other Program Expenses
972,337
—
—
972,337
9.4%
1,529,168
—
—
1,529,168
14.9%
767,222
8,662
6,190
782,074
7.6%
10,284,324
8,662
6,190
10,299,176
100%
Plant Expenses General Administration Total Expenses Transfers In/Out
Increase in Net Assets
—
1,363,652
(130,785)
$
—
34,750
—
(34,750) $
49,062
$
$
1,281,929
Consolidated Balance Sheet General Fund
Temporary Restricted
Endowment
2014–2015 Total
Assets Total Cash and Investments
$
Net Student Receivables Other Pledges and Receivables Net Prepaid Expenses and Other Deposits Interfund Payables/Receivables Total Current Assets
Total Fixed Assets
Total Assets
4,617,216
$
$
1,872,388
$
6,489,604
—
—
89,406
4,500
1,222,103
—
1,226,603
167,332
—
—
167,332
4,686
859,083
—
863,769
4,883,140
2,081,186
1,872,388
8,836,714
10,870,420 $
—
89,406
—
15,753,560
$
328,952
$
—
2,081,186
$
—
$
10,870,420
1,872,388
$
—
$
19,707,134
Liabilities Accounts Payable
$
Accrued Salaries and Benefits
232,232
Deferred Income Interfund Payables/Receivables Other Accrued Expenses Notes Payable
Total Liabilities
—
328,952
—
232,232
1,679,069
—
—
1,679,069
859,083
—
4,686
863,769
86,231
—
—
86,231
2,234,780
—
—
2,234,780
$
5,420,347
$
—
$
4,686
$
5,425,033
Net Assets
$
10,333,213
$
2,081,186
$
1,867,702
$
14,282,101
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance
$
15,753,560
$
2,081,186
$
1,872,388
$
19,707,134
Fund Balance
POS
Community
2014-2015 Trustees
Room Parents
Rakesh Agrawal Melissa Coleman Adam Forman Blair Garrou Barrett Green Windi Grimes Mario Kapusta Lloyd Kirchner, chair John Long, president Harold Malveaux (on leave) Bert Mellinger Vikas Mittal Katie Orr Jaana Porra Manuel Sanchez Marc Walsh Alan Ying
Tamara Basham
Middle School Katie Orr
TRUTEES EMERTI Frank Apollo Leland Fondren Melanie Gray Robert Harvey Pat Mitchell
Kim Proler
Dinah Chetrit John Duboise
Danielle Dalsey Lori Ann Foertsch Kasia Leon-Lubowicz
Emily Hansen Kelly Davis Jennifer Wheler
9th Grade Carol King
10th Grade Jennifer Chavis
11th Grade Terri Armstrong
BIGWork Capital Campaign Chairs
Orly Kluk
Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro
Hannah Golub
Honorary Chairs
Deidre Lodrig
Laurie and Leland Fondren
Cari Gill Renee Morris
Family Chairs
Sarah Moudry Erica Sherman
Anita and Alan Ying
Community Volunteer Paula Mey
Debbie Nickerson Jennifer Chavis
Post Oak Fund Class Captains
Julie Parraguirre Jennifer Brenckmann Jennifer Wheler
Tamara Basham
Errol Pinto
Danielle Dalsey
Amy Kirchner
Todd Parsapour
Maya Pinto
Emily Hansen
Shonali Agrawal
Gina Fertitta
2015 Starstruck Biennial Gala Chairs
Beth Smith
Orly Kluk
Laura Citardi Whitney Walsh
Michelle Lu Stacey Martin
Julie Styles
Post Oak Fund Chairs
Simran Sood
Lisa Heyden and Steve Douglas
Carol and John Howenstine
Erin Busby Vareen Cunningham
Sarah Moudry
Post Oak Parent Association (POPA) Chairs Paula Mey Suzan Samuels
POPA Welcome Dinner Jennifer Chavis Alison Wong
Anita Taj Belisa Diaz Natalia Urreta
Field Day Chairs Stacey Martin Valerie Sonsino
Tamara Townsend
Book Fair Chairs
Miriam Winton
Huma Manal Zeenath Selvakumar
Nikayla Thomas
Dads Club
Seunghee Fuller
Michael Foertsch
Jackie Phillpott
Deidre Lodrig
Samantha Wykoff
Debbie Nickerson Stephan Kinsella
Julie Parraguirre Mayuri Patel
Leashanne Guo
Phoebe Yeager
Errol Pinto Abbe Forman
Maya Pinto Suzan Samuels
Beth Smith
Facilities
Shelley Quillin
Matt Thompson Anthony Cisneros Manuel Mejia Nazario Anastacio Diego Tax
Simran Sood Kim Yates
Anita Taj Diana Ayala
Tamara Townsend
Front Office
Carmen Dikmen
Debbie Henderson Ashley Addison
Miriam Winton
Head of School
Evelyn Su-McCain
John Long
Phoebe Yeager
Summer School
Catherine Than
Miriam Winton
Middle School
Technology
Janet and Mario Kapusta
Mirna Andrade-Salgado Steve Beeman
9th Grade Holly and Greg Han
10th Grade Stan Watowich
11th Grade Regina Mellinger
Faculty Young Children’s Community Mirani Smith, Early Childhood Director Deidre Lodrig, Half-Day
Administration
YCC Teacher
Lilia Garza, Assistant
Admission Office Vivian Blum Linda King Alexis Offner
After School Enrichment Program Mark Tucker
Business Office Robin Lunsford Alicia Mouton Christine Peterson
Development Office Christina Kopanidis-Cantu Jessica Jackson Elisa Schmidt
Division Directors Mirani Smith, Early Childhood Jeff Schneider, Elementary Jami Sweeney, Middle School James Moudry, High School
Sarah Moudry, Half-Day YCC Teacher
Diana Onofre, Assistant Phoebe Yeager, Full-Day YCC Teacher
Elizabeth DiCesare, Assistant Marcela Martinez, Assistant Lauren Bergeron, Assistant
Primary Department Mirani Smith, Early Childhood Director Tamara Basham, Primary Teacher Rebecca Duran, Assistant/Intern Danielle Dalsey, Primary Teacher Alma Armendariz, Assistant Emily Hansen, Primary Teacher Celia Rodriguez, Assistant Tamara Townsend, Primary Teacher Elizabeth Matthews, Assistant/Intern
Julie Parraguirre, Primary Teacher Nina Strane, Assistant
High School
Orly Kluk, Lower Elementary Teacher Lindsay Mistretta, Assistant/Intern
James Moudry, High School Director Sarah Beggeren, Music Specialist Jonathan Gonzales, Theater Specialist Jeremy Grisbee, Math Teacher Kim Harrison, Language Arts Teacher Jamie Lee, History & Social Sciences Teacher Andrea Novak, Spanish Specialist Janet Ott, Science Teacher James Quillin, Humanities & Language Arts Teacher Lori Scovill, High School Counselor Amanda Phelps-Smith, College Counselor Emily Sloan, Visual Arts Specialist Shoulong Zhou, Chinese Specialist
Anita Taj, Lower Elementary Teacher Lupe Lopez, Assistant
Elementary Before & After Care
Debbie Nickerson, Upper Elementary Teacher Sandra De Leon, Assistant/Intern
Asenet Garcia, Director Jenna Pel, Director Amani Muhwash, Assistant
Miriam Winton, Primary Teacher Monica Moreno, Assistant/Intern Dinah Chetrit, Primary Home Environment Teacher Alma Armendariz, Before-school Assistant Nina Strane, Before-school Assistant Lauren Simkins, Assistant Kathy Guani Nava, Assistant Deidre Lodrig, Transition Guide Lilia Garza, Afternoon Assistant
Elementary Department Jeff Schneider, Elementary Director
Beth Smith, Lower Elementary Teacher Jamie Thompson, Assistant/Intern Errol Pinto, Upper Elementary Teacher Jessica Samano, Assistant Maya Pinto, Upper Elementary Teacher Irma Alarcon, Assistant Simran Sood, Lower Elementary Teacher Amanda Tee, Assistant
Middle School Jami Sweeney, Middle School Director & Science Teacher Monica Lundeen, Mathematics Teacher Kathy Long, Occupations, Community Service Sunila Madiman, Occupations, Community Service & Science Teacher Courtney Vance, Humanities & Language Arts Teacher Diana Lopez, Aftercare Specialist
Specialists Ninfa Bridges, Spanish Specialist / Full-Time Substitute Rachel Chetrit, Full-Time Substitute Crosby Easterling, Full-Time Substitute Cory Eckert, Librarian Saida Fagala, Art Specialist Patricia Onofre, Spanish Specialist Phylis Tomlinson, School Counselor Kat Trevino, Physical Fitness Specialist Mark Tucker, Physical Fitness Specialist & Bearkats Coach James Winslow, Music Specialist
College Admissions
Post Oak alumni populate top colleges and universities throughout the state, the nation, and abroad. Alfred University American University American University of Paris Art Institute of Boston Art Institute of Chicago Art Institute of Houston Auburn University* Austin College Bates College Baylor University Belmont University Boston University Bristol University Brooks Institute of Photography Brown University Bucknell University California College of the Arts Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University* Chapman University Christopher Newport University Clemson University Colby College College of Charleston Colorado College Colorado School of Mines Columbia University Cranbrook Academy of Art Dartmouth College Denison University Drew University Drexel University Duke University* Eckerd College Elon University Emerson College Evergreen State College Fashion Institute of Technology Fordham University Furman University Georgetown University Georgia Tech George Washington University Gettysburg College Goucher College Hampshire College High Point University Ithaca College
EDU
Juniata College Kansas University Lafayette College Lewis & Clark College Lone Star Community College Louisiana State University Loyola Marymount University* Loyola University, New Orleans Macalester College* Middlebury College Millsaps College New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University Notre Dame University (Honors) Oberlin College Oklahoma State University* Pace University Pepperdine University Princeton University Purdue University* Randolph College Rhodes College Rice University Richmond University Rollins College San Diego State University San Francisco Conservatory of Music Santa Clara University Sarah Lawrence College Savannah College of Art and Design Seton Hall University Sewanee–The University of the South Skidmore College Smith College Southern Methodist University Southwestern University Stanford University St. Andrews University St. Edwards University St. John’s College Stonehill College Syracuse University Texas A&M University Texas Christian University Texas Christian University (Honors) Texas State University* Texas Tech University The Citadel
The College of William and Mary Trinity University Tulane University University College of London University of Alabama University of Arkansas University of Arizona University of California University of Chicago University of Colorado–Boulder University of Delaware University of Georgia University of Houston* University of Indiana University of Kansas University of Kentucky University of Massachusetts– Amherst University of Miami University of Michigan University of Mississippi University of New Orleans University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of Notre Dame University of Oklahoma University of Portland University of the Pacific University of Richmond University of St. Andrews University of South Carolina University of Southern California University of Texas–Austin* University of Tulsa University of Vermont University of Virginia* U.S. Naval Academy Vanderbilt University Wake Forest University Washington University in St. Louis West Point Wesleyan University Whittier College * Denotes college acceptances for Post Oak graduates
The Post Oak School 4600 Bissonnet Bellaire, Texas 77401 www.postoakschool.org