2018 ANNUAL REPORT the Principia Shall Seek to Serve the Cause of Christian Science Through MISSION Appropriate Channels Open to It As an Educational Institution
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2018 ANNUAL REPORT The Principia shall seek to serve the Cause of Christian Science through MISSION appropriate channels open to it as an educational institution. Principia is a Christian Science community of practice where all members are students, teachers, and healers. Through transformative opportunities, a challenging curriculum, and character education based on the teachings of Christian Science, we examine, test, and strengthen our faith while developing VISION the skills and understanding requisite for excellence. As global, outward- looking, inspired learners, we serve and better the world. These five goals guided Principia’s operation during the 2017–18 fiscal year: CORE • Strengthen Educational Excellence • Promote Christian Science-Based Character Education • Nurture Success Beyond Principia GOALS • Grow Enrollment • Steward Resources Responsibly TABLE OF CONTENTS Dear Friends of Principia, EXECUTIVE CHIEF THE FROM MESSAGE The year just past was an im- 2 Academics portant one at Principia. After Dr. Jonathan Palmer stepped down in 6 Experiential Learning March, we welcomed a new pres- 10 The Arts ident at the College, Dr. Jolanda Westerhof, who is the first woman 12 Global Learning in that role since Principia founder Mary Kimball Morgan. 14 Community Service 16 Award Winners Enrollment was steady at the School and College in spite of de- 18 Athletics mographic trends that are depressing enrollments nationally. On spending, we held the line against inflation in fiscal year 2017– 20 Lifelong Learning 18 (July 1, 2017–June 30, 2018). This reduced the draw on our endowment very slightly, which is heading in the right direction. 22 Engagement 24 By the Numbers Most importantly, Principia is doing what it was founded to do— and doing it well. From Preschool through Lifelong Learning trips, 25 Finances our students are discovering new interests, sharpening essential 21st-century skills, and developing a deeper understanding of 26 Donor Honor Roll themselves and the difference they can make in the world. I hope these pages help you glimpse the enthusiastic learning taking place on both campuses. Middle School students studied physics while preparing for an old-fashioned soapbox car race (p. 9). College students learned about conservation efforts in New Zealand (p. 12), and an Upper School class traced the paths of patriarchs and disciples in Israel (p. 13). Through every learning opportunity, students, staff, and faculty supported each other’s spiritual growth. That growth is the basis from which the year’s progress unfolded. This year’s report adds a donor honor roll—a tangible way to thank you for the essential support Principia alumni, donors, and friends provide. Your support in this important work fuels Prin- cipia’s progress. Thank you. Sincerely, Marshall Ingwerson (C’79) Chief Executive PRINCIPIA 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 1 Upper School Students Earn College Credit Select courses in science, Spanish, and social studies introduce qualified Upper School students to demanding, college-level work while also providing transferable college cred- its. This past academic year, 63 students earned college credit through one or more of the five college-level courses offered. Both the course content and the teacher are approved by the accrediting institution: • Field and Natural History and College Chemistry are accredited by Principia College. • Two upper-level Spanish language courses and U.S. History are accredited by the University of Missouri-St. Louis. “By earning credits that count toward graduation requirements at colleges or universities, students can save both time and money as they pursue their degrees,” notes Courtney Bradley, chair of the World Languages Department. Just as important, she adds, students are developing study skills and habits that better prepare them for the demands of col- lege academics. Field and Natural History teacher Lynne Scott (C’01) concurs, noting, in particular, that her class’s weeklong stay at the Teton Science Schools exposes students “to the initiative, persistence, and work ethic required for higher learning and research.” 2 PRINCIPIA 2018 ANNUAL REPORT College National Rankings Climb Several college ranking authori- ties—Fiske, Kiplinger, and Prince- ton Review—placed Principia on one or more of their lists of “bests.” Principia climbed in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings, moving to #9 (up from #14) on its 2018 list of colleges that provide the highest quality education for the lowest price. (See more rankings at principiacollege.edu/ rankings.) College Acceptances % 9 The 76 members of the Upper 92 School Class of 2018 received OF THE UPPER SCHOOL AP AND COLLEGE-CREDIT 151 acceptances from 79 col- CLASS OF 2018 ENROLLED CLASSES WERE OFFERED IN leges. Here’s a sampling of where IN COLLEGE UPPER SCHOOL they were accepted: Babson College College Students Hone Journalism Skills Belmont University Butler University Clemson University Students’ final presentation of their work for Media Writing and Reporting, a College of William & Mary mass communication class taught by Visiting Professor Clara Germani, ap- DePauw University peared on a website they created featuring stories about people and places Elon University connected to Principia. Florida Institute of Technology Kent State University Junior Laura Cluthé, an art major with an interest in photojournalism, document- Missouri University of Science & ed the view of Principia from across the Mississippi. Her photography led her to Technology Portage Des Sioux, where she met and interviewed locals to learn what Principia Principia College looks like to them. “I had no connections to anyone in the town, so I did my Rice University research to find good sources,” Laura explains. Her persistence paid off when School of the Art Institute of she met Terry Green, a resident with an unobstructed view of Principia from his Chicago house. Walking to the river’s edge, they could clearly see the Chapel, Voney Art St. John’s College Center, Hutchinson House, and Lowrey House. “I can see the Chapel when it is lit St. Olaf College up at night, which is very beautiful,” Green told Laura. Texas A&M University University of California The course is designed to give students plenty of practice writing, editing, inter- (several campuses) viewing, and completing photo assignments, and they did all of that—sometimes Whitman College repeatedly. “Students schlepped back to their sources many times to answer ed- iting questions,” Germani says. Doing whatever it took to get the story right didn’t bother Laura one bit. “I absolutely loved this experience and enjoyed improving my reporting skills through the process,” she says. PRINCIPIA 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 3 Reaccreditation Team Lauds Progress at the School In mid-April, as part of a periodic reaccreditation process, Principia School hosted an 11-member visiting team of expert educators. Representing ISACS (the Independent Schools Association of the Central States), the team included faculty and staff from schools in St. Louis as well as Illinois, Ohio, and Tennessee. The exit report complimented the School’s academic and co-curricular programs, commending the far-reaching changes that have taken place in recent years. It also noted the community’s “palpable sense of respect and care—for education and for one another.” Other commendations included Principia’s commitment to educating the “whole child” and facilities that support and “embody” a student-centered educational ethos. Areas for attention included future enrollment, clarification of governance and administrative structures, further development of vertical alignment in the program between School levels, and an increased focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Pairing Science and Social Studies with a Focus on Flight Seventh graders began their physics unit learning about drag and lift by dropping whirligigs and flying paper airplanes. Next, they designed and constructed parachutes of various materials, adding payloads to them. At the same time, in social studies, they delved into the use of parachutes in humanitarian aid programs, researching organizations such as the Red Cross and United Nations. That work culminated in the creation of large-scale, papier-mâché globes showing where these organizations operate around the world. For the conclusion of their science unit, students made air-propelled rockets, using them to figure out what air pressure would get the projectile to a certain distance—and what angle would work best to get it there. During several tests, they recorded and graphed data for key variables. Then, in the final launch session, they tried to hit a target 50 yards away. A few rockets got within three feet of the target, while others fell short or overshot. In their final reports, students analyzed their success or failure, repeatedly noting the importance of consistency and precision. 4 PRINCIPIA 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 88% COLLEGE FRESHMAN-TO- SOPHOMORE RETENTION RATE compared to a 76% national average at private colleges Noted Reporter Speaks at the College in 2017 New York Times foreign correspondent Rukmini Callimachi, who has been reporting on ISIS and Al Qaeda since 2014, visited the College last October as Principia’s 2017–18 Ernie and Lucha Vogel Moral Courage Lecturer. Callimachi cautioned against being lulled into thinking that the Islamic State’s losses of geographic territory in Syria and Iraq indicate the demise of the jihad- ist network. On the contrary, she noted the group’s persistent—and too-often successful—effort