Telling the Independent School Story
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Telling the Independent School Story 2012–2013 ANNUAL REPORT NAIS Schools... CHALLENGE CULTIVATE MINDS CHARACTER NURTURE SHAPE THE GROWTH FUTURE ENCOURAGE INSPIRE EXPLORATION LEADERSHIP STRENGTHEN SPARK COMMUNITIES CREATIVITY The 2012–13 year was memorable not only because NAIS named a new president, John Chubb, but because it launched Inspiration Lab, an online showcase for creativity at independent schools. Every day, independent schools pioneer new approaches to teaching and learning, delivering engaging educational experiences to their students and serving as labs of innovation for all schools. Throughout this annual report, we mention some of these stories, but you can find many more at www.inspirationlab.org. We hope you will continue to contribute your own stories. John Chubb has traveled across the nation to introduce himself and learn firsthand member interests and concerns. In a presidential transition, an organization has the opportunity to stretch and renew itself, reinforcing its identity and reenergizing for the future. Thanks to the input of our members, the support of our volunteers and funders, and the vision of a new president, NAIS stands ready to continue its mission of strengthening the independent school community and communicating its value to the public. CONTENTS An Overview from Our President, 2 A Report from Our Board Chair, 4 Member Minutes, 6 A Report from Our Treasurer, 10 2012–13 Volunteers at Work, 12 NAIS Board of Trustees in 2012–13, 16 Gifts at Work, 16 National Association of Independent Schools 2012–2013 Annual Report 1 An Overview from Our President John E. Chubb NAIS President As I assume the leadership of NAIS, I’m struck We’re also witnessing a rapid shift in the by the incredible opportunities our schools and demographics of our country. As the nation our industry face. becomes increasingly diverse, many schools have struggled to attract families who do not have prior This is an exciting time to work in the field of experience with independent education. education. New research is helping us better understand how the human brain learns and Our schools are also struggling to retool a financial what motivates students; technology offers model that has grown exponentially in cost over opportunities to reach students in new ways and the years. Yet, amid these challenges, our schools to connect with others around the globe; and are enduring. They continue to offer a top-notch bright young people, who steadily fled teaching education to their students, and many schools are for more attractive options in the past, are working to expand their reach to other parts of returning to the profession. their communities. Certainly, the challenges our industry faces I believe that the independence of independent are formidable. A generation ago, 11 percent of schools has helped our industry weather this American students attended private schools. tumultuous period. Independent schools have Today, only 9 percent of students are served the unique freedom to try out new ideas, to by these schools. Whereas once the choice for pioneer new models of education, and to innovate families was between traditional public schools to address any challenge that crops up. Our and private schools, the range of options is much distinctive missions help families connect with the greater now, from charters and magnets to schools that will best serve their children’s needs. homeschooling and online schools. Our independence also encourages us to strive constantly for excellence. The slowly rebounding economy has limited the number of families who can afford our schools At NAIS, we envision a future in which all and has damaged the financial optimism of independent schools are innovating and many who can. Families are looking to get the prospering. We envision a vibrant community of most value from each dollar they spend, so they independent schools for a changing future and naturally question the worth of an investment as a demanding world. I know you will join me in large as an independent school education. embracing the opportunities ahead of us. 2 National Association of Independent Schools 2012–2013 Annual Report WE ENCOURAGE At The Lippman School in EXPLORATION Akron, Ohio, a partnership with the Northern Cheyenne A Special Partnership between Two Cultures Nation in southeast Montana has given students some new perspectives — about each other, about themselves, and about the history of our country. This program has taken each school’s students’ cultural awareness, appreciation, and understanding to a much higher level. Read more http://inspirationlab.org/story/4915 National Association of Independent Schools 2012–2013 Annual Report 3 A Report from Our Board Chair John E. Creeden NAIS Board Chair, 2012–13 By almost any measure one could imagine, this challenges facing education today and develop has been a very good year for NAIS. There’s been fresh, bold ideas to address them. You asked us to record participation in all of the institutes, the find someone who would inspire us to investigate Trendbook is selling like hotcakes, and let’s not new opportunities and help us decide on the best forget that this year NAIS celebrated 25 years of course for our schools. the People of Color Conference. The board saw in John a person who has NAIS continues to be dedicated to providing dedicated his professional life to, and is passionate services to schools, to leading the conversations about, improving educational opportunities for about innovation, and to modeling best practices children. But it’s not John’s specific affiliations in all we do. We are committed to increasing that make him the ideal candidate; it’s his skill the value proposition by expanding services in at forging partnerships and helping others SSS, conferences, workshops, and publications; understand what is important to those he serves. to generating thinking about the threats and As trustees, we have the responsibility of opportunities for the industry; to developing deep representing all of the schools in the membership, and deliberate processes on the complicated from the small new schools with few resources to issues facing all schools; and to modeling best the oldest, best endowed schools in the country. practices in our own hiring and the professional The NAIS board must serve schools at both ends development of our staff. of the spectrum as well as those in the middle. In In the final analysis, however, NAIS is about John Chubb, we have found someone who will delivering services to you, our members. represent all of our schools and lead NAIS in the partnership model with schools that is at the core And as trustees, one of our most important of our mission statement and history. responsibilities this year was to select a leader to succeed Pat Bassett, which in and of itself As you get to know John, I feel confident that was no easy task. The board appointed John you will see the inspirational leader we have Chubb because we believe his experience and come to know. Together, we can help all schools expertise match what the membership described move forward. as essential for the next president. You said NAIS needed someone who could look at the 4 National Association of Independent Schools 2012–2013 Annual Report WE CULTIVATE The Hill School in Pottstown, CHARACTER Pennsylvania, focused a series of events during its Honor Exploring Integrity Awareness Week on the theme of “Integrity,” which included visiting speakers, faculty-led discussions, and all-school readings of books. This program tied in with the school’s core tenets of community, academic excellence, meaningful and balanced structure, principles, and history and traditions. Read more http://inspirationlab.org/story/4986 National Association of Independent Schools 2012–2013 Annual Report 5 Member Minutes Thursday, February 27, 2014 Location: Swan and Dolphin Resort, Orlando, FL Jack Creeden, chair of the NAIS board, opened the meeting with welcoming remarks, greeting the NAIS members and introducing the officers on the dais. He also gave the Chair’s Report, presenting on the recent activities of the association. Katherine Dinh, vice chair of the NAIS board, presented the Membership Report. She reported that as of February 27, NAIS has 1,491 full and candidate school members and 76 member associations. NAIS welcomed 36 new school members this fiscal year. Katherine also reported that NAIS’s school subscriber categories include two options for schools that do not meet the requirements for membership: Standard and Premium School Subscription. As of February 18, NAIS has 263 school subscribers. This brings us to 1,754 schools in our membership and subscription. Katherine encouraged attendees to visit the Member Resource Center in the Exhibit Hall to meet NAIS staff and to learn more about programs and resources produced with them in mind. She provided the following highlights of the work underway this year: • This conference marks the official debut of Data and Analysis for School Leadership (DASL). In DASL, schools will still be able to work with the 33 years of data that they have contributed to StatsOnline, but they will find the interface more intuitive and the data cleaner. What’s most exciting is that DASL represents a collaboration of more than 30 independent school associations, which should greatly reduce the number of surveys schools complete each year. • In the area of research, recent reports have focused on governance practices, study abroad programs, and the role of financial aid in admission decisions. In a new “Deep Dive” research endeavor, NAIS is convening research working groups made up of school leaders and outside experts to tackle the complex challenges and key issues for our schools, and then taking those conversations to you. • Inspiration Lab is a new online venue to share and highlight stories of the innovative learning taking place at schools.