Our History and Mission a Preliminary Case for Support
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Winter 2014 A Preliminary Case for Support Our History and Mission “Pietate et Scientia,” – “with reverence and wisdom” has been Archmere Academy’s motto since 1932 when we opened our doors to the !rst 22 male students. Over 80 years later with an enrollment of 501 young men and women, we continue our proud tradition of developing empathetic leaders “prepared for every good work.” Archmere is a Catholic, Norbertine college preparatory school, valuing community, respect, zeal, reverence and wisdom. Nurturing body and soul, mind and heart, Archmere focuses on the whole person through academic excellence, faith re"ection, social development and service to others. Inspired by its heritage, Archmere cultivates empathetic leaders – young men and women prepared for every good work (Tim. 2:2). Our Vision In 2012, the Archmere community participated in a nine-month strategic planning process to chart the course for the Academy’s future and advance our mission in an ever-changing world. Five goals were identi!ed to help achieve our vision for Archmere. Since the adoption of the strategic plan, Archmere has undertaken a number of initiatives to accomplish these goals. 1. We will articulate, promote and live our unique mission. t Archmere Academy has partnered with Saint Norbert College to o!er a unique leadership experience for our students, developing their leadership skills with a values-based, experiential curriculum infused with the charism of Saint Norbert. t "e new Oratory and Spirituality Center in Saint Norbert Hall is alive with student activity, contemplative prayer and group assemblies, serving as an inspirational visual reminder of our Catholic Norbertine heritage. 2. We will enhance our exceptional academic tradition with 21st century best practices for learning to attract and advance motivated and talented students. t Archmere Academy has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2013 to 2015 for our successful implementation of the 1:1 MacBook Laptop Program and for our innovative integration of technology in the classroom. Archmere is the only school in Delaware that received this designation. t Archmere has broadened curriculum to include interdisciplinary classes, promote both independent and collaborative learning, and o!er new and customized learning resources for both teachers and students. “Attending Archmere impacts your life far beyond the four years of high school. Friendships will last and you will be part of a wonderful extended community. No matter how long you may be away, coming back to campus will always feel like coming home!” -2010 Alumni Survey 2 3. We will attract, retain and develop excellent teachers and staff to preserve the Archmere experience for our students. t Dedicated to maintaining an exceptional learning community, where faculty are recognized for their achievements, Archmere has created a merit-based compensation model, benchmarked against peer schools to ensure competitive salary and bene#t packages. t Archmere has developed new evaluation methods for measuring teacher and sta! success, and has enhanced its commitment to support ongoing professional development. 4. We will engage our alumni to become more involved in the Archmere community. t Serving as strategic partners in support of Archmere’s mission, vision and goals, our newly structured Alumni Association o!ers multiple and varied ways for interested alumni to get involved. "e Association’s newest initiative, “Auk Talks,” is an inspirational speakers’ series and networking opportunity that is drawing a lot of attention. t "e establishment of the Alumni Legacy Scholarship Fund in 2012 provides #nancial assistance for students who are the children or siblings of graduates. t Alumni engage with current students through events like Career Experience Day (pictured here), where graduates host students in their career #elds. 5. We will ensure financial sustainability by assessing and articulating the Academy’s needs and priorities. t Committed to maintaining a sustainable #nancial model, Archmere has evaluated ongoing programs and embarked on new initiatives to increase endowment and annual giving, while decreasing dependence on tuition. t Fiscal year 2012-2013 was a record-setting fundraising year, with the overall total reaching $1,415,500. "e Archmere Fund surpassed its $550,000 goal closing at an all-time high of $580,700, enabling the lowest percentage tuition increase in 36 years. t A professional Planned Giving program and society have been established to identify and procure future gi$s for the school. 3 Our Challenge !e independent school environment is rapidly changing. With rising operating costs, pressure has been placed on managing tuition increases that continue to outpace cost of living increases. !at combined with a smaller population of families who can a"ord full tuition and their high expectations and demand for a measurable educational outcome worth the investment, has challenged independent schools to demonstrate that they are ful#lling their missions and maintaining their value. While Archmere’s programs are dynamic, in the forefront and second to none, we must maintain our tradition of excellence in a changing learning environment. To ful#ll our vision for how we will educate students most e"ectively in the years ahead, we must grow our endowment to become less reliant on tuition and annual fundraising and create greater #nancial sustainability. We also need to address critical infrastructure issues in aging buildings and invest in the renovation of main student spaces to accommodate 21st century learning methods and create opportunities to enhance programming. Endowing Our Future $5,000,000 Scholarship, Facilities, Programs and People To ensure !nancial sustainability, competitiveness and the ongoing availability of an outstanding Archmere education, we must build our endowment. A strong endowment helps assure long-term institutional health with permanent funds for scholarship to attract the best and brightest student body, to develop exceptional programming, to retain expert faculty, to promote our unique mission, and to maintain our collegiate level facilities. To achieve our goal of generating 10% of our operating budget from endowment income will require doubling the size of our endowment which is approximately $12,000,000. As an interim step, raising an additional $5,000,000 will make a signi!cant impact on our ability to minimize the rate of tuition increases and support annual operations. Saint Norbert Hall $7,500,000 Saint Norbert Hall, the main academic building where students spend the majority of the school day, was constructed in 1959 and has not been signi!cantly renovated since that time. Originally, the building was designed for the educational style and teaching methodology of the 20th century – the teacher-centered, lecture model. #e infusion of technology into our curriculum coupled with our focus on best learning practices has led to the need for a new type of classroom, one that can accommodate collaborative teaching and problem-based learning. #is necessitates adapting and creating di$erent kinds of spaces that include both small and large group activity areas, lounges, independent learning spaces, quiet rooms for research and private study, as well as lecture halls and general classroom areas. 4 Approximately $5,500,000 is needed to renovate the building and upgrade the major systems including: heating and air conditioning, electrical to support mechanical and technology needs, !re sprinkler and alarm systems, and classroom acoustics. Additionally, our needs include relocating and enlarging the restroom facilities, expanding wireless capacity, and addressing ADA accessibility standards with a renovated central staircase and an elevator. A further $2,000,000 is needed to renovate the library, converting it into a central Learning Commons that will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary studies, discovery-based learning, analytical problem solving and research. #e library renovations will involve creating new learning spaces, upgrading major mechanical systems and adding sidewalks for a proposed new entrance. !e Performing Arts Center $4,000,000 Built in 1983, the Performing Arts Center is dedicated to the teaching and performance of instrumental and vocal music programs as well as dramatics at Archmere. #e center also houses major school ceremonies, liturgies and assemblies of the full student body. With no signi!cant upgrades since the building’s construction, major renovations include: repairing the roof, addressing core infrastructure systems (mechanical, electrical and sprinkler systems) and updating the performance and instructional spaces. Additionally, other proposed improvements include: a new 10,000 square foot addition to include lobby and lobby restroom renovation and expansion, the addition of new classroom space, new lighting and sound systems, rigging and stage curtains and additional space for a new green room, set design and construction, and costume storage. !e Patio and Manor $3,500,000 #e Patio, the original home of the Raskob family and the heart of Archmere’s tradition, was built from 1916 to 1918 and is now used as a principal school building housing administrative o%ces and student classroom space as well as for hosting campus social events. Support from the Friends of #e Patio, work completed by Archmere’s Art and Facilities Departments’ sta$, and income generated from renting the building have helped contribute to defraying historic preservation costs.