1 2015 ANNUAL REPORT CEDAR CREEK SCHOOL Andrew Yepson our message from Head of School edar Creek has experienced growth and suc- spent their own time this summer attending institutes at cess many times over its 45-year history. From universities across the nation to improve the classroom Cits inception, the school has had the pursuit of experience. One of them, AP English teacher Barba- excellence as one of its primary goals, and with God’s ra Glenn, attended Oxford University in England to blessings, has attained those goals on multiple fronts. broaden her teaching proficiency. It was quite an honor New buildings, increases in enrollment, academic acco- for her and reflected the caliber of instruction we have lades, and athletic championships have all been a part of grown accustomed to here at Cedar Creek. our history. Another commitment to Cedar Creek’s academic We are at another dynamic stage in our school history. excellence is our long-term campus improvement plan. Our enrollment is at 717, with many of those being new The Hood Academic Center is on track to house classes families. We are pleased that many have joined the Cedar beginning in August 2016. This state-of-the-art facility Creek family seamlessly and are contributing to the will be home to several Middle and High School classes. high-caliber of academics occurring in our classrooms In addition, we have completed the renovation of the every day. Instead of my telling you, though, let me Main Office and our High School Chemistry Lab. By share with you the words of one of our new parents: adding new buildings and improving current facilities, “We have been extremely pleased with our Cedar Creek we hope to position Cedar Creek for excellence for the experiences!! Still learning and getting acclimated, but our student next 45 years. seems happy and everyone – faculty, staff and parents – has been All of these improvements are being made possible helpful and very patient with us when we have questions.” by our Cedar Creek parents, grandparents and alumni, as The parent continues: well as community members who value the tradition of “I love how CC is using technology to enhance the curriculum excellence the school is known for in the region. and communication. … We are very happy and wish we had When you combine a dedicated faculty and staff, moved to CC sooner! Thank you!” hard-working students, and committed parents, it’s no It would be shortsighted of me if I didn’t give the wonder we have had the successes with which we have credit where it’s due for these glowing remarks. Because been blessed. Please know how grateful we are for the our faculty and staff so frequently go beyond the call of generosity of so many who give time, talent and treasure duty in and out of the classroom, it has mostly become as we move forward in the 21st century. the norm. Take our Advanced Placement teachers who 2015 ANNUAL REPORT CEDAR CREEK SCHOOL 2 our volunteers the board of directors allowed our students and parents e often talk about how to reconnect after the summer, and valuable volunteers are helped our new students to make Wto our school. Without new friends before the first day of their hard work and dedication, our school. A new addition to Parent school would not be the exceptional Club is our Class Representatives place it is. It is not just the generous in every grade level to further aid donations that are so prized, but in our efforts, and in the commu- also the time and talent given by so nication between Parents, Faculty, many every year. and Students. What if you took all the hours Parent Club is also active Cedar Creek volunteers work for throughout the school year with our school and assigned a dollar fundraising through our newly amount? Think about how much re-designed Cougar Gear line, that would be worth. In many ways, Sherwood Forest Evergreen Sales, it is almost immeasurable and most Holidays in Cedartown, Cedar certainly invaluable. The teams of Creek Celebration, and various people who volunteer at our big other projects and events. Parent fund-raisers (CedarTown and Cel- Club works closely with the Board ebration) -- their hours are untold. and Administration to ensure Add in those who help coach, those funds are used where they can have who work concession stands, those the biggest impact on our school. who work the clocks and the chains We love our Cedar Creek … the list goes on and on. You get teachers, and we feel it is ex- the picture: volunteers contribute a the parent club tremely important to let them know what lot to our school. an amazing job they do! Through our You may have learned by now that t has been a big year for our Cedar Adopt-a-Teacher program, our faculty the tuition we pay falls short of the Creek Parent Club! Our number of and staff are adopted by a secret family cost of running the school. This is Ivolunteers is growing, and we are who surprises them with thoughtful gifts true of many private schools, and reaping the benefits of having so many and treats on their birthdays and other we are not alone. It is ONLY be- involved parents! Parent Club raised over occasions throughout the year. We also cause of the generous donations of $48,000 last year and donated an addition- host a Christmas Reception during which time, talent and treasure that we are al $50,000 toward campus improvements the faculty and staff receives a Christmas able to have a fiscally sound school. all around our school. Of course, Parent Bonus, coordinate the Class Christmas Parents and other members of the Club also made its annual donation of Projects, and honor teachers in the spring Cedar Creek family also make sac- 10 percent of its earnings to the school’s with an entire month of Teacher Appreci- rifices in other ways that contribute Endowment Fund. On behalf of Parent ation perks and a luncheon. the greater good of the school. For Club, I extend a huge thank you to each I would love for every Cedar Creek many, paying tuition is a great sac- of you for generously donating your time parent to get involved with Parent Club! rifice on its own. Many don’t stop to Parent Club projects over the past year. There is a place for you to make a mean- there. They make allowances for Parent Club has set ambitious goals for ingful contribution. We have had a blast giving to the Creek Fund and, now, 2015-16. Service projects and fundraisers so far meeting and spending time with The Creek Campaign to update and are well under way. Creek Pride workday other parents, faculty members and expand our classrooms. was a success as we accomplished several students. Parent Club is a key ingredient Thank you from the Board of projects such as cleaning and painting ensuring our Cedar Creek family embraces Directors to all who make these in the Varsity Gym, preparing the flow- its tradition of leaving a legacy of excel- sacrifices. We are truly grateful. er beds and front of the school for the lence. We join our students in upholding remodel, repairing sidewalks, and adding their student motto of Super Omnia! ~ Lonnie Menzina, new playground equipment. Our Elemen- School Board President tary back to school parties, and Middle Melissa Durrett, School/High School welcome events Parent Club President 3 2015 ANNUAL REPORT CEDAR CREEK SCHOOL the academics he Class of 2015 was offered more than 3,480 Volunteer hours $5.49 million in scholarships. performed in 2013-15 The top 25 percent of the class earned by the Class of 2015 an ACT average of 30.8; the top half, 28.5. t The class average was 25.24. 97%Percentage of Class of 2015 who qualified for TOPS Advanced Placement Scholars Advanced Placement Brock Blackwell, Erik Eklund, Ben Everett, Scholars with Distinction Aaron Hunt, Kay-Lynn Klug, Hannah McNew Alex Thomas and Taylor Witten College Acceptances A sampling of the acceptances Northwestern State University University of Kansas of the Class of 2015: Pepperdine University University of Louisiana at Monroe Baylor University Southern Methodist University University of Miami Babson College Syracuse University University of Mississippi Kennesaw State University Texas Christian University University of Oklahoma Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Texas at Austin Louisiana Tech University University of Arkansas 2015 ANNUAL REPORT CEDAR CREEK SCHOOL 4 our numbers How are my tuition dollars spent? 71¢ SALARIES & BENEFITS 16¢ 11¢ 2¢ Faculty, Staff, Administrative Salaries; Retirement ACADEMIC PLANT INSTITUTIONAL DEPARTMENTS OPERATIONS SUPPORT Divisional Budgets, Utilities, Con- Admissions, Athletics, Arts, tracted Services, Business Office, Counseling, Insurance Development Professional Develop- Office, Communi- ment, Technology cations Where does the school’s revenue come from? 85¢ TUITION 13¢ 2¢ STUDENT SERVICE ANNUAL PROGRAMS GIVING Technology, Creek Fund Athletics, Arts, Raise the Paddle Attercare, Summer Camps 5 2015 ANNUAL REPORT CEDAR CREEK SCHOOL your generosity The entire Cedar Creek community celebrated the theme of the 2014/2015 school year of #lovemycreek. Your love our message and support has been abundant and is evidenced by your service and support from advancement of our school. Thank You! As we enter our 45th year we come We are off to a great start! Thanks to to a major crossroads in the life of our the generosity of John and Liz Hood school. A crossroads that requires us along with many generous and commit- to meet greater expectations - not just ted donors construction is underway on in our academic, athletic and extracur- Phase I, the Hood Academic Center, a ricular programs, but with the facilities 12 classroom building that will eliminate we provide to our students and families.