Annual Report 2016-17
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2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT FAIRFIELD COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Message from the President Dear Friends, This is an exciting time to be at Fairfield Prep. Please be sure to review our 2017 Strategic Plan: Founded on Faith – Leading to Serve – Educating for a Global Society. Many of the initiatives you see in our plan are underway and already transforming student learning at Prep. We recently completed and passed our 10 year New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation. The visitation team enthusiastically affirmed the strength of Jesuit mission that permeates every aspect of the school. They noted Prep’s mission commitment in curriculum development, engaging co-curricular activities, and how we care for the whole person. We were especially commended for our robust SEED diversity program that ensures students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds experience success through this Jesuit education. The plans have been laid for many bold projects that will establish Fairfield Prep as a leader. The world of private schools has become increasingly competitive. Yet we believe that Jesuit education is worth it and what society truly needs. The only way we can meet the challenges on the horizon is through your support. Thank you for your generosity and all you do to serve our students! Sincerely, Rev. Thomas M. Simisky, S.J. President www.fairflieldprep.org 1 Year in Review Summaries 2016-2017Robert A. Perrotta, JD, EdD Principal he 2016-17 academic year was marked by exploration and innovation. The successful completion of a mission and identity self-study resulted in our receiving continued T sponsorship by the Society of Jesus. Father Cecero, Provincial of the USA East Province, commended Prep for its “thoughtful and thorough reflection of the school’s commitment to fostering its Catholic Mission and Jesuit Identity.” The preparation of a major self-study for our October, 2017 accreditation review by the NEASC helped us clarify our future priorities surrounding facilities, mission and faith formation, curriculum, and technology. For example, this year we will implement a new academic schedule that blends a traditional rotating schedule of 40 minute classes with a block schedule that creates 75 minute classes and opens up varied and exciting opportunities for community building activities, student run assemblies, and faculty professional development that does not interfere with class time. The schedule has also created structures for students to report school news, highlight student achievements, present short media clips, and instruct on local, national and international historical events. For 2017-18, we will continue to expand our core curricular and elective offerings adding courses in coding, computer programming, and Mandarin. We continue to develop interesting curricular opportunities for our students that employ creative methodologies and technologies that focus on student initiated learning, group projects, and real world application of textbook knowledge. We have also embraced the theme of preparing our students to be global citizens who are aware of the future ecological challenges that face us all. We continue to explore avenues to take advantage of our the international network of over 450 Jesuit high schools through teacher and student exchange programs as well as national and global service opportunities. I am forever proud of our students whose talents, energy, and care of one another is truly heartening. I am grateful to our parents who enter into a partnership with us to develop their son’s academic, social and spiritual development. I am thankful to our benefactors who have enabled Prep to be a school that can celebrate its economic and racial diversity. The pride and love our students display for Prep was best described by a student who was asked where he went to high school. He responded: “I don’t go to high school; I go to Fairfield Prep!” Rick Henderson Vice President for Advancement he Prep Advancement and Alumni Relations office continues with its goal of raising expectations internally and externally. As the Development team continued to take shape T with new faces, time honored traditions marched on with growth. The 2016-2017 Fairfield Prep Fund increased 2.5% over the prior year resulting in $1,115,743 in total unrestricted giving with another $978,888 million gifted to restricted capital projects, programs or scholarships. Our Fairfield Prep events such as our Annual Auction raised $308, 257 equaling $2,402,888 in total dollars raised for Fairfield Prep. Alumni Participation grew by 14% over the prior year which shows the committed alumni support for securing the future of Prep. Reunion Weekend was redesigned and what a celebration it was! The 100’x100’ tent covering the quad served for a tremendous location for the reenergized reunion celebration. The weekend started with the inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony which honored the titans of Prep Athletics history. The number of alumni participating with our regional events around the country continues to grow, which forecasts a fun year ahead for reconnecting with more alumni. Our Strategic Plan is set, alumni participation is growing and the positive energy around the school is becoming infectious. The future is very bright for our great school. Go Prep! 2 Fairfield Prep Annual Report 2016–2017 Year in Review Summaries 2016-2017Greg Marshall Special Assistant to the President airfield Prep finished the 2016-2017 school year with 865 students coming from all areas of southwestern Connecticut. Total tuition-assistance financial aid awarded for the 2016-2017 F school year was $2,396,000, given to 248 students, representing 29% of the student body. The average financial aid award was $9,661 which equaled 50% of tuition. In 2016-2017 Prep had 36 students enrolled in the International Student Program (ISP). Prep continues to live our mission by offering our Jesuit education to everyone. Of the 865 enrollment, we had 238 students under our S.E.E.D. (Students for Education Excellence through Diversity) program with 126 of them receiving more than a 50% financial aid award. Thirty-nine of these students were designated as “S.E.E.D. Scholars.” Were it not for Prep’s generous financial aid program, in all likelihood our financial aid recipients would not be at Prep, which would mean that not only would they lose out on the unique, life-changing benefits of a Fairfield Prep education, but our school would suffer for the resulting loss of their God-given talents and abilities. For this, we are extremely grateful for the support of our loyal alumni, parents and friends.. Nora Magi Chief Financial Officer airfield Prep ended the fiscal year June 30, 2017 in good financial standing. Our endowment grew to $27M for fiscal year 2017 and provided 39% relief to the $2.4M financial aid provided F to our students of need. An additional $50,000 was provided in non-tuition aid to our students to help with the cost of mission trips, meals, books and transportation. Prep facilities are in good condition. A facilities audit was performed in the spring 2017 which will help us prioritize and plan for future major improvements to our facilities. During fiscal year 2017 we renovated two physics labs, created a Fine Arts Wing, doubled the size of our weight room and started the multi-year project of replacing plumbing pipes in our two 70 year old buildings. This past summer, the pipe replacement project continued along with renovations to our chapel, which now has updated lighting, sound system and ventilation. Prep started the new academic year with new contracts for our custodial services and food services. In choosing these new vendors strong consideration was given to providing healthier food options and greener cleaning solutions. Both services have been well received by our students, faculty and staff. Our budget is balanced for fiscal year 2018 and as we wrap up the first quarter of this new school year, we remain on target. Throughout this year, we will continue to vigorously analyze revenue opportunities and expenditures in order to provide the best quality education to our students. www.fairflieldprep.org 3 Wesleyan Lafayette Villanova Richmond PENN STATE The Ohio State Ohio State The University Univ. of South Carolina Pepperdine ELON 4 Fairfield Prep Annual Report 2016–2017 Vanderbilt Lafayette Union TCU Tufts A SAMPLING OF THE CLASS OF 2017 College Matriculations Fairfield College Preparatory School Johns Hopkins Johns www.fairflieldprep.org 5 Academics 6 Fairfield Prep Annual Report 2016–2017 2016-2017 FAIRFIELD PREP Academics airfield Prep offers a comprehensive, exciting and engaging college preparatory curriculum F of courses in Science, Mathematics, Technology, Foreign Language, Social Studies, English, Theology and the Arts. In their classes, students take an active role in their learning – they experiment and discover; they form their own opinions and defend them; they ask and answer the tough questions; they learn to think and reason critically; they read, research, write, draw and perform. The modern learning environment and 1:1 iPad program gives students at Prep the opportunity to integrate technology into their education. Teachers at Prep are well educated and committed to making each one of their students succeed – they model being life-long learners and 1220 continuously engage in their own professional development. A Fairfield Prep education not only prepares students for college, it gives them the foundations to succeed