Annu Al Repo Rt 2011-2012 mount st. michael academy Respect and Integrity accountability and perseverance Letter from Leadership Dear Alumni and Friends of the Mount, Let me state my thesis as boldly as possible: the MOUNT is thriving like never before! I am as grateful as I am enthusiastic about the tremendous support we have received from our extraordinarily faithful alumni and friends. It is with humility and gratitude that I say thank you for the many ways you shared your time, energy and especially your personal resources with us over the past year. Your financial support matches the generosity of spirit so characteristic of Marist Education. The mission and purpose of the MOUNT is as vibrant today as in the past: to provide a quality education and a Catholic community which nourishes the maturity and faith of all our members. This Annual Report is strong testimony to the enthusiastic embrace of this mission which has served the young men of the MOUNT so well since 1926. Indeed, we have increased the enrollment in our Junior High School Program by three class sections and we have a very strong incoming class of freshmen. As I like to say, the “Mount Momentum” is palpable! This past year is one of the most successful in our brief history of fund raising. I am especially grateful for the efforts of the Development Office. Our team has been very hard working on behalf of the Mount: Ms. Julie Androshick-Boyle, Mr. Michael Duignan ’76, Ms. Nydia Arezza and Bro. John Bantz ’56. The economic realities of providing a Catholic education today are more daunting than ever. The great support of the Annual Fund has allowed the MOUNT to educate talented students from deserving families. This is the central feature driving the vision of the Marist Brothers. This vision is embodied in your support and generous response. Again, your participation has had a significant impact on the life of the MOUNT community and cannot be underestimated. I never fail to be impressed with their sense of responsibility for the future of the MOUNT that characterizes our alumni. They know what a great experience they had as students, and their generous participation in the Annual Fund reflects their sense of gratitude and appreciation. Year after year our new graduates have very tall shoulders to stand on as they move into the world outside the MOUNT. This raises even higher the beacon of hope that a MOUNT education provides for the next generation. As you review the Annual Report take pride and satisfaction in the truly distinguished achievement represented by the participation of so many people. Your commitment to the continued success of the MOUNT is what helps to motivate all of us in the trenches. The faculty and staff are energized by your willingness to join them in working to serve the students of Mount Saint Michael Academy. Together we form a community which models the best in Catholic Education, and preserves the spirit of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers. Together we act with one “heart that knows no bounds.” On behalf of our entire faculty and staff, and especially our students who directly benefit by your generosity, I am deeply grateful for your enormous and continued support of the MOUNT. Sincerely, Dr. Anthony Miserandino 1 Letter from Leadership Letter from Leadership Dear Alumni and Friends of The Mount, Dear Alumni and Friends of the Mount, On behalf of the Directory of The Mount, thank you for all of your generous support over the years. Our 2012-2013 academic year has begun exceedingly well! While Catholic schools around the It is paying off in a big way! The Mount is doing great and only gaining momentum. nation are reporting decreases in enrollment, for the most part, we are happy to report to you that our enrollment has actually increased for the second year in a row. In fact, our junior high school has With 216 incoming freshman and 28 incoming 6th graders, the school’s student body is 820 boys, up almost doubled in size, and we added another freshmen class. I firmly believe the “buzz in the street” 5% over 2011. Recognizing a quality education, more than 75% of Mount’s 8th graders are choosing is that Mount is THE school to attend. to stay on for high school, compared with less than 50% in previous years. A great sign for the future, our junior high student count increased by 74% this year! Our Admissions and Administrative team I believe there are a number of reasons for this upsurge. First and foremost, it seems that parents continues to make excellent progress: if you visit the campus you will feel the positive momentum! recognize the dedication and skill of the faculty. Our teachers work hard every day, and are dedicated to the academic and personal success of every student entrusted to their care. Our college acceptance Mount Principal Bro. Steve Schlitte FMS is a highly respected educator who walks the halls and rate certainly illustrates this: 100% of our students are accepted to college every year. demands accountability from students and teachers. Students come to The Mount because they and their families recognize the value of a traditional Catholic education, with strong academics, Secondly, we have endeavored over the years to create programs specifically designed to meet the common-sense discipline, and unmatched sports and extracurricular activities. Boys in the Bronx and needs of all of our students. Three years ago, we created Focus Education, a program that aids surrounding areas need a school like The Mount now more than ever. students with learning disabilities. These students take the regular college prep curriculum, but spend one period a day with a learning disability specialist. Each of the students who graduated in Brother Steve has many great ideas and a proven track record for execution. A great example is his the last two years was accepted to and attends college! idea back in 2010 to create a Sports Medicine Academy at The Mount. Two short years later, the Sports Medicine program is a reality, with 44 students enrolled (demand outstripped “supply” when Desirous of challenging our most talented students, we began the Champagnat Scholars Program. over 90 students applied for the 2012-13 school year). Programs like this bring tremendous value This rigorous program enables students to take at least 6 to 8 AP courses, Honors level courses in to the students and will help distinguish the school. Importantly, alumni support coming from Dr. all other areas, take part in leadership training and outdoor education, summer projects and service Anthony Maddalo ’72, Ben Borsellino ’73 and Alison and Buzz Zaino ’61 was critical in getting this programs. Currently freshmen and sophomores participate. The students are being targeted to program off the ground. Under Brother Steve’s leadership, I sincerely believe that The Mount has apply to Ivy League and top tier colleges. the potential to be one of the premier all-boys preparatory schools in New York. Your support is This year we have inaugurated our Sports Medicine Program for students who have expressed an critical to achieving our goals. interest in a medical career, sports training, physical therapy, etc. These students will participate Our investments in The Mount yield tangible positive returns in the lives of so many young men and in internal and external observerships and internships, attend monthly seminars with medical their families in the Bronx, lower Westchester and Manhattan. Our graduating seniors from the Class professionals and take a heavy dose of science courses. Some of the courses include: Human of 2012 received scholarship offers valued at $20 million based on 4- year tuition. One student received Diseases, Forensic Anthropology, The Science of Sports, Sociobiology, and all of the AP Science 13 different offers. Another is attending Dartmouth on a full academic scholarship where he also plays courses. One component of this program is to renovate our training room to serve as a lab. Many basketball. Like Classes before it, the Class of ’12 achieved a 100% graduation rate, with students now of our alumni have already stepped up to donate for the renovation, and to offer internships and attending such schools as Notre Dame, Boston University, UC Berkley, UCLA, NYU and Marist College. observerships. If you’d like more information, please give me a call! Once in college, our graduates continue to excel: Juan Duran ’07, was one of just seven Fordham While many new things are happening here at the Mount, it is important to recognize that we are University students to receive a Fulbright scholarship; he recently entered Weill Cornell Medical building on what was already in place. As a school with a long and proud tradition, we are steadfast College. Caraun Reid ’09 is a scholar and athlete at Princeton: He was the lone Ivy League player in our mission: to provide young men from the Bronx, Manhattan and lower Westchester with a named to the first ever “Watch List” for the Senior Bowl in 2011. rigorous college preparatory education, grounded in Catholic, Christian principles. We may go about it a little differently, but the end result is the same. We want our graduates to be committed, In these challenging times, aspiring and current Mount students need our help more than ever. capable and compassionate men, ready to make the world a better place. External fund raising is critically important, with 48% of our high school students receiving some sort of financial aid. Our Development Office made great strides in the past year, exceeding our Please come and visit anytime.