MISSION MISSION The Principia shall seek to serve the Cause of Christian Science through appropriate channels open to it as an educational institution. VISION Principia is a Christian Science community of practice where all members VISION are students, teachers, and healers. Through transformative opportunities, a challenging curriculum, and character education based on the teachings of Christian Science, we examine, test, and strengthen our faith while developing the skills and understanding requisite for excellence. As global, outward- looking, inspired learners, we serve and better the world. CORE CORE GOALS Principia has identified five core goals as priorities in the current strategic plan. We expect to realize our vision for 2020 by focusing in GOALS concrete, measurable ways on these goals: • Strengthen Educational Excellence • Promote Christian Science-Based Character Education • Nurture Success Beyond Principia • Grow Enrollment • Steward Resources Responsibly TABLE OF CONTENTS Dear Friends, EXECUTIVE CHIEF INTERIM THE FROM MESSAGE I’m delighted to share with you this overview of the achievements 2 By the Numbers and progress that took place across Principia during our 2015– 2016 fiscal year (July 1, 2015–June 30, 2016). 4 Academics 8 Experiential Learning Students at all levels, from preschoolers through College seniors, discovered new talents and deepened their understanding—of 12 The Arts themselves and their world. For some, that meant facing fears on a weeklong expedition in nature (p. 8); for others, it involved cod- 14 Global Learning ing a computer for 24 hours straight (p. 10); for many, on both 18 Community Service campuses, it required persistent practice on stage, in the music studio, or at the drawing board (pp. 12–13); and for students, 20 Award Winners alumni, and friends of Principia around the world, it included selfless giving on Principia’s first-ever Global Days of Service 22 Athletics (p.18). For all of us on campus, it also meant striving to better understand and live the year’s metaphysical theme: “. freely ye 24 Lifelong Learning have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). 26 Engagement At all levels, our students are benefiting from remarkable oppor- 28 Finances tunities for hands-on learning—in classrooms, on our expansive campuses, across the country, and around the globe. These extraordinary experiences are also preparing them for success beyond Principia. Our Upper School students are gaining ac- ceptances from an impressive list of four-year colleges (p. 5), and our College students are receiving excellent job offers and acceptances at top graduate and law schools. This Annual Report also shares information and statistics on enrollment, academics, faculty, athletics, student satisfaction, alumni engagement, and finances. As you read the statistics and stories included here, I hope you are inspired to visit our campus- es and experience Principia in person. Alumni, donors, and friends are crucial partners in our success. Thank you for your ongoing support of Principia founder Mary Kimball Morgan’s inspired idea. Sincerely, Douglas Gibbs Interim Chief Executive PRINCIPIA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 1 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 2016 COLLEGE GRADS WHO . PRINCIPIA SCHOOL Felt that faculty valued their contributions in class. 100 % 94% PRINCIPIA NONSECTARIAN 402 FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES Felt that faculty encouraged them to ask questions and PRINCIPIA COLLEGE participate in class discussion. 100 % 96% PRINCIPIA NONSECTARIAN 462 FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES Frequently worked with classmates on group projects. STUDENT GENDER RATIOS 71% 54% PRINCIPIA NONSECTARIAN PRINCIPIA FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES SCHOOL % % Were satisfied or very satisfied with their financial aid pack- 48 52 age. Male Female 80% 56% PRINCIPIA NONSECTARIAN FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES Were satisfied or very satisfied with the overall sense of PRINCIPIA community among students. COLLEGE % % 50 50 % % Male Female 90 80 PRINCIPIA NONSECTARIAN FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES (Stats are based on the Higher Education Research Institute’s BY THE BY NUMBERS surveys of graduating seniors.) 2 PRINCIPIA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT PRINCIPIA PRINCIPIA % SCHOOL COLLEGE NUMBER OF 59 FULL-TIME OF UPPER SCHOOL FACULTY FACULTY 61 66 HOLD ADVANCED DEGREES STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO 67% 7:1AT PRINCIPIA SCHOOL OF COLLEGE FACULTY HOLD AND PRINCIPIA COLLEGE TERMINAL DEGREES 44% 56% PRINCIPIA UPPER SCHOOL DAY STUDENTS PRINCIPIA UPPER SCHOOL BOARDERS 2016 COLLEGE GRADS WHO AGREE OR STRONGLY AGREE THAT BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY LEARNED AT PRINCIPIA, THEY HAVE GROWN . INTELLECTUALLY SPIRITUALLY SOCIALLY PHYSICALLY MORALLY 95% 80% 85% 73% 77% (Stats are based on Principia’s College Senior Survey.) PRINCIPIA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 3 Scholarships Honor High Achievement Principia awarded academic scholarships totaling $5,915,480 to 44 Upper School and 313 College students in 2015–2016. 4 PRINCIPIA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT Acorn Goes Global Our Acorn program for infants, tod- dlers, and their parents expanded its reach with the launch of Acorn online. Now, Christian Science families every- where can benefit from Principia’s focus on nurturing the whole man. Through links to the on-campus program, curated Internet resources, and a treasure trove of curricula and expertise, families explore how to support children’s growth from the basis of spiritual unfoldment. UPPER SCHOOL CLASS OF 2016 COLLEGE PLACEMENT Sampling of Upper Schoolers’ College Acceptances % % 96 63 American University Beloit University ENROLLED IN COLLEGE ENROLLED AT PRINCIPIA Boston University Butler University DePauw University Putting Leadership Drake University into Practice Furman University Hobart and William Smith Colleges Having delved into and debated lead- Missouri University of Science ership from a variety of perspectives, and Technology students in the Upper School Senior Northeastern University Seminar class took up their own Northwestern University leadership challenge—successfully Pepperdine University planning, organizing, and hosting a Principia College day-long conference titled “Today, Purdue University Not Tomorrow.” Savannah College of Art and Design Following keynote talks in the morn- Southern Methodist University ing, including one by alum entrepre- University of California, Los neur Lewis Howes (US’01, C’08, Angeles on the right), students spent the University of Illinois at Urbana- afternoon in small group activities Champaign focused on issues they wanted to University of Georgia change. Students had to get at least University of Wisconsin–Madison six others to join them on the same Worcester Polytechnic Institute issue, after which the groups broke out to propose solutions. PRINCIPIA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 5 88% COLLEGE FRESHMAN-TO- SOPHOMORE RETENTION RATE compared to a 71% national average at private colleges MOST POPULAR MAJORS IN THE COLLEGE CLASS OF 2016 BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Wildlife Management Class Principia College’s biology professors think of the 2,600-acre campus as a living laboratory—and they put it to good use. Last fall, students in Wildlife Manage- MASS ment, taught by Dr. Scott Eckert (C’79), practiced the “mark and recapture” COMMUNICATION method to estimate the total population of bluegill fish in a pond on campus. After several sessions of catching, tagging, and releasing fish, they used spe- cialized software to derive their population estimate. “Hands-on classes like this one are what drew me to Principia’s biology depart- ment,” one student commented. And another noted, “I really enjoy figuring out solutions to any problem during field work.” There’s a practical, future pay-off, too. “Learning these skills as undergraduates gives them a leg up as they start POLITICAL their careers or compete to get into graduate programs,” Eckert explains. SCIENCE 6 PRINCIPIA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT Preparing for Life after Graduation Over the summer, 13 students stayed on the College campus to work with Principia professors as research assistants. From study- ing plant genetics to analyzing data on Illinois “sundown towns,” students put their learning into practice, gaining valuable skills and making career connections. Many others interned in a wide range of fields—from teaching English in Thailand to working on Capitol Hill. A junior studying theatre and business adminis- tration interned at the Barrington Stage Company in New England, researching donor prospects and helping with stage management. Another student considering a career in law enforcement in- terned at the Miami-Dade Police Department. And a biology major helped conduct a fish census and implement a community educa- tion project in the Caribbean. Such hands-on experiences offer invaluable career preparation. College Students Present Their Work around the Country Several students’ research and creative works were chosen for presentation at conferences this spring. Their projects spanned a variety of disciplines with a total of 16 students presenting their research in religion, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy during the past spring term. In fact, the philosophy paper was selected for presentation at two under- graduate conferences—one in Oregon and one in Colorado. In addition, five English majors read their creative works at the National Undergraduate Literature Conference at Weber State University in Utah. Another special presentation opportunity grew out of a connection made between junior Nohemy Johnson and Dr. Yang Jianli, Principia’s 2016 Ernie and Lucha Vogel Moral Courage Lecturer. With Dr. Yang’s recommendation, Nohemy was the only undergraduate speaker on the March