Inspiring Individuality / Viewpoint School Annual Report 2015 -16
“VIEWPOINT RECOGNIZES THE UNIQUENESS OF EACH CHILD AND IS COMMITTED TO THE PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THAT INDIVIDUALITY.” — from the Viewpoint School Mission Statement —
Inspiring Individuality / Viewpoint School Annual Report 2015 -16
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38
Facts & Figures
Special Gifts
7
39
Letter from the Head of School
Endowment Funds
9
41
Board of Trustees / Chair's Report
Tribute & Memorial Gifts
10
44
New Trustees
2016 Benefit
12
50
Financial Report
VSSA Report
14
52
Advancement Report
Matriculation, Class of 2016
16
53
Leadership Giving
Ways to Give
20
54
Capital Campaign
Gift Planning
26 Annual Fund
On the cover: Kindergarteners Kaiya Shepphird and John Robinson and assistant teacher Lacey Thompson are welcomed to the All-School Convocation by the Class of 2017.
VIEWPOINT SCHOOL
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Maya Tribbitt ’17 and Alejandro Campillo ’17
“Our student body represents a diverse array of ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds. Fifteen different languages are spoken in the homes of our families.”
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operating budget:
$ → students receiving financial aid:
MILLION
→17% → 1,215 enrollment:
FACTS & FIGURES → Highlights of the Academic Year 2015-16 THE YEAR OF 2015-16 was one of new beginnings and traditions. On Friday, September 4, our 1,215 students and faculty and staff gathered in the Paul Family Athletic Center for Viewpoint’s first All-School Convocation to officially open the academic year. Led by a bagpiper, Primary School students were accompanied from their newly constructed campus by the Class of 2016. It was a memorable event for all, especially the many seniors who had started as Kindergarteners. ON OCTOBER 13, members of Viewpoint’s community gathered under the oak trees beside the new Primary School to celebrate the installation of our new Head of School, Mark McKee. In his remarks, Mark expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the School, recognizing both its traditions and the great potential of this moment. He posed three questions: “What does Viewpoint expect of me?” “What does Viewpoint expect of you?” And, finally, “What does the world expect of Viewpoint?” All in attendance left the ceremony with a feeling of excitement and gratitude that our School has been placed in such capable and worthy hands.
IN A REMARKABLE DAY OF SERVICE, our Upper School’s Annual Community Service Day in November gathered more than 200 student and faculty volunteers at 10 different project locations across the Los Angeles area. Their outreach included: preparing some of the 1,400 warm meals provided each day at Project Angel Food, organizing a Thanksgiving celebration for Park Oaks Elementary students, beautification efforts at Guadalupe Community Center, beach clean-up in Santa Monica, and ecological restoration in Agoura Hills. Volunteers prepared sack lunches for Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, gave manicures to youth patrons of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, assisted seniors at ONEgeneration in Reseda, and delivered donations from our Primary, Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools for My Stuff Bags
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Foundation in Westlake and for the West Valley Food Pantry in Woodland Hills.
IN NOVEMBER, the Viewpoint Robotics Team qualified for the State Championships held in March. In April, the team emerged from the last competition of the 2015-16 season as champions of The 2nd Annual Girls Showcase, which celebrated women in science. The event was hosted at La Reina High School and featured 32 all-female teams, coming from as far as Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom.
WORLD-RENOWNED CONDUCTOR Carlo Ponti led a master class for our Upper School string students in preparation for their Holiday Program in December, while our Performing Arts students welcomed acclaimed playwright, actor, and professor, Anna Deavere Smith. Her Tony-nominated play Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, which dramatizes the LA Riots in the days that followed the Rodney King trial, tackles issues of race and social inequality that have become touchstones of her work. Viewpoint School’s Conservatory of Theater completed a run of Twilight: Los Angeles 1992 at the end of February. FOR THE FIRST TIME in Viewpoint history, the Varsity Boys Basketball Team captured the CIF Southern Section Boys Basketball Division 4-A crown by defeating La Salle, 68-56. OUT OF A FIELD OF 14 SCHOOLS from as far away as Texas, Viewpoint’s Music Department was the top scoring entrant at the Heritage Music Festival in Anaheim, earning a Silver award for the Upper School Chorus and five Gold awards for Contemporary Vocal, Vocal Jazz, Wind and Jazz Ensembles, and Upper School Orchestra. TWO VIEWPOINT STUDENTS were invited to participate in the prestigious YoungArts program that identifies and supports the next generation of artists in visual, literary, design,
middle & upper school faculty & administrators with advanced degrees:
→68%
number of full-time & part-time faculty:
→160
→ 8:1
student to teacher ratio:
and performing arts. Lindsay Emi ’16 was a National Finalist in Writing, and Shayna Weintraub ’17 received an Honorable Mention in Dance. The program was established in 1981 not only to assist sophomores, juniors, and seniors at critical junctures in their educational and professional development, but also to raise awareness and appreciation for the arts in American society.
10% OF THE CLASS OF 2016 earned National Merit recognition, which included two National Merit Finalists, nine National Merit Commended students, and two National Hispanic Recognition Scholars. THE SCHOOL’S PRESTIGIOUS CUM LAUDE SOCIETY welcomed 28 new members in April ceremonies. The Cum Laude Society is modeled after Phi Beta Kappa, the academic honor society for college graduates, and recognizes superior scholarship in select high schools in the United States. Viewpoint has been a member since 1992 and is one of only 31 schools in California to have earned this distinction. IN 2007 VIEWPOINT was one of the first schools in the United States to offer The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Program to our Upper School students. In 2016 our students earned 18 Gold Awards, 36 Silver Awards, and 61 Bronze Awards. The British Royal Family established this program in 1956 to recognize and honor young people for achievement in the following areas: service to others, adventurous journey, practical or vocational life skills, and physical recreation. IT WAS A MOMENTOUS YEAR in Viewpoint’s fund raising history that pulled together each of the School’s constituent groups to not only support our Annual Fund, in raising $1.96 million, but also to realize an ambitious $3 million Capital Campaign goal that made possible the development and construction of a much-needed second athletic field and the renovation of the athletic facilities on the west end of campus. With a generous
lead gift from parents Dick and Olga Robertson, in addition to the support of nearly 500 generous donors, we have now completed the final phase of Viewpoint's first Master Plan that was envisioned over a decade ago. Read more about the Dworkoski Legacy Fund on Page 20.
IN A YEAR OF GREAT SUCCESSES for our School, we also must pause to remember the near calamity of the “Old Fire” that burned to the perimeter of our School and neighboring homes just before graduation. Thanks to the heroic efforts of over 100 firefighters and Viewpoint’s own tireless Safety and Facilities team who watched our campus and canyon throughout the night, we emerged safely. When the danger had passed, immediate remediation took place to ensure our campus and classrooms remain a safe and healthy learning environment. We are grateful for the thoughtful and caring outreach we received from so many families and alumni, as well as the outstanding leadership of our administrative team and their emergency preparedness.
A FEW OF OUR NEW ENHANCEMENTS IN 201516: PRIMARY AND LOWER SCHOOL STUDENTS utilized the new Innovation Space and the Benjamin Franklin Library, including the Technology Hub located within the library. These areas provide countless opportunities for imagination, creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Students develop a wide range of skills based in discovery and exploration, while solving realworld problems and preparing for challenges of the future. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL ART DEPARTMENT introduced Mural Painting during the Summer Session and Fall Semester. Students worked together to design and paint murals on Litow Patio, with the wall again being returned to a “blank slate” over the summer for each new group of students to reimagine. VIEWPOINT SCHOOL
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SEVENTH GRADE HISTORY FACULTY introduced “pocket research” projects to the curriculum. Students selected topics related to course units to allow for development of specific research skills such as creating citations, choosing appropriate sources, and using research support software (NoodleTools). The Sixth and Seventh Grade History faculty adopted the TCI (Teachers Curriculum Institute) social studies textbooks and interactive notebooks, which include accessible text and a wide range of interactive online activities that draw on multiple intelligences to engage students. THE SIXTH GRADE SKILLS FOR SUCCESS curriculum was rewritten to address the need for more technology skill building to support and complement the learning goals of the Sixth Grade academic program across departments. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL’S Math Department expanded its Sixth and Seventh Grade course offerings from two to three levels in each grade to better meet and challenge the academic needs of all students. With a goal to establish a firm math foundation, levels are kept fluid as students’ progress is continuously monitored, so as to place students in the course level in which they are best able to thrive. THE MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOLS opened the schoolyear with two additional Learning Specialists. Located in the Fletcher Family Library, our Learning Specialists support our students’ varying learning styles as they navigate the Middle and Upper School curriculum. IN DECEMBER, six Upper School Viewpoint students and eight faculty members attended the Student Diversity and Leadership Conference (SDLC) and People of Color Conference (POCC) respectively in Tampa, Florida. These parallel conferences challenged both faculty and students from independent schools throughout the United States to think about diversity in new and different ways.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) EXAMS MAY 2016 262 students sat for 654 exams in 29 subjects 22% of sophomores took AP exams 77% of juniors took AP exams 76% of seniors took AP exams 33% of the exams earned a score of 5 65% of the exams earned a 4 or 5 A score of 4 or 5 is considered exceptional 85% of the exams earned passing grades of 3 or above These scores are among the highest in the nation
ALUMNI /AE THERE ARE 3,189 VIEWPOINT GRADUATES residing in 42 states and 8 foreign countries.
ACCREDITATION AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) Cum Laude Society Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS) National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Western Association of College Admission Counseling (WACAC) National Association of Principals of Schools for Girls National Association of Secondary School Principals A Better Chance (ABC) Viewpoint is a Nominating School for the Morehead-Cain Scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and for the Jefferson Scholars Foundation Scholarship at the University of Virginia.
MISSION STATEMENT VIEWPOINT SCHOOL IS A WELCOMING, vibrant, and collaborative community that offers a challenging and enriched college preparatory education in a nurturing environment for students in Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade. The School embraces students and families from diverse cultures of the world and teaches the history and wisdom of these traditions. VIEWPOINT INSPIRES A LOVE OF LEARNING and develops those qualities which provide strength and direction for a lifetime. The School promotes among its students respect, integrity, responsibility, and optimism. THE SCHOOL CELEBRATES its love of country by commemorating our nation’s holidays and honoring its finest traditions. Viewpoint affirms in its assemblies and programs the ethical principles inherent in all religions. VIEWPOINT’S STUDENTS LEARN the importance of service to others and to the greater community with the expectation that this introduction becomes a lifelong commitment.
ATHLETICS 201516
VIEWPOINT RECOGNIZES THE UNIQUENESS of each child and is committed to the preservation and development of that individuality.
Varsity League Champions: Boys Swimming Girls Swimming Boys Volleyball Girls Volleyball Fifteen student-athletes and members of the Class of 2016 entered Division I, II, and III colleges and universities in 2016-17.
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Mark McKee / Head of School
Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
Viewpoint’s average AP score in 2016 was 3.81; the State’s average score was 2.88, and national average score was 2.87
CIF Division 4A Champions; CIF Division 4 Regional Finalist; CIF Division 4A Coach of the Year: Boys Basketball
“Our mission is to recognize and develop the individuality in each student.”
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
DEAR VIEWPOINT FAMILIES, AS THIS GOES TO PRESS, a team of adults from Viewpoint is just coming back from having completed the New York City Marathon. I was honored to run this event alongside my Viewpoint colleagues, including Alison Steelberg Corneau ’97, Casey Dodd, Kris Dworkoski, Alan Howie, and our former Headmaster Dr. Bob Dworkoski. (Running a marathon with Bob was for me a fitting tribute to cap an inspiring year of leading together.) The night before the race, we held an alumni gathering at a hotel in midtown Manhattan, where old friends re-kindled Viewpoint connections and shared with us some of their adventures, achievements, and reflections since graduating from Viewpoint. The youngest had graduated last spring, while the oldest graduated in the late 1990’s, so they spanned a range of professional pursuits and life’s milestones. Each of them took home a Viewpoint Alumni running shirt, while each of us took their memories and well wishes into the race the next day. The event was a reminder of the strength of the bonds formed in our community. I SHARE THIS STORY OF THE MARATHON because it captures a special essence of Viewpoint that is highlighted in this year’s Annual Report, Inspiring Individuality. I have been running marathons for only four years, and it still amazes me that we all line up for the same race, yet we all finish it in our own way. As our alumni event was ending, I encountered a young man in the hotel lobby who would go on the next day to win, in a time just over two hours. He is a phenomenal elite athlete, yet I ran in the same race, in albeit over twice the running time. This event was especially meaningful as our Viewpoint team was in it together, a running community some 3,000 miles from our canyon, each of us running our own race, yet supporting one another all the same. IN JUST THIS WAY, Viewpoint is a learning community of individuals, prizing what makes each of us unique, while coming together to form something larger than ourselves. This Annual Report captures that spirit, embodied in the last line of our mission statement: “Viewpoint recognizes the uniqueness of each child and is committed to the preservation and development of that individuality.”
WE HAVE FOCUSED THIS YEAR on this key element of our mission, seizing on this insight as critical to our success. Viewpoint is an aspirational school filled with opportunities for students to excel, and we accomplish our mission one student at a time. Each day at Viewpoint is filled with memorable moments – of connection and of distinction – that reflect milestones in each student’s race. No two students are alike, in a family or in the School, and our commitment to excellence means that we can offer an education that is transformational for each student in a profoundly different way. THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT IS TO THANK YOU – to acknowledge and appreciate the donors and community members who engage with Viewpoint and make us magical. This accomplishment—to be dedicated to the individuality of each student’s success, in a school of over 1,200 students – is a point of pride, and it is my hope that each of you takes special pleasure in the excellence we promote in “the uniqueness of each child.” Achieving our mission is no small feat, requiring the dedication of our top-notch professional faculty and staff, the commitment of our talented Board of Trustees, and the generosity of our volunteers. This year in particular, you will read here about our signal achievements – the Dworkoski Legacy Fund and Robertson Family Field; another year of Annual Fund success with over 90% parent participation, and a stunning and memorable Benefit. The Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff join me in thanks, and we truly cannot thank you enough, as you share in every success. JUST AS OUR VIEWPOINT MARATHON TEAM celebrated together after all had crossed the finish line, in this report we salute and celebrate the generosity of this community and the individuality you have inspired. GO PATRIOTS!
Mark J. McKee Head of School
VIEWPOINT SCHOOL
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“We must always look forward, and I can assure you that under the leadership of Mark McKee and this Board, we are doing just that.”
John Nadolenco / Chair, Board of Trustees
LAST YEAR, WE LOOKED BACK WHILE ALSO LOOKING FORWARD.
Third Grader Bailey Baio
“Viewpoint is an idyllic place to be young and curious.”
Vice-Chair Jonathon Wolfson, Finance Chair Andrew Gengos, Buildings and Grounds Chair Jay DiMaggio, Strategic Plan Chair Charles Schetter, Committee on Trustees Chair Halé Behzadi, Advancement Chair Shelly Sumpter Gillyard and Capital Gifts Chair Jeremy Helfand.
We spent much of the year saying goodbye to our leader of 30 years, Dr. Robert J. Dworkoski. We honored him and his legacy in a number of ways, but none more important than by coming together as a community to build his field of dreams: the Robertson Family Field, and a new pool, renovated locker rooms and other facilities. We also embarked on the next chapter of Viewpoint’s future under the leadership of Mark McKee. As a Board, we are confident that Mark’s leadership will propel us farther even faster. He is an experienced educator with a keen focus on 21st-century learning. His leadership will ensure that Viewpoint will remain a school that provides excellence with a heart. Our future is brighter than ever.
Our Board is strengthened by seasoned trustees, and energized by the regular infusion of new trustees with a fresh perspective and professional expertise. This past year, four dedicated trustees retired from the Board: Bill Malcom, Jerry Paul, Matthew Serletic, and Kumar Yamani. Thank you for your wisdom, leadership and tireless contributions made over the years to Viewpoint School. We also welcomed back to the Board Dirk Gates, and welcomed a new member, Susan Lotwin.
Part of the job of the Board of Trustees is to ensure that the School has the resources necessary to support its mission. Honoring and supporting each child's ability to find their passion is at the very heart of our School’s mission. And it's the heart of our work as a Board. Last year, we took some important steps in this regard:
Of course, the Board recognizes that none of this was possible without the help of the administration, staff, faculty and our parent community. We asked for your philanthropic partnership and you enthusiastically joined in. Thank you for your generosity and for your support.
We expanded opportunities for growth by completing the third phase of Viewpoint’s 15-year Master Plan, which added 240,000-square feet of new facilities to our 40-acre campus.
2016-17 will be a time for defining the McKee era. Delivering a topnotch program that prepares our students for an evolving future means something quite different than it did when the School was founded in 1961, or even ten years ago. We must always look forward, and I can assure you that under the leadership of Mark McKee and this Board, we are doing just that.
We provided ever-increasing new programs and opportunities for our students, with investments in a new Innovation Space teacher, a new honors level for Viewpoint’s Middle School math program, two new Learning Specialists to support differentiated instruction and new Upper School advanced coursework in Applied Engineering, Computer Science and Physics.
THANK YOU for a remarkable year of accomplishments. I look forward to continuing our work together.
We invested more funds than ever in the professional growth and development of our expert faculty. I want to sincerely thank my fellow trustees for their work throughout this past year and for helping these dreams become a reality. Few know the many hours and late nights we spent discussing these and other important issues. Special thanks to
John Nadolenco Chair, Board of Trustees
VIEWPOINT SCHOOL
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B O A R D O F T R U S T E E S / 2015–16 John Nadolenco, Chair Jonathon Wolfson, Vice Chair Michael Murphy, Secretary Andrew Gengos, Chair / Finance Committee Halé Behzadi, Chair / Committee on Trustees, Delegate-at-Large Joseph Carieri, Delegate-at-Large Jerry Paul, Delegate-at-Large Shelly Sumpter Gillyard, Chair / Advancement Committee, Delegate-at-Large
Tom Boone Seth Casden ’91 Jay DiMaggio, Chair / Buildings and Grounds Brian Glicklich Jeremy Helfand, Chair / Capital Gifts Committee Peggy Jones Michael Kelly Kraig Kitchin Anne Leonetti Robert Lopata Bill Malcolm Tom Moran
Dick Robertson Jill Schecter Charles Schetter, Chair / Strategic Plan Committee Matthew Serletic Sarah Spano ’05 Jeffrey Stibel Robert Webster Kumar Yamani David ZeBrack Keith Zimmet
“I am proud to join this accomplished group of individuals, helping to guide the direction of our School.”
“In addition to leading numerous transformational fund raising initiatives, Dirk Gates has been a hands-on, dynamic leader as both a member and Chair of the Board of Trustees.”
Dirk Gates / New Trustee
THE GATES FAMILY HAS A LONG HISTORY at Viewpoint School and has played an integral role in our tremendous growth and development. One needs only take note of the Middle School’s magnificent Gates Academic Center to appreciate just part of their generosity and belief in the values and mission of our School. In addition to leading numerous transformational fund raising initiatives, Dirk Gates has been a hands-on, dynamic leader as both a member and Chair of the Board of Trustees. As he returns to the Board to begin another three-year term, his seventh in 20 years, Viewpoint wishes to take this opportunity to thank Dirk for his dedicated service and to re-introduce him to our community. In 1996 Dirk and his wife Tina brought the first two of their four children to Viewpoint, enrolling Evan ’06 and Aren ’08 in Third and First Grades respectively. Dirk and Tina researched independent private schools extensively and appreciated the continuity a 13-year program afforded, but above all, they were drawn to Viewpoint’s strong character education and academic excellence. Both Evan and Aren matriculated to Carnegie Mellon University, and today work in technology, the same field in which their father made industry breakthroughs that are part of our daily lives. Daughter Iayn ’18 and son Adin ’19 are Viewpoint “lifers,” who are pursuing their own interests and passions at Viewpoint. Both are driven students. Iayn is a passionate artist and natural talent on stage who has shined in numerous School productions, while Adin is deeply involved in every science and tech course he can fit in his schedule.
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Susan Lotwin / New Trustee
Dirk, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, studied Engineering at California State University Northridge before earning an MBA at Pepperdine. He is a respected high-tech entrepreneur who achieved success at an early age – at 27 making Forbes Magazine’s list of Wiz Kids, as one of the five youngest CEOs of the Best Small Companies in America after co-founding his first company, Xircom. Xircom created the industry’s first Pocket Ethernet Adapter, enabling notebook computers to connect to networks for the first time. Dirk sold Xircom to Intel and, in 2004, he went on to co-found Xirrus, an industry-leading wireless networking company, developing the most advanced Wi-Fi products on the market. Viewpoint today has a best-in-class, campus-wide, wireless cloud coverage thanks to Xirrus and Dirk. For fun, Dirk enjoys flying large scale model rockets and is an avid member of the “high-power rocketry” community. He has been featured in several episodes, including the pilot episode, of the Discovery Channel’s MythBusters. Most recently, however, he has discovered a new passion – long distance running. Dirk enjoys training with former and current faculty and administrators of “Team Viewpoint” and looks forward to future marathons. Go Patriots!
WITH HER FAMILY JOINING VIEWPOINT just one year ago, new Trustee Susan Lotwin is on the fast track with regards to volunteer involvement. However, this is not a new undertaking for her, as the very same scenario took place at the Lotwin’s former school, where she was asked to join their board when Daniel ’21, was only a Kindergartener. “I quit my full-time work to be with my children – they are my number one job and joy,” said Susan, “and because their lives at this stage revolve around school, I am grateful to be able to offer my professional experience. I am proud to join this accomplished group of individuals, helping to guide the direction of our School.” Both Susan and her husband Steve highly value their volunteer service and take part in a variety of activities that enrich their local community. While Susan provides pro bono strategic planning for several non-profits, Steve, a member of the State Bar of California and a Partner at Capital Group Companies, contributes his services to a non-profit that provides low-income individuals and families with legal services, and has participated in hands-on construction with Habitat for Humanity. A native of Long Island, New York, Susan graduated from MIT where she studied economics and political science, and also met Steve. They both headed west for graduate studies and employment opportunities – Steve attending UCLA School of Law, and Susan joining Price Waterhouse in the litigation consulting practice. She earned an MBA at Stanford and returned to Price Waterhouse, this time in the Chairman’s office in New York, where she helped manage the Coopers & Lybrand merger. Steve also went on to earn an MBA at Stanford.
The Lotwins were happy and deeply entrenched in the eighth year at their former school, when Rachel ’22 first voiced her desire to find something new. “I was a bit surprised she wanted a new school setting,” said Susan, “but to our combined happiness, it opened the door to discovering all the benefits of Viewpoint.” Shortly into the admission process, Daniel decided that he, too wanted to attend Viewpoint. She added, “We were on pins and needles awaiting the acceptance because we knew that Viewpoint was just what our children wanted and needed.” “Everyone at Viewpoint is extremely professional and responsive, which made the transition warm and welcoming,” said Susan. “Both of our children had a great first-year experience and found much to challenge and engage them.” Daniel, who over the summer earned his Black Belt in Karate, discovered a passion for film. Rachel is an accomplished dancer of multiple genres, but she is just as dedicated to her academics and especially loved her math and English classes. Susan will be focusing her board service on strategic planning, an area of expertise she performed as a Senior Vice President at both Charles Schwab and Transamerica Corporation. “I have a real sense of excitement as I begin my board service,” she said. “Everyone is so energetic and united in wanting to make Viewpoint as good as it possibly can be. I just want to be part of the process to help it along its amazing path.”
V I E W P O I N T S C H O O L 11
FINANCIAL REPORT
19.5% Academic Programs
“With the completion of the current campus Master Plan, it is appropriate to assess our financial condition with some hindsight as well as with a perspective on the future.”
2015-16 Salaries and Benefits
10.1% Financial Aid
TOTAL EXPENSES
59.1%
Andrew Gengos / Chair, Finance Committee 6.5% Facilities WHILE I AM NEW TO THE ROLE of Finance Committee Chair, I have been a Viewpoint parent for the last dozen years and have watched our School grow and transform over that time. The physical changes to our School and the growth and evolution of the educational program have been remarkable. As a parent, I am proud that all of our children are beneficiaries of this creative, caring, challenging, and high-performing institution. With the completion of the current campus Master Plan, it is appropriate to assess our financial condition with some hindsight as well as with a perspective on the future. Executing the Master Plan was an enormous decade-long achievement involving countless contributions from across our Viewpoint community. The financing came from both the generosity of our community and our assumption of low interest and manageable long-term debt. This borrowing will be serviced over time in a way that appropriately spreads the expense over the generations of students who benefit from our campus facilities. As trustees, we are responsible for preserving the year-to-year financial integrity of the School, while helping Viewpoint to fully realize its mission and strategic goals. I am pleased to report that for the 2015-16 academic year the School performed well toward meeting both of these objectives. Our financial condition is sound and the results for the year were strong. We entered the year at maximum enrollment, we operated within our planned budget, we raised funds to help complete the Master Plan while maintaining 90% parent participation in the Annual Fund, and we reserved appropriately for our future.
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Like most independent schools, we face an uncertain future, which requires careful and prudent financial planning. Areas we must consider include, among others: managing the trajectory of tuition and costs, maintaining and continually improving educational quality, supporting financial aid, and affording long-term campus planning. Viewpoint’s financial operations are under the careful stewardship of Lissa Sholty, our CFO, and Mark McKee. I have every confidence in their capability to anticipate and navigate issues that arise as we work toward an ever brighter future. I can also assure you that the trustees and Finance Committee will provide all the support and oversight to Lissa and Mark that you would expect from us.
4.2% Auxiliary Programs 0.6% Fund Raising Expenses
2015-16 TOTAL REVENUES Tuition and Fees
81.3%
THANK YOU for your continued support of Viewpoint School.
12% Annual Contributions
5.4% Auxiliary Programs 1.3% Investment Income Andrew Gengos Chair, Finance Committee Board of Trustees
VIEWPOINT SCHOOL
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A DVA NCEMEN T REP OR T
“ Together, we raised $6 million to support our programs, teachers, students, and to complete our Master Plan!”
COMPARISON OF GIVING
Shelly Sumpter Gillyard / Chair, Advancement Committee
Fiscal Year
AS A PARENT OF THREE Viewpoint students, and as someone who has experienced Viewpoint in all four divisions, I continue to marvel at the many ways Viewpoint simply gets better each year. Of course, there is nothing simple about the legacy of excellence here at Viewpoint. Our School and our students continue to thrive because of you – our philanthropic partners – and because of the dedication and talents of our teachers, administrators, trustees, and volunteers. In short, it is all of us together, giving of our time, passion, and resources that has solidified 55 years of continuous growth and heightened ambitions at Viewpoint. Let’s take a moment to celebrate all that we have accomplished together in 2015-16. Together, we raised $6 million to support our programs, teachers, students, and to complete our Master Plan! The Annual Fund, the cornerstone of our fund raising efforts, achieved 90% parent participation for the fifth consecutive year! In addition, Viewpoint’s faculty and staff inspired us once again, leading the way with 100% employee participation. Thanks to the generosity of our giving community we raised $1.96 million in the Annual Fund, while raising over $3 million to build our much-needed second athletic field completing ten years of construction under our Master Plan.
Annual Fund Leadership Co-Chairs, Patrick Finn, Jon French, and David ZeBrack
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2014-15*
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
$1,967,970
$2,177,651
$2,095,197
$1,729,190
$1,708,799
And our 42 Class Captains and 30 phonathon callers
Annual Fund
Our swing era inspired Benefit “A Jumpin’ Jazzin’ Julibee” was a huge friend and fund raising success, netting approximately $400,000. Thank you to our Benefit Co-Chairs, Hope Mulbarger, Andrea Thompson, and Amy Ritz for their inspired leadership of our 33rd annual Benefit. Thank you to our team of volunteers. You helped create a memorable evening with outstanding auctions. Special thanks to our parent auctioneer Adam Alexander and parent emcee, Ryan Kaltman, who brought great energy and fun to the evening.
Benefit (Net Proceeds)
$398,241
$396,735
$459,772
$451,404
$354,809
Restricted
$271,343
$169,286
$133,496
$502,512
$145,120
$3,339,550
$974,301
$692,500
$171,739
$707,109
$238,074
$154,162
$125,555
$372,523
$5,315
$6,215,178
$3,872,135
$3,506,520
$3,227,368
$2,921,152
I also wish to thank Co-Presidents of the VSSA, Leslie Frost, Lisa Stutman, and Ani Zakari, for their second year of inspired leadership. The VSSA’s new tagline – Parent Volunteers Joining Together – encapsulates all that is special about our community and our parent-school partnership! Thank you to our Executive Board members as well for their service. This is our school. Thank you for your commitment to its success.
Capital Endowment Total (Net) *Reflects cash received as of 6/30/16
201516 SUMMARY OF GIFTS
Alumni and Alumni Parents Corporations
Foundations Faculty, Staff, and Friends Grandparents
Shelly Sumpter Gillyard Chair, Advancement Committee Board of Trustees
Endowment & Capital Giving
Annual Fund & Restricted Gifts
Current Parents
Our dedicated corps of Annual Fund parent volunteers led the way to our success. Thank you to the 2015-16 Annual Fund leaders:
Annual Fund Co-Chairs, Scott and Karen Faulhaber
2015-16*
Annual Fund Parent Ambassador, Inga Goodman
$101,539 $71,595 $1,684,096 $338,795
Alumni and Alumni Parents Corporations Current Parents Foundations
$17,988
Faculty, Staff, and Friends
$25,300
Grandparents
$538,783 $26,176 $2,186,881 $797,666 $18,718 $9,400
Total
$2,239,313
Total
$3,577,624
Annual Fund
$1,967,970
Capital
$3,339,550
Restricted
$271,343
Endowment
$238,074
VIEWPOINT SCHOOL
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