Executive Update, Fall 2014

Executive

Update

From Headmaster Tom Philip Fall 2014

Greetings!

A new e-periodical to be published three times per year, Brunswick Executive Update provides Former Trustees and other especially dedicated members of the School community with a snapshot of our continuing progress.

Beginning Our 112th Year

Through the cumulative efforts of our exceptional faculty, parents, and extended community, Brunswick grows stronger each year. At a glance, the numbers tell a compelling story: ❖ Enrollment stands at 962, up from 893 in 2008.

Faculty are at 159, up from 148 in 2008. The studentfaculty ratio is 6:1. Attrition is exceptionally low (2% in 2013-2014). The school-wide acceptance rate stands at 20%; yield on admissions acceptances is 94%.

❖ The total number of students in APs for 2014-2015 is 520, up from 344 in 2007-2008; last year, 96% of AP scores were 3 or better.

❖ Student diversity has increased from 15% in 20072008 to 21% this year.

❖ In SAT performance, the average combined reading and math score was 1351 last year, up from 1332 in

New Programs & Facilities

❖ Horizons at Brunswick — The summer program, which brought 30 free- and reduced-price-luncheligible Greenwich Public School kindergarten and 1st-grade boys to Brunswick’s campus for continuing education and enrichment, was tremendously successful in completing its first year. On the part of families involved and Brunswick as well, the commitment is long term. As these boys “move up,”

2007-2008. Last year, 94% of graduating seniors were admitted to a “most/highly competitive” college, up from 89% in 2007-2008.

❖ The School’s long-term goal is to house 40% of faculty; currently, 33% are housed.

❖ The size and multiple locations of the physical plant offer great benefits, while also presenting inherent financial challenges. The current budget is $40 million and cost-per-student stands at $41,580, lower than peer schools that operate on single campuses.

Brunswick’s budget increase for the current fiscal year is 3.1%. Peer schools average 4%.

an additional 15 Greenwich Public School boys will join the program as kindergarteners next year and in each successive summer.

❖ Natatorium — The pool is now open and in use

by Middle and Upper School water polo teams for practices and games. In operating the facility, safety is the top priority. Access is strictly limited

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and supervised. Additionally, Dr. Tom Griffiths, a nationally recognized pool-safety expert and retired Director of Aquatics at Penn State University, was retained to meet with the aquatics staff to ensure safety standards are the highest possible.

❖ Construction Projects — Construction is under way on seven new units of faculty housing on School-owned property on Sherwood Place. Plans progress for construction of a new Boathouse on the Mianus River. Renovation has begun on the former Headmaster’s Residence (97 Maher Avenue), to become new quarters for the Development & Alumni

For Students: Healthy Options & Broader Connections

❖ Dining — A smooth and successful opening of

Looking Ahead

❖ Center for Character & Leadership Education —

Homecoming 2014

School also brought unveiling of healthier dining options at all levels.

❖ Foreign Exchange — The past School year brought three visiting students from Argentina, one from the United Kingdom, and one from Germany.

Planning for the new center progressed during the summer: Stephanie Rogen, principal of Greenwich Leadership Partners, widely known for work in implementing leadership programs at independent schools, was retained to meet with senior leadership during the summer, and subsequently conducted a full-day workshop for all faculty in August.

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Relations Office, with a new faculty-housing unit on the third floor. (This will make way for much-needed additional classroom space in the Upper School.)

Work was completed during the summer on two, new state-of-the-art Upper School science labs.

Exterior walls of the gym buildings at the Edwards Campus on King Street have been repainted.

❖ Convent of the Sacred Heart — During construction of its own new athletic facilities, CSH will make use of Brunswick’s facilities during the fall and winter terms.

❖ Modern Guild — To help students develop and refine self-presentation and career-planning skills as they prepare for college and internship interviews, Modern Guild, an interactive online resource, is being offered to all 11th-grade students.

❖ Brunswick Faculty Institute — The inaugural session, held in June, was exceptionally successful, bringing together a group of 35 faculty leaders.

The group subsequently agreed to seven additional days of work during the course of the year. The 2015 group has already been identified, and the initiative has universally strong and solid support among the faculty.

❖ We hope you were able to join in the celebration! In addition to gloriously blue and sunny skies, Homecoming saw the return of a record number of alumni, varsity victories in every sport, and the largest-ever gathering of supporters in the School’s history.

In closing, we also began the year by strengthening Brunswick’s online presence. More and more School communications are moving online. In September, for the first time, we sent Brunswick’s “Monthly Mailing” via e-mail to 1,439 addresses, in addition to U.S. Mail. An impressive 72% (1,072 users), an average of more than one per parent household, opened and read the online version.

Our website, BrunswickSchool.org, now offers a far greater complement of online resources geared to strengthening our connections to parents, students, alumni, and friends. Visit the site for a comprehensive calendar of School events and updates on ’Wick Athletics.

Questions, thoughts, or observations? Please don’t hesitate to be in touch!

Sincerely,