APRIL 2014
BRUNSWICK SCHOOL
MONTHLY MAILING Good for Good’s Sake Early this year, Brunswick School’s Board of Trustees made a decision that is sure to significantly and positively change the lives of hundreds of young people over the years to come. Given that Brunswick’s implicit purpose is to change the lives of our students for the better, a statement like the one above should not seem too terribly surprising. What is surprising is that the lives that our Board decided to change are led by students and families that, up to this point, have had absolutely nothing to do with Brunswick School. As I said to our Board when I first presented the concept, Brunswick is undertaking a cause which will do “good for good’s sake.” Specifically, Brunswick School has agreed to join the National Consortium of The Horizons Program. To quote from their literature, “Horizons seeks to help children of limited financial means find success in school and to set high goals for themselves including high school graduation. Horizons is committed to the development of the whole child through experiences that enhance confidence, foster awareness of community responsibility, build problem solving skills and encourage a life-long interest in learning.” Founded in 1963, The Horizons Program uses the facilities of high-level Independent Schools across the country during the summer months and on weekends during the school year. Classes are offered to local (in our case Greenwich) Public School students who are identified by their schools as needing the greatest level of academic and financial support. In Brunswick’s Horizon Program, classes will be taught by a mix of Brunswick as well as local, public school teachers and supporting roles will be offered to a select group of our own Upper School students. For the summer of 2014, we will offer two classes of 15 boys each in Kindergarten and 1st Grade running from June 30th through August 8th. The program will be managed on a daily basis by Brunswick’s own Marianne Ho-Barnum and will be overseen by a newly created Horizons at Brunswick Board of Trustees under the capable leadership of current Brunswick parent, Maryellen Feeley. All costs associated with the program are privately funded on an annual basis through fundraising that is separate from any fundraising efforts of Brunswick School. The Horizons Program is large and growing. Last year, 2,500 students participated in the Horizons Program in 34 states and on 33 Independent School or college campuses and Brunswick School is honored to have been selected as its newest affiliate school. It is no understatement to say that the proven results of the Horizons Program are astounding: - Horizons students gain an average of 3 months in reading and math skills over the summer. - Horizons students have a 94% average daily attendance rate and an 84% year-to-year retention. Most critical of all is the immediate need that the Horizons at Brunswick program will address. Currently: - Connecticut has the largest achievement gap for public school students in the entire country. - The Town of Greenwich has one of the largest achievement gaps in the state. - The two local public schools we will be partnering in this effort (Hamilton Avenue and New Lebanon) have over 50% of their students eligible for Free or Reduced Price meals. In sum, the need is real and Brunswick is perfectly positioned to help in a significant way. Our view is that the Horizons at Brunswick program will reinforce and strengthen our own diversity and outreach efforts, it will provide meaningful opportunities for our students, faculty and parents, and it will benefit those in our area who so desperately need help. Good for good’s sake to be sure!