ST. BENEDICT PREPARA TORY SCHOOL
State of the School
State of the School Address 2013-14 Information Strategic Plan Vision of Excellence 2016 Update Items in this State of the School Address x Overview of school programs and improvements this year x School programs and improvements next year x Costs that impact cost of education at SBPS x School Highlights x Tuition reduction opportunities x 2013-14 tuition costs
St. Benedict Preparatory School continues to grow and strengthen in our mission of offering quality PK-12 Catholic education on the north side of Chicago. Over the past ten years, we have witnessed many changes in the school program. Some of the most significant changes are coming in the next few years as we implement our Vision of Excellence 2016 strategic plan to strengthen our unique PK-12 Catholic, coed school. Thanks to the supportive community, we continue to thrive. St. Benedict Prep continues to have a strong draw from neighborhood, parish and Chicagoland families. We expect to have waiting lists in the early childhood and primary grades; our applicant pool and student body in the secondary school continues to strengthen as we implement programs to shape the culture of college prep learning. This strong interest in our school will allow for enrollment growth; in turn, the school can keep tuition costs affordable while working on continual program and facilities improvements. Many school parents make a significant financial commitment to send their child(ren) to St. Benedict Prep. We want our families to know that we are committed to keeping parents well informed about where their tuition dollars are going, as well as the vision and plan for the school. It is also time to start planning for the coming school year of 2013-14. Part of the planning involves creating a realistic budget that projects the cost of quality, Catholic education. There is a lot to consider when setting tuition and determining the school financial goals. It is our goal to continue the growth of the school programs, enhancing the school environment, all the while being fiscally responsible by paying off debt incurred over the past years. We have also been addressing the physical plant needs as well, and plan to continue this during the coming year. There have been many improvements made over the past ten years at SBPS thanks to the dedicated staff, supportive parents, caring pastors and generous donors and parishioners. This year’s budget and tuition information supports the ongoing efforts to continue to grow our school according to our strategic plan, Vision of Excellence 2016. This school year the school advisory board has been implementing our 5-year strateInside this issue: gic plan in order to realize our “vision of Catholic school excellence.” Please refer to this publication for more details on the strategic plan goals as well as accomplishments. Please enjoy this year’s State of the School 2 Additions & Address! Improvements
Gratefully, Father Jason Malave, Pastor Ms. Rachel Gemo, Chief Executive Officer
We are pleased to report that the following programs were implemented during the past year: x x x x x x x
AIMSweb Testing Program for grades K-5 New electives for middle school: Scientific Inquiry, Scientific Method, Conditioning for the Dancer and Athlete The One-to-One Technology Program now expands grades 6-12 with a Bring Your Own Device Component (BYOD) New High School Courses: WWII and the Western Front, Media Literacy, Health Occupations, and Catholic Social Teaching Web-based textbooks for middle school Social Studies iPads in preschool classrooms Fully integrated and organized PK-12 Prayer Buddy Program
Next Year’s Plans 3 Affording SBPS
4-5
Fund Our Future
6
Inclusive Education
7
School Year Highlights
8-9
Strategic Plan
1011
Tuition Info
1215