Lakehill Warrior Annual Fund
Community By Design
“Communities don’t just come together: they are built, on purpose, by individuals who decide our success as a school is wrapped up in one another.”
Leslie Whitfield Director of Development and Advancement
Philanthropy Funds the Vision
“Lakehill provides students with a significant advantage as they transition into college and life beyond upper school. Since its founding, the school has prioritized creating a safe environment where children can learn, develop a passion for community service, and build confidence in their preparedness for the world and its challenges.
The school maintains a welcoming, family-like atmosphere where both children and adults experience a strong sense of community. While much of this is made possible through tuition dollars, we also offer families the opportunity to help make up the difference in our actual cost by making a tax-deductible gift to the Warrior Annual Fund. Your gift will continue our tradition of providing the Lakehill Advantage to our students. Your consideration is very much appreciated.”
Roger L. Perry Head of School
5 Myths
Warrior Annual
1
Myth: Tuition Covers All Expenses.
Real Story:
Tuition alone does not cover the full cost of educating a student. The Warrior Annual Fund bridges the gap between tuition and operating expenses. Gifts to the Warrior Fund comprise approximately 3-5 % of the school’s operating budget not met by tuition revenues. The average cost of educating each student exceeds tuition income by $1,000-$1,500 per student each year.
2
Myth: My Participation Won’t Make a Difference.
Real Story:
Participation percentages have become a standard measurement used to evaluate the financial health of independent schools. High participation rates demonstrate strong community support and can be critical when applying for foundation grants. We aim for 100% participation!
Annual Fund
3
Myth: Annual Fund Contributions are Only for Emergency Needs.
Real Story:
The Annual Fund is part of the planned annual budget. These funds ensure that the school can provide a high-quality education every year without unexpected shortfalls.
4
Myth: Only Large Gifts Matter.
Real Story:
All gifts make a difference, no matter the size. Two goals drive the Warrior Annual Fund - the total dollar amount raised and the percentage of participation. Lakehill values an inclusive community. Participation in the Warrior Annual Fund is the school’s highest financial priority. Participation by all members demonstrates the shared commitment to our students.
5
Myth: Annual Fund Money Isn’t
Spent Wisely
Real Story:
Lakehill allocates annual fund contributions thoughtfully led by the Head of School and Board of Trustees. Warrior Annual Fund donations are allocated to areas with the greatest need (academic and co-curricular programs). The Warrior Annual Fund makes a measurable difference in our school’s overall success.
We Learn with Curiosity
“The essence of community is woven into every aspect of the Lower School experience. Our dedicated teachers are at the heart of this nurturing environment. They provide quality instruction tailored to each student’s needs. This personalized attention ensures that every child feels valued and supported, fostering a love of learning from an early age.
As the new Head of Lakehill’s Lower School, I am committed to further enhancing our sense of community. By fostering a community where everyone feels connected and engaged, we provide a holistic educational experience. The goal is to prepare our students not only academically, but also socially and personally, for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
- Casey Pike, Head of Lower School
We Serve with Compassion
“Children thrive in an environment where they feel nurtured and safe, especially during their formative Middle School years.
Our goal in the Middle School is to foster a welcoming community, where students can leave the outside world’s voices of judgment and negativity and enter a place where they can explore and discover their interests. Having opportunities to experiment with engineering or robotics tools, playing on one of our nocut athletic teams, performing on stage during a play or musical, or at a potter’s wheel throwing clay.
Our teachers demonstrate community when they take the time for one-on-one conversations with students, from discussions about hobbies in the hallway to individualized academic help in the classroom. This is the community we have cultivated in Middle School, and what our families and teachers have continued to strengthen together.”-
Evelyn Tan, Head of Middle School
We Lead with Confidence
“I am thankful to engage in work that has deep purpose and meaning. As students get older, appropriate independence takes hold. No longer do our children want us to walk them into school; over time, for some, they don’t even need us to drive them anywhere any more. However, despite being on the precipice of adulthood, Upper School students need us. They need people who affirm their identities, and they need spaces where they have voice and agency, the opportunity to lead, to stand up for what they believe in, and to make mistakes. They need community.
As someone new to Lakehill, I am only beginning to learn how special this community is. Partnering with families, listening to our students, bringing our students together to celebrate all in our community, the ideal Upper School community sees the whole child, looks beyond grades and test scores, and invests fully in the deep, meaningful relationships that are the heart of any great community. I am excited and grateful to be here at Lakehill; I look forward to helping make this amazing community even stronger.”
-
Greg Chalfin,
Head of Upper School
Individualized College Counseling Program
Co-Educational College Prep
Kindergarten
Lakehill Preparatory School guides curiosity, lead with confidence, and serve and nurturing educational community collaborative problem-solvers
Co-Educational Prep School
Kindergarten - Grade 12
Member:
Advanced Placement Courses Offered
guides motivated students to learn with serve with compassion. Our challenging community inspires students to become problem-solvers who live with integrity.
MUSICAL THEATER VISUAL ARTS
DRAMA
ARTS MUSIC CHOIR
What is Lakehill Advantage?
is your Advantage?
Individualized Learning Opportunities with
“We were drawn to Lakehill for its high academic standards and the unique advantage of small class sizes. This ensures that our kids receive individual attention, fostering a personalized learning environment. The closeknit relationships among students, teachers, and parents create a strong sense of community, and the emphasis on emotional and social development makes the learning environment safe and nurturing.” - Meghan Katzen, (Andrew and Ari Katzen, 2nd Grade)
Learning with Small Class Sizes
Programs Designed Leadership Community
Designed to Cultivate
Leadership Skills and Involvement
“Being part of the Lakehill community means that we are welcomed, we are wanted, and we are appreciated. It means that we have the opportunity to help influence and to build the community where our children spend most of their time.
The size of the school is one of the reasons why Lakehill is unique. It is large enough that there are multiple clubs, activities, and sports options outside of the classroom, but it is small enough that the students have an opportunity to form relationships with peers and teachers. The teachers also have an opportunity to spend more time with the students, which provides a richer educational and growth experience.” - Eboni Kelly-Williams, (Lauren Williams, 12th Grade, and Luke Williams, Class of 2022)
Holistic Educational Academics and Personal Development are
“At Lakehill, students learn to be compassionate leaders who are resilient in the face of challenges, and the importance of being linked to a diverse community through courageous conversations and active listening. The advantage to a Lakehill education is that it enthusiastically supports independent and collaborative growth in critical thinking, problem solving, confidence & creativity. We are grateful to Lakehill for the transformative way it considers each student’s abilities and interests and empowers them to move forward as the architect of their own learning to become future community leaders.”
- Virginia Michalicek, (Maliya Johnson’s Grandmother, 10th Grade)
Nurtured
Educational Approach: Personal Nurtured
A Rigorous Curriculum faculty are Committed Student
“Investing in a Lakehill education is a pivotal and purposeful decision student for long-term future success, and to best capture life’s opportunity. academic training in a way that stimulates intellectual capability instruction that fosters strong personal character development and classroom environment.” - Heather and Americo Cascella, (Nicco
Curriculum where Committed to
Success
decision for parents, one rooted in a desire to position their opportunity. We believe this is best achieved by differentiated capability and delivers superior access to top universities, together with and critical reasoning skills, all developed within a nurturing (Nicco Cascella, 3rd Grade)
Welcoming Community That embraces students
“In one word, Lakehill is simply welcoming. From the very first day, everyone - parents, teachers, and fellow students - embraced us with open arms. Our decision to join the Lakehill community has brought us immense joy, and we look forward to the many wonderful years ahead.”
- Cecilia Simmons, (Cruz Simmons, 1st Grade and Beau Simmons, 2nd Grade)
Fosters an environment students can be the versions of themselves
“At Lakehill we have the unique advantage of watching the students throughout their K-12 career. The students at Lakehill feel connected to each other regardless of grade level and they generously help each other to achieve their goals and collectively celebrate their successes. Lakehill fosters individual social emotional development within a rigorous learning environment that challenges the students to become the best versions of themselves.” - Erin King, Chair of the Warrior Annual Fund, (Bowie King Marvin, 1st Grade and Alexa King Marvin, 5th Grade)
environment where the best themselves
We are The Lakehill Advantage, We are Lakehill Warriors.
