MMFS Head’s Report 2023-24
MMFS Values
From the Head of School
Dear MMFS Community,
Now that I have been head of school for more than a year, I can truly appreciate the generosity of this community. Whether it’s a contribution to the MMFS Fund, sponsorship of the Benefit, a purchase from the Giving Garden, a Senior Gift, or a gift to the Visionary Fund, I am grateful for every donor and every donation. This kind of loyal support allows us to be more purposeful and strategic as we continue to grow, especially as we celebrate our 40th anniversary. Every gift symbolizes the commitment of MMFS families and friends to the ongoing success of our school.
LEARNING
Students with learning disabilities succeed in school when given the attention and specialized teaching they need. We prepare students for college and life.
EXCELLENCE
At MMFS we believe that special education is excellent education. We pursue excellence at every level.
QUAKER VALUES
We are guided by the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship.
ANTIRACISM & EQUITY
We challenge ourselves to dismantle systemic racism in our school and the world around us, and strive to provide an equitable and safe community.
This community’s generosity of spirit is evident in every classroom, at every meeting, and in every interaction I have with parents, faculty, staff, trustees, and our friends and neighbors. It’s the magic that happens at the intersection of moral, emotional, and financial support that allows us to reveal brilliance in our students.
I am proud to lead Mary McDowell Friends School at this milestone moment. Thank you for your support of this community and this school, with its rich history and traditions. I look forward to working with all of you to build the future.
In friendship,
André Del Valle
Highlights from the 2023-2024 school year
MMFS opened its doors to 422 students K-12 across 3 divisions.
SEPTEMBER 2023
The fall athletics season kicked off with 6 teams in the MS and US.
OCTOBER
Upper school students bonded during a retreat at
NOVEMBER DECEMBER
We were thrilled to see alumni at the annual Alumni Reunion.
Upper school production of Hamlet
Lower school students ready for the Halloween parade
Iroquois Springs.
Highlights from the 2023-2024 school year
JANUARY 2024
MMFS Families and staff at the MLK, Jr. Day of Service
Lower school Lightning Poetry Contest
FEBRUARY
Lower school celebration of the 100th Day of school 8th Grade trip to Costa Rica
school trip to Nature’s Classroom
Highlights from the
Lower school Pride Parade
Philanthropy at MMFS
Dear MMFS Community,
As we reflect on the past year, we are deeply grateful for the incredible support from our school community. Your contributions to the MMFS Fund have made a significant impact, helping us provide exceptional educational experiences for our students.
Thanks to your generosity, we have been able to enhance our programs, invest in our dedicated faculty, and create opportunities that inspire and empower our students. Your commitment not only enriches our school but also strengthens our community.
Together, we are shaping the future of our students and ensuring that they receive the highest quality education. Thank you for being an essential part of our mission. We are very grateful to our entire community of donors for the 2023-24 school year. We look forward to another amazing year ahead!
In Friendship, Sadia Director of Development
Every day we see the positive impact MMFS had on our son. From the friendships he has made to the critical thinking skills he’s developed, it’s clear that MMFS is shaping him into a well-rounded individual. Our annual donations are just a small way of giving back to a school that has given so much to our family. ~ Parent of alumnus, Class of 2024
Mary McDowell Friends School
Community of Support
Board: 33%
Parents: 37%
Grandparents: 4%
Faculty/Staff: 2%
Former Board: 5%
Other: 1%
Parent of Alumni and Former Students: 1%
Foundations/Corporations/Business: 16%
INCOME
Tuition & Fees: 92%
Related Programs & Interest Income: 4%
State, Federal, Grant Support: 1%
Restricted & Unrestricted
Giving, Grants & Other: 2.5%
Endowment: 0.5%
MMFS Financial Summary
2023-24
EXPENSES
Salary & Benefits: 70%
Site Development Fund: 2%
Administrative Costs: 4%
Technology: 3%
Building Maintenance & Security: 11%
Educational Materials & Services: 6%
Building Rentals: 4%
Debt Service: 2%
Note: Subject to final audit
Offer the latest advances in technology to our students.
Provide financial assistance to families.
Your Donations at Work
We are very grateful to our entire community of donors for the 2023-24 school year. Each and every gift is important. On behalf of the board of trustees, the faculty and staff, and the students of MMFS, thank you to everyone for your generosity.
Enhance our visual and performing arts programs.
Strengthen our athletics programs and sports teams. Go Lightning!
Offer students the opportunity to travel internationally.
Provide equity & identity work to create a safe space for every member of our community.
Support faculty professional development.
Board of Trustees, 2023-24
Clerk Larry Botel
Associate Clerk
María Torre
Jim Clay
Deborah Edel
Ted Ehrhardt
Nancy Feinberg
Daniel Freelander
Felice Friedman
Joan Giambusso
Rebecca Givan
Eric Lagdameo
Ken Lippmann
Larry Neubauer
Mike Phillips
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Tasha Richards
Yvonne Riley-Tepie
Larry Shire
Doris Simmons-Brown
Judine Somerville
Richard White
Rosa Witsell
Angus Yuen-Killick
Susan L. Weiner, Trustee Emerita
André Del Valle, Head of School
Our Mission
Mary McDowell Friends School is a K–12 college preparatory program dedicated to the success of students with learning disabilities. Grounded in the Quaker values of equality, integrity, and social responsibility, we cultivate a diverse and anti-racist community in which all students can reach their full potential. Our specialized teaching methodologies and challenging curricula empower students to become academic achievers, creative thinkers, advocates for equity, and contributing members of a global society.
Our Commitment to Antiracism and Equity
The Mary McDowell Friends School community is committed to providing students, families, faculty, and staff with a learning and working environment that addresses racism and inequity with integrity and action. We welcome diversity in many ways, including race, color, culture, age, sex, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, family composition, ethnicity, nationality, religious expression, and disability. We commit to building an appreciation and understanding of each individual as well as of our community as a whole. We celebrate the strength of our diversity.
We commit to making anti-racism and equity central to our mission of cultivating “a diverse community in which all students can reach their full potential.” We believe that Black lives matter, and that we have a responsibility to challenge not only our national legacy of systemic racism but also the structural inequities within our own community. We will amplify our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) voices, and look to Quaker tradition to guide us in creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable school. It is essential that we embrace our Quaker values and testimonies as we work toward anti-racism and equity in our community and beyond.
