State of the School
Tuesday January 14, 2025
Welcome & Opening Remarks Head of School Monica Rodriguez
Remarks on Behalf of the Board of Trustees
Board President
Dr. Brendan Kiel
Role of the Board of Trustees
Guardians of the School’s Mission
○ Ambassadors of the School
○ Strategic goals
○ Observance of highest ethical standards, principles of fiscal integrity, and readiness to explore challenges
Fiduciaries
○ Stewarding School’s resources
○ Financial stability (operating budgets, preservation of capital assets, fundraising and endowment)
Bylaws
○ Outline legal requirements and fiduciary duties of loyalty and care
○ Maintain accurate record keeping
○ Maintain confidentiality while engaged in board-related work
Select, Hire, Support and Evaluate the Head of School
○ Partnership with HOS with primary focus on long-range, strategic issues
■ Not involved in daily operations of the School
Where We Are Now
Head of School Monica Rodriguez
Where We Are Now, 2024-2025
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434 Students ● 34% Students of Color
10% Speak More than One Language
102 Employees (85 females & 17 males)
74 Faculty
28 Administrators
40% Employees of Color Where
- $0
Infant & Toddler
● 83 students
Children’s House
● 168 students
Elementary
● 134 students
Middle & Upper School
● 49 students
Total Students: 434
Where We Are Now, Enrollment
Organizational Chart
(2024-2025)
Finances & Human Resources
Fractional
Chief Financial Officer
Meredith Dixon
*Expenses does not include depreciation, bond amortization, or SWAP instrument changes
^includes prior year PPP grant forgiveness
Where We Are Now
Closing the Gap
*Expenses does not include depreciation, bond amortization, or SWAP instrument changes
^includes prior year PPP grant forgiveness
Where We Are Now
A year later…
❖ Since August 2023:
○ ~$185,000 contribution to cash reserve
○ Over $140,000 in interest revenue
○ Over $150,000 in facilities enhancements
○ Second highest enrollment in MSR’s history
○ 30% auxiliary program revenue increase
○ “Building down to build up” as a successful institutional growth strategy
Where Are We Today?
Looking Ahead
❖ Spring 2025
➢ Relief to the bottom line through expense reduction or additional revenue sources
❖ Summer 2025
➢ Evaluating Debt
❖ Ongoing
➢ Continuing focus on Employee Resources & Support
➢ Recruitment and retention efforts in divisions with student capacity
➢ Building Reserves for the Future
Employee Data
❖ Since January 2024:
Attracting & Retaining Great Employees
○ 4% salary increase for all employees
○ Introduced Advanced Degree / Dual Credential stipends
○ Increased retirement plan contribution from 2 to 4%
○ Expanded paid parental leave to 12-weeks
○ Increased dependent benefit coverage to 30% MSR-paid
○ Began exit interviews
○ New employee attendance software
○ First Fridays Free Lunch
○ Sponsored 2 employees for Montessori training, and sent 1 employee to
IB Global Conference, 3 employees to AMS conference, 9 employees to NAIS POCC, and 2 employees to EMA’s National Conference.
Philanthropy & Development Chief Advancement Officer
Derek Spahr
The MSR Annual Fund
What is it?
is it
The MSR Annual Fund: FY20-FY24
Facilities Improvements Chief Operations Officer
Justin Pike
Standardized Test Scores
Director of Student Support & School Psychologist
Dr. Calvary Diggs
Myths and Misconceptions of Montessori Education
Myth #1: “Montessori is a chaotic “free for all” with little to no teacher interaction and no rules.”
Myth #2: “Montessori schools do not emphasize academic skills.”
Myth #3: “Montessori does not prepare students for the real world.”
Myth #4: “Montessori-educated children are ill-prepared for traditional educational institutions when they are older.”
Myth #5: “Montessori is just for preschool children.”
American Montessori Society, 2024
PSAT & SAT Scores
Dean of Student Life
Brant Morris
PSAT/NMSQT (Fall 2024) | All Grades
SAT School Day (Fall 2024) | 12th
Grade
Looking Ahead to 2025-2026 Head of School
Monica Rodriguez
Looking Ahead to 2025-2026
❖ Shift Infant Program to an Employee-Only Benefit
❖ Add an Additional Toddler Classroom
❖ Start Re-accreditation Process of Montessori Program via AMS
❖ Provide Two 6th Grade Options: 6th Grade (Montessori) at the Lead Mine Campus OR 6th Grade (MYP/IB) at the Brier Creek Campus
❖ Change Name for Brier Creek Campus
❖ Reimagine Interdisciplinary Schedule to Provide Choice and Focus for Elementary Students
❖ Create PK-12 Curriculum Map
❖ Launch MYP Program
❖ Redesign Report Cards
❖ Explore Hybrid Online High School
❖ Explore Montessori Training Center/Lab for Early Childhood
❖ Explore Track Out Camps as Additional Revenue Stream
Institutional Priorities for the Head of School 2025-2026
& Beyond
Academic Excellence & Standardization
AI & Technology
Board Recruitment
Community, Core Values & Culture
Deferred Maintenance
Employee Compensation & Professional Development
Enrollment in Middle & Upper Schools
Financial Fortification
Launching MYP Program
Marketing & Branding
Safety & Security
Strategic Plan
Student Support Services