2014-2015 Annual Report
From the Head of School
M
otivated by a sincere commitment to its core values, the Mountaintop community works conscientiously to inspire our students to take
responsibility for their educations and for creating a peaceful and joyful school.
This year’s annual report celebrates our shared core values and brings them to life for you.
You – our parents, alumni, grandparents, supporters, and friends – inspire us
through your unfailing generosity with your time and resources. Working together, bound by our values, we create an exceptional experience for our students. The annual report is an opportunity for us to acknowledge all of your support.
Thank you for making the Campaign for Mountaintop a remarkable success.
The GrACE (Greenewalt Academic Center for Exploration) Building will serve
generations of children and stand as a tangible representation of our community values. We are also grateful for your support of the Mountaintop Annual Fund and for making the auction gala and Fall Festival important friendraising and fundraising endeavors!
Children find their place in the world through
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At Mountaintop, we truly see the world as a
place of wonder. But Mountaintop itself is a
place of wonder! That’s what I love so much
about our school. We unabashedly believe in the transformative nature of education, and in the
innate goodness in our kids and in one another. I am filled with appreciation for having spent the last twelve years learning and leading in
this wondrous place. I carry Mountaintop in my heart always. Thank you again for being part of our work this year.
With warm regards,
Wendy Reinsch Fisher Head of School
excellent Montessori education at Mountaintop.
MOUNTAINTOP MONTESSORI 2014-2015 ANNUAL REPORT 3
We recognize the world as a place of wonder.
We trust in the inherent potential of each person.
I
n another environment that looked strictly at academics, I might be viewed as
really struggling. But our school looks at me as a leader, and socially, as a problem
solver, and at the general attitude I bring to the class. Our school sees those parts
of me, so I have been really successful here at Mountaintop, just due to the fact that everything that I do and that I am capable of gets seen. Right now, as I get ready to leave, I imagine I will still have struggles with things like math, organization. But I know that there is a “different” world out there which I have already seen and
functioned in and contributed to pretty successfully. The actual real world is my kind
of place, I’m already prepared for it, and I’m confident I’ll do just fine in it, thank you very much!
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-Luka van der Pluijm, Class of 2015
We are guided by the peace, order and logic of simplicity.
MOUNTAINTOP MONTESSORI 2014-2015 ANNUAL REPORT 5
We are intentional in our words and actions.
We commit to living as stewards of the earth.
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We connect and communicate with empathy and compassion.
A
We are mindful of our responsibilities as global citizens.
s stewards of the earth and mindful global citizens, upper elementary ecologists spent the year doing beautiful project-based work. With guidance from Ecology
guide Pat McCafferty, students worked together in groups on a variety of projects.
They researched their subjects, developed plans of action, and finally implemented their plans.
One group researched the medicinal properties of herbs found on our campus.
They harvested many plants, produced a poster of their findings, made herbal tea,
and shared their products with community members at the Haven. Another group
collected recycled scrap metal from the landfill, then worked with a local welder to
make a beautiful firefly sculpture that uses solar power to light up. One group used their skills and resources from the Garden to Table program to create and serve a
locally-sourced meal to neighbors at the Haven. A fourth group designed and initiated work on an electricity generator powered by bicycle pedals as a study of renewable energy.
Each project developed a more thorough understanding of the natural environment,
explored human interaction with the environment, and considered ways that students can promote preservation and care among friends and neighbors.
MOUNTAINTOP MONTESSORI 2014-2015 ANNUAL REPORT 7
We believe that embracing risk and failure yields creativity and innovation.
We ground all decisions, interactions, policies and programs in the Montessori philosophy. From the Board of Trustees
M
ountaintop Montessori derives its special character from its unique community. Students, families, guides, administrators, and staff contribute each day to the health and sustainability of the school’s vibrant, child-centered environment. This level of commitment is truly inspiring and, speaking on behalf of Mountaintop’s Board of Trustees, it is a privilege and honor for us to serve this school. Mountaintop is governed by an uncompensated board of trustees, responsible for ensuring its long-term stability, in concert with the Head of School. Given this primary objective, we operate as a strategic board, addressing issues that have both near-term and long-term implications for the school. We seek to help Mountaintop anticipate challenges and opportunities, striving to offer a school to the next generation that is even better tomorrow than it is today. Thanks to the dedicated leadership of Wendy Reinsch Fisher, Mountaintop rises from strength to strength. Many years of work have established a solid foundation of authentic Montessori pedagogy, robust academic and co-curricular programs, new and improved physical infrastructure, and a highly capable management team. We are proud of this school, and we are especially pleased to provide a strong platform from which Mountaintop’s next Head of School can build. Thank you for your continued support and your unwavering belief in Mountaintop’s future.
Sean D. Carr LE1 Parent; Chair, Mountaintop Montessori Board of Trustees
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From the Treasurer
T
he annual report offers the community transparency about the financial condition of Mountaintop. As a not-for-profit organization, the school works with limited financial resources to fulfill its mission of offering excellent Montessori education, while maintaining financial stability. Mountaintop operates with no financial endowment and therefore must rely solely on tuition and other programmatic income to support its operations. In 2014-15 tuition and related fees accounted for 89% of total operating income. Summer programs (SEED Camp) contributed 5% to total income. The generosity of our community, as reflected in the Annual Fund, provided another 4% of annual income; the remaining 2% of income was from a variety of miscellaneous sources. Over the same period, the school’s operating expenses were over $3.5 million. The majority of these expenses were in the form of student instruction, accounting for 50% of the operating expenses. An additional 17% provided for need-based financial aid and scholarships. The remaining 33% of total expenses covered maintenance, mortgage, and general overhead of the daily operations of the school. Our first ever capital campaign has raised $759,000 in gifts and commitments so far. The beautiful, state-of-the-art new building opened on time and gracefully welcomes the community to the campus each morning, as it stands with pride on the hill. Mountaintop Montessori remains financially stable. As we continue through the current academic year and prepare for the transition to new school leadership, I am confident in our ability to maintain and improve this position of stability and strength over the coming years.
Yael Cockayne LE1/CH2 Parent, Board member
2014-2015 Mountaintop Montessori Income and Expenses
89+5+42L 50+19+1417L Income
Tuition Summer Camps Fundraising Fees
Expenses
89% 5% 4% 2%
Classrooms Overhead Facilities Financial Aid
50% 19% 14% 17%
Mountaintop’s Montessori’s 2014-2015 Operating Budget was $3,531,233. Our annual nonprofit finance and business practice audit is conducted by Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates. Their report is available upon request.
MOUNTAINTOP MONTESSORI 2014-2015 ANNUAL REPORT 9
2014 - 15 Annual Fund Donors Ray & Candice Agnello Helen Alston
Tom Cassidy & Elizabeth Irvin John & Jeanne Catherine Gray
Jeff Cornejo & Amy Gardner Cass Kawecki & Barbara Gehrung
Sue Alston Melissa Anderson Morgan Anonymous Scot Appel & Valerie Hung Brian Kuk & Desiree Bagheri Matt Baranowski & Natalia Palacios Amanda Baskin Polly Beckington Bill & Thérèse Regan Benzinger The Bessett Family Brian Ferki & Julie Blodgett The Bobko Family Jeff & Liz Bordogna Chris Keup & Corey Borgman Bounce ‘N Play Roger & Kerri Boutin Jacob & Briana Branham Chris & Traci Broomall Soren & Christina Burkhart CA, Inc. Matching Gifts Program Richard & Shawn Carey
Raul & Cristina Chao Janice & T.C. Chapman Jim Coan & Cat Thrasher Simon & Yael Cockayne Jessie Cocks Dale & Natasha Copeland Tom & Heather Cormons George Logan & Cheryl Coursey Lynn & Ron Creamer Charles Curtis Quinn & Diane Curtis Andrew & Elizabeth Darby Chris & Amanda DesBarres Mr. & Mrs. Ray Donaldson J.D. Brown & Deirdre Donovan Brown Colin Dougherty Nicholas & Jill Douthit Adam & Wendetta Dowdell The Duke Energy Foundation Jim & Joann Duxbury Gary Eisenberg & Ira Helenius Avery & Selene Evans Chris Farina & Jacqueline Dugery Ms. Kate Fincham Hanna Fisher Dr. & Mrs. Sim Galazka
Adam & Britt Gendell Shea & Chloe Gibbs Chris & Stephanie Gist Jay Glick Tom Tiller & Leigh Gordon Jamie & Alex Grant Stefano Grazioli & Alyssa Hart Andrew & Sarah Greene Fred & Stasia Greenewalt Christine Gresser Pete & Heather Griffith Adam Slate & Kim Grover Avery & Barbara Groves Chris & Kendra Guiffre Kirt & Angel Gunn Jim & Kendra Hall Brad & Tracy Hamilton Jamie & Becky Harris Dr. Vascar Harris The Hawkins Family Harold Herz & Lila Heymann
Sean & Ladi Carr Todd Sechser & Cara Carter Geoff & Sarah Carter Leigh Ann & Andrew Carver Jeannean Carver
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Ed Hess & Katherine Acuff The Hoffman Family Ken & Britton Horne Bruce & Emily Hunt Hardy & Deborah B. Indoe
Mr. & Mrs. David Irvin Jason & Ellen Jones Kambiz & Carolyn Kalantari Ashwin & Sina Kamlani Susan Kennedy The Kerner-Shears Family David & Whitney Kestner Luke Omand & Kristina Koutrakos Paige Krosby Aaron & Teri Lamb Eric Lamb & Pamela Norris Chris & Laura Leva Scott & Heather Lim Louise Bedichek Fund Jen Lucas David & Emily Luebke Pat McCafferty Beverly Logan McCaskill Landon & Sally McDowell Anita & Andy McGinty Jason & Alissa McKown Becca & Ian McNair Craig Meyer & Maria Stein Jesus Escobedo & Sandra Michalski Theresa Miller Adam & Cait Mohr
Thanks to our Matching Families!
I
n support of the Mountaintop Annual Fund,
twelve families offered a $30,000 matching
challenge to the greater community. With the help of this challenge, we achieved 86.6% participation
of current families in the 2014 - 2015 Annual Fund! Special thanks to the families who contributed to
this motivating match: Sean & Ladi Carr, Simon
& Yael Cockayne, Wendy Reinsch Fisher, Fred &
Stasia Greenewalt, Lila Heymann & Harold Herz,
Eric Lamb & Pamela Norris, Melissa Anderson
Morgan, Maureen Novotne & Steve Vegodsky, Helen M. Reinsch, Jim & Yvonne Reinsch,
Greyson & Ariana Williams, and Dan & Trisha
Willingham.
MOUNTAINTOP MONTESSORI 2014-2015 ANNUAL REPORT 11
2014 - 15 Annual Fund Donors (continued) Amy Moon Alan & Erin Moore Tara & Preston Morris, Jr. Shelley & Bridget Moss Holly Munday Ryan & Gwen Mulholland Shawn & Anne Mulligan Robert & Mary Murdough Kevin & Grier Murphy Nathanael & Crystal Newell Peter & Debby Norton Ross & Gina Norton Steve Vegodsky & Maureen Novotne Seth Oldham Aaron & Kathleen Olowin Lem & Jennifer Oppenheimer April Palmer Nick & Laura Paphitis Chuck & Christy Perkins James & Erika Pierce Mr. & Mrs. Seymour Rabinowitz
Helen M. Reinsch Wendy Reinsch Fisher Jason & Mary Reitsma Austin Robey Allen & Angela Saunders Chasity Seiler Ashleigh Sellman Dr. & Mrs. Ramesh Shukla John Keyser & Kim Shultz-Keyser Steven & Jacquelyn Shuman The Smith Family Matt & Kim Smyth Michael & Renee Sottong Wes & Danielle Steiner Derek Beyer & Kathy Stone David Strite & Katherine Ludwig Steve & Ali Sullivan Jenni Taibbi Steve Tatar & Katie Van Liew Elizabeth Tayloe Hobson Jeff & Marisa Taylor
Josh & Susan Tracy Tobias Grossman & Amrisha Vaish Andrew & Melina Vaughan Carlos & Elizabeth Vazquez Kathy Waldron Mary Walker Jochen Zimmer & Ann Walling Chad & Leah Wayner Matthew & Jenny Wickline Greyson & Ariana Williams Madeline Williams Trevor & Margaret Williams Daniel & Trisha Willingham Clay & April Wimberley Mr. David Wimberley Stephen & Chelsea Wolf Jason & Alycia Worthington Morgan & Jessie Wright Kaiwen Huang & Baozhen Xie Junlan Yao Jake & Jessica Zarnegar
Kent & Micaela Raine Yvonne & Jim Reinsch
Ken & Maggie Thacker Stephen & Karen Thomas
Joren van der Pluijm & Simone van der Pluijm-Sengers
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Students from Mountaintop’s inaugural toddler class graduated from Mountaintop in 2015.
Above, graduating students connect with Sue
Alston, their toddler guide, at the 2015 Middle
School Speech Night and Soiree. The first toddler class in 2003 served ten students; the program has since grown to serve 31 children! As these
inaugural toddlers move on to their high school years, a significant achievement is marked for
Mountaintop as it redefines full-term enrollment at our school.
MOUNTAINTOP MONTESSORI 2014-2015 ANNUAL REPORT 13
2014 -15 Capital Campaign Donors Sue Alston Melissa Anderson Morgan & Daniel Morgan
Adam & Wendetta Dowdell Gary Eisenberg & Ira Helenius Chris Farina & Jacqueline Dugery
Ryan & Gwen Mulholland Peter & Debby Norton Steve Vegodsky & Maureen
Anonymous Anonymous Scot Appel & Valerie Hung Polly Beckington Steve & Michelle Bessett Andrew & Kelli Block Chris Keup & Corey Borgman CA, Inc. Matching Gifts Program Richard & Shawn Carey Ms. Ann Marie Carr Sean & Ladi Carr Andrew & Leigh Ann Carver Tom Cassidy & Elizabeth Irvin David Cathcart Janice & T.C. Chapman Mr. & Mrs. Derwood Chase Brad Worrall & Donna Chen Simon & Yael Cockayne Dale & Natasha Copeland George Logan & Cheryl Coursey Mr. & Mrs. Gary Coursey Quinn & Diane Curtis David Greenewalt Charitable Trust
Matthew Frost & Carrie Frederick Frost Jeff Cornejo & Amy Gardner Mr. & Mrs. Mike Gordon Tom Tiller & Leigh Gordon Fred & Stasia Greenewalt Christine Gresser Mr. & Mrs. Eli Grushka Kirt & Angel Gunn Jamie & Becky Harris Carole Hatcher Nathan & Alisa Hefner Lila Heymann and Harold Herz Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Hingst Kambiz & Carolyn Kalantari Susan Kennedy Hilary Kerner & Carolyn Shears Ms. Sandra Kestner Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Keup Eric Lamb & Pamela Norris Angel Lillard & Bill Detmer Pat McCafferty Mrs. Marjorie Meyer
Novotne The Perry Foundation, Inc. Kent & Micaela Raine Mr. & Mrs. Carl Ramey Wendy Reinsch Fisher Austin Robey Allen & Angela Saunders Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Schweitzer John Keyser & Kim Shultz-Keyser Steven & Jacquelyn Shuman Art Thomas Stephen & Karen Thomas Chic Thompson Diane Thompson Barbara G. Traub Jamie & Lindsey White Greyson & Ariana Williams Hudson & Madeline Williams Daniel & Trisha Willingham Steve & Denise Yetzer Jake & Jessica Zarnegar Mr. & Mrs. Bizhan Zarnegar
Mountaintop Grandparents and Alumni Parents Ralph and Mary Morony donated tree relocation service through their business, Instant Shade, as part of our construction process. This was a fascinating event for all of our students to observe. It allowed us to preserve many of our mature trees and build new shaded spaces on campus. We are honored by the continued contributions of these former trustees and long-time supporters.
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Mountaintop Community Meets Perry and Carr Matching Grants
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s part of our inaugural Capital Campaign, Mountaintop received two matching grants. In the Spring of 2014, The Perry Foundation announced a $100,000 matching challenge, which was met by December 2014. Grandmother Ann Marie Carr extended a $50,000 matching challenge in 2015, which was met in June of that year. These two grants brought forth incredible generosity among the entire Mountaintop Community and demonstrated a commitment from all to the successful future of the school. We celebrate the Perry Foundation and Ms. Carr for their contributions to our successful campaign.
Special Thanks
T
his year, we celebrate many families who contributed above and beyond
the standard during their time at Mountaintop. Whether acting as trustees,
chairing committees, or offering frequent invaluable consultations, these
parents offered incredible gifts of time, talent, and resources. We offer our most sincere thanks to Fred Greenewalt (Trustee), Stasia Greenewalt (Campaign
for Mountaintop, Permaculture Instructor), Kendra Hall (Parent Association,
Auction, Fall Festival), Angela Saunders (Trustee, Annual Fund, Fall Festival, Photographer), Leigh Ann Carver (Trustee, Director of Advancement, Parent Association), Katie Van Liew (Annual Fund), Angel Gunn (Annual Fund, Performing Arts Consultant), and Julie Blodgett (Trustee, Consultant).
These parents changed the face of our campus and left deep imprints on our community; we offer our enduring gratitude.
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440 Pinnacle Place Charlottesville, VA 22911 434-979-8886 MountaintopMontessori.org