FY21 Annual Gratitude Report

MUSTARD SEED SCHOOL GRATITUDE REPORT 20-21

LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear Friends, Thank you! Because of your generosity this past year, we were able to rise to meet the growing need in our community.

With your help, we not only maintained our academic standards, but were able to grow in line with our mission and strategic plan.

Our faculty continued to challenge themselves in applying Universal Design for Learning, creating lessons for all learners. Professional development opportunities allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the diversity of our community and make curriculum changes based on what we learned. Through it all, we kept worship at the center, as

classes worshiped together and even found new ways to pray!

This is just a glimpse of what you made possible! The following pages will give a further sense of what we’ve accomplished and also serve as a testament to our gratitude for you. We are keenly aware of the impact you have in helping us thrive, and we are grateful.

Abigail Hall Choi HEAD OF SCHOOL

You rose to the challenge during a hard year.

We’re grateful!

MUSTARD SEED DURING COVID-19 Over the last year and a half, we’ve become experienced in adapting to different scenarios. We’ve remained committed to our mission to inspire minds, cultivate hearts, and remove barriers. Through it all, Mustard Seed has worked to support our families in the midst of hardship, both in the classroom and out. We supported families by:

Providing over $47,312 in tuition relief Offering study halls on campus to help students complete asynchronous work Creating 16 cohorts to keep students safe Offering remote counseling to help students cope Continuing peer tutoring across grades to deepen learning and communinty building

Because of you, our students are inspired!

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & BELONGING During Black History Month, preschoolers studied African Americans who contributed to our culture, including George Washington Carver, Faith Ringold, Louis Armstrong, and Dr. Mae Jemison. Students read books, saw images, heard music, and then they created and danced to help experience and envision what these amazing people achieved.

Being inspired by someone who looks different from or the same as you, and has different experiences from you gives you greater perspective, even when you’re four. Maybe especially when you’re four!

Our students were inspired by, felt connected to, and could relate to these icons. They could see themselves following in the footsteps of any one of these important people. When young children’s eyes are opened to the great things that so many people do, it offers them an opportunity to think about the world as a more inclusive place—THAT is powerful.

95% These numbers show the impact you’ve made.

Wow!

Students go on to higher education

IMPACT

BY THE NUMBERS

59%

$1.9

93%

Students received need-based financial aid

Million dollars of financial aid awarded in 2020-21

Of MSS students went on to higher education

$729,362

$47,312

$15,690

Total donations given in 20-21!

COVID-19 emergency relief given to families

Average financial aid award

With your help, we inspire minds, cultivate hearts, and remove barriers.

Thanks!

STUDENT STORY JOAN

Joan came to Mustard Seed when she was in Kindergarten, and has thrived throughout her years here. Now in seventh grade, Joan demonstrates an uncanny ability to master new things, from Geography to PE, Science to Language Arts. She enjoys reading, art and singing, and her skills grow every year.

Mustard Seed has not only fostered Joan’s academic growth, it has also helped her develop emotionally and spiritually. Teachers often speak of her empathy and kindness. She’s a deep thinker and seeks to know more about her place in our world and in this community.

Joan loves to laugh, and her joy is evident! During breaks or downtime, she can be found smiling and laughing with her classmates.

Joan says, “When I make my way to school, I know I’m going to a welcoming community. Mustard Seed is a place where I can be myself. I feel seen here... I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, but I know Mustard Seed is preparing me for my future.”

MUSTARD SEED

BY THE NUMBERS

205 Total enrollment for the 2020-21 school year

47 Faculty and staff members

15 Students who graduated in 2021

300+ Hours of professional development training

240+ Hours of staff cultural competency training

100+ Educational webinars taken by staff

Your support makes our mission possible.

Thank you!

Average financial aid award

Average financial aid award

RECENT GRADUATE PROFILE Elijah Gasca, '21 Elijah Gasca is attending Hudson Catholic School this year! He is excited to be meeting new people and to find many distinct things to enjoy about his new school.

Elijah is a lighthearted, warm student who is excited to be moving on to a new chapter of his life, and he’s excited to be sharing it with his sister who is also attending Hudson Catholic High School.

A teacher that made a difference in Elijah’s time at Mustard Seed is Mr. Choi. Mr. Choi made the overall idea of school more fun for him, and even though he can be strict at times, he always wants what is best for his students.

Something that Elijah will miss from Mustard Seed School is his fellow students. In the nine years that he has attended

Mustard Seed, he has met many amazing people and grown close to the people around him.

When Elijah thinks about his time at Mustard Seed he thinks about his younger years. Elijah remembers a time in 5th grade when he had a science project, and he and his group made a catapult that didn’t launch very far, but it was still a fun experience.

Elijah wants to thank his teachers for guiding him and helping him through his elementary and middle school years. He wants to thank them for giving him confidence. He thanks them for teaching him how to be the best person that he could be even when times were tough and for always sticking with him throughout his time at Mustard Seed.

MUSTARD SEED SCHOOL

THE REINA FAMILY WHY WE GIVE

We choose to give to Mustard Seed School because we believe in the school. We believe in Mustard Seed’s focus on holistic child development, and its unwavering support of the students. We are inspired by the boundless energy of the teachers, administrators and staff, who continually exhibit understanding and care for our boys and their growth.

Jason & Kelly Reina, P'27, '31

Donors like you help Mustard Seed serve students and families.

Thanks!

TOTAL REVENUE

78% 10% 8% 3% >1% >1% >1%

Tuition & Fees, $4,949,768 CARES Act Funds, $666,600 Individual donors, $483,453 Foundations & Churches, $214,378 Corporations, $29,562 Fees, Interest & Dividends, $4,725 Events & Fundraisers, $1,968

TOTAL EXPENSES

56% 31%

12% 1%

Programming, $3,432,030 Need-Based Financial Aid Program,

$1,913,672 Administrative, $764,183 Fundraising, $57,653

Visit bit.ly/MSSfinancials for our financial statements and 990

HOW TO GIVE

Monthly Donations Recurring donations provide a reliable, steady source of funding that allows us to better plan and budget. Set up your recurring gift today at www.mustardseedschool.org/donate Securities Gifts of appreciated securities can help you avoid capital-gains taxes. You’ll also receive a deduction for the transferred stock’s full market value.

Corporate Matching Gifts Double or even triple your donation if your employer participates in a matching gift program. Visit bit.ly/mssgive to see if your company will match your donation.

Honor and Tribute Gifts Support Mustard Seed with a gift in honor of someone special or make a tribute gift in memory of a loved one.

Planned Giving Join our Founders Society with a planned gift or a bequest which will provide you with tax benefits and also provide Mustard Seed with a legacy of support.

Ask us!

Have questions or need help?

Contact Chris Casazza, Director of Development at 551.256.8357 or development@mustardseedschool.org

Thank you for investing in our students!

BOARD of TRUSTEES

Scott Rostan | President Jessica Lambert | Vice President Raúl Pérez | Treasurer Mark Quiles | Secretary Kelesha Armand Jan Gallagher Abby Hall Choi | Ex-Officio Cara Hilton Young Lee Bill McGraw Lillian Meyer Taylor ’04 Dipen Patel Orlando Velez

The MISSION Mustard Seed School teaches each child to know and care for their community and God’s world.

Together we inspire minds, cultivate hearts, and remove barriers.

422 Willow Avenue, Hoboken, NJ 07030 201.653.5548 | www.mustardseedschool.org