2023 ANNUAL REPORT
Dear Sussex Community, I am delighted to present the Sussex School Annual Report for the 2022-23 academic year. This report serves as a reflection of our collective efforts, accomplishments, and the generosity of our community. We are a small but mighty school, impacting the lives of students and families for over 50 years. It is your support and belief in our school that allows us to continually meet our goals and create life-changing educational experiences for our Kindergarten through eighth-grade students. Our accomplishments from our 2022-23 school year are notable. Last year we completed a five-year strategic plan for our school charting a course for the future. In addition, we achieved candidacy status with the Northwest Association of Independent Schools, moving us forward on our path to full accreditation. We developed myriad educational and community partnerships last year including work with the YWCA, the Montana Natural History Center, the Missoula Food Bank, Montana Wilderness School, the University of Montana, and the Mansfield Center, to name a few. Students and staff hosted a Climate Symposium on campus, created art for the Wild Walk Parade, participated in Battle of Books and Mathcounts competitions, and engaged in hundreds of hours of community service to the Missoula community and beyond. We graduated our 45th class in June and gathered back on campus for an alumni reunion this summer, connecting our graduates from all over the country with one another. Our future is bright, and our legacy is rich. We are so thankful for our dedicated staff, the support of parents, and the curiosity that our students bring to our school every day. Our work represents a collaborative effort, and we are so thankful for your support to help us change lives through a progressive, relationship-based education. With gratitude,
Joellen Shannon Head of School
2022-2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Ange Anderson Vice President: Nick Kujawa Treasurer: Katie James Secretary: D’Et Heffington Founder: Bente Winston Alumni Rep: Ben Jimenez Members-at Large Kiki Hubbard Stephanie Lathrop George Laufenberg Melissa Neidigh Charity O’Connor Sabrina Smith Student Representatives Keira Kujawa & Logan Anderson Teacher Representatives Kris Laroche & Matt Zunker
125 students
30%
of families received tuition assistance & scholarships
$222.5K awarded in tuition assistance and scholarships
$1.39M held in endowments
$177.5K raised for the annual fund
$44K given in designated gifts
$409.5K received in grants and credits
Alliance for Choice in Education Scholarship Awarded to six students. Alumni Scholarship Awarded to one student. Elle Shannon Diversity Scholarship Awarded to nine students. Tuition Assistance Awarded to 37 students.
Sussex Financials Income
Expense
ALLOCATION OF Sussex In-School Endowment & Memorial Funds
Theodora Melone Fund for Natural Science and Outdoor Education $1,285 awarded for funding a visiting naturalist presentation and climbing wall improvements. Elizabeth Winston Endowment Fund for Music Education $3,600 awarded for middle school stage production, instruments, music software & shows. Elizabeth Winston Memorial Endowment Fund for Art Education $2,890 awarded for art materials and bringing a guest artist to campus. Lauranita Hill Memorial Fund for Language Arts Education $750 awarded for purchase of middle school class book sets. Don and Bente Winston Endowment for Mathematics Education $2,900 awarded for a Math workshop and classroom supplies. The Sussex Endowment for Professional Development $4,675 awarded for Zap Field Days planning, workshops, and trainings. The Hank and Nancy Harrington Memorial Endowment Fund $1,000 awarded for installation of a Zip mud kitchen. Jeremiah K. Thompson Memorial Fund $950 awarded for outdoor program gear. Donald Winston II Memorial Fund for Field Science $1,000 awarded for Zap Field Days & interdisciplinary Zep/Zap projects.
Over the years, Sussex School has been the recipient of several generous bequests and other major donations. The school has invested these funds for long-term benefit. Every year a percentage of these investments may be used by staff, and the larger Sussex community, for projects that impact the school.
Generosity creates the capacity for an incredible educational experience.
THANKS TO OUR MANY SUPPORTERS!
$5,000 & UP Charles Engelhard Foundation Krista and Russ Hellem Jen Hurley and Nick Kujawa Tracy McDonald Merlin Foundation Jessica and Brandt Welborn Bente Winston Eleanor and Frederick Winston
$1,000-$4,999 Briggs Anderson Theresa and Zach Apter Hallie and Walter Banziger Sabine and David Bauer Claudia and Tarik DiDomenico Gayle Gellerstedt and William Funk Mandee and Hayden Gill Good Food Store Carol and Glenn Hall Sharon and William Harris Schuyler Heath Katie James and Mark Lucas Pat Lawler Barbara and Larry Leffingwell Shelley Mydans and John Griffing Joellen Shannon and Bobby Grillo Lennie and Jim Shannon Molly Shannon Rachel Wagner and Taylor Brugh Lisa and Dave Whitcomb Francisca Winston and Karlton Gross Tor and Linda Winston
$500-$999
Ange and Matt Anderson Jordie Bornstein Marcy and Phil Bornstein Boyce Lumber Co Nicole and Matt Dente Amy Duerk Fact & Fiction Deanna Felix Marin and Charles Felz Meri and Tom Kulina Erika Lawler and Seth Andrews Beth and Paul Loehnen
Martha and David Lubaroff Drake McDonald Becky and Charlie McMeekin Mickelson Plumbing and Heating Kenneth Miller Alice Perry Rosie Seitz Ayers and Michael Ayers Sabrina Smith and Jacob Selman DeeDee and John Sund Kimley Cox Svendsen Liza Ward and Will McCormick
$100-$499 Rio Aagaard-Shively Judy Anderson Coco and Will Ballew Woody, Gail, and Tom Bourguignon Boyle, Deveny & Meyer, PC Daphne and Michael Braun Valerie and Robert Brindley Jill and Tim Carmody Lana Chmeleva and Stephen Parnell Marcia and Ron Conway Betsy and John Craske David D Clarke Insurance Christy and Morgan Deskins Kristina and Lewis Dortch Stacy Dortch Dram Shop Kate Duran and George Laufenberg Tyler Edgar and Shoren Brown Jeanne Ensign Maureen and Burke Fetscher Nicole Finke and Matt Lubaroff First Security Bank Kathy Fletcher Frame of Mind Aubrey Franchell Jonathan Franchell Robyn and Will Gaddy Lisa Gilbert and Monica Harris Ron Gildersleeve Goodrich & Reely, PLLC Emily Griffing Kathy Griffing Barbara Grillo Debby and Gary Grossman Barbara Haller and Philip Poland
Mary Pat and Jake Hansen Sandra Harper Alice Harris Brittany and Cody Harris Lisa and Paul Hendricks Kelly and Steve Herther Rick Hoaglin, DMD, PC Forrest Horton Kiki Hubbard and Matt Frank Kevin Huguet Mary Ann and John Hurley INK Realty Group Jo and Mike Jakupcak Antony Jo Clara and Ryan Johnson Nicola Johnston Tina Karlsson and Peter Benson Ali and Myles Kelly Kay Grissom Kiely and Daniel Kiely Lisa Klempay and Luc Descloitres Katrina Kujawa Marilyn and Patrick Kujawa Jodi and Brett Kulina Mary Langenderfer and Weber Greiser Emily and Solon Linton Kia Liszak and Doug Smith Judith and James Lothian Helena Maclay and John Larson Ann Makich Katie and Cale Marthens Dolan McDonald Emily and Dave McMeekin Leah Michael Susanne Milkus Charles Miller Missoula Pediatric Dentistry Montana Snowbowl Melissa and Jesse Neidigh Sunita Patel Susan and Merion Pelham Yaczil Perez-Collins Mary Ann Randall Michelle and David Rechtman Maureen Riley and Pete Hettinger Martha Roberts Rockin’ Rudy’s Roemer’s Point S Lauriellen Rumball and Mike Schaefer
Saddle Mountain Construction Angela Schell Sarah Harrington Schram Amy Sennett-Starner SG Long Financial Service Corp Shelter Designs Gene Simon Katy and Paul Simon Ryan Snyder Kelsey Stamm-Jimenez and Ben Jimenez Sandi Tarr Julie and Andrew Tegeder Thomas Plumbing & Heating Eloise and Gray Thompson Nancy Tribbensee Cascade Tuholske Uncle Larry’s Fund Betsey Warren Leslie and Ed Wetherbee Dorothy and John Whiston Judy White Frank Wiley Carol and Tom Williams Elizabeth and Jason Williams Hilary Wood and Joe Jensen Worden Thane Attorneys at Law Zoo City Apparel
AND thanks to our
WINTER WARMER participants and in-kind donors!
Make your end of year gift today or sign up to be a monthly sustaining donor! www.sussexschool.org
1800 S. 2nd Street West Missoula, MT 59801
Our mission is to provide a challenging, progressive education in a nurturing environment, so that students can become confident, enthusiastic learners and caring participants in their local and global communities.