Dear Parents,
Each Friday morning, as Chapel begins, I have the opportunity to see our children gathered together from youngest to oldest, and I realize that in many ways I am literally looking into the future. Since September of 2000, I have watched the Class of 2009 grow up. I have watched them learn long division, perform in plays, score goals, and become leaders. I have watched Lower School teachers beam with pride as a student they supported as an emergent reader walks to the front of Bell Hall to accept a certificate for High Honors. I don’t have to ask now, as I did in 2000, “How did the eighth graders become who they are?” I know, as I have watched them since they were five years old. While I do not know exactly who today’s kindergartners will become, I know their journey into the future will provide them every opportunity that the Class of 2009 has had, and more.
As we look at what lies ahead for us in 2009, we cannot help but think about the economy and the impact it has had, and will have, on us all. I am currently working with the Board of Trustees to set tuition and budget for the 2009-2010 academic year. As we make these important decisions, we strive to balance the needs of the School with the needs of families. As always, we will need to increase tuition to attract and retain excellent teachers, and to continue our commitment to excellence and the ongoing strengthening of the program. We understand that the economy may be creating hardships for some of our families; in order to be as supportive as possible, we will give priority to our current families for financial assistance, for the 2009-10 school year. Although we may not be able to meet everyone’s need, our goal is to find ways to allow families to remain at the School.
In order to remain strong, we also need your help in a number of ways. We have succeeded as a small school with no endowment by relying primarily on tuition and fundraising for our operating income. This will not change in the near future. Our best mode of marketing has always been word-of-mouth. The attachment included here gives details about our new Recruitment Credit Program that I mentioned in my last letter. This program will provide an opportunity for our families to earn a $1000 tuition credit for all students they recommend, who are accepted, and attend school for the 2009-10 school year. You can also help us by promptly returning your own enrollment contracts for the 2009-2010 school year after they are sent out later this month. I cannot emphasize enough how the prompt return of your contracts is critical in our planning for next year. Finally, despite the economic issues, our families have been incredibly supportive this year in participating in our Annual Fund. Over half of our families have participated so far this year, keeping our fundraising initiatives very strong. Your gift at any level is a clear demonstration of your confidence in the School and is vital to our continued financial strength.
We are working hard to keep our enrollment strong through several marketing initiatives. We have been developing a marketing campaign that uses the web, video, and print. Our new website is nearing completion; we are looking for a launch date sometime in February. Starting this weekend you will see Montgomery marketed with a commercial at the Regal Cinema in Downingtown and the United Artists Theater in Frazer, as well as on Comcast television channels, including the Food Channel, later this month. You have probably noticed that Montgomery has had a stronger presence in the local and regional newspapers with press releases sent out regularly. In addition, we continue our partnership with United Sports Training Center in Downingtown as a place where Montgomery’s name is a dominant presence.
Montgomery School is all about investing in the future of our children, understanding and anticipating what knowledge, skills and capabilities our students will need to function as vital citizens. This is the focus of our 2009 Strategic Plan, which will be published and distributed broadly next month. This Plan was developed over the last 18 months by a broad cross-section of our community and approved by the Trustees in November. It will guide us for the next three to five years. Just as our 2002 Strategic Plan helped us to develop our strong, stable faculty and facilities comparable to any School in the Philadelphia region, this Plan will guide our investment in program and our children in the coming years.
As I look at Montgomery during my ninth year at the School, I am deeply moved by the progress we have made during this first decade of the 21st century. It has been a tumultuous decade in many respects, and, in my tenure, this is not the first time that we have dealt with crises and challenges as a community. During those times, I have seen us focus on what is most important: our children, our families, and the School-which strengthens both. More telling though is, as the School looks toward completion of its first century in 2015, that we know this economic period will not be the most difficult it has faced. In all of its challenges, Montgomery School has always come together as a community made up of people and families to support and strengthen one another. I have no doubt that this will continue.
Please accept my sincere wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.
Sincerely,
Kevin R. Conklin, Head of School