Annual Report 2016-2017

dear friends,

shepherd the school’s participation in the National Association of Independent School’s Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM). The data provided from that process will be used to structure diversity work in the coming years. Concurrently, committee members collaborated to create a diversity mission statement, which we’re pleased to present here: Wildwood School is a dynamic community of culturally and racially diverse families and educators. Wildwood honors individual differences and creates conditions where all can feel safe, accepted, and empowered. Our healthy exchange of perspectives and experiences cultivates compassionate, effective change makers. We look forward to sharing more information with you in the coming school year. Grateful for a productive and entirely enjoyable three years of collaboration with Lisa serving in the role of Board chair, we welcome Joel Brand as the school’s next Board chair. Happily, we will be joined in that work by four new trustees—Chelsey Hadley, Andrew Horn, Susan Olsen, and Azizi Williams. Thank you, as always, for the many ways you support Wildwood. We couldn’t be more proud to partner with you.

We’re pleased to share this 2016-2017 Annual Report and hope you’ll see your support of Wildwood School, in whatever form it takes, reflected herein. Thank you for your partnership. Success and achievement marked the 2016-2017 school year. Another class of Wildwood School graduates received their diplomas and are headed to a range of schools around the country—from large public research universities to Ivy League schools to small liberal arts colleges. Annual Giving exceeded last year’s totals, cresting the $2.1 million mark for the first time ever. Support and affirmation of our school’s progressive brand of college-preparatory education deepens and expands with each passing year, as evidenced by the impact our alumni are having, the colleges they’re attending, the foundation support we receive, and the popularity of our outreach programs, which benefit schools—and thus, children—around the world. This year was also one marked by the launch of important work that will have an impact on the experiences of students, families, and employees for years to come. Two Board task forces led the way, one for compensation and benefits and another for diversity. Volunteer teachers, administrators, trustees, parents, and friends of the school comprised the task forces and were guided by outside experts to help structure the work. Thanks to all those involved. Hiring a highly experienced independent school compensation and benefits consultant, the Compensation and Benefits Task Force created three committees to review and define priorities in the areas of salary structure, benefits, and faculty evaluation. Led by trustee Ashley Kramer and Associate Head of School Lori Strauss, the members of each committee have worked diligently this year and will continue their work in the coming year, with an eye toward making concrete recommendations in the fall and winter. The work of the Diversity Task Force, led by Joel Brand and Rasheda Carroll, focused on two areas this year. First, a separate, related steering committee was formed to

With warm regards and great appreciation,

Lisa M. Flashner Chair, Board of Trustees

Landis Green head of school