05/21/2013
In case you missed this announcement today from John Baird, here it is:
May 20, 2013
Dear Friends,
The Westtown School Board of Trustees met on May 17-18 and reaffirmed its full and enthusiastic commitment to the five areas of strategic work that are now well under way: program innovation, parent and alumni engagement, culture of philanthropy, enrollment/residential life, and financial sustainability. Updated reports from each of the strategic planning subcommittees will be posted soon on the strategic planning web page, and we strongly encourage you to read all of them.
Using Friends decision-making, the Board reached a sense of the meeting, agreeing that the school will modify its current two-year mandatory boarding policy. The Board's Executive Committee was charged with finalizing the announcement to the Westtown community, and it completed that work today.
The Upper School will continue its historic commitment to the transformative experience of a vibrant residential program. Beginning in 2014-15, however, a policy shift will allow Lower and Middle School students and families who enter Westtown in 7th grade or earlier to choose whether or not to board when they reach Upper School. In the future, young people who enroll as new students in Westtown's 8th grade and Upper School will still be required to board in the junior and senior years. Detailed implementation plans for the new policy will be introduced before the opening of the 2013-14 school year.
In accordance with Friends practice, the Board reached unity - not unanimity - that this change is in the best interest of the school, both programmatically and financially. The new modified boarding model acknowledges the powerful community-building that occurs in the Lower and Middle Schools and also
affirms the exceptional benefit that older students experience living in community. The school is fully committed to continuing to provide a boarding experience so compelling that all students will want to participate.
We also believe that by making boarding optional for families whose children have enrolled in the lower grades, these families will stay at Westtown long enough to see the value of boarding and eventually choose it for their children. Allowing for choice is consistent with our core mission and offers compelling
possibilities for making Westtown more broadly accessible to a growing number of students who stand to benefit from an exceptional education rooted in Quaker values.
The broad discussion about the boarding requirement brought to light distinct - and different - understandings of Westtown's essential mission. For some, Westtown is primarily a high school with a capstone residential experience. For others, Westtown is a pre-K through 12th grade program that unfolds through rich experiences in Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. These diverse views were represented on the Board as well. We heard all these voices - and we will continue to listen.
The decision to modify the boarding requirement affirms Westtown as a pre-K through 12th grade day and boarding school. To thrive, Westtown needs students and parents who are committed to and desirous of a Westtown education - children both from around the world and around the corner,
children of alumni and Quakers and those just discovering the richness and distinctiveness of a Friends education. The significant differences in perspectives about Westtown's mission must be understood and addressed. To that end, the Board of Trustees and administration will host small groups -
intentionally representative of current parents, alumni, faculty, staff and students - in different geographic regions during the 2013-14 school year. What we learn from one another will be shared next spring at parent events and Alumni Day 2014.
The decision to modify the residential model will require the extended Westtown community to step up in extraordinary ways - to serve as ambassadors for the school, to help interpret this change to the public and promote the benefits of boarding, to assist with recruiting students, to volunteer their time and to give generously, especially to the Westtown Fund. The school's future excellence is predicated on significant increases in both enrollment and giving. In short, we need the support and good will of all Westonians as we move forward.
Friends, there is much work to do to fulfill Westtown School's mission and promise. The strategic plan frames the directions ahead. We are pleased that strong efforts are already under way and we invite your continued participation and support. Please continue to hold the school, our leadership and our
community in the Light.
Sincerely,
John W. Baird
Head of School
Jonathan W. Evans '73
Clerk, Board of Trustees
