Ethical Culture Fieldston School ANNUAL REPORT 2012–13

throughout its 135-year history, the Ethical Culture Fieldston School has sustained a

proud tradition and commitment to academic excellence,

progressive education, and ethical learning.

In 2012–13 we embarked on a strategic planning process

that allowed us to engage in a community-wide self-study,

giving us the opportunity to build on the school’s remarkable

history and strengths while anticipating and planning for

the many challenges that lie ahead. Our goal in charting

the course for Ethical Culture Fieldston School’s future is to

educate generations of students to pursue their passions and

lead lives of purpose. In the coming years, we will continue to

implement the Strategic Plan to make our vision a reality.

Because of you—our parents, volunteers, alumni, faculty,

staff, and countless friends—we are able to accomplish

these goals. Your collaboration in our achievements, as

well as our aspirations, is critical to our success. ECFS’s

most valuable assets are our engaged students, dedicated

faculty and staff, loyal parents, alumni, and friends.

The Ethical Culture Fieldston School mission thrives

as students pursue ethical learning, develop skills, build

lifelong relationships with peers and teachers, and prepare

for positions of leadership and social responsibility.

We rely on our supporters to be an active part of our

community. This year, with your help, we received over

$5 million in operating support, an increase of over

$200,000 from last year.

How can we pay tribute to the many philanthropic partners

who generously recognize the importance of championing

ECFS’s mission? We do so by cultivating a vibrant learning

environment both inside and outside the classroom.

I thank you for all that you do for ECFS and for your

commitment to our mission. I look forward to another

spectacular year of exploration and growth with all

members of the ECFS community.

Damian J. fernandez, ph.D.Head of School

letter from the H

ead of School

cHARting tHe couRSe

for the Future

Annual Report 2012–13 1

the 2012–13 academic year was one

of strategic review and positioning for the Ethical Culture

Fieldston School, involving two comprehensive studies of the

opportunities and challenges facing our school. In January,

the New York State Association of Independent Schools

(NYSAIS) reaccredited ECFS for the next 10 years. The

reaccreditation followed a yearlong self-study by the school

and produced a wide-ranging series of recommendations.

Guided in part by the NYSAIS study, we undertook an

extensive review of the strategic priorities for the school,

the first strategic review the school has conducted in

more than 12 years. This work culminated in the

preparation of “Mission Manifest,” a five-year strategic

plan outlining our vision for 2013–18. (The report was

sent to the community and is available at www.ecfs.org.)

The strategic plan provides an ambitious set of goals

for the school in the areas of excellence in progressive

education, ethical learning and being, and nurturing

and sustaining our resources, including our people,

our buildings and grounds, our technology, the natural

environment, and our financial resources.

Like all things that ECFS does best, the NYSAIS and

strategic plan reviews were an inclusive, schoolwide effort,

involving hundreds of members of our community,

including faculty, administrators, trustees, staff, parents,

alumni, and students. Our sincere thanks to everyone who

participated. We want to thank in particular Kate Reynolds,

who led the accreditation effort, and the members of the

strategic plan steering committee, co-chaired by Damian

Fernandez, Bob Montera, and Tracy Chutorian Semler ’82.

Setting

Strategic Priorities

Ethical Culture Fieldston School2

Message from

the board of trustees

We have already begun the challenging task of implementing

the NYSAIS and strategic plan recommendations. We look

forward to, and will need, the participation of as many

people as possible from the community to meet our exciting

and challenging strategic goals.

Last October, we were forced to come to terms with the

devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy. ECFS was not

spared the storm’s destruction, as many of our students,

faculty, and staff were temporarily displaced. Others

lost their homes or were without electricity for weeks.

Fortunately, everyone at the school emerged safe, and the

storm’s impact on the school’s facilities was minimal. In

true ECFS fashion, right after Sandy made landfall in our

area, the school started a Facebook group as a forum for the

community to gather virtually, share service opportunities,

and offer support to those in need. It is inspiring to see

ECFS’s continued commitment, almost a year later, to

assisting communities across the city and beyond.

This past year, the board of trustees devoted considerable

time to the issue of financial sustainability, including

carefully modeling the financial-aid budget to maximize

both long-term accessibility and socioeconomic diversity.

Together with the administration, we reviewed safety and

security protocols, and continue to make improvements and

enhancements in this area.

We wish to express our appreciation to all of the generous

donors and volunteers listed in the pages of this annual

report. Thanks to you, we raised the largest amount ever for

our Annual Fund.

Robert A. pruzan ’81 paul Schnell ’72 Co-Chairs, ECFS Board of Trustees

“We wish to

express our appreciation

to all of the generous

donors and volunteers

listed in the pages of

this annual report.

Thanks to you, we

raised the largest amount ever for

our Annual Fund.”

A

Annual Report 2012–13 3

SuppoRting tHe

MissionThe 2012–13 academic year was one devoted to

developing a five-year strategic plan and implementing

the recommendations from the NYSAIS accreditation

team. One of the key goals that emerged from the strategic

planning process is the stewardship of ECFS’s financial

resources, physical plant, and natural environment.

The school’s commitment to financial aid and affordability

remain as top priorities. This past year we awarded over

$11 million in tuition assistance to our students. Also, this

year for the first time, we included class trips in the tuition

for all grades. We closed the 2012–13 fiscal year with a

balanced budget, while expanding the student-focused

initiatives and programs, and professional development

funding for faculty and staff.

The unfortunate news of the past year—Hurricane Sandy

and Sandy Hook—had a big impact on the operations

of the school and gave us the opportunity to re-evaluate

some procedures. We have increased the measures for

redundancy in communications and technology and are

actively exploring ways to keep the buildings running

enDowMent

2009: $49,515,000

2013: $70,527,000

2012: $65,280,000

2011: $65,184,000

2010: $55,571,000

finAnciAl AiD

2010: $9,335,000

2013: $11,000,000

2012: $10,200,000

2011: $9,987,000

2009: $8,099,000

AnnuAl funD

2009: $2.93 million

2013: $3.91 million

2012: $3.71 million

2011: $3.40 million

2010: $3.24 million

Ethical Culture Fieldston School4

Financial Update

InterestExpense

$1,537,0002%

Technology $1,671,000 | 3%

Fiscal Services $1,421,000 | 2%

Related & Auxiliary Programs

$1,162,000 | 2%

Instruction / Pupil Support $25,532,000

39%

Employee Benefits

$9,641,00015%

Facility Services

$10,116,00015%

Administration / Operations

$14,597,00022%

TOTAl OPERATIng ExPEnSES $65,677,000

Related & AuxiliaryPrograms

$2,535,000 | 4%

Unrestrictedgiving

$3,824,0006%

Investment Income

$3,124,000 | 5%

Tuition & Fees$56,194,000 | 85%

TOTAl OPERATIng REvEnUE $65,677,000

TOTAl gIvIng $7,787,135

Annual Fund$3,906,260

50%

Special Events

$1,110,88214%

Endowment:$238,730

3%

ProgrammaticFunds

$986,37813%

Promises to Keep

$1,544,88520%

during power outages. We have stepped up our security

measures significantly on both campuses, implementing

access control systems at the lower divisions and increasing

the security coverage across the board. These efforts will

continue into the 2013–14 school year to assure the safety

and security of our students and community.

Over the summer, we completed some campus

enhancements, including replacing the athletic field

turf, and renovating the principal’s office and admissions

suite at Ethical Culture. In our continued efforts toward

environmental sustainability, the Ethical Culture campus

has converted to diesel fuel, which burns more efficiently

and cleanly. Electricity on both campuses is powered

by 100% green energy in part by purchasing renewable

energy certificates.

None of these financial and operational achievements

would have been possible without the tremendous support

and commitment of all of the committees of the board.

Thank you to Caryn Seidman-Becker, audit committee

chair; John Beres ’81, buildings and grounds committee

chair; Nino Magliocco, finance committee chair; and Josh

Nash, investment committee chair.

Michael Hwang Chief Financial Officer

Annual Report 2012–13 5

pAve Helps Drive parent participation to 79% Our PAVE (Parent Annual fund Volunteer Effort) representatives

worked diligently throughout the year to garner support for the

Annual Fund—writing personal notes, making phone calls, and

sending emails. Their efforts resulted in 79% participation for

parents. We are thankful to our many volunteers, as well as our

parent donors, for helping to make this our best Annual Fund

campaign to date!

thank You to the Alumni volunteer networkOnce again, our dedicated AVN (Alumni Volunteer Network)

volunteers stayed connected with alumni near and far through

a variety of events and outreach efforts. Alumni returned to

Fieldston for Homecoming, volunteered for Sandy relief efforts,

sipped cocktails at Christie’s, participated in Inside the Classroom,

danced the night away at the benefit, and turned out in record

numbers for reunion. Throughout the year, our AVN volunteers

emailed and called fellow classmates to support the Annual Fund,

resulting in 20% participation from our alumni. Thank you to our

alumni volunteers for their tireless efforts!

ecfS Alumni Rise to Annual fund Matching challengeThis spring, an anonymous donor offered to match up to $25,000

of alumni donations to the ECFS Annual Fund made from

reunion on June 1 until graduation on June 12. Gifts from alumni

poured in from across the country in response to the challenge.

In less than two weeks, 102 alumni made gifts to the Annual

Fund. In total, alumni gave $26,396 to the Annual Fund, $25,000

of which was matched by the donor. These additional gifts have

directly benefited our students, faculty, and staff.

Alumni Reunion SuccessFieldston alumni from classes ending in 3 and 8 turned out

in record numbers for this year’s quinquennial reunions.

Over 500 Fieldston alumni and their guests returned to campus

for a gorgeous June evening filled with reminiscing and good

times. Alumni toured the campus, enjoyed cocktails on the

quad and dinner with their classmates. The 2013 reunions

proved to be inspiration for many to give back, as all of our

reunion classes meaningfully increased their Annual Fund

participation and, in total, contributed $254,810.

Thanks to the generosity of the

entire ECFS community, the

Annual Fund once again garnered

record levels of support. In total,

ECFS raised a total of $5 million in

operating support in 2012–13.

The Annual Fund received over

$3.9 million in gifts from 2,350

donors, in addition to over $1.1

million raised through the benefit.

These results would not have

been possible without the

dedication of the many parents,

students, alumni, faculty, and

staff who partner with the Office

for Institutional Advancement

and Alumni throughout the year.

Thank you to all of our volunteers,

and to all of the members of the

community who generously support

ECFS’s mission year after year.

wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

481Loyal Oaks gave for the tenth or more consecutive year

20% alumni participation

A coMMunitY

Effort

6

79%parent

participation

class of 2013 establishes financial Aid fundBefore marching across the stage at graduation, the Class of 2013

worked together to leave behind a legacy that will help support

future generations of Fieldston scholars. Every member of the

Class of 2013 contributed to the Form VI gift, while 73% of

the class’ parents made gifts. In total, the class raised more than

$242,250 to support financial aid at Fieldston.

fieldston lower pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Reach 100% participation This spring, ECFS issued a challenge to all of its families.

Each grade that achieved 100% participation in the ECFS

Annual Fund would win a Gym & Swim Party or Movie Night

at Fieldston. Parent volunteers called and emailed fellow parents

to encourage their participation. By June 30, Fieldston Lower’s

Pre-K and K achieved 100% participation. We look forward to

celebrating them at their parties this fall!

A night at the eagle RoomOn Saturday March 9, 2013, the Eagle Room opened to rave

reviews. Over 1,000 members of the ECFS community turned

out to dance the night away while raising a total of $1.1 million

to benefit ECFS’s mission. This year’s benefit paid tribute to

New York’s iconic nightclubs of years past. The evening featured

music by Fieldston’s jazz band, fabulous live and silent auction

items, Lucky Dip prizes, and three raffles, including one for Jingle

Ball tickets. At the conclusion of the live auction, the community

came together to support a special auction for financial aid, the

Big Give, raising over $425,000 to support tuition assistance.

As always, the event was a wonderful celebration of ECFS's

amazing community. Thank you to everyone who helped to make

this year’s benefit our most successful to date!

r

Advancem

ent update

wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

$427,665 raised for financial aid through the Big Give

2,354 donors to the ECFS

Annual Fund

+215 NEW donors made contributions to the Annual Fund

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1,079community members attended the Benefit

Annual Report 2012–13 7

Volunteer witH uS

pARentSparent Annual fund volunteer effort (pAve)Help us increase parent participation in the 2013–14 ECFS Annual Fund!

PAVE volunteers are needed in all grades to garner support for the Annual Fund.

For more information, please contact Kate Pfeffer, Director of Annual Giving,

at (212) 712-6244 or kpfeffer@ecfs.org.

ECFS’s Annual BenefitWant to make March 8, 2014 a night to remember? Volunteer to help plan this

year’s benefit! Please contact Courtney Archer-Buckmire, Assistant Director of

Annual Giving, at (212) 712-6245 or carcher-buckmire@ecfs.org.

form vi gift committeeHave a student graduating from Fieldston this year? We hope you will join our

Form VI Gift Committee to leave a legacy for your child’s class. For more

information, please contact Sarah Danzig Simon ’96, Director of Major Gifts,

at (212) 712-6277.

AluMniThe Alumni Volunteer Network welcomes your time and talents.

Please consider joining us in one of the following volunteer roles:

j Class Recorders

j Class Agents

j Alumni Benefit Committee

j Reunion Committee (this year, classes ending in 4s and 9s

will be celebrating their reunion)

To get involved, please contact Toby Himmel, Director of Alumni

Relations, at (718) 329-7329 or thimmel@ecfs.org.