Grades 9-12 High School, All-Girls Boarding/Day Chatham VA Rector July 2014

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1 1 Grades 9-12 High School, All-Girls Boarding/Day Chatham VA Rector July 2014 Welcome Picture a peaceful hilltop where beautiful white columned buildings sit. Groups of girls laughing and engaged in earnest conversations wander this 350 acre campus, working hard in the classrooms and on the athletic fields, and taking part in wonderful traditions such as the Purple and Gold rivalry and the Lantern Ceremony. They are all bound together by the Honor Code, which is valued and very real. Small School, Big Experience there is magic at Chatham Hall... Chatham Hall of Chatham, Virginia has engaged the national consulting firm of Educational Directions Incorporated to assist the school as it seeks the next Rector (Head of School). Rector Gary Fountain steps down on June 30, 2014, after a long and highly successful tenure. The school is deeply appreciative of Gary s many accomplishments, and looks to the next Rector to make this strong school even stronger. Candidates will find a school of wonderful students, splendid facilities, an excellent faculty/staff and a Board of Trustees which is truly functional, committed and supportive. In short, this is a superb leadership opportunity. As literature explains, Chatham Hall private school for girls was opened in 1894 by the Rev. C. Orlando Pruden as a regional school for educating young women of Southern Virginia and neighboring North Carolina. From the outset, the school originally named Chatham Episcopal Institute provided a rigorous academic program designed to equip girls for the challenges of the future. It was initially housed in the Chatham Hall estate of the late John Gilmer. The end of World War I brought changes in American culture that ultimately resulted in the 1927 transformation of the Chatham Episcopal Institute into Chatham Hall. During this time, the school s student body became more national than regional in composition, and the school s reputation for excellence was solidified.

2 2 Chatham Hall has a long tradition of encouraging girls to extraordinary accomplishment. Georgia O Keeffe, for example, graduated in 1905, and not only went on to art schools dominated at the time by men, but also succeeded in becoming one of the foremost American artists of the 20th century." Claudia Emerson, Class of 75, won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for Late Wife. There are 141 girls enrolled in Of these, 28 are international students, and 17 are day students. Most domestic students hail from VA, KY, NC, SC and TN, but the entire the student body represents 19 states and 7 countries. Research indicates that the girls and their families choose the school for its academic program, rural location, sense of security and the fact that every girl can find her voice in the environment. The school's marketing mantra, Small School, Big Experience is, in fact, not hyperbole. Chatham Hall is a genuine place where potential is developed and enhanced, and where respect, care and commitment flourish. The School s Community The Town of Chatham maintains a proud community of residents. Its colorful history and heritage lure many away from other parts of the country. Both its people and architecture make it memorable. Chatham is a true Southern town. New residents are warmly received in the community. Fellowship and good manners are hallmarks of Town citizens. You usually can tell a Chatham resident by their actions; don't be surprised if they stop and wait for you to cross the street, or simply wave to be sociable. The Town is located at a convenient crossroads for employment, enjoys moderate seasonal weather, maintains a sizable historic district, and has a variety of available services. Real estate properties are reasonably priced both in and out of Town. The Town maintains a year round population of approximately 1,300. (from Virginia Government). Chatham has remained relatively unchanged since the end of World War II. The population is approximately 1,350, and the town's boundaries encompass approximately two square miles. Chatham continues to serve as the governmental center for the rural region surrounding it. Within 90 minutes of Chatham one has access to different cities and events, including Danville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Greensboro and Raleigh and Durham in the Research Triangle. In October 2001, the Town of Chatham was placed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historical Places. (From the Town of Chatham website) The School as Community The Magic of It All Yes, there is magic at Chatham Hall! This is a school of

3 3 deep and true community, a place where adults and students live and work together in a true familylike atmosphere. Bound by an Honor Code which is signed by everyone, including the Rector and maintenance staff, the school lives its life in an aura of respect, cooperation and collaboration. Students, teachers, alums - all speak passionately of the value and depth of the interaction of the members of the Chatham Hall family. The significance and impact of the Honor Code at Chatham Hall was validated by a recent VAIS report that commented on its strength as part of the backbone of the school. Walk with us and sense the magic in action......the bike share program...30 bikes parked all over the campus for anyone's use at any time......the newly renovated two-story Lee Library, a stunning area, full of light, flexible and unusually creative, with erasable walls of wood and glass where students can jot down ideas, thoughts and other musings. There is even a mini-cafe in the Library. Walk through the Tea Room of the Library, a comfortable and inviting wood paneled area from older times, left intact, that includes its own fireplace......the Niche, the Student lounge with bookstore, indoor and outdoor seating areas, cafe......the viewing room, a tiered and carpeted area with wide screen TV for weekend movies or class viewing projects. Warm and welcoming.....witness with awe as two dancers and their teacher present the results of their iquest Grant project in France last summer...with dance, video and music, they share the power if hands-on learning in a setting where ballet and dance started......the arts building with studio, black box theater and handsome dance studio......look, but don't climb, the senior stairs in the Well, the central gathering space in the main building...only seniors can use these stairs, a tradition which others honor!......the French classroom with a full kitchen for the preparation of French meals and an outdoor patio for dining on them......the majesty of the St. Mary s Chapel with its stunning stain glass windows and full-size pipe organ... Listen to what the students say about their school, now and in the future... Our kids are all different. We embrace those

4 4 differences and we don't want anyone to force us into one type of person. Chatham Hall is like a mini-experience of college and life. You learn to live and work with all types of people. But, there is a Chatham Hall Girl - respectful, nice, genuine, believes in the Honor Code, follows everything the school stands for. We respect the Rector and he respects us. The next one should have a good sense of our tradition while moving us forward. The senior school ring is a symbol of our likeness as Chatham Girls. The biggest challenge being a student here is the need for time to get all the things done we want to get done...there is not enough time. Program The school, under the able leadership of Rector Gary Fountain, has expanded its academic and cocurricular program offerings in an effort to raise its competitive nature in the girls' school landscape. This effort has catalyzed a stronger curriculum, higher expectations for students and significant facility development to support the goals of the vision. Candidates will find a school with robust programming, creative and forward thinking. Chatham Hall is a school with proud traditions of the past, and a truly bold future. The Gymnasium of the Mind, the recently completed renovation of the Lee library into a dynamic, new, 21st century Learning Commons that now serves as an academic and social jib for collaborative learning, study, and teaching on campus. Chatham Hall has learned, and research bears out, that girls often perform best in collaborative, hands-on settings. As a result, lecture-based classes have yielded to round-table discussions led by teacher-coaches. World leaders are welcomed to campus by groups of students working together to research every aspect of their lives and work. Individual creativity and thinking are fostered through independent study and student-grant supported projects. And students are encouraged to participate in travel programs that expand and deepen their understanding of a global society. The new Learning Commons is the capstone of a decade that has overseen the development of outstanding new academic programs and academic facilities at Chatham Hall. Three new facilities supporting the academic program have opened since 2003: a state-of-the-art science and technology building (2003); a building dedicated to classical and foreign languages (2004); and a lecture hall that is the venue for presentations by world leaders, artists and performers (2009). Also, since 2010, seven of the classrooms have been outfitted with oval or round Harkness Tables to support a new emphasis on class discussion, the exchange of ideas, and student collaboration. The main administrative and academic buildings sparkler high on a hilltop as noted in the school s alama mater, and the faculty residences dot the campus in a manner to preserve the beauty, serve functionally, and not over-crowd. To attract and enroll the highest ability candidates, the school developed a highly successful program entitled the Nilsen Scholarships. This program provides up to five, full tuition, merit-based awards

5 5 each class year to new, domestic, Chatham Hall students. Created to attract high academic achievers who also bring motivation, integrity and talent to the community, the program was, and is, funded by an extraordinarily generous gift of over $31 million gift from the estate of Elizabeth Beckwith Nilsen, class of The gift is the largest gift ever made to any girls' independent school. There are currently 22 Nilsen Scholars enrolled. In addition, the school's robust financial aid program has been utilized to attract students of above average academic ability. Chatham Hall is a school based upon the Episcopal tradition. Students of all faiths are welcomed, and services in St. Mary s Chapel (thrice weekly) are a blend of traditional, ecumenical and spiritualitybased services and programs. Centering on a world-view of spirituality, and the deep value of respect for each person's differences, the commitment to the core values of the school's past, present and future is very strong. This is a place where girls find their voice in an atmosphere of spiritual growth. The Senior Chapel Talks are special moments where girls personalize the service in a way to reflect on their experience at Chatham Hall. The school is committed to providing its students with a global education and a curriculum in which women have a prominent place. A signature experience in this effort is its renowned Leaders in Residence Program, supporting major cultural, social and political figures for two-day residences in campus. The program is endowed by a $1.5 million gift. Past participants in this signature program have included the former Prime Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto; Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, the former and

6 6 first woman President of Sri Lanka; animal biologist and environmentalist Jane Goodall; Iraqi activist Zainab Salbi; founder of Susan G. Komen, Nancy Brinker; Judith Jamison, the Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; activist and author Gloria Steinem; and Olympic Gold Medalist and Tennis Champion Venus Williams. In 2007, the school began an annual Spring Break International Service Learning Program that is central to its global, service and experiential learning initiatives. The two-week program in Cape Town, South Africa, has provided students, adult chaperones, parents and alumnae with life-changing experiences. In 2013, Chatham Hall added Cuba as a new site for the program. After a successful trial run, the school plans to alternate future trips between South Africa and Cuba. South Africa will be the site for March 2014 and Cuba in March Launched in 2012, the iquest program provides funding to students to explore a question of intellectual and abiding personal importance through experiential learning - learning by doing, outside of the regular/daily classroom. There are three types of projects: a senior capstone project, independent study project, and group study project. The iquest program is designed for all students in good academic standing. Athletics The athletic program at Chatham Hall is solid and provides girls with many opportunities to find another aspect of themselves and develop their bodies along with their minds. Students can participate on 9 varsity teams. As a required element of the overall program, athletics allows girls to learn to be leaders and team players. Recent successes in athletics have renewed pride in the school as Chatham Hall has for the 6 th time in 8 years received the Blue Ridge Conference Sportsmanship Award. Riding at Chatham Hall is another signature program and provides students an opportunity to compete at the varsity level for the school. Last year s IEA National Horse Show Champion was a Chatham Hall rider! Some 40% of the students ride (the school owns 40 horses) and the Barn is a splendid faculty replete with indoor ring, outdoor rings and miles of trails winding throughout the school's 350+ acres. There exists, at the same time, a need to enhance the marketing of this excellent program. Finances The school has developed a strategic plan and accompanying tenyear financial projection. Each year the budget is balanced through highly effective cost management, revenue (largely from tuition), and an approved draw from the endowment. The budget reflects total revenues of $2.8 million, expenditures of $7.9 million

7 7 (including a bond payment of $363,000) and a 7.7% draw from the $58 million endowment. Financial aid, including the Nilsen Scholarship program, is in the amount of $3.1 million. As is true of many small boarding schools, there is a strong need is to attract more full paying students to increase Net Tuition Income. The next Rector will need and want to be both knowledgeable of, and committed to the tenets and methods of successful enrollment and fiscal management. She or he will find an experienced and highly talented business office and an unusually effective Finance Committee of the Board. At the same time as increasing NTI, many at the school are committed to growing its endowment to $100 million while ensuring that the annual fund remains robust (it is now over $875K in unrestricted giving and another $200K in restricted support. Last year s participation in the Annual Fund was strong among constituent groups, including 100% Trustee participation, 34% Alumnae participation and 53% Current Parent participation. The Alumnae participation rate is 2 nd highest amongst like/peer schools. The vast success of the 2010 capital campaign which raised over $25 million, reflects the strong and generous philanthropic spirit of the Chatham Hall community. Governance The Board consists of 15 Trustees (and cannot exceed 21 members) who are alums and past and present parents. Extraordinarily devoted to their school, they look forward to maintaining the more than partnership role with the next Rector. Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Leader of Chatham Hall The next Rector will want and need to: Ensure that the vision of the school as an academically challenging institution is continued and balanced with its mission as a transformational experience Embedded in the vision of enhancing the academic ability level of the student body and the rigor of the program, is a need to balance both the width of the ability band and the diversity of talents sought in enrolled students. A natural balance in enrollment management must be achieved between the goal of "raising the bar" of student academic ability, and building a diversely talented community. The history of the school as a highly successful, transformational experience for so many young women must continue to be honored. The next Rector, working in partnership with the Board, will need and want to continue to lead this.

8 8 As is true in other schools with challenging programs, there is a continual need for the Rector, administration, faculty and student Leadership to analyze the time commitment currently placed upon students. Areas such as homework load, non-academic requirements and overall expectations warrant frequent review in light of the social, developmental and health needs of adolescents. With an academically diverse student body, and a vigorous program, there is an ongoing need to ensure that the most effective faculty development program is in place. The next Rector and other school leaders will want to examine the nature of differentiated instruction as well as the methodology of assessing its efficacy at the school. Analyze and assess the financial aid programs in light of the goal to reduce annual endowment draw and increase net tuition income, while maintaining academic excellence and co-curricular activities Lead the administration and faculty in the continued participation in a professional development program embracing the best of modern pedagogical theory and practice Advocate the school s outreach in a manner that effectively articulates each of the school s unique programs with a consistent voice Qualities of Leadership Sought The next Rector of Chatham Hall will be a man or woman who: Is committed to, and knowledgeable of, the pedagogical, developmental and social advantages of education for your woman in a single gender setting Will be committed to the values of the Chatham Hall community, especially the Honor Code and the importance of living in the community through active involvement and engagement with all its members Will be a visible, engaged and hands-on leader in and for a small, intimate residential community Can be an articulate communicator and a true ambassador for the school in all areas of school life, including the neighboring community and beyond Is dedicated to the tenets of student-centered education and the evolving practices of what is ofttermed 21st Century Education Is committed to the Episcopal heritage of the school and will embrace the value it represents Cherishes being both the institutional and instructional leader of the school Has the ability and philosophical commitment to continue faculty professional development and evaluation based on the existing budget and needs Embraces the role as chief development spokesperson for Chatham Hall Has a collaborative manner of leadership, sharing and delegating the decision-making processes where and when appropriate

9 9 Will enjoy living on campus in the Rectory and hosting the students and school community for special occasions Search Process The search calendar calls for the identification of top candidates to take place in Mid-January Semifinalist interviews will take place on campus in late January with finalists meetings to be in early February. Candidates should provide the following materials: A letter of interest addresses to the consultant or Search Committee Résumé Statement of Educational Philosophy Three written letters of reference List of 7-10 other references with affiliation, telephone numbers and addresses All materials should be sent electronically to: Stephen G. DiCicco, EDI President Mathew Heersche, EDI Associate Sdicicco@edu-directions.com Mheersche@edu-directions.com Educational Directions Incorporated PO Box 768 Portsmouth, RI TEL !