ANNUAL REPORT September 1, 2013 – August 31, 2014

WILMINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL

5Celebrating

Years

Featured art created by the students of Wilmington Montessori School.Editor: Noel DietrichGraphic Design: Holly FeldheimPhoto Credits: Theresa Conaty, Noel Dietrich, Heather Siple

OUR MISSION

Wilmington Montessori School is a collaborative learning community rooted in Montessori principles, inspiring the

joyful discovery of self and a passion for learning and independent thinking. We empower children to be knowledgeable and respon-sible contributors to the global community.

Dear WMS Families and Friends,

The 2013-14 school year will be remembered as a time for celebration —Wilmington Montessori School has been educating children for 50 years! This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without you. Throughout the year, we reminisced about our rich history and also looked to the future and all the possibilities ahead of us.

The year began with our founding Head of School Marie M. Dugan complet-ing her tenure as the Interim Head and continuing to co-chair the Marie M. Dugan Fund for the Future Comprehensive Campaign. Her efforts have allowed us to move solidly into the future, eager to begin our next 50 years. We marked our 50th anniversary with a gala at which old friends gathered and celebrated the tradition of Montessori excellence so prevalent at WMS. We enjoyed stories from the past and shared plans for the future. It was so nice to see so many people who have had the pleasure of being a part of the WMS community. Thank you for joining us.

Service learning continues to be an integral part of WMS as we prepare our students to be responsible and compassionate global citizens. During the 2013-14 school year, the sixth-grade students supported Vision For and From Children as a part of their experience at the Global Citizenship Action Project. They learned about this organization founded by a young woman who is working to bring surgery and vision services to children who desperately need them. We continued to support the Food Bank of Delaware and collected 1,853 pounds of food as part of the DelawareCAN competition. The 9-12 students created sculptures from the cans and boxes and were recognized with awards for “Best in Show” and for collecting the most food.

Our 25-acre campus continues to be a highlight of the school. This year we had the honor of becoming a certified Monarch Way Station. The 3-6 classes

Lisa A. Lalama & Anna QuiselA MESSAGE FROM

planted a garden designed to provide monarch butterflies with a safe place to stop, rest, lay eggs and get nourishment as they migrate. Our 9-12 stu-dents created a year-round garden outside of their classrooms, sharing their bounty with the Food Bank. Our stage in the woods was refurbished by an alumnus as his Eagle Scout project. All of these projects have allowed us to enjoy our time outdoors.

As a result of the hard work of our education team this year, we were re-accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), demonstrating the quality of our early childhood programs. We also remain the only school in Delaware to be jointly accredited by NAEYC, the American Montessori Society (AMS), and the Middle States Association (MSA) of Colleges and Schools, along with maintaining a five-star designa-tion from Delaware Stars for Early Success.

As we move into our next 50 years, we look forward to implementing our 2013-16 Strategic Plan. Because of your support during the 2014-15 school year, we were able to begin the implementation of our technology initiative, continue to enhance and utilize our outdoor spaces, and prepare for future initiatives including our STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) program and arts integration. We cannot thank you enough for being part of our first 50 years; please join us as we head into the next 50.

Sincerely,

Lisa A. Lalama Anna QuiselHead of School Chair, WMS Board of Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORSAnna Quisel, ChairMeredith AmadoIsrael FloydCaroline LintnerDrew MatalonisPam PolitisPaul SakaguchiLiz SloanSusie VentrescaZehra WamiqLisa Lalama, ex officio

ADVISORY BOARDGuiliana de GraziaAudrey DobersteinMarie M. DuganHarry G. Haskell, Jr.Jackie IvyMichèle LeFever QuinnNancy KaribjanianRobin Karol-EngJane MaroneyDeborah Murray-ShepherdWilliam RyanPatrick StonerSusan ThomasCathy Weaver

During the 2013-14 fiscal year, Wilmington Montessori School continued to build upon the financial turnaround that began in the previous year.

Enrollment remained stable and the Board and administration worked dili-gently to control operating expenses to match the school’s revenues. As an investment in WMS’s future, $300,000 was spent on Strategic Plan initiatives.

Fundraising continued to be strong for WMS during its 50th year. We raised more than $1 million as our donors continued to confirm their confidence in WMS and their support for independent Montessori education in Delaware.

OtherAuctionAnnual FundFoundationCommunity Gifts

72.55%

1.25%

12.11%

9.72%

4.37%

$774,581

$129,250

$103,801

$46,635 $13,405

community gifts

foundations

annual fund

auction

other

SOURCES OF FUNDRAISING REVENUE

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 2013-14

• Total revenue was up $391,000 (8.5%) year-over-year while expenses were only up $146,000 (3.5%).

• Total profit in the current year was $770,000 compared to $524,000 in the prior year. The increase in profit is due to better matching revenue to ex-penses and enhanced fundraising. Note that although the fundraising dollars are included in profit, the majority of these funds are dedicated to investing in our program and are not spent on day-to-day operations.

• Total fundraising revenue for the year was $1,068,000 compared to $811,000 in the prior year. $885,000 of this revenue was allocated to the Comprehen-sive Campaign.

• WMS awarded $388,000 in financial aid versus $489,000 in 2013.• The fair market value of the school’s investments was $2.18 million compared to $1.32 million in the prior year.

• Total debt outstanding declined by $162,000 to $1,414,000 as of August 2014.

0 16 32 48 64 80

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Tuition and Fees 70.08%Contributions 21.28%Summer Programs 6.75%Miscellaneous Income 1.10%Investment Income .79%Total Revenue and Support 100%

revenue and support: $5,017,983

expenses: $4,247,692

tuition and fees

contributions

summer program

misc. income

investment income

instructional

administrative

financial aid

facilities

summer program

advancement

benefits

debt servicing

0.79%

1.10%

6.75%

21.28%

70.08%

45.45%

13.26%

9.13%

12.86%

6.44%

7.84%

3.70%

1.32%

Wilmington Montessori School would like to thank the following donors for their generous gifts to the 2013-14 Annual Fund. Contributions to the Annual Fund support the school’s operating costs, including ongo-ing professional development, classroom materials, technology and arts enhancements, and tuition assistance. We would also like to thank our 2013-14 Annual Fund Co-Chairs Suzanne Jones and Sharon Miller for their leadership and commitment to Wilmington Montessori School.

World Globe Friend ($5,000 and above)Anonymous (2)Meredith and David Amado William P. Roberts, III Bret Snyder and Anna Quisel

Golden Bead Friend ($2,500 to $4,999) The Davey Family The Lintner Family The Nichols Family Order Sons of Italy – St. Gabriel’s LodgePatricia M. Scott

Pink Tower Friend($1,000 to $2,499)Mr. Henry I. Brown, III The Cash Family Dr. and Mrs. Horatio C. Jones, III The Laster Family Garrett and Christine Moritz Judy and Bill* Scheide Geoffrey and Mayura Simon Elizabeth Snyder

Geometric Solid Friend ($500 to $999) Anonymous

Anne Marie Brescia and Daniel Brennan Robert and M.C. Byrd Kevin and Brenda Cole The Czeschin Family Alexa, Ephie and Mike Donahue Marie M. Dugan Becca and Rick Gulino Ann Hriciga and Michael Coughlin Alice M. Ivy Andrew and Sandra Matalonis Sharon E. Miller Michael W. O’Donnell The Politis Family Athena and David Ruhl Paul Sakaguchi Mr. and Mrs. William M.W. Sharp The Sultan Family Andrew and Carol Thomson Trinomial Cube Friend ($250 to $499) Anonymous Michael and Becky Allen Dr. Leon Aussprung Jeff Barnes, Felise Luchansky and Dan Barnes The Bastianelli Family Donna Bissey and Michael Hartman Trish Bradley

ANNUAL FUND 2013-14

Matthias and Theresa Conaty Elva and Anton Delport The Des Marais Family The Doyle Family Mike and Joelle Florax Israel and Patricia Floyd Trish Harkins The Hayman Family Alison and Kevin Kahn Neil, Joanie, Matt and Lauren Kalin Michael and Kerry Kirifides Michèle LeFever QuinnNora and Jim Lober Zollie McClary, XXIV Joe Nemecz and Nancy Karibjanian Will and Julie Sheppard Sally Spatafora and Jackie Ivy Swift Wilson FamilySandeep and Deepa Vasudevan Susie Ventresca and David Ropars

Brown Stairs Friend ($100 to $249) Anonymous (4)Marcia Schiff Acero The Adeyemi Family Renée Anderson Marybeth Auld Elijah and Letisha Barnett James Beissel and Sharleen Beverly Howard and Barbara Berrick Melissa and John Bilek Bill and Maureen Bowser Joanna Breger Debbie and Chuck Brown Debra Carri Thorton and Joann Carroll Paul and Margaret Cash Mary Jo and James Chandler Brian and Karen Cochran Dr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Conaty The Connelly Family Chuck Connor Cathy Simon Cord

Richard and Susan Coyle The DePonte Family Nancy and Robert DietrichNoel Sarah Dietrich Greg and Ellen Ellis Brian and Sharie Eng Christi and T.J. Fath Forêt The Fox Family The Garagozzo Family The Garvin Family Paul and Julie Gatti Sherry and John Goodill Robert and Mary Anne Grenfell Lauren and Matt Harris Christian and Kimberly HoechstJim and Wendy Honaker Donna M. Irby Drs. Robin Karol-Eng and Jerald Eng Robert and Anne Keller Rosemary Killian Tony Kinney and Alison Mack Dr. and Mrs. Lazarus M. Kirifides Sharon and Allan Kleban Lisa A. Lalama Jon and Kelly Lambiras C. Patricia Lesky Edward and Lori Beth Levin Kathryn G. Lloyd and Kerwin Dobbs Mary and Mathew Lo John and Maribeth Low Paige Lucarelli Liz and Kyle Madden Mike and Wendy Massey Kathleen McDaniel Gerry McVey Knut Meyer and Jessie Keith Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Miller Curtis and Courtney Miller Mr. Elan Moritz Laurie Muhlbauer The Oberly Family John and Jonathan O’Brien Nancy and Rick Oddo

James Orman Madame Piha The Ranji Family Raoul Rayos Taryn Roane The Robertson Winn Family Jim and Loretta Schneider John and Lorraine Seiberlich Carolyn W. Shaffer Eli and Molly Sharp David and Lisa Sheppard Jack Shi and Qing Gao Stacey and Jeff Silvers Drew and Elizabeth Sloan Ben Snyder Bruce and Diane Stanley Ed and Melissa Sugzdinis Susan Thomas Bennett and Rhea Thomas Gail and Eugene Tolpin Nancy and Anthony Ventresca Angie Wahlig The Wake Family Mary C. Wiggin Mary C. Wiggin and Arthur J. Holveck, Jr.Mrs. William E. WigginCass Winner Shaorong Chen and Zhen Xu The Zankowsky Family Friends of WMS (Up to $99) Anonymous (12)Alex Amado Elena Amado Renee Amado Maneesh and Charu Arora The Auffret Family Cheongmee Baek Neil Baman Mark Bomgardner Deirdre Buckmaster and Leslie Carey Leanne Callaway Maggie Clarke-Fields

Neal Cuevas and Vicky Riego de Dios Fabienne M. Daniels Karen Dulin Sharon Entzminger The Farabaugh Family Swain and Stacy Fennimore Olmy and Roby Fischer Deming Florax Laura Florence and Megan Bushnell A. James Grant IV and Sara M. Grant The Haas Family Lawrence and Carol Harris Janet Hewitt Joseph and Kathleen Hickey Mary and Henry Hirschbiel Chad Hughes Michael Johnson Evan Juers The Junk Family Eang and Lauren Kao The Karzan Family Nanci Kehnast Theodore Kirkpatrick Family June Kleban Elizabeth Kocher Marissa Lane Mary C. LeFever Beatrice Lintner Cindy Lober Gaynell Loder Anita Louie David N. Low Carolyn Malatesta Frank and Norbertine Matyok Ruth and Charles McCorkle Kathy and Bernard McFadden Rupal Mehta Jane E. Miner Tim Moore Hugo Moulin Yvonne Nass Mary Kate Newell Alyssa Novello Karen Oberly

Jeanne Orr Darko and Laura Orsic Peg Parsons Emmy Pittarelli Jill Pyle Wanda Rhodes Shelley Robyn Sara Rowe Heather and Greg Russell Samantha Russell Stephen Ruszkowski and Margaret Winslow Kees Saarloos and Jarite Latina Gajinder Singh Sasson Amy Sauers August Sharp Ellet Sharp The Shweiki Family The Skrobot Family The Surbrook-Bowers Family Beth and Don Stookey The Strouds Pat Sumner Emily Surovick Yvonne Tetreault Max Vadset Elizabeth Varley Michelle and Barry Walker The Walsh Family Arlene Wason Erin Facciolo Wehler Darla F. Wilson Jill and Larry Winn Erin Winner Mike and Jessie Zatwarnytsky

In Honor of Habiba and Nora Abd El KaderKarla Robinson

In Honor of Marybeth Auld Michele and Howard Sands

In Honor of Marie M. Dugan Lisa Dadone-Weiner and Henry Weiner Nancy and John Day Mohr

In Honor of the Wehler Family Amanda Grambo

In Memory of Great Grandmom AdelineMr. and Mrs. Peter Brennan

In Memory of Dolores MorraNoel Sarah Dietrich

In Loving Memory of Elaine Muhlbauer Robert Muhlbauer In Memory of Mr. Andrew Timmons Max Timmons

In Memory of Loretta Wojcik Jim and Helen Fath

Class of 2014 Sixth-Grade GiftWilmington Montessori School would like to thank the following donors from the Class of 2014. Their generosity made possible the purchase of a new basketball hoop for the elementary playground - a gift that will be enjoyed by the WMS community for years to come.

The Bastianelli FamilyElva and Anton DelportChristian and Kimberly HoechstDr. and Mrs. Horatio C. Jones, IIIThe Ranji FamilyPatricia M. ScottThe Shweiki FamilyBret Snyder and Anna QuiselSandeep and Deepa VasudevanSusie Ventresca and David Ropars

Arden Construction Inc.Arden Swim ClubArden Theatre CompanyLeon AussprungBBC Tavern and GrillBaltimore RavensBarclays Barnyard PhotographyBertucci’s of WilmingtonBianca’s Personal Chef ServiceAmanda BiggsBob’s Discount FurnitureAmanda BosakBrandywine Academic ServicesBrandywine YMCABuckley’s TavernBuilding System and Services Chaddsford WineryCheesecake FactoryCostcoCurrie Hair, Skin and NailsDelaware Art MuseumDelaware Center for the Contemporary ArtsDelaware Children’s MuseumDelaware Theatre CompanyDental Associates of DelawareDick’s Sporting GoodsDogfish HeadMegan DoyleEB ImagesElk MountainDavid FaulknerFirst State Ballet TheatreMargaret GoberRobert and Mary Anne GrenfellHansel and GretelHarry’s Savoy Grill RestaurantDebra HeffernanA Hoof Above FarmHunter Clarke-Fields YogaIron Pigs CharitiesJoseph Anthony Retreat SpaMurat Karzan/Trainer Max

Corporations, Foundations and GovernmentAbiBow Recycling LLCAmazonBentley Systems, Inc.Dailygood SearchDelaware Division of the ArtsFunding FactoryGarabedian AssociatesGeneral Mills Box Tops for EducationiGive.comMonarch WatchRaces2RunShoeBox Recycling LLCTarget

Matching Gifts BoeingBNY MellonCapital OneEndo PharmaceuticalsJP Morgan ChasePioneerWells Fargo

AUCTION

An Evening Under the Stars Hoedown

Wilmington Montessori School would like to thank the following individuals, families and companies for their support of the 2014 Auc-tion. Thank you to Auction Chair Stephanie Simms and the 2014 Auction Committee for their lead-ership, hard work and commitment to WMS. Proceeds of the auction benefit the school’s operating fund.

AMF Bowling CenterAmerican GirlAmerican Karate Studio

Brian and Kym KellyKennett Design with a Splash of WineKramer PortraitsLady’s ImageLeisure FitnessLeShio RestaurantLittle Nests PortraitsLongwood GardensMagic Car WashThe Melting Pot, WilmingtonMid Atlantic Grand PrixMiller Carpet OneMoore Brothers Wine CompanyRobert MuhlbauerConstance NyeO.K. VideoOasis Family Fun CenterOld Country GardensJeanne OrrOut on a LimbPSUTixManPanera BreadParent Education Consulting ServicesPenn Cinema IMAXPenns Woods WineryPhiladelphia 76ersPlanet Beach Contempo SpaPortrait InnovationsPrecision Door ServicePure Yoga Pilates StudioAnna Quisel and Bret SnyderRick’s Heritage SaddleryBill RyanSIW Vegetables CSADan SandersSea Glass Fine ArtSheeder Mill FarmStephanie SimmsThe Station GallerySteve Swyka Auto SpecialistsStyle Studio by LuLu Talleyville Fire DepartmentTherapeutic Massage and WellnessTotal Wine and More

Tour of State BuildingTreehouse Escapes, LLCTutto FrescoTwin Lakes Brewing CompanyUlysses American GastropubSusan VentrescaWhole Foods, Glen MillsWild Thyme Inc.Wilmington Blue RocksWilmington Police DepartmentWindcrest Animal HospitalThe Wine and Spirit Company of GreenvilleMargaret Winslow and Stephen Ruszkowski

*deceased

We deeply regret any errors or omissions. Please notify Joan Beatson, Director of Development, of any corrections at (302) 475-0555 or joan_beatson@wmsde.org.

Leadership ($1,000,000 and above)Anonymous

Benefactors ($100,000 to $999,999)Crystal TrustCaroline and Matt LintnerWilliam P. Roberts, IIIJudy and Bill* Scheide

Patrons ($25,000 to $99,999)The Maurice Amado FoundationThe Laffey-McHugh FoundationThe Quisel Snyder Family

Sponsors ($10,000 to $24,999)The Politis FamilyPatricia M. Scott

In 2013, as part of its three-year Strategic Plan, the Board of Directors of Wilmington Montessori School launched the Marie M. Dugan Fund for the

Future Comprehensive Campaign, named in honor of longtime Head of School Marie Dugan. This $3.5 million campaign, designed by the Board with input from faculty, staff and parents, will ensure that the core values of the school can be financially sustained.

The Marie M. Dugan Fund for the Future will provide for:

• Improvements in salaries, benefits and professional development opportunities, ensuring that we maintain excellent faculty and staff.

• Enhancements in technology and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programs.

• Building and campus repairs and upgrades.

• Strengthening our balance sheet and working capital by growing our cash reserve.

Wilmington Montessori School gratefully acknowledges the following donors to the Marie M. Dugan Fund for the Future Comprehensive Campaign (as of August 31, 2014):

Honorary Co-ChairsMarie M. DuganJudith McCartin Scheide

Campaign Co-ChairsMeredith AmadoAnna Quisel

THE MARIE M. DUGAN FUND FOR THE FUTURE

Comprehensive Campaign

Left photo: Marie M. Dugan and Judy McCartin Scheide as co-teachers at the Arden School in 1976. Right photo: Marie and Judy in 2014 as Interim Head of School and continuing supporter of WMS.

We deeply regret any errors or omissions. Please notify Joan Beatson, Director of Development, of any corrections at (302) 475-0555 or joan_beatson@wmsde.org.

Supporters ($5,000 to $9,999)Marie M. DuganDrs. Robin Karol-Eng and Jerald EngThe Honorable Jane P. MaroneyOrder Sons of Italy – St. Gabriel’s Lodge

Donors ($1,000 to $4,999)AnonymousCalissa, Allan and Laurel Brown Dupont Israel and Patricia FloydAndrea HardingLisa A. LalamaMichèle LeFever Quinn and Joseph QuinnThe Matalonis FamilyPaul Y. SakaguchiDrew and Elizabeth SloanSusan Ventresca and David Ropars

Friends ($250 to $999)AnonymousBentley Systems Inc.Donna H. Melton/Just in Time! CommunicationsNick and Sue Sotiropoulos

Contributors (Up to $249)Rosanne and Michael CabelliGiuliana de Grazia

Jennifer Eng-KulwyGaynell Loder In Memory Of Anthony LalamaSusan and David Stratton

In Honor of Marie M. DuganMarlene and Cyril MilunskyMilunsky Family Dentistry with Thanks and Fond Memories

Matching GiftsBoeing W.L. Gore

*deceased

Today’s Learners; Tomorrow’s Leaders.