2021
We are pleased to present our 2021 State of the School, an executive summary report of school academic and operational quantitative and qualitative metrics and film presentations demonstrating the health and strength of St. Margaret’s Episcopal School. The feature films look into the everyday experience of our 2020-2021 Every Tartan, Every Day school operations with reflections and updates from students and school leaders, including Head of School Will Moseley, Board of Trustees President Paul Westhead and Parent Teacher Fellowship President Dana Melsom.
We are deeply grateful to our Tartan community for your extraordinary partnership, support, love and commitment, especially in this year, as together we continue to educate the hearts and minds of young people for lives of learning, leadership and service!
Feature Films
Every Tartan, Every Day
Part 1: Back to School
Every Tartan, Every Day
Part 2: Educating Hearts and Minds
Academics
Although 2020 stretched our community to creatively adapt to a rapidly changing landscape, we are happy to report that the work at the core of our mission, to educate both hearts and minds of Tartans, continues to be done effectively as demonstrated by the data points below representing standardized testing as well as college admission decisions and matriculations.
Class of 2020 Recap:
100% of students were admitted to a four-year college or university
119 students earned more than 700 acceptances to colleges and universities around the world
Students matriculated to 65 different colleges in 21 states, Washington, D.C. and France
Students earned admission to every Ivy League school, and 9 students matriculated to 5 of those schools: Brown University (2), Cornell University (3), Harvard College, Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania (2).
28 colleges and universities will receive multiple Tartans from the Class of 2020, including the University of Southern California (8), University of California, Los Angeles (6), University of California, Berkeley (5), Boston College (4), Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo (4), Southern Methodist University (4) and Washington University in St. Louis (4).
Class of 2021 Preview:
98 Seniors have submitted 1,138 applications to 201 colleges and universities so far.
77% of the senior class has already earned at least one offer of admission to college for next fall, a significant increase from the typical 30-50% of seniors receiving early offers of admission in previous years.
Standardized Testing Data:
| TEST | SMES Class of 2020 | INDEX Comparison | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 665 | 669 | 528 |
| SAT Mathematics | 691 | 675 | 523 |
| SAT Total | 1,356 | 1.344 | 1,051 |
| ACT Combined Score | 30 | 29 | 21 |
Advanced Placement Exams:
Advanced Placement (AP) Subjects Offered:
ST. MArgaret’s: 26 | INDEX Comparison: 18
Note: The INDEX Comparison Group is a select group of K-12 independent schools across the nation with at least 700 students.
Innovation Strategy
With a multi-year innovation strategy already well underway to shape ongoing curricular, co-curricular and community offerings, this past year presented an acute opportunity for St. Margaret’s to flex its innovation muscles. The school mindfully adapted its programming to ensure critical student learning, growth and overall well-being. Some examples of these innovations are listed below.
Continuous Learning Plan implemented with Campus Flex and Concurrent Learning models.
New schedule launched for optimal academic cadence while following health and safety protocols.
Technology enhancements include classroom video conferencing systems and increased campus bandwidth.
Campus usage reimagined with new classrooms and flexible learning spaces.
State-of-the-art Health Center opened including negative pressure isolation room.
Nursing staff expanded to three full-time Registered Nurses.
Comprehensive virus testing program implemented.
Thermal camera technology systems installed at four campus health screening stations.
Customized online daily Health Check app developed.
Commercial-grade air purification systems installed in all campus buildings.
Touchless handwashing fixtures and portable handwashing stations installed.
Daily cleaning and sanitization protocols enhanced including electrostatic sprayers.
New course offerings include artificial intelligence, advanced engineering, research methods in American studies and social movements, architecture, and advanced dance and composition.
Entire school program moved online for Remote Learning over a weekend in March, 2020.
Faculty created synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences.
Student and parent surveys led to rapid iteration of the Remote Learning program.
The professional community creatively adapted all aspects of the academic and co-curricular program.
Insights from Remote Learning informed the design of the Continuous Learning Plan for Fall 2020.
3D printers used to produce face shields donated to frontline health care workers.
Inaugural eSports Team launched.
Virtual reality classes and learning experiences expanded.
Formal partnership entered with The Social Institute to expand social media education.
Girls in STEAM Symposium expanded to bring female leaders from across the country.
Counseling personnel and programming increased.
Support team formed to address needs of Concurrent Learners.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programming implemented in Lower School.
PTF Speaker Series focused on Community Wellness and Connection.
Final language approved by the Board of Trustees for the Equity and Inclusion Core Value: We embrace and celebrate the identity of every human being, and advocate for equity, inclusion and justice.
Full-day DEI Symposium held for the Professional Community.
Equity Team initiatives include culturally responsive teaching, updates to the school’s hiring process and pursuing equity in a COVID-19 environment.
Affinity groups launched for the professional community and piloted with students.
Community partnerships sustained through the pandemic to meet authentic local needs.
Service Learning traditions adjusted for physical distancing.
Virtual technology lessons shared with senior assisted-living residents.
1,000 paper cranes for healing made and delivered to a local hospital.
All faculty engaged in Continuous Learning summer professional development course.
Constructivist expert conducted virtual training in the Early Childhood School.
Faculty participated in professional development through the Independent Schools Experiential Education Network (ISEEN).
Professional community members presented at virtual conferences across the country.
St. Margaret’s joined the California Teacher Development Collaborative.
Admission
This year, the Office of Admission has been excited to create an innovative and inspired Virtual Admission Season. From experiencing our St. Margaret’s Virtual Tour to completing the Online Application, our hope is that each prospective family has been able to work closely with and interact with our Admission process. In addition, the Admission Office has been busy hosting individual Zoom family meetings, Zoom assessments, Zoom interviews and countless Virtual Events for each Division. Our goal, to remain accessible and to engage with every applicant and inquiry!
*Reflects 2020-2021 Admission data compiled to January 20, 2021
- Fully enrolled at 1,234 Students
- First Digital Open House 450+ Logins to the Event
- 700+ Inquiries
- 470+ Applications
Finance
The school remains on solid financial footing while managing its resources through this extraordinary time. Major infrastructure investments were made in 2020 to prepare the campus for a safe return of students and professional community. Many of these investments will have long-term benefits that will outlast the current pandemic.
Uses of Operating Funds 2020
78%
Instruction & Student Services
14%
Administrative Support
4%
Debt Service
4%
Reserves
Sources of Funds 2020
94%
Tuition and Fees
6%
Annual Fund & Endowment Income
Advancement
In reacting to the realities of COVID- 19 in 2020, St. Margaret’s initially placed a pause on fundraising and then focused on raising funds for the Emergency Financial Aid fund in order to provide support for our families in need. Since the kickoff of the Annual Fund just after Thanksgiving, the fund has enjoyed a positive response from parents cresting the $1MM mark at the beginning of the new year.
$500,000+ in gifts to the Emergency Financial Aid Fund in 2020
$1,100,000+ to date in the 20/21 Annual Fund
$16,000,000+ in Endowment Fund
Endowment Fund (in $M)
*Reflects 2020-2021 Advancement data compiled to January 20, 2021
Parent Teacher Fellowship
The PTF stretched its creativity and flexibility by adjusting its programming and priorities to support where the needs were greatest at the end of the 2019-20 school year with overwhelming support for the Emergency Financial Aid Fund. In 2020 the PTF made maintaining a sense of community the priority with a host of virtual meetings and gatherings.
Forever Plaid 2020: Tartans Together
$83,200 Raised
Virtual Event - 85 logins and 350+ attendees
Community Building Events
250+ participants for 7 virtual community events:
Pumpkin Succulent Workshop
Virtual Wine tasting
Virtual Chocolate tasting
Holiday Cookie baking
Petals and Pours
Holiday Terrarium making
Movie Drive In
PTF Spring Grants
$100,000 Donated to Emergency Financial Aid
The 2021 State of the School report was issued to the St. Margaret’s community on January 20, 2021 and all data and information contained herein is a snapshot at publication date.