Meeting School Taking Sabbatical In 2011-12

There have been times in The Meeting School's history when we have surmounted great challenges and the School has emerged stronger than ever. We are again on the cusp of one of these times.

For the past several years, the School has actively confronted difficulties presented by the extended economic downturn and rising financial challenges. A careful assessment of the realities presented by declining enrollment and escalating financial aid need has led us to understand that responsible fiscal stewardship requires that we take a sabbatical year in 2011-12. The secondary school program will be suspended during this time. We will continue to offer our current students a quality educational experience for the remainder of this school year.

We are grateful for our generous donors and the many people who have assisted with student recruitment. We continue to be blessed with able and motivated faculty, staff, and students who make us proud of our vibrant academic community. At the same time, shifts in the educational environment suggest that our educational model - as excellent as it is - may no longer be economically viable.

The Board of Trustees is investigating alternatives to our current program that include growing to a size that is attractive to today's students, becoming a semester program, or some exciting possibility that is yet to emerge. We want you to join us in a structured visioning process on the weekend of April 1 - 3, 2011. We will host a conference for you, other members of the extended community to envision what our transformation might look like, and what resources will be required. We will carefully explore the intersection between what we have to offer and the realities of the world today.

We ask all who want to participate to commit to staying for the weekend, which will begin on Friday with supper and end Sunday afternoon. All attendees will receive an agenda and preparatory material to read in advance; conference registration is required. Register online by Sunday, March 20, at www.meetingschool.org. You can call or email us at office@meetingschool.org with questions. If you are not able to attend, you can register for the advance materials and contact us with your thoughts.

We are upheld at this challenging time by our knowledge that the Spirit that is alive in The Meeting School is not bounded by time or place. We are energized by the opportunity to bring The Meeting School mission into the 21st century in a way that the academic learning, the farm, and the loving Quaker community continue to nurture our young people and that is economically sustainable.

We invite you to join us on this adventure.

Jacqueline Stillwell
Head of School