P B G , Fl h S d : j 2020 - carneysandoe.com · Motto: Nulli Secundus (Second to None) School hiSTory In 1960, Marshall and Nancy Benjamin, two teachers from Michigan, acquired a

The Benjamin School

Palm Beach GardenS, Flhead oF School

STarT daTe: july 2020www.TheBenjaminSchool.orG

overview

The Benjamin School (TBS) is a coeducational, college-preparatory independent school with two campuses in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. With more than half a century of a tradition of excellence, it serves 1,055 students grades Pre-K3-12.

The Benjamin School fosters innovative thinking by teaching 21st-century skills that shape students into independent, self-directed, collaborative, and determined leaders. Students develop strong character through the School’s “12 Benjamin Values” that are modeled both in and out of the classroom. The broad educational programs aim to cultivate in students creativity and curiosity in all aspects of student life – in their academics, in the visual and performing arts, and through athletics and community service. Broad horizons are built as students graduate prepared for an impressive range of opportunities, including admission to the nation’s most competitive colleges and universities. Each child’s talents are recognized and appreciated as teachers join with parents to discover, nurture, and celebrate each student’s unique gifts.

In July 2020, current Head of School Robert S. Goldberg will retire after leading the school since 2008. Mr. Goldberg has guided the school to new successes academically, athletically, and in college placement, significantly furthering the School’s reputation in Florida and across the country. During his time at TBS, he developed the WOW program for Pre-K3 students, instituted 15 sequential years of French, Mandarin, and Spanish; carved out STEM facilities in the Upper School and a new (2019) $5 million dedicated STEM building on the Lower/Middle School campus; supported the creation of a video production program in the Middle School; built the stunning 850-seat Benjamin Hall theater; and added even more Advanced Placement courses to the many already offered in the 9-12 program.

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MissionThe mission of The Benjamin School is to provide a challenging college preparatory education to a diverse student body in a structured, nurturing community environment. The School motivates students to master the skills of learning, communicating and evaluating choices, and encourages them to grow intellectually, socially, morally, aesthetically, and physically to their fullest individual potential.

Benjamin inspires its students to develop a coherent set of values that includes love of learning, personal responsibility, self-motivation, concern for others, and a commitment to serve society.

Fast FactsSchool Type: Independent, coeducational day school PK3-12Founded: 1960Enrollment 2018-19: 1,055Full-time Faculty: 137Student-faculty Ratio: 7.7:1Faculty with Advanced Degrees: 47%Financial Aid Awarded 2018-19: $3 millionStudents Receiving Aid: 17.9%Endowment: $16.07 millionMotto: Nulli Secundus (Second to None)

School hiSTory

In 1960, Marshall and Nancy Benjamin, two teachers from Michigan, acquired a three-car garage in North Palm Beach, swept out its dirt floors, bought some rudimentary furnishings, and founded what they called the North Palm Beach Private School. As forward-thinking educators, the Benjamins started a kindergarten whose curriculum featured foreign language, science, music, and physical education, but most importantly, reading. According to the Benjamins, a love of books and the ability to read meant children could educate themselves for life. The couple demonstrated a kindness and courtesy that made their school feel like family. That sense of family still exists today.

Indeed, the vision of the founders is to educate the whole child, and beyond exposing children to rigorous academics, have them also experience music and the arts, as well as a second language from a young age. As they grow and develop, the School’s focus is for the students to participate in athletics, excel in reading, writing and public speaking, participate in meaningful community service, and to learn skills and build character that will serve them for a lifetime. Educating the whole child remains at the core of The Benjamin School ethos and approach to teaching and learning. Students develop self-esteem and confidence that carries them through school, college, and into adult life. A common alumni refrain is, “I wouldn’t be where I am today without The Benjamin School.”



The School

Today, The Benjamin School is one of Florida’s premier independent day schools. From Early Childhood through Upper School (grades Pre-K3-12), TBS offers a wide range of possibilities for students across broad horizons. Motivated by their own unique curiosities and empowered by a dynamic academic and co-curricular program, Benjamin students prepare for college and a world which may have jobs that don’t exist yet. With nearly 60 years of history and more than 3,000 alumni pursuing their passions around the globe, The Benjamin School today continues to evolve and offer promise and potential to its students, faculty, and to its next Head of School.

With 1,055 students enrolled on two campuses in North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, The Benjamin School offers its students at every level a comprehensive character driven, academic, athletic, and artistic experience. The 14-acre Lower/Middle School Campus located across from the Intracoastal Waterway in North Palm Beach, Florida, serves students in grades Pre-K3-8. A remarkable 50-acre Upper School campus in Palm Beach Gardens, built in 2004, offers purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities for its 400 students.

The Benjamin School strives to foster a talented, richly varied school culture by equipping students with the necessary skills to successfully interact and flourish within a multicultural society and interconnected global community. TBS believes an inclusive community encourages a union of strengths and broadens the vision for all of its students. School-wide diversity events and an active Diversity Committee help to cultivate an appreciation for the broad ethnic, cultural, racial, and religious diversity of the School, community, and nation.

The Benjamin School is accredited by the Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS), Florida Kindergarten Council (FKC), SACS CASI (an accredited division of AdvancED), and Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).


academicS

Learning at Benjamin is an active verb. Teachers challenge students to test the status quo, make connections across disciplines, and extend the horizons of knowledge. Benjamin teachers get to know students as individuals, recognizing their strengths and interests and helping them develop to their full potential. As students move through the School, they thrive under the tutelage of experienced teachers, achieving beyond expectations. The Benjamin School inspires excellence and innovation—both of itself and its students. Students convey deep appreciation for the broad array of academic and co-curricular offerings, and especially for the commitment of their teachers to help each student become successful. Teachers diligently encourage students to explore new areas of interest and intensify their interest in existing ones. “We punch above our weight in a lot of areas: artistic, athletic, theater, dance…every niche in a high school we have it and we have it at a really high level—that’s largely because of the commitment of faculty,” indicates one administrator.

Lower School (Pre-K3-Grade 5)The early childhood program begins with Worlds of Wonder (WOW), a 3-year-old program, and continues with Pre-Kindergarten, a program for 4-year-olds. The faculty of both programs work together to create a positive learning environment that develops the whole child and that recognizes each child as a unique individual. Children explore new concepts through hands-on discovery, teacher-guided investigations, and project-based learning. Curiosity is sparked through imaginative play, creative movement, scientific exploration, and mathematical speculation. Particular focus is given to building character, self-esteem, and an innate sense of values. The transition from WOW to Pre-Kindergarten is seamless and provides a solid foundation of readiness skills and social-emotional development to prepare each child for future learning.


The Lower School places great emphasis on educating young children to become the best version of themselves while nurturing a love of learning. A compassionate and accomplished faculty succeeds each day to excite student interests and abilities with an innovative curriculum focused on cognitive research. The learning environment stresses active exploration through play-based activities, independent learning centers, small group work, and one-on-one instruction. An emphasis on character development is coupled with curricula that reflects ongoing research and fosters communication, collaboration, and creative problem solving skills.

Children begin their educational journey in Lower School with core academic subjects as well as art, music, world languages (French, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish) and physical education. In small classes, faculty emphasize foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, interwoven with sophisticated and engaging educational experiences. The curriculum expands in Kindergarten with keyboarding and advances in grades three, four, and five with a technology-based iPad program. Students in grades Kindergarten through five have the option of participating in the strings program, and students in grades four and five participate in either band or strings. All grade levels partake in a hands on STEM science program, Character Education program, community service initiatives, and the library’s reading incentive program. Students also enjoy plenty of time outside for both free play and learning.

Middle School (Grades 6-8)Understanding that Middle School students learn best when they are engaged, The Benjamin School emphasizes interdisciplinary, project-based learning so that children can recognize connections between the various disciplines they study and apply knowledge gleaned from one course to another. To support learning, the Middle School utilizes a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. The Middle School also features many cross-curricular innovations that are only found at TBS.


A rigorous core curriculum rich in technology reinforces basic skills, and innovative course electives introduce students to a wealth of novel and meaningful information. Project-based, hands-on learning connected to real world situations complements the learning environment. STEM opportunities are integrated into the curriculum without replacing any part of the well-rounded experiences students receive. A vibrant visual and performing arts program encourages self-expression and creativity, while participation in team sports and co-curricular activities furthers the social and physical well-being of students. Unit studies incorporate history, social studies, literature, art, science, music, language, and mathematics to teach concepts and develop skills.

From the moment students arrive on campus, they are guided by a community of supportive educators. The exceptionally skillful and creative teachers are characterized by their commitment to the academic success of the individual student. Every student in Middle School is individually paired with an advisor to serve as his or her nurturing advocate throughout the academic year. In addition, the Middle School has been designated as a “No Place for Hate” by the ADL for the past five years.

A unique feature of Middle School is its commitment to sustainability and becoming ever “greener” in both the curriculum and its everyday practices. The Middle School is proud to have been recognized by the Palm Beach Green Schools Recognition Program, the most prestigious level of green/sustainability. TBS is officially a “Green School of Excellence.”

Upper School (Grades 9-12)The Benjamin School offers the quintessential liberal arts high school experience, with a plethora of opportunities in the classroom, on the playing field, in the studio, and on the stage. The Upper School unquestionably prepares students for the demands of college and the rigors of 21st-century careers and world citizenship. Character education is implicit in and out of the classroom, and students

adhere to the School’s Honor Code with respect and courtesy. Twice-weekly advisory meetings where faculty serve as advocates for their advisees assist in furthering the personal growth of students.

With 25 Advanced Placement courses and a dozen Honors courses, the faculty is able to challenge the brightest of thinkers in all subject areas. Students pursue coursework in English, mathematics, science, social studies, world languages, computer science, fine arts, physical education, and a comprehensive selection of electives. For students interested in science, math and design, the Upper School offers an Engineering Certificate. Highly-motivated seniors may also choose to participate in a one semester Independent Study course to pursue a research project or creative endeavor in which they have a strong interest. As part of graduation requirements, all seniors must complete an unpaid internship project in a field of their choice. The goal of this program is to provide each senior with a meaningful experience that will help spark possible career interests. The Upper School also utilizes an enhanced Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program to support learning.

Every graduate continues study at a college or university, including the most selective in the nation. The College


The Class of 2018’s 111 were seniors accepted to 158 different universities, including: American UniversityAmherst CollegeBentley UniversityBoston CollegeBoston UniversityBrown UniversityBryn Mawr CollegeColgate UniversityCollege of the Holy CrossColumbia UniversityDartmouth CollegeDickinson CollegeDuke UniversityElon UniversityEmory UniversityFordham UniversityGeorgetown UniversityJohns Hopkins UniversityLehigh UniversityNew York UniversityNortheastern UniversityPennsylvania State UniversityPratt InstitutePurdue UniversitySmith CollegeSouthern Methodist UniversityStanford UniversityThe Ohio State UniversityTulane UniversityUniversity of California, Los AngelesUniversity of Colorado at BoulderUniversity of FloridaUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of MiamiUniversity of MichiganUniversity of Notre DameUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of VirginiaUniversity of Wisconsin, MadisonVanderbilt UniversityVillanova UniversityWake Forest UniversityWashington University in St. LouisYale University

College Acceptances


Counseling Office works closely with students to target institutions that best satisfy their individual interests and aspirations. A brief introduction to the college admissions process begins in eighth grade, and then the emphasis becomes more focused each year, culminating in intensive, family-based sessions with counselors during senior year. Counselors, through one-on-one sessions, make sure that each graduate finds the best next step in his or her journey of lifelong learning.

arTS and aThleTicS

Developing a lifelong appreciation for the arts is integral to a Benjamin School education. All students are encouraged to explore new activities and to nurture latent talents, enhance their means of expression, increase their understanding of diverse cultures, and capture their passions and emotions as they explore their creative potential. A talented team of fine arts faculty in each division maximizes the learning experience with extraordinary campus facilities including Benjamin Hall (a new truly magnificent 850-seat multi-purpose theatre), a state-of-the-art video production television studio, two and three-dimensional arts studios, dance studios, dark rooms, music rooms, and computer labs.

A range of opportunities in the visual and performing arts spans the realm of arts education with classes in drawing, visual design, photography, computer graphics, dance, drama, vocal and instrumental music, musical theatre, band, strings, and multimedia productions. Students are encouraged to extend their talents to the school community and beyond through grade level performances, art exhibits, theatre productions, musical concerts, and a variety of informal functions both on and off campus.


Athletics play an important role in students’ lives as well. The School’s focus on athletics teaches students teamwork, leadership, resilience, perseverance, self-confidence and is paramount to health and well-being. Talented and dedicated coaches support students in their academic endeavors and model positive athletic behavior. Through athletics, students develop healthy self-esteem, sportsmanship, and cooperation that prepares them to meet challenges on and off the field. Each year, many athletes go on to play their chosen sport at some of the top colleges and universities in the nation (of last year’s class of 111, 26 had committed to play athletics in college, most to Division-1 programs). A high percentage of Upper School students play at least one varsity sport and many also participate in music, theater, or other activities.

Middle School teams include cheerleading, football, tennis, volleyball, basketball, dance, soccer, baseball, golf, lacrosse, and swimming. Upper School teams include bowling, cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, swimming, volleyball, basketball, soccer, wrestling, baseball, lacrosse, softball, tennis, and track and field.

STudenT liFe

The Benjamin School encourages students to explore an array of experiences, from the engaging academic program to the robust arts, athletics, and service opportunities. Motivated by teachers who take a personal interest in their lives and in their success, students find many ways to develop their passions outside of the classroom through co-curricular activities that provide most every student a chance to explore and refine their talents.


Clubs and Enrichment ProgramsAftercare, clubs, and enrichment programs (ACE) are offered to families with children enrolled in grades PreK-3 through 5. The program is designed to be a convenient and helpful service to parents and fun for young students. Some of the planned activities include arts and crafts, board games, puzzles, computers, movies, outdoor play, reading, and a supervised homework and study time.

The clubs and enrichment portion of ACE is an alternative and supplement to aftercare. In clubs, intramurals, and enrichment classes, children have the opportunity to explore and develop a variety of new interests. All classes are presented in a fun and skill building environment. A variety of options are offered each quarter of the school year, such as chess, Chinese, cooking, dance, drums, jewelry making, karate, mad science, STEM, yoga, and writing.

Middle School leadership, enrichment, and club offerings allow students to develop skills, explore new passions, or enhance current interests. Through their participation, students find themselves broadening both intellectually and socially while cultivating their skills as leaders and compassionate contributors to both the Benjamin community and the community at large. The Middle School Student Council encourages leadership opportunities through the planning and execution of school events, fundraising, and community service. In addition, at the end of the year, there is a club exposition in the quad where each club presents a demonstration of their year’s work. Clubs include, Spanish Club, Harry Potter Club, Random Acts of Kindness Club, Sustainable Landscape Beautification, Robotics Club, Math Enrichment, and many more.

Upper School students have opportunities to demonstrate leadership and organizational skills through a wide variety of school clubs and organizations. Students are encouraged to be active classroom participants as well as active in at least one club or organization. They can choose from


a variety of options, such as American Sign Language, Benjamin Animal Rescue Club, Diversity Council, Finance Club, Harvard Model Congress, Japanese Club, Red Cross Club, Student Council, Yale Model UN, the nationally recognized Benjineers and more.

Community ServiceThe Community Service program at TBS supports the School’s mission by inspiring students to develop personal responsibility, concern for others, and a commitment to serve society. The program also reinforces the School’s 12 Values and strives to teach children how to apply knowledge and interactive skills that address important school and community needs. Students discover new interests and abilities, learn to work cooperatively, and assume leadership roles, as they experience the value of caring and helping others. The entire Benjamin community of students, parents, alumni, faculty, and staff work together to make a positive difference through a variety of community service efforts.

camPuS

Fifteen years ago, less than six miles north of the tranquil setting where Marshall and Nancy Benjamin built their quaint little school 43 years earlier, The Benjamin School broke ground on new land in Palm Beach Gardens. The expansive 50-acre Upper School campus includes five major buildings, impressive athletic fields and courts, as well as space to grow. Each of Benjamin’s two campuses has computer labs, language labs, video production studios, media centers, makerspaces and technology support centers. All classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards, a technology that connects to mobile devices to enhance the learning process. Multimedia audio visual systems in every classroom help to engage our students.


In May 2019, the School will debut a two-story, 13,000-square-foot STEM Center on the Lower and Middle School Campus. This significant capital investment will provide students as young as three, a space to explore, build and study collaboratively in a state-of-the-art facility. In the Upper School, TBS has replaced the traditional library with a Learning Commons which includes a virtual reality lab, a glass cube conference room, multiple collaboration areas, projection and smart boards, and a café. This transformation of the library’s role on campus has now evolved from a provider of information to a facilitator of learning.

Palm Beach counTy, Florida

Palm Beach became prominent during the late 19th century when Henry Morrison Flagler, a co-founder of Standard Oil Company, made the Atlantic coast barrier island accessible via the Florida East Coast Railway. Today, Palm Beach County stretches from the Everglades to the Atlantic Ocean. With its international airport, world-class shops and restaurants, stunning waterfront, and annual average temperature of 75 degrees, it is a wonderful place to live. And people have taken notice; the population is growing at 20% a year with an influx of families and professionals as well as corporate offices from around the country. One of three major cities in South Florida, the population of West Palm Beach is roughly 109,000. This does not include the rest of Palm Beach County, which includes the towns of Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach, Welington, Delray Beach, Boca Raton and others. Located 68 miles north of downtown Miami, West Palm Beach is also the oldest municipality in South Florida. The downtown area of West Palm has enjoyed significant revitalization and offers a rich array of cultural attractions. The historic main street through town, Clematis Street, comes alive every Thursday for “Clematis by Night,” an outdoor event featuring live music and food. Historic neighborhoods of El Cid, Flamingo Park, and Grandview Heights, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places, are characterized by beautiful Mediterranean revival homes. Also noteworthy is CityPlace, featuring The Harriet Himmel theater, night clubs, restaurants, and retail outlet stores. Equally impressive are Northwood Village, a historically commercial area-turned-arts district; and Antique Row, a stretch of shops that has been mentioned by Architectural Digest and The New York Times as one of the best antique districts on the East Coast. Cultural attractions in West Palm Beach include Florida’s largest art museum, the newly renovated Norton Museum of Art, the Palm Beach County History Museum, a recently expanded science museum, and a zoo. The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is another stunning venue that hosts an array of Broadway musicals, dance, opera, orchestra, and music events in the city. Over 275,000 people flock to West Palm Beach each spring for SunFest, the state’s largest waterfront music festival, while the Palm Beach International Film Festival draws artsy crowds each April. The area is also home to several colleges and universities including Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Palm Beach State College, Keiser University, and Lynn University.

The northern palm beaches have also become a hub for bio-science, with the addition of two prominent world leaders that have located within a mile of the Upper School campus, the Max Planck institute and Scripps Florida. Palm Beach County truly offers exceptional sun coast living as well and outdoor entertainment in comparison to other oceanfront cities in Florida. Forty-seven miles of pristine beaches offer superb fishing, diving, boating, and aquatic recreation, while more than 200 golf courses and two PGA tournaments have much to offer golf enthusiasts. A vibrant tourist economy and charming collection of neighborhoods make Palm Beach an ideal place to live year-round, amounting to a big little city that native Floridians and transplants take pride in calling home.


oPPorTuniTieS and challenGeS

The Benjamin School rests on solid financial footing with well-managed debt, good admissions demand, and excellent faculty and facilities. The School enjoys strong college placement, engages students in academic and extracurricular programs of impressive breadth and excellence, and enrolls “amazing, humble” students. This is a school community brimming with optimism and potential yet as with most independent schools, also recognizes some challenges for the next Head of School:

• Increasing the School’s $16M endowment to assist in programming, long-term sustainability, and tuition support;

• Countering the increased competition for enrollment and re-enrollment in Palm Beach County from recently developed charter, magnet, and independent schools;

• Continuing to build a strong sense of community between and on each campus among faculty, students, and parents;

• Further strengthening Benjamin School’s value proposition to current and prospective parents;• Continuing to develop and improve the School programmatically and professionally while

respecting the traditions, values, and character of the community;• Maintaining the School’s high caliber of faculty and students dedicated to its mission;• Continuing to make strategic physical improvements and updates to the two campuses;• Implementing the features of the School’s next strategic plan and recommendations from its

accreditation report (following the March 2019 visit).

deSired QualiTieS and QualiFicaTionS

The School community has appreciated Bob Goldberg’s leadership over the last 11 years, characterized by a relational, highly visible, and accessible style, and bringing to the School both ambition and large school experience. His knowledge of students and families, strong work ethic, and attention to detail have helped the School recover from the economic downturn of 2008 and to rise to state and regional prominence. The School seeks candidates who display a natural, interpersonal warmth, the confidence to lead an experienced faculty and to engage parents, and the vision to help the School evolve while maintaining a sense of tradition and care. In addition, the Search Committee will be highly interested in applicants who possess most of the following additional qualities:

• Highly effective communication skills, both writing and public speaking;• Strong moral grounding and integrity;• The ability to inspire faculty, students, parents, and the Board of Trustees;• Interested in all aspects of school life at all levels Pre-K3-12;• Energy and passion;• Strategic and innovative thinker;• Team builder;• Genuine and sincere.


To aPPly

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact the consultants to discuss this opportunity at The Benjamin School. Ultimately, each applicant will be asked to submit electronically (preferably as PDFs) the following materials: • A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;• A current résumé;• A one-page statement of educational leadership practice highlighting their leadership in a large,

complex school;• A list of five professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each (references

will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission) to: Ben BoltéSenior [email protected]

Marlene ShawSenior [email protected]

P B G , Fl h S d : j 2020 - carneysandoe.com · Motto: Nulli Secundus (Second to None) School hiSTory In 1960, Marshall and Nancy Benjamin, two teachers from Michigan, acquired a

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