Strategic Plan Final Report 2010-2013

Turning Vision Into Reality ... The Dream Continues Final Report

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Lawrence Sykoff Center for Excellence

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During the 2009–2010 school year, Ranney School developed a three-year Strate-gic Plan, “Turning Vision into Reality ... The Dream Continues.” An all-encompassing, collaborative effort developed by trustees, administrators, teachers and parents, the Strategic Plan was designed to provide children with a 21st-century education in a culturally stimulating, state-of-the-art environment while maintaining our traditional values. Our school’s mission statement framed the plan’s direction and approach:

Ranney School provides students with an exemplary, well-rounded education, one that promotes the development of every child’s intellectual, personal, cre-ative and moral promise. By serving a diverse community that values a rigorous, wide-ranging program of study, Ranney students are inspired to reach their full potential. Guided by dedicated and compassionate professionals, the Ranney experience is distinguished by the heartfelt bond between student and teacher—the hallowed principle celebrating the unique nature of every child. In an environment with contemporary learning resources, students learn the val-ue of contributing to their local and global communities through leadership and service. The school’s motto—Knowledge, Vision, Honor—is as much an inspira-tion as it is a social imperative, one that informs the thinking and actions of our students. Awakening students’ intellectual potential and encouraging them to communicate with confidence in their own unique voice remains fundamental to the Ranney experience. The ultimate success of our students is the result of a simple yet powerful mission–promise: every child will be known and valued.

With this mission as a guide, our strategic plan was developed with one simple goal aimed at fulfilling our mission–promise: to develop opportunities that add to the quality of student life. During the past three years, the school has steadily achieved remarkable milestones and even surpassed its initial goals. Implemented throughout the 2010–2013 school years, the strategic plan’s goals are now nearly 100% achieved and the stage is set for the development of a new set of strategic initiatives in the years ahead.

About the Lawrence Sykoff Center for Excellence

On May 21, 2013, students, parents, faculty and board members joined together to dedicate the Middle and Upper School Building on Ranney School’s campus to Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff, naming the building the “Lawrence Sykoff Center for Excellence” in his honor. After 20 years as Headmaster of Ranney School, Dr. Sykoff is retiring at the conclusion of the 2012–2013 school year, but leaves his everlasting vi-sion and legacy to current and future students, saying: “I hope that the Sykoff Center for Excellence will be a symbol of permanence and of strength in your lives and in our community for many years to come. While this dedication is a formal recognition of excellence, please re-member each time you enter the Sykoff Center for Excellence, that excellence is always the goal to pursue.”

www.ranneyschool.org/strategicplan 1

The summaries included herein provide an overview of our achievements in these areas:

• Academic Life, including Technology• Student Life, including Athletics• Faculty & Administration• Family Life, including Summer Programs• Strategic Marketing• Financial Planning• Development • Governance• Facilities & Campus Infrastructure

On behalf of the Board of Trustees Strategic Planning Committee, the faculty, staff and administration, we thank you for your support and assure you that excellence remains in Ranney’s future and all that this great school holds for our exceptional students and the community we serve.

James Price, President (Madison ’13)

Daniel Goldberg, M.D. Past President (Adam ’99, Jeffrey ’03)

Marshall Knopf, Sr. Vice President(Emily ’01, Jennifer ’03, Laura ’06, Max ’09)

Josephine Esquivel, Vice President(Alexandra ’14, Joseph ’14)

Patricia Kurdyla, Secretary (Amy ’88, Phillip ’94)

Christopher Fitzmaurice, Treasurer(Liam ’17, Shana ’19, Tyge ’23)

Carol Martin, Educational Development Advisor (Elizabeth ’14)

Brian Torpey, M.D. , Strategic Planning Advisor (McCall ’11, Kendall ’13, Matthew ’17, Jack ’18)

Frank Austin ’88

Robert Chandler(Jillian ’21, Morgan ’22, Brooks ’27)

Scott Fischer (Veronika ’13, Francesca ’15, Myles ’17)

Kristen Gerhard (Peter ’15, Madison ’18)

Michael Jones, M.D. (Siobhan ’21, Gavin ’25)

Michael Oster (Aidan ’21, Devin ’22, Dylan ’24)

Stephen Papetti (Julia ’07, Anthony ’12)

Douglas Roberts ’79 (Elizabeth ’15, Alexander ’18)

Ann Ross, M.D. (Jillian ’18, Nicholas ’18)

Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ed.D., Head of School

Patricia Marshall, Head of Lower School / Associate Head of Academic Administration

David Fischer, Head of Middle School(Lauren ’23, Drew ’26)

Paul Zanowski, Head of Upper School

CharlesZalewski,ChiefFinancialOfficer

Kathleen Deeken, Director of Student Support Services and Summer Study (Tessa ’05)

Valerie Francois, Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications (Nicolas ’22)

Lynn Lucarelli, Director of Development (Molly ’25)

Joseph Tweed, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

Board of Trustees (2012–2013) Headmaster’s Cabinet

James Price Josephine Esquivel Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ed.D.President Chair, Strategic Planning Committee Head of School

The Board of Trustees, 2012–2013.

2 Strategic Plan Final Outcomes 2010–2013

It gives me great pleasure to present to you the final“reportcard”forRanneySchool’sthree-yearstrategic planning efforts described in detail in the2010–2011“TurningVisionintoReality…The

DreamContinues”report.Thatdocumentrepresentedtwo years of steady community planning and collabo-ration to develop a working set of strategies for the years ahead.

The 2012–2013 school year, the capstone year, has been incredibly successful and the details contained in the report herein highlight the enormous momentum our school has sustained for two decades. In the spring of 2012, I announced my intention to retire at the end of the current school year. The Board of Trustees and Headmaster’s Cabinet know only too well that this period of time would be just as ambitious as the past decade, ramping up activity even more so to meet head-onthegoals,projectsandhighaspirationsthatwereincludedinourthree-yearstrategicplanningdoc-ument. We have done just that and our great school is well-positionedtoadvanceeducationalexcellencewellinto the future.

In reading through the report, it will quickly become clear that from every aspect of school life–programs, teacher development, technology, student life, volun-teerism, facilities, safety and security, marketing and admissions,fundraising,financialplanningandBoardgovernance, our school has reached new levels of success. While there is always more to do and more tocontemplate,thethree-yearstrategicinitiativesgave meaning and direction to our school, providing newopportunitiesforchildrenatalllevelstoflourishand thrive. The lists of student, teacher and program achievements is far too numerous to mention here, and I encourage you to visit our website and online publications,whereyouwillfindmanyoftheseaccom-plishments featured.

Sufficeittosay,thecontinuingachievementsofourstudents are the result of having them educated in a schoolwithaclearlydefinedmissionstatementthatisfirmlyfocusedontheiroverallwell-being,growthand development. Each child is inspired by the mis-sion–promise held by every teacher and administrator that ensures them that every child is known and valued. Our mission is the centerpiece of our work—and an expression of the dedication the community has for Ranney School to remain a beacon of hope and inspira-tion in every child’s heart and mind.

In recent years, Ranney School has garnered regional and national attention. Our graduates attend some of the best colleges and universities in the world and they continue to make a difference in their profes-sional lives beyond college. Our school’s facilities, technology and programs are so highly regarded that the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS) selected our school as the host site for its 2012 Biennial Professional Development Conference last fall. Close to 1,200 educators visited our cam-pus for the conference—an event that was widely discussed in the independent school community throughout the United States.

Our recent accreditation with the Middle States As-sociationofSchoolsandCollegesunder“excellent”standing is one more exemplary demonstration of the school’s outstanding record of success. The accreditation was an opportunity for our school’s achievements to be validated by other independent school educators from nearby states with whom we share a common purpose.

Hereisanexcerptfromthefinalaccreditationdocu-ment: “Ranney School has made tremendous strides not just since the last Middle States visit, but over the last two decades.… This type of growth does not happen without deliberate, thoughtful, and strong strategic planning.”

Once upOn a time On HOpe ROad . . .


ThefinalyearofthestrategicplanimplementationsawmanyfirstsatRanneySchool,whicharehighlightedinthepages of this report. Below are just a few highlights that we experienced during the past nine months: • RanneySchoolhostedtheprestigiousthree-dayTwo

Rivers Arts and Antiques Show; the funds raised sup-ported Monmouth Medical Center’s Wilentz Breast Cancer Institute.

• We entered the competitive Shore Conference.• The Board of Trustees completed the Head of School

search with the highly regarded selection of Dr. John Griffith,HeadofBattleGroundAcademy,inTennessee.

• The school community united during and after Hur-ricane Sandy, providing ongoing help to displaced and challenged families within and outside our Jersey Shore community. The outpouring of compassion from RSPA volunteers, students, teachers, administrators and par-ents throughout that tough time was a moment in our school’s history that our families will cherish forever.

• The Athletic Department hosted its largest and most highly attended Alumni Hall of Fame ever.

• The Walling Aquatic Center was named after our be-loved coach, friend and mentor, Emmett Walling.

• Ranney students performed at the legendary and iconic Carnegie Hall in New York City.

• The Communications Department launched a rede-signedwebsite–aone-yearprojectthatopenedanewworld of digital and social media opportunities.

• RSPAhostedawell-attendedandsuccessfulPantherBall on our school campus, celebrating our community of parents, alumni, past parents and friends.

• The school community celebrated the completion of the new Grandstands and Press Box with camera deck.

• Upper School students successfully competed in the VEX Robotics World Championship in California.

In my 20 years at Ranney, I have learned there is a pro-found difference between schools that are good and those that strive to be great. The difference is often in a col-

lective will to be the best—to offer unique experiences that change children’s lives. Ranney School is that kind of institution—a place where innovation and imagination are embraced and goodness is the underlying goal. There is never a greater sense of the importance of such a mission thanintheeyesofaconfidentchild.Ranneyhasdemon-stratedinitsthree-yearstrategicplanthatasustainablelevel of high performance can be achieved. As a result, our schoolhasadefiningculturethatisbuilttowithstandtheunexpected and advance with enduring greatness.

A few weeks ago, I visited with a few of my kindergarten friendsaswesaidourfinalgoodbyestoeachother.Thesetalks with children have been one of the most heartwarm-ing aspects of my life as Headmaster. When I have time in the years ahead, I will write a book to share these quiet conversationsandendearingreflections.Itwasanostalgicmomentforallofus.Iturnedtoonechildandsaid,“Re-member,alwaysworkhardtobeagoodperson.”Thechildlookedatmeandsaid,“That’seasy,Dr.Sykoff,”andafteramomentoffered,“BecausethereisnoplacelikeRanneySchool.”Well,Icouldn’thavesaiditbettermyself.

Thank you for 20 years of irreplaceable opportunities and cherished memories. I love our school and all the people I have known over the years. I leave with enormous affection and everlasting pride in what our school means in the lives of children. They are all my heroes!

Thisstrategicreportwasappropriatelythemed“TheDreamContinues,”aptlyrepresentinghowwefeelaboutRanney. I know in my heart that the dream we share for children will always continue.

With blessings and endless appreciation, Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ed.D., Head of School

AcAdemic Life

In 2010, the committee charged with developing goals for Academic Life at Ranney School set out to definepathwaysthatwouldforgeRanneythroughthe21stcenturyasaleaderineducation.Thischargeincluded shaping a modern and rigorous course of study that would serve to value the work students con-tribute to learning as much as the outcomes achieved, and thereby focused on creativity, design, ingenuity, collaboration and communication. The committee’s goals also were centered on the value of character and thequalitiesdefinedas“grit:”ethicalpractice,perseverance,commitment,driveandleadership. KeyprioritiesinstrategicplanningforAcademicLifewereto:redefinethecorevaluesoftheRan-ney School academic experience and integrate these values into the academic program; make certain thatRanney’sacademicprogramisdefinedbyexcellenceandinstructionalbestpractices;ensurethatRanney’s academic programming and facilities remain competitive and relevant; help prepare students tothriveintheConceptualandInformationAges;developRanney’sfineandperformingartsprogramsinto a regional center of excellence; expand summer academic opportunities; and showcase the Ranney School educational experience by developing connections with the local, state, national and global com-munities. The Academic Life Committee also set goals focused on the environment of learning, thereby settingthestageforstate-of-the-arttechnologiesandeducationaltoolsaspathwaystoachievesuccess.

SignificAnt AccompLiShmentS

• Infall2012,theScienceDepartmentforgedthefirstSTEM(science,technology,engineeringandmath) committee at Ranney School with faculty from the Science, Math and Technology Departments. The committee developed initiatives that support curriculum development to advance STEM educa-tionwithintheacademicdepartmentsandthroughoutStudentLifeprograms(seealso,“StudentLife”).In February 2013, the committee incorporated the Art Department and is now known as STEAM.


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At left: The Upper School Robotics Team, Shorebots, competed in the 2013 VEX High School World Championship. Above: Discovery learning is threaded throughout all divisions, including the Early Childhood curriculum.


Many achievements have occurred as a result:• The Upper School Robotics team, Shorebots, competed at the state level and national level, earning

an Excellence Award and placement to compete at the VEX Robotics High School World Champion-ships in April 2013. The world tournament was streamed live over the Internet during our Lower Schoolsciencefair,demonstratingacross-pollinationoftalentacrossdivisions.

• TheLowerSchoolreceivedthe2012GoldenrodRoboticsYouthTouchGranttobringreal-worldexamples of robotics engineering to the classroom.

• In spring 2013, the Lower School formed a new Lego Robotics League for students in grades K–5.• Competitive Math Olympiad teams were established in each division, encompassing grades 4–12.• Students in all divisions have achieved regional, state and national recognition through the Math

League, Math Olympiad and the American Mathematics Competition.• The Upper School’s Science Research Club hosted its Fourth Annual Science Expo in the Ranney

SchoolParents’Association(RSPA)PantherHallinFebruary2013;aRanneysophomoreplacedfirstin the Delaware Valley Science Fair for her engineering project.

• Infall2012,theLowerSchoolartcurriculumwasidentifiedforexcellenceatthenationallevelbyRu-bicon Atlas for incorporating common core curriculum standards in STEM education at the elemen-tary level and demonstrating exemplar status for horizontal integration (i.e., across subjects).

• OurMiddleSchoolnowranksninthinthecountry,outof32schools,andfirstinthestateofNewJersey based on National Science League Testing that took place in spring 2013.

• In spring 2013, students in all divisions received national honors in Spanish and French for their high exam scores. World Language instruction throughout Ranney now includes three languages (Spanish, English and Mandarin Chinese) spanning all three divisions, starting in Kindergarten.

• Ranney School earned accreditation from the Middle States Association for Schools and Colleges with exemplar status. The accreditation process established an institutional objective to support the develop-ment of curriculum in the areas of reading, writing and math across all divisions, thereby bridging cur-riculum development from Lower to Middle and Middle to Upper School.

• Over the course of 2010–2013, faculty members at the elementary grade level completed the competi-tive Columbia University Teachers College Writer’s Workshop Project.

• A reading framework was established in the Lower School that uses developmental reading assessments to measure growth in reading. Assessments are conducted three times a year for differentiated ap-proaches to reading instruction, including the Daily Five and Reading Café programs.

• In the area of standardized tests, 86% of Ranney students passed their Advanced Placement (AP) exams, compared to the New Jersey pass rate of 75% and the global pass rate of 61%. In 2013, a junior achieved a perfect score of 2,400 on the SAT and another junior was admitted to the highly selective Governor’s School for Engineering (15% admittance rate).

• College admission among Ranney seniors continues at 100%. Approximately 75% of the senior class of 2013earnedacceptanceintotheirfirstorsecondschoolofchoice.Ranneyseniorsalsocontinuetogainadmittancetohighlyselectivefour-yearcollegesataratethatistwotothreetimesthenationalaccep-tance rate of the same institutions. In addition to this success, Ranney students each year earn admission tospecializedschoolsinbusiness,finearts,musicandengineering,andourscholar–athletesarerecruitedbyleadingcollegesanduniversities(seeour“MatriculationandSpecializedSchoolsLists”).

SummAry And forwArd thinking

As Ranney School concludes its strategic plan, it celebrates unprecedented success across all divisions and academic departments that speak to Ranney students’ ability to participate and compete in creative design and engineering forums, leadership conferences, standardized testing formats, stage and instrumental performances, athletic leagues and championships, publishing opportunities and collaborative experiences, service programs, and highly competitive college admissions—all within an environment that values the tradition of school values and embraces modern technologies and learning tools.

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Throughout the strategic planning process and implementation, the Academic Life Committee worked diligently to envelop into each of the aforementioned goals the core experiences of Ranney student life. We are proud to celebrate the achievements of academic strategic planning in the success of our teachers and students. In reviewing these accomplishments, one cannot question the value of planning for success. AsRanneySchoolpreparestoclosedownitsfirststrategicplan,wearelookingaheadatnewgoalsthatsupport curriculum development in science, math, engineering, the arts, technology, ethics and leadership, health, character education and diversity, to name a few.

technoLogy updAte

Recognizing that technology offers students an avenue to success as citizens in a global community, ourstrategicplanencompassedseveraltechnologygoalsaimedatachievinga21st-centurylearningenvironment. A major goal was to develop and implement a 1:1 Student Laptop Program—one of the most ambitious technology initiatives ever introduced in the history of Ranney School. In July 2012, we concludedthefirstyearofthissuccessfulprogram,whichprovided500laptopstoMiddleandUpperSchool students. The program was the culmination of several years of careful planning and implementa-tion among administrators, faculty, staff and parents—and it was just one of our many achievements in the area of technology during the past three years.

In fact, during the past decade, Ranney School has been at the forefront of implementing educational technology that allows students and faculty to connect, collaborate, present, inspire, listen, learn and communicate. Today, other independent educational institutions aspire to emulate the technological suc-cessthatRanneyexemplifies.Lookingahead,RanneySchoolwillcontinuetoprovideatechnologicallyrich learning environment that can provide students with the instructional equity they need for thor-ough research and group collaboration and which will inspire productivity in today’s digitized learning environments. Below are key technology achievements made recently.

• The NJAIS Biennial Professional Development Conference brought more than 900 independent school administrators and faculty to our campus for a full day of workshops that showcased the school’s tech-nology capabilities. Visitors experienced advanced technology in every building, from wireless capabilities to fully connected classrooms.

• When Hurricane Sandy made landfall, Ranney was prepared and safely secured all technology assets lo-cated on campus. The administration was able to stay in close contact using cellphones and our Google Docs for Education software. The software, which students and faculty use regularly for learning and col-laboration,alongwithourcloud-basedRanneyEmergencyNotificationSystem(RENS),enabledadminis-tratorstorestorecontactandinformthecommunityatlargeaboutourschool’sstatusandre-opening.

• OuruseofSkypeallowedustoexperimentsuccessfullywithavirtual-classroomconcept,demonstrat-ing that the classroom no longer has to have walls. Teachers and students can use Skype to communicate with experts outside the Ranney community, essentially opening their classroom to the world.

• Middle and Lower School students were able to take full advantage of the Ranney laptop program with laptopcartsandwirelessaccess.Inanexampleof21st-centurytest-taking,studentstooktheirEduca-tional Records Bureau (ERB) tests online, eliminating the need for pencil and paper and increasing the speed of obtaining results.

• Tokeepstudents,parentsandfacultyawareoftheever-evolvingonlinelandscape,theTechnologyDepartment introduced a new Technology Blog for the Ranney community to highlight key changes in Internet safety and protocols. The blog is also useful for providing administrators, faculty and parents with the necessary information to make informed decisions in this area of technology use.

• To accommodate the school’s growing rigorous academic requirements, we entered into multiyear agreements with Internet providers to quadruple our web access and to provide streaming media as well as redundancy to crucial systems. §

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Student Life

As we complete our Strategic Plan, the Student Life Committee continues to see the value of educating the“whole”child.ThisphilosophyconsidersthedevelopmentandconstantimprovementofStudentLifeprogrammingtobevital.Suchprograms,whichincludeco-curricularandextracurricularactivities,athleticteams and service organizations, offer students the opportunity to explore varied interests, deepen their passions, strengthen relationships with peers, teachers and coaches, and develop skills that will be crucial as they mature in the 21st century. In implementing our strategic goals, the Student Life Committee fo-cused its energies on development programming, which enhances connections within our school commu-nity, strengthens our commitments to school values and traditions, and develops an understanding of the value of community and global consciousness.


• PerformingArtsisnowaregionallyrecognizeddepartmentacrossalldivisions,includingouraward-winningMiddleandUpperSchoolchoirs,all-schoolorchestra,UpperSchooljazzband,UpperSchooltheater program and stage performers. Three Upper School students and a faculty member were nominatedforCountBasieawardsin2013,andaseniorwonfor“OutstandingLeadActorinaDrama.”PerformingArtsfacultymembershavewonandbeennominatedforregionalandnationalawards as well, including for conducting, costume design and master teaching.

• Theschool’sstellarperformingartsstudentsshinedduringa200-studentchoral,bandandorchestralperformance at the renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City in January 2013. Students in grades as early as third grade participated, symbolizing a dream come true after years of devotion and planning among our collective faculty, administration and community members. The event represented an oppor-tunitytowitnessfirst-handthemeaningoftheRanneyexperienceanditsimpactonourstudents.

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The Ranney School Performing Arts Department was proud to have held its 2013 Winter Concert Extravagan-za at the iconic Carnegie Hall in New York City—a first for the school.


• International travel opportunities remained part of the Middle School experience in conjunction with ISCA, which organizes international educational travel programs. In addition, Upper School students traveled to Spain in 2012, and to the United Kingdom in 2013.

• With guidance from RSPA and school leadership, students met the needs of many in our Jersey Shore area after Hurricane Sandy, devoting time and energy to place families in homes and raise money and material goods needed by those affected the most. Drives and awareness campaigns assisted organiza-tions such as Project Recover and Rebuild, Lunch Break and the American Red Cross.

• To increase connections across campus divisions, new programs were created, including: Admissions Ambassadors, Hands across the Campus, Lower School Internships, Robotics programs, Transition mentorships and Upper School Forensics mentorships.

• Ethics, Leadership, Diversity and Internship programming for Upper School students continued to provide excellent learning opportunities outside the traditional classroom, including forums with prominent community members. Thanks to Ranney parents who offered to provide dynamic experi-ential learning experiences, the upcoming 2013 Summer Internship program will offer rising seniors morethan50internshipsinvariousfields.Inaddition,risingjuniorswillhavetheopportunitytoacquire internship hours through a partnership with Monmouth Medical Center.

• Our Upper School Diversity Club continued to enhance programming for our oldest students, includ-ing the development of a diversity seminar for all Upper Schoolers in May 2013.

• Striking art shows by Lower, Middle and Upper School students are now showcased in the Panther HallGalleryandindividualstudentartistscontinuetoearncompetitivefineartsawards.Forthesecond year in a row, the Fine Arts Department includes a modern, online virtual arts exhibit called Artsonia,allowingforportfolio-buildingatallages.ARanneysophomorewontheSilverKeyAwardfromtheScholasticArtandWritingCompetitionforhermixed-mediaartwork;shecompetedagainst900 student artists from across northern New Jersey.

• The MAG, Ranney’s Middle School literary and art magazine, has carried on what has now become a nationally recognized winning tradition. The editorial staff and advisor earned awards from the Colum-biaandAmericanScholasticPressAssociationsforthemagazine’s“Origins”and“FutureofTechnol-ogy”editions;The Mag also earned the Columbia association’s prestigious Gold Award.

• Ranneyco-curricularclubscontinuetotakeadvantageoflearningopportunitiesoutsidetheclass-room, with students earning top honors in early 2013. In addition to the Upper School Robotics Team’sparticipationintheVEXWorldChampionship,theLowerSchoolall-girlsRoboticsTeamwonSt

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Approximately 40% of students in the Class of 2013 are “lifers.”


firstplaceattheLegoRoboticsCompetition,theUp-perSchoolHistoryClubqualifiedforentryintotheHistory Bowl/National Championship and the Nation-al Geography Quiz Bowl, the Middle School Science Olympiadteamcompetedinregionalandstatefinals,and the Academic Challenge Team competed in the National Academic Team Quiz Bowl, marking the team’s fourth consecutive national competition (in New Jersey, the team ranks ninth and one senior ranks second).

• Ranney Plus, which supports student enrichment during afterschool hours, expanded in its second year with new programs in robotics, Panther Cub athletics, art, orchestra, community service and leadership, allowing children and faculty to explore and develop skills and interests on campus beyond the school day.

• Ranney now has 40 student Admissions Ambassadors who serve as hosts to visiting families throughout the school year.

• Thepercentageof“lifer”students(thosewhohavebeen part of the school community for 10 or more years) who graduate from Ranney has grown (40% of the 2013 graduating class are lifers), demonstrating the value of the distinct Ranney experi-ence over time.

• Several Ranney traditions experienced anniversary years, including the 10th annual College Alumni panel and 10th annual Forensics Festival.


During the three years of strategic plan implementation, Ranney School’s Student Life offerings have both increased in variety and availability, as well as in their ability to positively affect students and the commu-nity.Throughexpandedco-curricularactivitiesanduniqueprogramminginallthreedivisions,ourcom-munity has worked hard to develop experiences for our students that, in turn, expand learning outside of theclassroomanddevelopskillscrucialto21st-centurylearning.Futureenhancementoftheseprograms,along with their connection to emerging academic priorities, including technology and STEM initiatives, will continue to position Ranney as a leading institution in the provision of student life.

AthLetic updAte

TheAthleticDepartmentimplementedyeartwoofits2011strategicdocument,“21stCenturyVisionfortheRanneyScholar-Athlete,”whichisseparatebutinlinewiththeoverallthree-yearRanneySchoolStrategicPlan.Theathleticstrategyaspirestodevelopanevenmorediversifiedandcompetitivesportsprogram through all divisions. Today, the Panther Athletic Program has entered into a new phase of com-petitionwhichincludesthepursuitofathleticexcellencethroughparticipationinahigh-qualityprogramthat is centered on commitment, dedication, hard work, preparation and responsibility. These values also incorporate a focus on community and stress the ideals of pursuing victory with honor. Going forward, this vision will establish a standard of excellence that bridges current and future Ranney Panthers. Follow-ing are highlights of recent achievements in athletics.

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Seniors and Beginners celebrate being together during senior transition day.


• Theschool’s“perfectpartnerships”program,establishedin2012andaimedatstrengtheningrelation-ships throughout the area, expanded to include more local athletic clubs: the New Jersey Wildcat Soccer Club, United Lacrosse Club, Central Jersey Hawks Basketball Club, Hoop Group, New Jersey Race Club Swim Team, Brian Bevin’s Golf, Atlantic Fencing Club and Two River Indoor Rowing.

• Theschool’sfirstcompetitionswithinthehighlyregardedShoreConferencebegan;notonlywereseveral meets held in the Gerhard Pavilion for Athletics, but also the Ranney Varsity Girls’ Tennis team broughthomethe2012ShoreConference“BCentral”Championshiptitle.

• RanneySchoolwashonoredwiththeShoreConference’s“BCentral”Sportsmanshipaward.• TheVarsityGirls’BasketballteamwonthePantherClassicTournamentforthefifthconsecutiveyear.• Director of Athletics Tom Moriau completed his 400th career win as Head Coach of the Varsity Girls’

Basketball team as well as his 25th year at Ranney. He was honored as the Shore Conference Coaches As-sociation“BCentral”CoachoftheYearandtheNewarkStar Ledger Monmouth County Coach of the Year.

• Concussion-managementsafetystandardswereputintoplaceforvarsityathletesandwecontinuedourZargiscardio-scantestingforUpperSchoolathletes.

• The Lower School sports program expanded to include new baseball and softball offerings. Participa-tion in already existing soccer, golf and fencing programs grew as well, enabling more Lower School students to be exposed to the important elements of sport that are not matched in the local area.

• MiddleSchoolathletesexperiencedanothersuccessfulfallseason.Withparticipationatanall-timehigh,Ranney boys’ and girls’ soccer teams earned a trip to the league championship; the boys’ basketball team won the Central Jersey Athletic League (CJAL) Championship; the boys’ swim team won the Ranney Swim Invitational; the Middle School tennis and cross country teams enjoyed a large turnout and performed at toplevelplay;andthefieldhockeyteamovercameasmallrostertoexhibitstrongperformances.

• A freshman was selected to the New Jersey Interscholastic Association First Team All States Women’s FoilforRanneySchool,afirstforthePanthers.InMarch,thestudentearnedthesilvermedalinGirls’Foil at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Individual Championship; thissecond-placefinishwasthefirstNJSIAApodiumplacementforafemaleRanneyfencer.

• TheVarsityCrewteamenjoyedanew“home”ontheShrewsburyRiver,rowingoutoftheShrews-bury Sailing and Yacht Club. The facility access provided a tremendous advantage to the team.

• The Ranney Equestrian Club became an active addition to the athletic program in October 2012, bringing together students who share a common passion for horseback riding. §St

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The new Panther Grandstands and Press Box were dedicated in spring 2013 during a pep rally.


fAcuLty & AdminiStrAtion

In2010,theFacultyandAdministrationCommitteesetouttoarticulatefiveoverarchinggoalstosteertheimportant development of teaching success at Ranney School: project a standard of teaching excellence to the community; enhance professional development programs; develop the school’s faculty/administrative mentoring program; attract and retain the best and the brightest to serve our mission; and forge teaching partnerships with universities and professional organizations. As a result of the committee’s work, Stan-dards of Teaching Excellence were developed in November 2010 and now serve as the guiding principles of professional excellence for teachers and administrators alike. These standards, which outline the ex-pectationthatoureducatorsareexpertleadersintheirfields,setthestageforallinitiativesoverthepastthree years and serve as the focal point for all goals moving forward. The committee has since played a significantroleinfosteringaschoolculturethatholdshighexpectationsforRanneyeducatorsandadmin-istrators to serve the community as mentors, thereby contributing to a collaborative environment.


• Demonstrating the school’s growing reputation and leadership in independent school education, numer-ous Ranney teachers presented at the 2012 NJAIS Biennial Professional Development conference. In fact, our faculty and administrators are increasingly selected by national teaching organizations and conferences to be presenters; they are also recognized at the state and national level as master teachers and fellowship and grant recipients. Faculty have had speaking engagements for conferences and workshops hosted by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the National School Public Relations Associa-tion, the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the New Jersey Association of Foreign Language Teachers and the New Jersey Association of Art Educators, among others.

• Hiring standards have been developed and published to attract the best teachers nationwide. As a result, candidatesseekingtoteachatRanneySchoolareatthetopoftheirfield,withmorecandidatespossess-ing graduate and doctorate degrees.

• More teachers and administrators are pursuing graduate degrees and fellowships. Approximately 50% of faculty and administrators hold graduate degrees; seven have doctorates and two are pursuing doctorates.

• Professional development programs and opportunities have expanded to be inclusive of departmental, grade-levelanddivisionneeds.Inaddition,standardsforprofessionaldevelopmentandrenewalhavebeendeveloped to build on professional portfolios.

• Ranney has developed training partnerships with Monmouth University and Seton Hall University to sup-port training opportunities for teachers and athletic trainers. In addition, a mentoring program has been established by an expert teacher who works with senior colleagues to support new faculty.

• New recognition awards have been established to reward faculty in areas of leadership, student life, instruction and commitment to the school’s mission.

• The Headmaster Educational Longevity Program was established, focusing on health and wellness for staff.• In2012,theschoolre-instateditsmeritcompensationprogramtorewardfacultywhoarehighlyaccount-

able in meeting the standards of excellence in teaching at Ranney School.• Nearly50facultymembershaveservedtheschoolfor10ormoreyearsasof2013,earning“lifer”status.


Today, we are proud that our faculty and administrators embrace leadership within their profession; col-lectively, the work they do in and out of the classroom has brought regional and national recognition to studentsandtotheschoolforacademicexcellence.Aswefinalizeourstrategicplan,newgoalsemergeforthe growth and development of Ranney’s teaching culture which will promise the preservation of the school’s mission, incorporating a personalized learning experience, academic rigor and a culture that respects honor. §

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fAmiLy Life

Aspartofitsstrategicplanning,theFamilyLifeCommitteeaimedtodefinethecorevalueofthe parent–student partnership as well as the community ties that bind our school together. The commit-tee’s strategic goals included expanding parent education offerings, enhancing the offerings for family involvement,andsupportingsocialandcross-culturalprogramming.Today,RanneySchoolpridesitselfon its strong sense of community and our values of compassion, caring and community are abundantly evident across the divisions, including a strong imperative to contribute to those in need at the local, regional and global level.


• The RSPA and the school leadership provided extraordinary support in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which devastated many area towns that our community calls home. Volunteers worked day and night to ensure that community members were safe and had access to the supplies and support systems they needed most. Demonstrating our strong community, volunteers served as the living symbol of our school’s mission when so many families were experiencing enormous challenges.

• In fall 2012, numerous community service initiatives took place, including the annual food and book drives. The tradition of supporting those outside of the Ranney community continued in December 2012, with the fourth annual Holiday Express Concert in RSPA Panther Hall. In addition to provid-ing our Upper School performing arts students with the opportunity to take the stage with profes-sional musicians, the evening has cumulatively raised more than $55,000 since 2009, donating 100% of ticket sales to help those in need during the holiday season and throughout the year.

• During the second semester, community building activities were the focus, with two new Family Nights introduced: a Lower School student/parent Pajama Party and Marionette Show, and a Family BingoNight.ThefirsteventincludedadrivetosupportProjectNightNight,anorganizationthatprovides blankets, pajamas, books and stuffed animals to children in need within New Jersey.

• The annual Rock the Runway fashion show continued to grow in 2013. Expanding the family focus oftheevening,thisyearhighlightedRanney“lifer”seniorsandtheirfathers.TheRockin’Angelscommunityserviceaspectofthefashionshowplayedasignificantrolewithallcampuscollections

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The RSPA Garden Sale and Parents’ Day are annual traditions at Ranney, bringing parents on campus to participate in daily student-life activities.


going to help Monmouth Family and Children’s Servicere-openitsThriftShop,whichhadbeendestroyed by Hurricane Sandy. The center was so grateful for the support of RSPA and the Ran-ney community that it has named Ranney School as one of its honorees for its October 2013 gala. •ThePantherBallcontinuedtobethelargestfundraising event for RSPA. In April 2013, more than 230 generous individuals helped to raise more than $70,000 for the school through tickets sales, sponsorship, and live and silent auctions. HeldforthefirsttimeontheRanneycampusandbuilding tremendous community spirit, the gala, appropriatelythemed“ComeTogether,”provedtobeacost-effectivewaytogeneratefundsforthemission, programs and operations of Ranney School.

• RSPA worked to develop new ways for parents to contribute time to the Ranney community, with the hope of including more parents into the fold of the volunteer corps.

• The Parents’ Association Executive Board restructured the association’s bylaws in 2013, to incorporate aco-presidencymodelintotheleadershipstructureandtoincreasethenumberofelectedmembersserving on the Executive Board, representing the expansion of the parent body over the years.


The strength of Ranney’s family ties, nurtured by the RSPA—whose membership includes every mem-beroftheparentbody,influencesthecontributionswemakeasindividualsandasaschooltothelargercommunity.WithouttheremarkableeffortsofRSPAandtheever-expandingconnectionstheyforgeonand off campus, our community could not provide the level of exceptional academic, athletic, commu-nity service and leadership opportunities that maximize the potential of every child. Going forward, it is thissenseofpurposeandcontinuedefforttodefinethevaluesandmissionofourcommunitythatwillsustain Ranney School as the special place it is for all of our children. Finding ways to include all parents, regardless of the amount of time they can commit, will continue to be a priority for the organization as it looks to increase participation in all divisions. Additionally, the

RSPA leadership plans to pursue the establishment of a speaker series, partnering with internal and external experts, to bring programs to parents that are engaging and worthwhile.

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RSPA was instrumental in bringing the Ranney community back together after Hurricane Sandy.

At left: A Beginner student and a senior student aim high after the Senior–Beginner breakfast. At right: Celebrating Parents’ Day.


Summer progrAmS updAte

As the summer extension of Ranney School, our Summer Programs continue to expand and provide ex-ceptional opportunities for students of all ages. Children ages 3 to 18 can pursue an academic or talent development interest or take part in our American Camp Association accredited Day Camp, Trip Camps, SportsCampsorournewCounselor-in-TrainingProgram.Belowareafewimprovementsandadditionsmade to Summer Programs.

• SummerProgramsarenowbuiltintothetuitionofBeginnersandPre-Kindergartenersstartingwiththe2013–2014schoolyear,creatingyear-roundlearningforcurrentandfuturestudents.

• AnewCounselor-in-TrainingProgramwasaddedfor14-year-oldsinanefforttoprovideauniqueexperienceforthisage-groupofcampersandwithaneyetowarddevelopingfuturecampcounsel-ors.OurInteractivePreschoolAdventuresprogramhasexpandedtoincludetwoone-weekchoiceseach week.

• Summer academic courses, including reading, writing and math, expanded for the fourth year in a rowwithspecializedtalentdevelopmentandacademicofferingsforPre-K–eighthgrade.

• Literature,physicalfitnessandspecializedSTEMandartsprogrammingnowincludeexceptionalop-portunities in archaeology, architecture, engineering, robotics and math and science labs.

• Gifted & Talented courses expanded in grades 1–3 with new Advanced Reading & Writing programming. • Our Summer Music Conservatory Instrumental Insights Orchestra now features two levels of

stringorchestraswithhalf-dayintermediateworkshopsforviolin,violaandcellomusiciansingrades 3–8.

• Anewfull-dayorchestraprogramforadvancedmusicianshasbeenaddedtoaccommodatehighly-specialized and talented young musicians.

• Non-credithighschoolsummeracademiccourseshavebeenrestructuredasthree-weekofferingsto provide families with a better timeframe to pursue introductory humanities and math courses.

• A 25% discount continues to apply to all Ranney families enrolling in summer academic and talent development programs and Day and Trip Camps. §fa

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Our Summer Programs enable students to gain the benefits of year-round learning, including a focus on specialized interests and talents, and social development and growth.


StrAtegic mArketing

ThecharacteristicswithinRanneySchool’smission,visionandvaluesdefinetheRanneycultureanddifferentiate our academic strengths and extracurricular opportunities from other academic institutions in the region. As part of our strategic plan, the Strategic Marketing Committee set out to reinforce and promotethesecharacteristicsandshare“theRanneystory”bydefiningourcorevalues,exploringourdemographic-richemergingmarkets,enhancingourwebcommunicationsandpressrelations,show-casing our students’ success in meaningful ways and developing a new outreach plan for alumni. This consistent platform was designed to assist Ranney in retaining and attracting the most talented faculty and students while enhancing our reputation and mission through various communications vehicles.


• In2012–2013,Ranneyexperienceditshighestschool-wideenrollment:823.Duringthepastthreeyears,UpperSchoolenrollment,inparticular,hasgrowntremendously(30%increase).In2014-2015,theUpperSchool is poised to have 320 total students compared with this school year’s 278. Interest in the ninth gradeisatanall-timehighwithmorethanthreeapplicationsforeveryspace;waitpoolsalsohavebeenestablished for grades 4, 6 and 8. Aligned with these increases has been the strategic growth of our need-basedfinancialaidprogram,whichhasallowedforagreaterdiversificationofthestudentbody.

• AnewGrown-Up&MeSaturdayprogramwasdesignedtobringnewpreschoolfamiliestocampustoexperience our athletic and arts programs as well as our stellar teaching staff.

• The newly renovated Ranney School website launched in February 2013, after a year of planning and development; the site provides a fresh and modern interface with easier navigation for visitors.

• TheCommunicationsTeamproduceda60-pagecommemorativeprintanddigitaleditionoftheschool’sflagshippublication,Columns, which takes a retrospective look at Ranney School’s strategic history, includ-ing a pullout timeline. The digital version includes complementary video clips as well as a blog.

• Twonewhigh-qualitydynamicpublications,theViewbook and At a Glance, were created to serve as key marketing pieces for the school.

• AprintanddigitalSummerProgramsbrochurewaspublishedtohighlighttheschool’suniqueyear-round learning opportunities from preschool to high school.

• Student anthologies and newspapers, such as The MAG, RSVP and Taxi are now produced in digital format and available to the Ranney community online.

• Our Twitter (@RanneySchool) followers rose to a record high of nearly 800, and our Pinterest account nowhas15activeboards.WeopenedanofficialFacebookpage(www.facebook.com/RanneySchool)andalso launched four new School Press blogs, including one on college guidance.

• Theschool’ssocialmediapresenceservedasaprimarytool,alongwiththeRanneyEmergencyNotifica-tion System (RENS), to communicate with the Ranney community during Hurricane Sandy.

• Partnerships with targeted media publications have expanded our school’s visibility to women and fami-lies in Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean counties. Articles written by faculty experts have appeared in the print and online press, particularly furthering Ranney’s reputation in Early Childhood Education.

• The National School Public Relations Association selected Ranney to present its Hurricane Sandy crisis communication experience as a case study at its National Conference in 2013.


Duringthepastthreeyears,wehaveensuredthatRanney’smission,visionandvaluesarereflectedinallareasofRanney’sinternalandexternalmarketingandpublic-relationsstrategies.Lookingahead,weplantostrengthenthisframeworkaswe“sharetheRanneystory”bycontinuingtopromoteourtalentedfaculty, students and alumni across all media channels. §

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finAnciAL pLAnning

Intheareaofstrategicfinancialplanning,theschooliscommittedtocontinuingtheuseofalong-rangemodelto:providesufficientfundingtocarryouttheschool’smission,buildanendowmentfundthatwillbuild a steady source of investment income to the operating budget, attract and retain the best employ-eesbyexpandingourcompetitivecompensationandbenefitsplans,anddiversifyrevenuestreamsbyidentifying additional revenue sources.


• Theschoolbuiltamodeloflong-rangefinancialplanningbyprojectingfinancialstatementsthrough2017. This strategy allows the school to prepare for the economic pressures of running an elite educational institution. The plan has empowered the leadership at Ranney School to continue to enhancethequalityoftheeducationalexperiencewhilemaintainingfiscalintegrity.Thisstrategyhas offered the community a competitive tuition rate for an unmatched educational experience, allowedleadershiptofocusoncreatingefficienciesandenabledtheschooltoattractandretaineducators of the highest quality.

• Our compensation packages have been thoroughly reviewed to attract and retain quality staff. In comparison to NAIS benchmarks, Ranney School faculty and staff are receiving highly competitive compensation, valuing both employee tenure and dedication to the school and recognizing perfor-mance and teaching excellence. Furthermore, the school has encouraged and underwritten our educators and professional staff to seek professional development opportunities so that they are preparedincutting-edgepracticestoaffordourstudentsthelatestininnovativelearning.

• Wehavecreated“perfectpartnerships”withleadersintheirareasofexpertisethatofferourstudents access to highly trained athletic and educational professionals that use our campus for training and events and that allow the school to create additional revenue streams through the use of our facilities. In addition, we have enhanced our Summer Programs to offer a wide variety of high quality academic courses as well as fun and exciting camp activities that continue to obtain high enrollments.Thisstrategyofdiversifiedrevenuestreamsplaysanimportantroleinreducingtuitionrates for all families.


Theimprovementoffinancialplanning,includ-ingfiscalresponsibility,isanongoingmissionoftheschool.Ourforward-lookinggoalsontheFinancial Planning Committee include maintain-ing and enhancing green initiatives, creating budgets to reward and retain top educators and staff, and utilizing resources to continue to educate through professional development—all of which will result in an institution of the highest quality. §

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The 2013 RSPA Panther Ball and Gala, themed “Come Together.”

deveLopment At the start of this strategic plan, the Development Committee determined that there was an opportunity toincreasephilanthropicsupportmovingforwardwithaconcentratedeffortinthreespecificfundrais-ingareas:annualgiving,alumnisupportandendowment.Thecommitteealsodefinedthecomponentsofasuccessful development program, including: annual giving, leadership giving, planned giving and endowment, special events, alumni programs and parenting programs through RSPA. The committee determined that afocusontheseareas,andafirmgraspontheprogram’svariouscomponents,wouldprovideRanneySchool with a greater program of advancement over the course of not only three years, but over 10 years, and produce a more robust stream of revenue from which to achieve our mission.


• TheRanneyAnnualFundhasgrownfrom$236,000inFiscalYear2008–2009,toanall-timehighof$753,000atthecloseofthe2011–2012year;combinedphilanthropyresultedin$1,009,490infiscalyear 2011–2012; and Leadership Giving (i.e., $2,500 or more) now comprises approximately 20% of all philanthropic support.

• Board participation in the Annual Fund has been at 100% for the past three years. • AparentcommitteespecificallyfocusingonexpandingtheRanneyAnnualFundhasbeenputinto

place and continues to grow; as a result, volunteer parent participation has increased. The average par-ent gift to the Annual Fund has grown substantially to $2,500; in addition, parent participation in the Ranney Fund has doubled.

• Gifts to the Ranney Fund have provided essential funding for the school’s overall operating require-ments as well as a variety of special programs and campus enhancements, including: the renovation of the aquatic center, new crew boats, a trailer to transport our teams to and from regattas, musical instruments and wireless microphones for performing arts, robotic equipment for our emerging Ro-botics Program, the new Panther Grandstands and Press Box, the Lacrosse and Soccer Practice Wall, upgradedtechnology,facultyprofessionaldevelopmentandfinancialaid.

• The Annual Fund also has supported, in part, unique special trips and programming for students, such astheschool-wideperformanceatCarnegieHallinNewYorkCityinJanuary2013.

• The“SupportRanney”sectiononthewebsiteexpandedtofeatureongoingupdatesaboutthefund.• Alumni support has steadily increased during the past three years with the largest alumni reunion in

Ranney history taking place during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend 2012; the event attracted more than 100 alumni back to campus. A highlight of the event was the celebration of Coach Emmett Walling and the dedication of the renamed Walling Aquatic Center. The event showcased the pool’s recently added swim blocks and bulkhead, made possible by generous donors to the Annual Fund.

• Connections with alumni through Facebook (900+) and LinkedIn (230+) have grown tremendously. • The largest alumni gift to the school to date was received in 2012 in the amount of $35,000. • There are currently 19 Legacy Families enrolled at the school, meaning that a family has sent more

than one generation to Ranney.


As the Annual Fund continues to gain momentum within our parent constituency, the prospect of increas-ing alumni Annual Fund participation and engagement within our community remains an area of opportunity forRanney.Futuredevelopmentplanswillcallfordefinedstrategicinitiativessurroundingthecreationofanendowmentwhichcanpositivelyimpactourlong-termfinancialgrowthtrajectoryandprovidenewrevenuestreamsneededtofulfillourmission–promisewhilekeepingtuitionincreasestoaminimum.§


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The Governance Committee set strategic goals aimed at strengthening the school and the community it serves. With a complete understanding of their roles, the Board of Trustees committed to being involved, activeleaderswhoareengagedinmakinglong-termgrowthandstabilityarealityatRanneySchool.Governanceinvolvesthreeimportantparts:afiduciaryroleinwhichtheBoardandtheHeadfocusonthebest use of and stewardship of tangible assets; a strategic element whereby the Board and administration develop and implement a tactical plan that moves the school toward its mission at all times; and an ele-ment of envisioning a great future, which includes examining all possible ways to keep the school distinc-tive and relevant. In this last domain, the Board and the Governance Committee, along with Dr. Sykoff, theadministrationandfaculty,usedthepastthreeyearstoaskthebig-picturequestionsandourstrategicplanning enabled us to realize enormous growth, even during a time when the economic landscape was very unpredictable. Such results point directly to the importance of governance as leadership, and gover-nance as the advancement of the mission.

SignificAnt AccompLiShmentS• RanneySchoolwasofficiallyre-accreditedinOctober2012withMiddleStatesAssociationofColleges

andSchoolsunder“excellentstanding,”thehighestrankingofthepremiereaccreditingassociation.• Our leadership team, with support and guidance from the Board, put its Crisis Communication Plan into

actionduringandintheaftermathofHurricaneSandyandworkedtofine-tunetheplanafterthestorm.The plan includes new safety and security programs that are current with recommendations from police officialsandasecurityauditconductedbyanoutsidefirmspecializinginindependentschools.

• Acknowledging that strategic planning requires ongoing participation of the Board, members have be-comemoreinvolvedinthedailylifeoftheschool;trusteesseethevaluein“visioning”ongoinginnova-tion to sustain the school’s distinctive qualities.

• TheBoardmaintainsanactivecommitteestructureinsupportofdevelopment,finance,education,sustain-ability and governance, among other areas; committees are required to report on their yearly goals. The Board also conducts an assessment of its effectiveness through an annual survey as recommended by the National Association of Independent Schools and a substantive review at the annual Board retreat.

• In conjunction with bylaws, the Governance Committee has established a format to identify prospective Trusteesfromthepoolofcandidateswhoserveonsubcommittees.ProspectiveTrusteesareidentifiedbasedonprofessionalprofilesthatalignwiththeBoard’sdesiretomaintaindiversityofskillsandotherimportant elements such as demographics, alumni and former parents.

• In coordination with administrators, RSPA and Educator’s Collaborative, the Board carried out a five-monthHeadofSchoolsearchwhichincludedhiringanationalsearchconsultant,sendingaques-tionnaire to the Ranney community to build the Information For Candidates (IFC) document, and a robust interview process including Trustees, administrators, teachers and parents; the search yielded close to 50 candidates from across the globe. Because of our school’s strong reputation, the pool of finalistswasrobust,andeachcandidatewasthoroughlyscreened.ThecomprehensiveprocessledtotheappointmentofDr.JohnGriffithasRanney’sfourthHeadofSchool,whowillbeginhistermonJuly 1, 2013. Our Trustees planned extremely well to make the transition to new leadership as smooth aspossible.ThecurrentschoolyearprovidedtimetocelebratetheworkofDr.Sykoffduringhis20-yeartenureandtimetoplanawarmwelcomeforournewleader,Dr.Griffith.BothDr.SykoffandDr.Griffithhavecreatedawonderfulclimateofsuccessfultransitionforthecommunity.

SummAry And forwArd thinkingThe strategic planning process now has solid roots in Ranney School’s approach to governance and will re-mainanongoingexercisebytheBoardandschoolleadership.AsincomingHeadofSchoolDr.Griffithbeginshis tenure, the strategic process will carry on, ensuring that our vision, mission and dreams continue. §

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fAciLitieS & cAmpuS infrAStructure

Long-rangeplanningisakeythemeofRanneySchool’s strategic goals plan in the area of facilities and campus infrastructure. Part of this planning by the Facilities and Campus Infrastructure Committee incorporatedathree-yearcapitaloperationsplan,ex-ploringalternativeenergyand“green”initiativesandthe ongoing pursuit of enhancing safety and security measures on campus.


• The strategy of safety and security proved to be instinctual following the increase of school security breaches nationwide in recent times. The school’s long-rangecapitalplanhasbeenfurtherdevelopedto take into account the primary goals of safety and security. Key outcomes in this area include:• A Safety and Security Summit was held on campus with representatives from Homeland Security,

New Jersey State Troopers and the Tinton Falls Police Department to set objectives for improving school safety.

• Ranneyhiredafull-timeTintonFallsPoliceOfficeraswellastwoLowerSchoolreceptioniststomonitorstudentdrop-offsandpickups,andstaffmembershavebeenissuedidentificationtagstobeworn at all times.

• A security camera and access button have been installed to the aftercare program building.• Siren and panic buttons and their related systems have been purchased and will be fully installed

beforetheendofthe2012–2013schoolyearsothatdrillnotificationsofallkindscanbeheardonall parts of the campus.

• TheEarlyChildhoodLearningCenterunderwentsignificantupgradestosupportbestteachingpractices.The facility goals for the center continue to unfold, to incorporate brighter and more spacious class-rooms that support team teaching and student development in areas of growth and movement.

• Ongoing athletic improvements to campus included a new Grandstands and Press Box.• A Sustainability Committee has been formed to review the campus in total; many initiatives havebeenimplemented,includingincreasedrecycling.Inaddition,expansiveandmodernenergy-efficientfacilitiesthroughoutcampushaveresultedinloweroperatingcosts.


The facilities and campus infrastructure mission of Ranney School continues to look intothefuture.Safetyandsecurityoncampuswillremainthenumber-onepriority,withenhancements to facilities and the process of keeping all constituents safe always at the forefront. Upgrades to classrooms, auditoriums, athletic, performing art and dining facili-ties will be unending to allow current and future students to grow in a nurturing envi-ronment. Ranney is committed to the ongoing improvement of the tangible assets, as wellastheintangibleprocessesthattakeplaceonaday-to-daybasis.§

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Above: Ranney’s clock tower at night. Below: The dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Lawrence Sykoff Center for Excellence, May 2013.


aRt/aRcHitectuReDrexel University, Westphal College of Media Arts & DesignMaryland Inst. College of ArtMassachusetts College of Art & DesignNew Jersey Inst. of TechnologyNortheastern UniversityUniversity of Notre DamePenn State University, College of Arts & ArchitecturePratt InstituteRhode Island School of DesignRingling College of Art and Design School of the Art Inst. of ChicagoSchool of the Museum of Fine ArtsSyracuse University, School of Archit.Tulane University, School of Archit.University of the ArtsVirginia Tech, Archit. & Urban Studies

BuSineSSBabson CollegeBentley UniversityBryant UniversityGeorgetown University– McDonough SchoolNew York University–SternNortheastern UniversityUniversity of Richmond– School of BusinessRutgers University–Business SchoolVillanova University–Business SchoolWashington University in St. Louis– Olin School of Business

engineeRing Columbia’s Fu School of Engineering and Applied SciencesNew Jersey Inst. of TechnologyLehigh UniversityStevens Inst. of TechnologyVillanova UniversityWentworth Inst. of Technology

fiLm/tv pROductiOnDrexel University, Westphal College of Media Arts & DesignEmerson College, Film ProductionIthaca College, Film ProductionSUNY Purchase, Film Production

ivy LeagueBrownColumbiaCornellDartmouthHarvard UniversityUniversity of PennsylvaniaPrinceton University

JOuRnaLiSmNorthwestern University– Medill School of Journalism

muSic cOnSeRvatORieSCarnegie Mellon College of Fine ArtsCleveland Inst. of MusicManhattan School of MusicNew England Conservatory of MusicPeabody Inst. at Johns HopkinsRutgers Mason Gross SchoolSan Francisco Conservatory of Music

muSic induStRyDrexel University–Music IndustryNew York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Clive Davis Inst. of Recorded MusicNew York University Steinhardt– Music Technology

OveRSeaSUniversity of EdinburghUniversity of Saint Andrews

atHLetic pROgRamS Boys’ Lacrosse: Gettysburg College (Div. III), Marist College (Div. I)Boys’ Fencing: Brandeis Univ. (Div. III), Columbia (Div. I), NYU (Div. III), Pennsylvania (Div. I), Haverford (Div. III), Stevens Inst. (Div. III)Boys’ Baseball: Adelphi Univ. (Div. II)Boys’ Soccer: US Naval AcademyBoys’ Swimming: Franklin and Marshall (Div. III), Vassar College (Div. III), Loyola Univ. Maryland (Div. I)Boys’ Track: Rollins (Div. III)Girls’ Lacrosse: Muhlenberg College (Div. III)Girls’ Field Hockey: Massachusetts Inst. of TechnologyGirls’ Track: American Univ. (Div. I), Univ. of Delaware (Div. I)Crew: Duke Univ. (Div. I), Harvard Univ. (Div. I), Univ. of North Carolina–Chapel Hill (Div. I)Girls’ Softball: Georgetown Univ. (Div. I)Girls’ Soccer: Susquehanna Univ. (Div. III)Girls’ Swimming: Lafayette College (Div. I)

*Recent graduates were accepted into these schools or recruited by these programs.

SpeciaLized ScHOOLS & atHLetic pROgRamS*

knOwLedge Vision • Honor

natiOnaL meRit ScHOLaRSHip pROgRam:Class of 2013: 4 students commendedClass of 2012: 7 students commendedClass of 2011: 5 students commendedClass of 2010: 4 students commendedClass of 2009: 2 students commended

StandaRdized teStS: 86% of Ranney stu-dents pass their Advanced Placement (AP) exams, compared to the New Jer-sey pass rate of 75% and the global pass rate of 61%. In 2013, a junior achieved a perfect score of 2,400 on the SAT.

ap ScHOLaR awaRdS:Class of 2013: • 6 scholars• 6 scholars with honor• 8 scholars with distinctionClass of 2012: • 10 scholars• 1 scholar with honor• 19 scholars with distinctionClass of 2011: • 12 scholars• 3 scholars with honor• 15 scholars with distinctionClass of 2010: • 16 scholars• 3 scholars with honor• 14 scholars with distinctionClass of 2009: • 7 scholars• 2 scholars with honor• 10 scholars with distinction

cOLLege entRance: Approximately 75% of Ranney graduates earn acceptance totheirfirstorsecondchoicecollege.74% of the class of 2013 were admitted through Early Action/Early Decision.

ScHOLaRSHipS: Students in the Class of 2013 were awarded scholarships totaling $2,558,060 over four years.


Adelphi UniversityAmerican University Babson College (2)Bard College (4)Barnard College (4)Bentley UniversityBoston College (3)Boston University (3)Bowdoin CollegeBrandeis University Bryn Mawr CollegeBucknell University (9)Carnegie Mellon University (2)College of Charleston (5)The University of Chicago (3)University of Colorado at Boulder (2)Columbia University (4)Cornell University (4)Dartmouth College (4)University of DelawareDickinson CollegeDrexel University (4)Duke University (4)Elon University (2)Emerson College Emory University (3)Fairfield University (2)Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityFordham University (3)Franklin & Marshall College (5)The George Washington University (11)Georgetown University (5)University of GeorgiaGettysburg CollegeHamilton College–New York (2)Harvard UniversityHaverford College

Hobart and William Smith CollegesHofstra UniversityIthaca CollegeJames Madison UniversityJohns Hopkins University (2)Johnson and Wales UniversityLafayette College (6)Lake Erie CollegeLasell CollegeLehigh University (6)Loyola Marymount UniversityLoyola University Maryland (7)Lynchburg CollegeManhattan School of MusicMarist CollegeMarquette University University of Maryland– College Park (2)Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUniversity of Miami (4)University of Michigan (4)Middlebury College Monmouth University Moravian CollegeMuhlenberg College (6)The College of New Jersey New York University (28)Northeastern University (5)Northwestern University (2)University of Notre Dame (6)Ohio Wesleyan UniversityPace University, New York City (3)University of Pennsylvania (5)Polytechnic Institute of NYUPrinceton University (3)Providence CollegeQuinnipiac University (3)

Rhode Island School of Design Richard Stockton College of New JerseyUniversity of RichmondRingling College of Art and DesignRollins College Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey at New Brunswick (10)Saint Joseph’s University (3)Santa Clara UniversitySarah Lawrence CollegeSchool of the Art Institute of ChicagoUniversity of ScrantonSkidmore College (2)University of South CarolinaUniversity of Southern CaliforniaStanford University Stetson UniversityStevens Institute of Technology (4)Susquehanna University (2)Syracuse University (2)Tufts University (2)Tulane University (5)Union College (2)Ursinus College (2)Villanova University (5)Washington and Lee UniversityWashington CollegeWashington University in St. Louis (3)Williams CollegeThe College of Wooster

*Parenthetical number designates number of students maticulating at the college.

RAnney schooL coLLege MAtRicuLAtion 2009–2013

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Ranney School Established 1960

235 Hope Road / Tinton Falls, NJ 07724Phone: 732.542.4777 / Fax: 732.544.1629

www.ranneyschool.org

Strategic Plan Final Report 2010-2013

Documents

ranney students

school years

headmaster of ranney

head of school

lawrence sykoff center

ranney experience

future students

upper school building