The 125th Anniversary Celebrations have begun, and Staten Island Academy’s school year is off to an amazing start!  Every day, we make a promise to each of our students to challenge them, give them opportunities for leadership and creative initiative, and allow them to envision themselves as citizens of a greater world.   We don’t simply encourage this of our students, we expect it, and we see the dramatic growth through individual results and a demonstration of excellence across the board.

These results are the product an excellent faculty, an administration committed to providing the best possible opportunities for our students, families who value education and make it a top priority, a storied history of alumni who continue to support the school they love, and many friends and community supporters believe in our students.  They know that Staten Island Academy graduates are able to think critically and creatively, have a wide knowledge-based awareness of their world, and are ready and willing to become leaders in their colleges, their workplace, their own families and their greater community.

However, ours is an expensive program to run – it is highly labor intensive, and the vast majority of our budget supports salaries and benefits.  Tuition would cost nearly $5,000 more than it does if it were not for the support of programs like the Academy Fund.  Your gift today helps us deliver this program in many ways, both tangible and intangible.

This page will give you more information as you consider supporting “Fulfilling Promises,” the 2009-2010 Academy Fund.  Thank you in advance for all you do.

Academy Fund Fun Facts

Did You Know?

• Every student at the Academy receives financial assistance:  it costs approximately $5,000 more to provide our program than is covered by tuition. 
• Ours is a very people-driven industry, and nearly 75% of the school’s operating budget goes to salaries and benefits. 
• The 2008-2009 Academy Fund provided nearly 5% of the overall cash operating budget.  Without the Academy Fund, major programs – such as athletics, performing arts or AP Classes – would be cut or scaled back.
• Participation by current parents in annual giving activities is an important measurement when foundations are considering grants to the Academy
• 79% of all 2008-2009 donors gave gifts of less than $1,000.
• 84% of all money raised in 2008-2009 came from Leadership Gifts above $1,000
• The Academy has received more than $195,000 in Matching Gifts in the last decade!
• The fastest growing expense for the Academy is the cost of health care for our employees.  The Academy’s cost increased 10% in the last year – far greater than the tuition increase!
• Despite the economy, Staten Island Academy is on stable ground.  The Academy makes strategic budgetary decisions every year with the clear goal of providing a balanced budget that enables our strong program to flourish. 

Here are some more things that you should know:

• Gifts to the Annual Fund are considered unrestricted and are thus available to be used at the discretion of the school to meet current needs.
  
• All gifts are tax-deductible. Staten Island Academy is a federally-registered 501(c)3 non-profit institution.
  
• The Academy Fund is more important than any other single contribution you can make.
  
• Total giving from all funds and sources last year was over $735,000.
• The average (mean) gift to the Academy Fund last year was $845.
  
• The Annual Report is available to the public online each year, outlining all school expenses, incomes, and Fund giving. Check it out! It’s extensive and incredibly informative.
  
• The goal for the 2010 Academy Fund is 100% parent and trustees participation. You can track giving with us online by clicking here.
  
• You can make your tax-deductible donation online. It takes 2 minutes.
  
• Your company may have a matching gifts program that will double your gift. Learn more.