Solebury School's 2018-2019 Annual Report
Letter from the Chairman of the Board
Solebury School is a special institution, with a proud heritage, a strong purpose and vision, and leaders with the dedication and capability of bringing that vision to reality. I am proud to now serve the school as Chair of the Board of Trustees and want to take this opportunity to share with you the wonderful possibilities open to Solebury as we continue our journey towards our 100th anniversary in 2025.
I thank our outgoing Chair, Scott Bolenbaugh P'09, for his stellar leadership and service to Solebury over many years, and I know that his and his family’s commitment to the school will continue. As I take over the Chairmanship, I want to acknowledge our outstanding faculty and staff, headed so capably by our Head of School, Tom Wilschutz, whose leadership has brought the school to the strong position we are in today.
Solebury School recently embarked on a strategic planning process which included all our constituents: students, parents, faculty, staff, and the board, and which also takes into account our broader stewardship responsibilities to the environment, community, and wider world.
Our purpose is to broadly educate the young people entrusted to our care in a way that prepares them not only for college but also for life, and for a lifetime of learning. Our vision is to provide a safe and caring environment where all can flourish and prosper, developing into well rounded adults who can contribute to society, their families, and their communities.
Solebury provides demanding academics, sporting activities, arts and music programs, along with broad social and experiential learning experiences in a supportive environment where strong relationships can be developed with teachers as well as peers, and where small group learning is the norm.
I know this because my son, Christopher, graduated from Solebury in 2011, having gained a fine education, participated in many sports teams, and developed lasting friendships with both peers and faculty which are still in place today.
I have seen the journey that Tom has led us on since he joined the school and I have remained on the Board for ten years because I believe in Solebury’s vision for the education of our future generations. Refining that purpose and vision continues with the execution of the first phase of the strategic plan, and I know that significant progress has already been made. This year we welcome to Solebury students from 14 states and five countries, with diversity across all of the spectrums, including gender, race, income, learning capabilities, and language. It has always been Solebury’s role to help all students achieve their potential and I am proud to be associated with Solebury and all that it stands for.
Finally, I appreciate all of the support that our wide community provides to the school and I am always open to suggestions as to how we can improve. You can contact me via the school at ewavle@solebury.org.
Liz Tallett Wavle P’11
Chairman of the Board