leaps-and-bounds.org

Robert S. GoldbergH e a d o f S c H o o l

“ Leaps and bounds is a vigorous and accurate way of describing the incredible growth of The Benjamin School

over the past six years. This is a place poised to soar.”

Leaps & Bounds will propel The Benjamin School to new heights, giving us the

facilities we need to deliver a 21st century education. Successfully completed,

this campaign will provide the best physical environment for our students and

ensure we have the capacity to support our outstanding faculty.

Joseph W. O’Connor c H a i r m a n , B o a r d o f T r u S T e e S

“

”

The Benjamin School offerS The BeST

in STudenT-cenTered educaTion. our

eager learnerS are immerSed in an array

of academic, arTiSTic, Social, civic and

aThleTic purSuiTS. STudenTS grow inTo

inTereSTing and engaged young adulTS

who lead full, aBundanT liveS.

we see a multitude of talents in each child and dedicate ourselves to

joining with parents and families to discover, nurture, apply and celebrate

each student’s gifts. above and beyond preparation for college and career,

education for life must be a fully integrated, fully realized, fully engaging

and a full-speed-ahead experience. from early childhood through upper

School, TBS builds confident learners, creating a wide range of possibilities

for students across broad horizons.

Renee Szeliga T e a c H e r , B i o l o g y

Ally Sexton c l a S S o f 2 0 1 4

Renee Szeliga T e a c H e r , B i o l o g y

education for life

“i love teaching at The Benjamin School,” says biology teacher renee

Szeliga. “i love the kids, i love my colleagues, and i love the fact that there

are two world-class research facilities within walking distance.”

Szeliga’s students return that love. ally Sexton, now a senior, took Szeliga’s

biotechnology course last year. “i’ll never forget the first day of class. ms.

Szeliga rushed through the preliminary material as if she couldn’t wait to get

started, and i couldn’t help but share in her excitement,” ally recalls.

“we studied dna, genetic engineering, as well as dna transcription and

translation. ms. Szeliga took us to lectures at both Scripps research center

and max planck florida institute, going out of her way to introduce us to

the speakers. The connections she made afforded us the opportunity to use

advanced lab equipment—these experiences opened my eyes to entirely

unchartered territory.”

“Thanks to ms. Szeliga, i developed an insatiable interest in the mystery

that is the brain,” ally concludes. “i’m planning on majoring in neuroscience

in college.”

“ ”

I would never have had any of these experiences if I weren’t at Benjamin.

George Donaldsonc l a S S o f 2 0 1 4

Members of the Class of 2013 received

early admission to Columbia, Brown, NYU,

Princeton, Yale, Stanford and other Tier 1

colleges and universities.

2013preparing our children for The challengeS They will face in The fuTure demandS a Shared commiTmenT. The

Benjamin School joinS wiTh parenTS To

equip STudenTS wiTh The SkillS They will

need: innovaTion, Bravery and a Touch

of audaciTy.

it all begins with TBS’ philosophy of academic and personal development.

we challenge the brightest thinkers to grow by leaps and bounds in all

academic and co-curricular areas. grounded in this rigorous environment,

every Benjamin School student is well prepared to succeed. committed

and masterful teachers in grades pk3 through 12 work alongside students,

encouraging each of them to soar—to become independent, self-directed,

collaborative and fearless thinkers, ready for the challenges of life and

citizenship in the 21st-century.

“ ”

I would never have had any of these experiences if I weren’t at Benjamin.

George Donaldsonc l a S S o f 2 0 1 4

Members of the Class of 2013 received

early admission to Columbia, Brown, NYU,

Princeton, Yale, Stanford and other Tier 1

colleges and universities.

2013electrifying learning

i’ve had incredible academic and leadership opportunities at Benjamin.

There’s such a family feeling here: with only 100 kids in our grade, you know

everyone really well. That atmosphere made me comfortable to take risks.

By the time i graduate, i will have completed nine advanced placement

courses. That’s possible only because The Benjamin School allowed me

to take ap courses as a sophomore. i told my teachers i really wanted to

challenge myself, and they thought i was ready. it’s been a lot of hard work,

but so worth it.

outside class, i’ve been involved with things like football—i was quarterback

and team captain this year. i’m also president of the honor council, the

student group that upholds our honor code. i was one of 40 students

countywide chosen for the youth leadership program of palm Beach county.

i’ve traveled on medical missions to haiti each summer with helping hands

of the palm Beaches.

i would never have had any of these experiences if i weren’t at Benjamin.

i can’t imagine going anyplace else.

George Donaldson, c l a S S o f 2 0 1 4

Vincent G. Marotta, Jr.pa r e n T Jeanmarie Connor, M.D.

a l u m n a a n d pa r e n T

“

”

Everyone at Benjamin is completely devoted to the whole child—academically, emotionally, athletically, artistically. What more could any parent ask?

Here, teachers care about students’ success. They want you to succeed, and they help you every step of the way.

Lisa Arline T e a c H e r , f r e n c H

Kelly O’Leary c l a S S o f 2 0 1 7

“

”

I got such a wonderful education that when we moved back to the area, there was no question where our children would go to school. I wanted them to have what I had.

“

”

I first took French when I was in kindergarten at Benjamin. That inspired me—36 years ago, I came back to teach French to inspire other students. I’m still here.” New image to come

“

higher educaTion, Technology, The

gloBal economy—in five or Ten yearS,

none of TheSe will look aS They do

Today. neiTher can The independenT

School preparaTion ThaT provideS

our children wiTh a BoundleSS range

of opporTuniTieS.

Leaps & Bounds: The Campaign for The Benjamin School is an exciting

opportunity for you to partner with us in building the future of independent

education at The Benjamin School.

launching from more than half a century of achievement and growth, today

we are a recognized national educational leader. The power of our strategic

vision and your transformative generosity will bring lasting rewards for our

students and their families. The moment is at hand to grow, inspire and build

a respected model for bold, better, best.

ready to launch

This is an extraordinary school. Since 2008, i’ve witnessed its significant

growth, with 23 advanced placement courses, 15 years of languages

including mandarin chinese, wow (worlds of wonder) for three-year-

olds, our signature school-wide strings program, a cross-divisional STem

cirriculum—to name just a few enhancements. accompanying these

programs are ap test scores and college acceptances rivaling the best in

the country.

This campaign will ensure TBS continues on this trajectory. our flourishing

national reputation will be an asset to our entire community: students,

parents, alumni and faculty.

Robert S. Goldberg H e a d o f S c H o o l

Vincent G. Marotta, Jr.pa r e n T Jeanmarie Connor, M.D.

a l u m n a a n d pa r e n T

“

”

Everyone at Benjamin is completely devoted to the whole child—academically, emotionally, athletically, artistically. What more could any parent ask?

Here, teachers care about students’ success. They want you to succeed, and they help you every step of the way.

Lisa Arline T e a c H e r , f r e n c H

Kelly O’Leary c l a S S o f 2 0 1 7

I got such a wonderful education that when we moved back to the area, there was no question where our children would go to school. I wanted them to have what I had.

“

”

I first took French when I was in kindergarten at Benjamin. That inspired me—36 years ago, I came back to teach French to inspire other students. I’m still here.”

“

Raymond and Tarry Graziotto c a m pa i g n c o - c H a i r S

Leaps & Bounds will take what is

outstanding about The Benjamin School

and make it truly extraordinary. It

will provide an exceptional experience

not only for our children, but also for

future generations. This is why we

are supporting this campaign—and

why we hope to inspire other parents,

grandparents and alumni to join us.

“

”

LeaPS aNd BoUNdS. ThaT’S how knowledge moveS. ThaT’S how

Technology jumpS ahead. ThaT’S how every child growS and

learnS. iT’S alSo how opporTuniTieS and challengeS riSe inTo view.

To respond to these challenges from a position of strength, TBS is undertaking Leaps & Bounds: The Campaign for The Benjamin School. This campaign is a thoughtful effort that comes from a carefully conceived master planning process. The Board of Trustees considered what TBS needed to springboard its mission

into the future. The resulting blueprint—consisting of $28 million in capital improvements and $12 million in endowment and program support—delivers all of the elements to support the best student-centered educational experience for today and the decades ahead.

$10 M $2 M $10 M

first steps

next steps

$7 M $4 M $3 M $3 M

Benjamin Hall

Field House

Aquatics

Center

Complex

Faculty

Endowm

ent

Endowm

ent

LS & MS

Projects/

Enhancements

Varsity

House

Anna Roberson c l a s s o f 2 0 1 7

“

”

I’m so excited the Dazzlers will have a home! It will make such a big difference to be able to perform where we practice.

Benjamin Hall / $10 M

as envisioned, this facility will be the hub of The

Benjamin School: a state-of-the-art performing arts

and theater complex on the palm Beach gardens

campus. Benjamin hall will serve as an important

bridge between the two campuses—a place where

the entire school community will gather under one

roof. it will provide an appropriate and comfortable

setting for academic and co-curricular events,

performances, guest lectures, parent meetings, even

graduation. Successful completion of this project will

return all school gatherings to The Benjamin School

and unite the two campuses. Benjamin hall will have

a transformative effect not only on our students,

faculty and families, but also on the larger palm

Beach community.

Faculty endowment / $2 M

our faculty is the heart and soul of our School. To

protect this most valuable asset, we are creating a fund

that will assist in attracting, developing and retaining

the best educators in the nation.

matching grant: $1 m

We are investing in our faculty now and in the

future. In the silent phase of the campaign we

received commitments of more than $1 million

to support our faculty. These funds will assist us

in years to come to attract, develop and retain

excellent teachers. One of the gifts is providing

necessary support to launch our STEM program

across all three divisions beginning in 2014.

endowment / $10 M

in the campaign’s next phase, the aim is to increase

endowment by leaps and bounds, providing the

financial foundation to ensure long-term support of our

students, faculty and facilities. you can designate your

endowed gift to secure financial aid, faculty support or

buildings and grounds. in february, 2014 we received a

commitment of $2 million to support financial aid!

Field House / $7 M

conceived in the upper School master planning

process and updated in recent months, plans are

already in place for the construction of an indoor

athletic facility that will greatly enhance the experience

of all TBS students—those in physical education

classes as well as those playing interscholastic sports.

The field house will add three regulation basketball

and volleyball courts, which will allow more timely

practices and games for the 28 teams who currently

vie for limited playing space. all-purpose flooring will

make the facility ideal for all manner of activities in

physical education classes. plans also call for expanded

locker rooms, athletic offices and an improved and

expanded weight room and training space that will

transform fitness and competitive athletics at TBS.

next steps

Alessandra Baldari c l a s s o f 2 0 1 8

“ Having our own pool would be terrific—it would really bring the team together. Plus, it would attract new swimmers to Benjamin.”

aquatics Center Complex / $4 M

Swimming and diving have long been important

components of the Buccaneer athletic program. from

olympic gold medal swimmer ryan Berube ’92 to yale

university diving recruit anthony mercadente ’13, TBS

boasts a history of past success. The addition of an

aquatics center will serve to attract talent from far and

wide, paving the way for the development of future

world-class divers and swimmers.

Varsity House / $3 M

This facility will make creative use of the space

between the aquatics center and the adjacent football

field. The varsity house will support two sets of

bleachers: a large set facing the football field and

a smaller set on the poolside. in between will be

a structure to house concession stands and much-

needed athletic storage space.

Lower & Middle School Projects / enhancements / $4 M

research shows that younger students—those in TBS’

lower School—benefit from more spacious classrooms.

Through the campaign, we envision creating larger

classrooms with room for age-appropriate movement,

dance, play, as well as academic “centers” stocked with

appropriate materials for writing, math and science.

at the middle School, what is most needed is flexible

space where students can work on group projects. This

space will become an epicenter for interdisciplinary

learning, honing skills like teamwork, problem-solving

and creativity: also essential competencies for the 21st-

century workplace.

in the past 2 years, we have invested

over $3.2 million in campus security

and facility upgrades.

Tomorrow moves toward us in leaps and bounds, and we must be ready. The time is now: we must start

today to create learning environments that inspire students and faculty and to build a strong endowment

that will secure our future.

we are asking all who are passionate about The Benjamin School and have experienced this remarkable

place, to join with us in supporting Leaps & Bounds: The Campaign for The Benjamin School. act as one

with us to move our students, our faculty and our facilities—and the exceptional Benjamin education—

rapidly, intelligently and enthusiastically forward.

connect with us!

leaps-and-bounds.org

stepup

> Gifts of Cash or Property

> Life Income Plans

> Retirement assets

> appreciated Securities

ways to make a giftThere are many ways you can enjoy tax and income benefits while also supporting Leaps & Bounds: The Campaign for The Benjamin School. contact us to talk about the most appropriate option for you.

respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion fairness respect forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness compassion integrity acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality morality fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect respect morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness forgiveness courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility

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Learn MoreTo learn more about the plans for our school, please

contact Burnham “Turk” lewis, assistant head for

advancement at:

561.472.3480burnham.lewis@thebenjaminschool.org

Main address & Lower/Middle School11000 ellison wilson road

north palm Beach, fl 33408

Upper School4875 grandiflora road

palm Beach gardens, fl 33418

connect with us!

leaps-and-bounds.org

stepup

> Gifts of Cash or Property

> Life Income Plans

> Retirement assets

> appreciated Securities

ways to make a giftThere are many ways you can enjoy tax and income benefits while also supporting Leaps & Bounds: The Campaign for The Benjamin School. contact us to talk about the most appropriate option for you.Tomorrow moves toward us in leaps and bounds, and we must be ready. The time is now: we must start

today to create learning environments that inspire students and faculty and to build a strong endowment

that will secure our future.

we are asking all who are passionate about The Benjamin School and have experienced this remarkable

place, to join with us in supporting Leaps & Bounds: The Campaign for The Benjamin School. act as one

with us to move our students, our faculty and our facilities—and the exceptional Benjamin education—

rapidly, intelligently and enthusiastically forward.

respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion fairness respect forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness compassion integrity acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality morality fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect respect morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness forgiveness courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility respect courage morality kindness fairness integrity compassion acceptance forgiveness responsibility

Learn MoreTo learn more about the plans for our school, please

contact Burnham “Turk” lewis, assistant head for

advancement at:

561.472.3480burnham.lewis@thebenjaminschool.org

Main address & Lower/Middle School11000 ellison wilson road

north palm Beach, fl 33408

Upper School4875 grandiflora road

palm Beach gardens, fl 33418

leaps-and-bounds.org