Dear Friends of Sewickley Academy,

As you browse this year’s Annual Report, you will see what we all know to be true: the strength of our school comes from each of us willing to pitch in to do our part. I am deeply grateful to the many members of our community who supported the school last year and by doing so ensured the excellence of the work we do with our students. I am particularly humbled by our own faculty and staff, 100% of whom supported the school with a gift last year. Such a statement on their part is inspiring!

While many of you are aware that the school has worked hard over the years to enroll well-qualified students and great families, it is worth highlighting that last fall we enrolled 14 more outstanding students than we had anticipated, bringing our enrollment to 624. This year, we again outperformed our target, and enrollment now stands at 640 amazing young people. While many factors have contributed to these results, a couple of elements stand out for me: one, the excellence of our faculty, who continue each year to work hard to improve the student experience both in and out of the classroom; and two, a school-wide commitment to be more attuned to, and better at, meeting the needs of our parents and their experience. Quality programs combined with people, both students and adults, who feel well cared for have provided a foundation for growth. We continue to work hard to deliver on the promises we make to our families, and this past year’s support for the school reflects the growing sense that we are succeeding.

Academically, athletically, and artistically, our students achieved a number of exceptional results last year, including success in a number of external academic competitions, two PIAA state championships, and a university art prize awarded to one of our seniors. Such achievements are fostered in an environment that supports all students to become their best selves and where individual success does not come at the expense of others. It is this sort of community – strong, committed, and supportive of each person’s growth and achievement – that is sustained through the generous support of donors and volunteers who literally help make everything possible.

Finally, I also want to report that last year we worked hard on our Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) Self-Study, the first part of the process for re-accreditation. The document is a powerful and comprehensive portrait of every aspect of the school’s performance. This year, we will have a team of educators from PAIS on campus to evaluate our efforts relative to the PAIS accreditation standards, examining the extent to which we are doing what we have reported in the Self-Study. This visit will take place in February, and I look forward to a successful outcome, especially given how well we have done in creating an environment that supports teaching and learning at such a high level.

Thank you all for the many contributions, large and small, that you have made to support our students and all the adults who work so hard on their behalf. The success of Sewickley Academy is as it has always been: a team effort. Thank you for being such a critical part of the team!

Sincerely,

Kolia O’Connor
Head of School