Learning can and does take place in a variety of ways in any of the schools in our Tidewater area. The unique value of The Williams School is that it combines a special blend of influences that have been identified by our students, faculty, parents, alumni, and extended family as being absolutely essential. These outstanding qualities have become the hallmark of a Williams School education:
Our non-institutional and homelike atmosphere;
Our realization that children learn in different ways and at different speeds;
Our encouragement of students to succeed in their own ways and the commitment of resources for them to forge ahead or to take the time to catch up;
Our working partnership with parents, who actively participate in their child’s development and education;
Our true emphasis on Honor before Honors as the standard of our behavior;
Our utilization of the Hampton Roads community as our campus, taking advantage of its myriad cultural and educational offerings;
Our fostering of an environment where “Everyone Plays” and where each child can clearly hear his or her inner voice and develop into the person he or she is born to be.
The true gift of a Williams School education is that we measure success not only by what children learn but by how they live; not only by where they go on to school but by the persons they become. Our exceptional alumni prove the value of our philosophy and success of our practice each and every day.
What is the focus of a Williams School education?
Not so many years ago, an education was defined and measured by a person’s ability to gather and remember facts, or “What information do I have?” Once books became readily available, then research became a vital part of the educational process and the focus became, “Where can I find more information?’ Research continues to be important, but with internet technology, access to information is vastly improved. Sometimes there almost seems to be too much information. The question then becomes, “How do I use my information to make good decisions?” By teaching students to engage in independent thought, collaborative partnership, and creative pursuit, with supportive guidance from teachers who truly care, The Williams School develops in each individual the skills to make moral, balanced and wise choices – academic, personal, and social. Our students learn to seek out a whole host of answers from multiple sources to creatively manage problems, to find the very best solutions, and to positively impact our society throughout their lives.
How is today’s TWS tuition used?
Currently the tuition at The Williams School is $12,950 per child per year. It is used for expenses to educate our students. While public schools receive funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia to support their operations, at TWS our tuition must cover these operating costs plus teacher salaries, books, educational supplies, computer and technology equipment, library books, gym uniforms, field trips and cultural opportunities, physical education and performance fees (band concerts, school musical, graduation), transportation, insurance, and myriad essential operating expenses.
Why can’t tuition cover every expense?
It could, and at many independent schools, it does. But at The Williams School, if we were to charge in tuition what it costs to educate each of our students, tuition would have to be more than many of our families could afford. While this could be a rational financial decision, it would make our school unavailable for many of our families. As much as we love our historic campus, our school is not bricks and mortar. Our school is people: students, teachers, parents, families. We are enriched by the diversity we seek and embrace in ethnicity, religious beliefs, and economics. Our school family is multi-dimensional and multi-talented, and we strive to keep it that way. Keeping tuition at its most reasonable level will insure that our families are able to remain with us.
What is our Annual Fund and why is it necessary?
Our activities and programs continue to expand, as do the resources needed to make them all happen. Although tuition provides our essential program and curriculum, it simply cannot underwrite the total cost of a program so expansive in its scope and so individualized in its implementation. Annual funds provide that crucial difference. Last year your annual fund donations supplied 10% of our operating income. This year we must raise $100,000 in simple annual funds and $130,000 from fundraising events, for a total of $230,000 annual fund support of our operating budget.
What is the difference between our Annual Fund and our Capital Campaign?
Our annual fund supports our operating income, which like your household budget, covers everyday expenses. Teacher salaries, books, educational supplies, utilities and maintenance, insurance, transportation, food, buildings and grounds all come from operating income. Our capital campaign funds our extraordinary expenses, like your children’s braces, new home, vacation or income property, or college plan. We have three capital efforts: our Building Fund which allowed us to purchase our Humanities Center and renovate it and Old Main; our Baldwin Fund for Faculty which endows resources for our exceptional faculty; and our Heritage Fund, a new initiative to insure the preservation and maintenance of our historic campus and the advancement of our student and faculty programs.
A summary of annual and capital funds:
Gift
Invested in:
Example of Use
Supported by:
Annual fund
Students
Educational Supplies
Annual Fund
unrestricted gift
Students
Gym uniforms
Annual Fund
100% tax deductible
Students
Textbooks & library books
Annual Fund
Students
Field trips
Annual Fund
Teachers
Salaries
Annual Fund
Teachers
Benefit support from TWS
Annual Fund
Teachers
Conferences, continuing ed.
Annual Fund
Facilities
Utilities
Annual Fund
Facilities
Cleaning & maintenance
Annual Fund
Facilities
Painting & lawn care
Annual Fund
Event Sponsorship
Students
Supports same as above
Annual Fund
Partially tax
Teachers
Supports same as above
Annual Fund
deductible
Teachers
Promethean Activboard
Annual Fund
Teachers
Weatherbug
Annual Fund
Facilities
Supports same as above
Annual Fund
Capital gift
Students
Enlarged classrooms
Capital Building Fund*
100% tax
Students
Elevator for access
Capital Building Fund*
deductible
Students
MPR
Capital Building Fund*
Students
Playground
Capital Building Fund*
Students
Humanities Center
Capital Building Fund*
Teachers
Teacher salary supplements
Capital Baldwin Fund
Teachers
Endowment interest to fund
future salary supplements
Capital Building Fund
Facilities
New carpet Hubbard Ctr.
Capital Heritage Fund
Facilities
Replacement HVAC
Capital Heritage Fund
Facilities
Stairway rebuilt in
Old Main
Capital Heritage Fund
*Our capital building fund has attained its goal and has been actualized. We continue to raise funds to support our teachers and staff through our Capital Baldwin Fund and to preserve our campus, advance our programs, and assure our future through our Capital Heritage Fund.
May I specify how my donation will be used?
Absolutely. Various funds with our Annual Fund exist, and you may specify that your gift benefit these funds. They are:
Unrestricted Annual Fund – the basic fund which supports our operating budget. Unrestricted donations may be used wherever they are needed most.
Virginia Garrison Williams Scholarship Fund – a scholarship fund established in honor of our founder, Virginia Garrison Williams, and her husband, by their daughter, Joan Williams Graham.
Frederic R. Walker Fund –a student fund established in honor of retired Head of School, Dr. Frederic R. Walker.
Anuradha Datyner Kerner Memorial Fund - a fund to be used at the discretion of our Head of School for student needs, especially to provide opportunities that a student or students may not otherwise be able to afford.
Williams School Endowment Fund - an endowment fund established in the 1980s by the Board of Trustees to insure the continuation of The Williams School.
Other Designated Gift – if you identify a need of the school and would like to specify that your donation be used to meet that need, please contact Meredith Lauter in the Development Office.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes. Unrestricted annual fund donations are 100% tax deductible. Event sponsorship donations are partially tax deductible if they include benefits received by the donor. Donor benefits included in sponsorships may always be waived, in which case the donation becomes 100% tax deductible. Capital donations are 100% tax deductible as they do not traditionally include direct benefits to the donor other than the joy of philanthropy and the satisfaction from helping fill a great need.
Who decides how annual and capital funds will be used?
The Board of Trustees is the final authority at The Williams School. Our administration, led by our Head of School, submits a budget each year to our Board’s Finance Committee. The Parents Advisory Committee may also make recommendations to the Finance Committee and the Board. The Board of Trustees studies, may amend, and ratifies our budget each year. An independent audit team reviews all finances each fiscal year and submits a report to the Board of Trustees.
What is the enclosed donor form?
With such a wonderfully diverse Williams School family, we understand that you have varied interests. We try to offer donor opportunities that will match your interests and inspire your gift. So that you will be aware of the full scope of opportunities, we have listed them all here. We understand that not everyone will be able to fully support each and every event, and we thank you for participating as you are able.
How may I help?
Participation is paramount. At The Williams School we have a philosophy that “Everyone Plays,” which applies equally to students’ participation on sports teams, to parents’ participation in school activities, and to everyone’s participation in financial support. We realize that personal circumstances and abilities vary, but everyone can do something, and we aim for 100%. Foundations and corporations considering lending their support ask us what percentage of participation we have, and it is important! Much teaching is done at The Williams School by modeling the behavior we expect from our students. Our Board and faculty exemplify the essence of modeling in their own lives, and they are 100% committed to our annual fund. Please join us!
How may I get more information?
Please feel free to contact Meredith Lauter, Director of Development, at 757.627.1383 ext. 213 or mlauter@thewilliamsschool.org. Our website, www.thewilliamsschool.org, also lists details of events, projects, and opportunities. Thank you for your interest and support.
The Williams School - 419 Colonial Avenue - Norfolk, Virginia 23507
