ONWARD: The Campaign for Worcester Academy, raises $52.2M
Worcester Academy today announced the successful conclusion of its $50 million capital campaign—ONWARD: The Campaign for Worcester Academy—announcing that the Academy had exceeded its goal and raised a total of $52.2 million.
The campaign, the largest gift for which was $15 million from an anonymous donor, has made possible new construction and numerous building infrastructure projects, along with property acquisitions and increases to the endowment.
A campaign celebration set for Oct. 1 will feature NBC Last Comic Standing’s Alingon Mitra, a Worcester native and 2004 graduate of Worcester Academy, at the Academy’s new Performance Center at 14 Marion Avenue.
“We are so grateful to the many alumni, parents, foundation partners, community, and other friends who helped us attain and exceed our goal,” said Worcester Academy Head of School Ronald M. Cino. “The ONWARD Campaign has provided us with the opportunity to reimagine the way we teach, engage, and inspire our students, solidifying Worcester Academy’s place as a leading educational institution and bringing us closer to achieving our goal of becoming the best urban independent school in the country.
“We have improved our academic program and facilities, grown our campus, and become more deeply connected with our neighborhood and the city,” Mr. Cino said.
Among the Academy’s accomplishments during the ONWARD Campaign were:
- A $16 million investment in the renovation of Walker Hall as a LEED-certified and state-of-the-art humanities center, as well as the refurbishment of the exterior of Daniels Gymnasium and the lower level of the Kellner Student Center
- An approximately $4 million purchase of remaining acreage at the former St. Vincent Hospital property at the corner of nearby Providence and Winthrop streets
- The $3.2 million construction of Morse Field, a lighted turf field on the former St. Vincent Hospital property, accessible to the Union Hill community
- The creation of numerous endowed funds for scholarships and for programs that support community service, visual arts, music, athletics, applied technology, science, professional development, and faculty recognition.
- Increases in tuition assistance and financial aid to Worcester area students and others.
- The construction of the newly-opened $3.5 million Performance Center on Marion Avenue
- A $5.7 million renovation of Kingsley Laboratories as a state-of-the-art science facility
Worcester Academy Director of Advancement Marillyn Earley noted that the $52.2 million raised by the ONWARD Campaign had exceeded the total raised in the last campaign ending in 2003. That campaign—Honor The Legacy, Achieve The Vision—was the first comprehensive campaign in the Academy’s history and raised a total of $32 million, predominantly for the endowment.
“The success of the ONWARD Campaign marks a historic milestone in the history of our 182-year-old school,” WA trustee and Campaign Chair James Pietro said. “The monies raised have allowed Worcester Academy to take significant steps forward in both facilities and program.
“As ‘ONWARD’ implies, this is a step—a dramatic one—toward redefining what an urban college preparatory experience can be,” Mr. Pietro said. “I, along with everyone in the Academy community, look forward to what's next!”
WA CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY
“The success of the ONWARD Campaign marks a historic milestone in the history of our 182-year-old school,” WA trustee and Campaign Chair James Pietro said. “The monies raised have allowed Worcester Academy to take significant steps forward in both facilities and program.
“As ‘ONWARD’ implies, this is a step—a dramatic one—toward redefining what an urban college preparatory experience can be,” Mr. Pietro said. “I, along with everyone in the Academy community, look forward to what's next!”
WA CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY
“Worcester Academy is proud to be a part of the city of Worcester, and a good neighbor,” Mr. Cino said. “We’ve been on this hilltop for 147 years. The campaign and the construction, along with neighborhood scholarships and the loan fund, allow us to stabilize and strengthen our community even as we enhance the educational experience for our students,” Mr. Cino said.
Over the past several years, Worcester Academy has made many resources and facilities available to the neighborhood, and partnered with schools, city officials, the Oak Hill CDC, and others to improve the quality of life for its neighbors.
Worcester Academy initiatives have included:
- Neighborhood Scholars Program – Seven neighborhood students currently attend Worcester Academy for free (one student in each grade at WA) as part of the Neighborhood Scholars Program, which began in 1998. The Academy spends roughly $235,000 on the program annually. Twelve Neighborhood Scholars have graduated from the Academy.
- Habitat for Humanity – In March 2015, Worcester Academy donated property at 21 Aetna Street to Habitat for Humanity Metro-West/Greater Worcester (construction on the home is nearing completion). The Academy previously built a Habitat duplex on nearby Perry Avenue.
- Morse Field – made available for recess and Phys Ed for Union Hill School students. Worcester Academy seniors and postgraduates also sponsor a spring Spree Day for the students there.
- Other Facilities – The Union Hill Sixth Grade graduation is held at WA’s Warner Theater; Walker Hall hosts graduates of the Community Connections Coalition of YOU Inc. and the Worcester Family Partnership.
- A $300,000 Revolving Loan Fund – Made available as low-interest loans to neighborhood homeowners for improvements to properties.
- Worcester Academy Summer Scholars Program – a free four-week academic camp for 25+ neighborhood children at a cost of $20,000.
- Summer Camp Scholarships – free tuition for 35 students to the Academy’s two-week-long sports and arts camps.
ABOUT WORCESTER ACADEMY
Worcester Academy is an independent co-ed day and boarding school for grades 6 to 12 and postgraduates. Our urban setting, diverse community, and innovative curriculum provide each student with unique opportunities for self-discovery, academic achievement, and personal empowerment. Visit us at www.worcesteracademy.org
For more information, contact Neil Isakson, director of external communications at Worcester Academy, at 508-754-5302 x135, or email neil.isakson@worcesteracademy.org.
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To read more stories about WA, see our News Archive page!
