While tuition dollars cover most of the costs of running a high-quality independent school like ours, we always have unmet needs on campus that cannot be funded by tuition dollars alone. Like all independent, nonprofit schools like ours, we look to fill this "gap" in our operating budget through charitable donations to our annual fund. We believe fundraising – as opposed to increased tuition – gives an opportunity for families with financial means to further support the overall growth of our School.

Dollars from our annual fund, which we call The Fund for GMS, are used to compete deferred maintenance or fund strategic enhancements for our School. Past annual fund projects include renovating our teaching kitchen, furnishing bunk rooms at The Land, renovating the Gym, completing our North Beach Community Area, replacing old playground equipment, and purchasing new school buses. Each project helped the overall mission of our School, and the expense of each project lied outside our normal operating budget. 

For this year's Fund for GMS, we seek to raise $85,000 by February 28, 2025 in order to raise the roof – a new roof, that is, for our Lower School building. While the original roof from 1989 has served us well, 35 years of regular wear and tear, in addition to storm damage, have worn our shingles down. We are regularly tending to minor repairs and leaks that take require time and ad hoc funding.

Our facilities team and roofers agree ... it's time for a new roof! Contributions to The Fund for GMS will provide resources we need to replace the roof and provide the most basic form of shelter, protection, and comfort for the 175 Toddler, Primary, and Lower Elementary students who learn in our Lower School building every day. Donate now to The Fund for GMS.