Points of Pride 2021

Fort Worth Country Day’s 2021 “Points of Pride” are longer than this list.

So much of what makes the FWCD experience special cannot easily be quantified: An inspired student; a child able to handle new challenges; a student trying new sports or arts; a child coming home with stories to tell about a class discussion . . . the child and their joy for friends, teachers, coaches; for learning, competing, taking on challenges, and for achieving. They are also about resilience, caring, support and commitment.

The year 2021 brought FWCD the typical sources of pride: an exceptional graduating class who took their talents to esteemed colleges and universities. We continue to navigate joys and challenges as one … FWCD Together. Fort Worth Country Day is a family … a family that wants the best for all of its members, students, families, faculty and staff, and alumni.

These are just some of the School’s 2021 accomplishments, and we take pride in them.

The Brain Buddies neuroscience club is an FWCD community service organization centered on exploring the wonders of the brain with fourth-graders through educational and entertaining games, lessons and activities.

Strategic Goal One: Inspire Innovation and Excellence Throughout the FWCD Experience

Implement innovations in education that strengthen the student experience.

• French program earned Exemplary Program with Honors accolade from the American Association of Teachers of French
• Henry Lynn ’21 named a Presidential Scholar Candidate 
• Paloma Casanova ’21 named Morehead-Cain Scholar; Abby McGehee ’21 named a Semifinalist
• Capstone showcased seniors’ work online (spring 2021) and in-person (fall 2021)
• Seven seniors from the Class of 2021 named National Merit Finalists in spring 2021
• Three National Merit Semifinalists in the Class of 2022 
• Nine Seniors in the Class of 2022 named National Merit Commended Students
• 17 Upper School juniors and seniors honored by College Board National Recognition Program
• All fourth-graders participated in Escape from the Lower School Library 
• Middle School Little Free Library launched
• Adam Pierce ’26 and Evi Scaling Brown ’24 represented FWCD in the Virtual Sustainability Fair put on by Punahou School in Hawaii
• Chemistry Club launched in Middle School, founded by Gage Fowlkes ’22 and Kennedy Packer ’23 in fall 2021
• Neuroscience Club with Upper Schoolers and fourth-graders launched in fall 2021, created by Lily Hyde ’24 
• Link Crew continues in its second decade of upperclassmen students guiding new ninth-graders
• Malone Schools Online Network (MSON): five FWCD students enrolled in seven of 36 MSON courses offered in spring 2021; 12 students enrolled in 7 of 48 MSON classes offered in fall 2021
• Addition of the CareHawk School Intercom and Paging System to enhance safety and security throughout campus buildings
• Continued Fort Worth Police Department and FWCD Security presence on-campus through an ongoing collaborative effort to maintain a safe and secure environment for students, faculty and staff

Seven seniors from the Class of 2021 were named National Merit Finalists in Spring 2021.

Chemistry Club launched in Middle School in Fall 2021. It was founded by Gage Fowlkes ’22 and Kennedy Packer ’23.

Continue and reinforce our commitment to excellence in the arts and athletics.

• Black & White Images celebrated 33 years 
• All-Region and All-State Band and Choir students named in the fall 
• Students earned Slaughter Family Awards honors and scholarships
• Four Class of 2021 senior student-athletes signed to play in college
  FWCD Theatre presented CLUE: On Stage, in-person, to sold-out audiences
• Jayda Fulp ’25 represented USA and FWCD at 2021 Infantil Pan American Games 
• Choir, band, orchestra, Falcon Flyers performed in-person with audiences in fall 2021
• Nutcracker Ballet included three nights of in-person sold-out performances
• Middle School A boys volleyball team won the inaugural end-of-season tournament
• Varsity boys volleyball and field hockey teams and Brailey Connor '22, field hockey team captain, honored with Sportsmanship Awards from the Southwest Preparatory Conference.

The varsity field hockey and boys volleyball teams and Brailey Connor '22, field hockey team captain, were honored with Sportsmanship Awards from the Southwest Preparatory Conference.

Nurture a culture of innovation among faculty and staff.

• Professional Learning Communities run by Curriculum Leaders in the Lower School: topics include classroom management: classroom observation and debriefing; and a book study on Making Thinking Visible: How to Promote Engagement, Understanding, and Independence for All Learners
• Win at Social: Middle School began work with a contracted curriculum group addressing social media literacy; part of a rebooting of advisory time in the Middle School 

Attract and retain the strongest administrators, faculty and staff through recruitment, retention, and professional development.

• New faculty and staff members welcomed to FWCD in 2021-22
• Lower School added three positions: two First Grade Assistants and one Second Grade Assistant 
• Keith Burns named Head Football Coach/Program Director
• Leigh Block named new Director of Athletics
• Heather Peace, Upper School Math Teacher, named Outstanding Educator by the University of Chicago

Strategic Goal Two: Play a More Integral Role in Fort Worth and the Greater Community

Commit to graduating “World Ready” students, knowledgeable about and prepared to make important contributions to society, using Fort Worth as a living laboratory.

• Bill Arnold ’86 named Director of the Center for International Studies
• Plans created for a return to international travel programming for FWCD students

Create ongoing opportunities in our local community that expand our learning experiences beyond the classroom walls.

• Art for Art – Fine Arts Department raised money to benefit The WARM Place to purchase art supplies
• Middle School Holiday Toy Drive collected more than 300 toys for Como Community Center
• Middle School National Junior Honor Society sponsored service events, including Candy for Como, blanket-making for area shelters

The Middle School Holiday Toy Drive collected more than 300 toys for Como Community Center.

Commit to a substantive service learning model based on long-term relationships in the greater community and beyond the berms of FWCD, combining classroom service in ways that can enhance both student growth and the common good.

• Upper School TEAM Service continued service projects in a time of social distance 
• Colonial Kids for a Cause gifted Breakthrough Fort Worth graduating seniors and rising seniors with laptop computers

Colonial Kids for a Cause gifted Breakthrough Fort Worth graduating seniors and rising seniors with laptop computers.

Strategic Goal Three: Expand Our Diversity

Commit to sustaining and growing an intentionally inclusive community.

• Nicole Masole named first full-time Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion
• FWCD Community Connections events started to join parents, faculty and staff together for deeper community connection and meaningful dialogue; 16 community members attended
• IDEA Conference hosted for Upper School students
• Communal reading of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail sponsored by the Country Day Institute
• Stellar Breakthrough Fort Worth and Fancy Meal support
• Middle School Como Community Center volunteering resumed after 18 months
• NAIS People of Color Conference hosted online; 9 faculty/staff participants
• NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference hosted online; 6 student participants

Communicate with excellence, both internally and externally, defining and refining our identity and enhancing our strategic communication.

• Tuesday Teacher Takeovers launched  in spring 2021 for community connection; program ongoing 
• FWCD GIPHY Stickers for social media and texting launched in fall 2021 
• One FWCD social media campaign on Thursdays launched in spring 2021
• Shining a Light on our Seniors, Class of 2021 social media campaign launched in April 2021
• Lights, Camera Action: FWCD Alumni Entertainment Industry Panel hosted by the Alumni Association in April 2021
• Celebration of Dan Bloch H'06 hosted by the Alumni Association in April 2021; 
• Falcon Flybys with Head of School Eric Lombardi launched in spring 2021 to engage parents

FWCD animated Stickers are available on GIPHY.com/fwcd.

Improve accessibility and affordability by growing financial aid and reducing tuition dependence.

• 2020-21 FWCD Fund surpassed goal of $1 million in unrestricted giving
• $3.7 million granted in tuition assistance to 24% of the student body, which translated into 1 in 4 students receiving financial aid; average award for kindergarten was $12,144

Strategic Goal 4: Assure Sustainability

Develop and maintain a strategic enrollment management plan and multiyear financial model that emphasizes strength, fiscal responsibility and multiple revenue sources.

• 2021-22 school year started on time and in-person with 1,097 students 

Increase endowment significantly during the next decade.

• November 30, 2018: $41,827,789; November 30, 2021: $52,752,821

When creating new learning programs, develop an ongoing strategic posture that will simultaneously increase our accessibility, provide for new revenue, and enhance our connection to the local community.

• Summer 2021 Fort Wonder camps hosted in-person, on-campus, setting all-time camper records
• Summer 2021 Falcon Sports Camps hosted in-person, on-campus

Integrate environmental sustainability into the School’s operations.

• Composting returned to the Fischer Dining Pavilion 

Fort Wonder camps were hosted in-person, on-campus, setting all-time camper records during the Summer of 2021.