Stratford Hall 'Complete the Drive!' Capital Campaign
Our Commercial Drive campus is almost complete.
This year, our Primary Years students moved into their new building beside the Diploma Program building. Thanks to the efforts of the whole Stratford Hall community, our children will all be together in one location, learning in modern facilities well-suited to the IB program.
There is one vital piece missing – a building designed to meet the unique educational needs of our Middle Years students, and to enhance the learning and growth of all our students.
To complete our Commercial Drive campus, we are embarking on our first-ever capital campaign to raise $5 million by the end of 2009. Seven Information Sessions were held for families in February and March.
Click here to read The Case if you were unable to attend an Information Session.
Or watch the video excerpts.
For the FAQs, click here.
Read the capital campaign brochure.
Click here to read the Capital Campaign Updates:
April Update
May Update
June Update
Do you work for a company with a corporate matching donations policy? This list will let you know.
Goal: Raise $5 million to purchase a property and begin planning
Start Date: January 2009
Total Budget: $19 million
Financing: $5 million through capital campaign, $14 million through bank debt
Location: 3100 Commercial Drive, just south of the Primary Years Program building
Despite the current tumultuous economic times, we know we must act now to acquire the land and construct the necessary facilities so we will have space to accommodate a full cohort of two classes in each grade by 2011.
The most significant times in a school’s history are the founding years and the years where facilities are created to meet growth and program requirements. All local ISA schools have gone through these phases and so must we. The years from 2008 to 2011 will be our building years, and they will stretch us. But it is during these years that we will complete the vision of a school of 540 students.
Our financial situation is strong: We operate extremely efficiently on a lean budget. We know all families will have different abilities to donate, but we ask you commit to contributing to the best of yours. With your help and support, we will succeed, because our vision is strong and our school is important.
But our success will depend on the commitment of our Stratford Hall communities. We would like you to be part of the campaign.
Now is the time to ‘Complete the Drive!’
We believe that building a great school takes more than bricks and mortar: it takes the commitment of the whole school community. As a member of the Stratford Hall community, you have an unprecedented opportunity right now to help us ‘Complete the Drive!’ and create an exceptional school – part of a legacy that will remain for years to come.
This building is for our middle school students.
It is integral to creating a truly world class Middle Years Programme and providing exceptional educational programming. It will have learning and gathering spaces designed specifically to help students between the ages of 11 and 15 develop into caring, capable young adults. This improved learning environment is the primary focus of the building’s design.
This building is for every student at Stratford Hall.
Everyone, from kindergarten to grade 12, will have more space, improved access to programming, and increased collaborative learning opportunities. There will be a new gymnasium, better labs, and better facilities for creative and artistic programs. Younger students will be able to take part in circus and Taiko drumming classes, and older students will have increased leadership opportunities, helping Middle Years students develop into our next group of student leaders.
This building will play a critical role in your children’s future – whatever grade they are in.
We need to make a $5 million capital investment. At Stratford Hall, we have never lived beyond our means.
Our development has been carefully and thoughtfully managed, allowing us to grow and acquire two buildings without the need for a capital campaign. This is a record we can all be proud of – we are not aware of any other independent school in the country that can make the same claim.
The funds we raise through the ‘Complete the Drive!’ campaign will allow us to purchase the land we need and begin design and development. We will finance the remainder of the $19 million project by debt, serviced through regular school operations.
With your help, we will succeed.
Completing the Drive will allow us to fully realize the vision that inspired the creation of Stratford Hall in 1999, honouring the ten years of pioneering parents who have shepherded the school to this point.
Our vision is strong and our goal is vitally important. We are relying on you – and on every member of the Stratford Hall community, to continue the selfless and generous commitment that you have made on behalf of our children.
Speak with our fundraising team
We are looking forward to speaking personally with each member of the Stratford Hall community about this exciting and important campaign to “Complete the Drive!” But you don’t have to wait for us to call you – contact us at the school: 604.436.0608
Or individually:
Bob Armstrong, Co-Chair and Parent – 604 526 2005 (home)
Greg Oyhenart, Co-Chair and Parent – 604 434 6543 (home)
Jim McConnell, Head of School – 604-436-0608 (office)
