Alzar School PO Box 1609 Cascade, ID 83611208.639.9891

www.alzarschool.org

Annual Report2015-2016

THE WORLD AWAITS...

The mission of the Alzar School is to educate and facilitate the leadership development of high school students.

4 From the School Administrators 5 Our Six Foundations6 Programs7 Admissions & Enrollment8 Profile of a Student

9 Fundraising & Development10 Donor Recognition12 Board of Directors13 Financial Statement

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Alzar School gave me the adventure I seeked and created a new family and place for me to call home.- Olivia Delamielleure, Fall 2015

At first I was just hoping to get away from the big city life, and immerse myself in a different community. However, my expectations were far surpassed. I instead gained friends that will last a life time, a newfound passion for kayaking, and an experience that I will forever remember. - Michael McIntyre, Spring 2016

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Our fourth year as a semester school was marked by incredible success, continued growth, and preparations for expanding our reach. The Alzar School continued to grow both in terms of enrollment, with 24 students in Fall 2015 and 26 students in Spring 2016. Programmatically, we added course sites in Patagonia (Patagonia Park and the Rio Baker) and the Owyhee River.

The increased number of students in 2015-2016 inspired the school to prepare for the Buildout Campaign, which will fulfill the school leadership’s original visions. The faculty team expanded to seven teachers, an Associate Director of Admissions position was added, as well as an additional admissions representative. Thanks to an exciting challenge donation, the school was able to raise a little more than $2.35 million towards additional student and staff housing, a Headwaters Building, and an expansion of the Confluence Building. The transformative experiences of the Alzar School inspired unbelievable support from alumni and their families, allowing construction to begin in June 2016.

The school is powerfully positioned to continue as a leader in education in the coming years. We invite you to join us in celebrating our success as we look forward to another wonderful year full of challenge, adventure, and excellence.

- Sean & Kristin Bierle

FROM THE SCHOOL

ADMINISTRATORS

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OUR SIX FOUNDATIONSThe Alzar School accomplishes our mission through the integration of our “Six Foundations.” Academics and Cultural exchange overlap as students complete conversational challenges. Students learn the power of servant leadership through our interactions with others. Outdoor adventure cultivates an appreciation of the natural world.

ACADEMICS Rigorous Classes: AP US History, AP English Language & Composition, AP Biology, Environmental Science and Biology, Harkness Discussions & Demonstrations of Learning.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING“10 Elements of Leadership,” LOD experiences on expeditions and on campus. Major student leadership experiences in Chile. Mentor meetings. Writing the CLP plan.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURERafting and kayaking on the Payette, Salmon, Cato, Ñuble, Fuy, San Pedro, Petrohue Rivers. Backpacking in the Trinity Alps, Cochamo and the Owyhee Canyonlands. Skiing/snowboarding at Tamarack & Brundage Resorts. Winter camping.

CULTURAL EXCHANGEStudents from around the globe, including 2 from Chile. Learning to dance cueca, expeditions with Chilean students from Los Escualos. Empanadas, sopapillas, and so much more.

SERVICE LEARNINGWorking on the perimeteer trail on campus. Serving the community through cook crew. Volunteering at the Jazz Concert in Cascade. Planting trees and revegetating the Cabarton River put in.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIPRecycling program on campus. Heating the yurts with wood split by students. Hot showers thanks to solar water heaters. Restoring the riverbank on campus.

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ALZARSCHOOL’S SIX FOUNDATIONS

Academics EnvironmentalStewardship

LeadershipTraining

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highlightsTHE

• The semester program continued to be the primary focus of the school, with the efforts of the faculty and staff focused on scaling operations up to larger student groups, separating into two pods for all expeditions and into two towns when based in the Lake District of Chile.

• Academically, the school’s teachers developed syllabi to be audited by the College Board for designation as official “Advanced Placement” courses. The following courses earned AP designation: US History, World History, Calculus, Physics, Biology, Environmental Science and English Language & Composition.

• Leadership learning targets were developed for the Teaching Fellowship program, working towards more definition in the teaching fellow role on expeditions.

• Videographer John Webster was brought in to capture the student experience through profiles. These were used in sharing about the Alzar School for the “Challenge for Leaders” program.

• The “Paddle for Leaders” program was adapted to become the “Challenge for Leaders” fundraising campaign, broadening how supporters could take on personal challenges and raise money for the school’s Buildout Campaign. Besides Head of School Sean Bierle’s challenge, two alumni and one staff member completed challenges, raising over $2.35 million towards expanded facilities on campus.

Year in Review2015-2016 Programs

In the 2015-2016 Year the Alzar School notably achieved:

• Largest student cohort yet (Spring 2016).

• Operated new programs in Patagonia Park, Rio Baker, Owhyee River.

• Had 175 applicants for the 2016-2017 year.

• Offered over $205,525 in financial aid.

• Had 7 courses approved as “AP” by the College Board, and offered PSAT and AP testing on campus.

• Continued the “Paddle for Leaders” program as “Challenge for Leaders” and raised over $2.35 million for the Buildout Campaign.

This was another strong year for the Alzar School, and we look forward to building on our success in the coming year, with efforts focusing on refinement and sustainability.

Alzar School PO Box 1609

Cascade, ID 83611 208.639.9891

www.alzarschool.org

It was the best four months of my life and I would not trade the confidence I gained for anything.

- Braden McPhailFor the 2015-2016 school year, the Executive Director, Head of School, Director Admissions, Associate Director of Advancement, and Admissions and Marketing Associate worked together to put an emphasis on finding and enrolling wonderful teens. The admissions staff continued our successful drip marketing campaign from the previous year, staying in touch with and encouraging the applications of potential students, as well as keeping enrolled students excited.

The Director of Admissions, along with the Executive Director and Head of School, presented to 39 schools around the country, had 35 lunch booths, and met with administrators at 29 other schools. We continued to engage alumni representatives from the Advisory Committee to develop peer to peer connections with potential students.

The result of these efforts is quantifiable. The number of applications started grew by 47%, while completed applications grew by 27%. This yields an anticipated increase in tuition revenue (for 2016-2017) of 21%. We will continue to enroll for the Spring 2017 semester and anticipate having growing our semesters to 26 (Fall) and 28 (Spring) students.

Year in ReviewADMISSIONS & Enrollment

Fiona joined the school for the Spring 2016 semester from Miami, Florida, continuing a tradition of students from Palmer Trinity School. She was highly recommended to the Alzar School. Her adult mentor reference, who was her piano teacher, noted “Fiona has shown excellent communication skills. Always polite. Her personality was reserved at first, but she has recently become more assertive and outgoing. She leads by example, in fact, I refer to her hard work and dedication as an example when working with other students who become discouraged.”

During her semester, Fiona excelled. She was highly regarded as a positive, hardworking community member who worked hard every day to make the most of her semester at the Alzar School. She made connections with all of the students in her semester and had strong LOD experiences on the Rio Baker and the Owyhee River.

Since returning to Miami, Fiona has been able to begin working on her Culminating Leadership Project, “Orange Teens Go Green,” which will get her peers outside and volunteering in the Florida Everglades. We are proud of you!

PROFILE OF STUDENT: FIONA TORRESE

“One of my favorite parts of the semester was living in the Domo and Cabanas it was a great time to prepare for ‘real world’ when shopping and exploring independently. I also really liked the WAFA program as it extended our wilderness learning, got us out of the classroom, and was really fun! - Fiona Torrese, Spring 2016,

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“The Petrohue expedition... It was so fun and AWESOME! We got to see volcanoes and ex-perience super cool rapids!”- Jake Wilson, Spring 2016

The Alzar School fundraises to make its programs a reality for a diverse group of students. The School awarded over $205,000 in financial aid to students across the country and internationally.

For the 2015-2016, the fundraising goal was originally $80,000. To reach this goal, the school celebrated its scholarship program for Valley County students with an event in December. It modified the Paddle for Leaders campaign to become the Challenge for Leaders campaign to raise funds for our Buildout Campaign. It was awarded a grant from the J. A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation. In total, the school raised over $2.35 million. In addition, the number of unique donations rose from 239 in 2014-2015 to 378 in 2015-2016.

Year in Reviewfundraising & Development

Honor Roll $250+Cindy & Alan AppleyAshley InnLaura Bechdel & Neal McAdamMikael Bedell & Cheryl BrachtMelinda & Bruce BoyumBrundage Mountain ResortShelley ColemanKathleen & John DavineKathryn IeadaMatt JostNikcole LoweryMike & Kelly McLeodAnne & Sandy SharpSheryl Thompons Charitable FundShore LodgeSmith OpticsJohn & William StottJosh Unger & Jenaleigh Kiebert

Salutatorian $1000+Shauna & Mike ArnoldAlice CaplanMark & Linda CaplanLeslie & Christopher Del ColSean & Lora BreenDavid & Bettina FioreNorthrup GrummanAnnie & Sam LangstonMatt Schwarz & Molly MannschreckLisa & Victor MilliganIvan Morales & Kelli Wright-MoralesEd & Christy NovellasNRSJohn & Anne OldenJorge & Pilar RodriguezRotary Club of McCallLuis & LeAnn SotoKim TanabeKatie ThompsonJorge & Claudia TomicicKeller & William Torrey

Dean’s List $500+Arnold AviationCarolyn & Charloes ArnoldHerk & Colleen ColeAlan HamiltonMargaret & Michael HenbestHeidi & Joe HollandGeorge & Betsy LilesMonique & Bob McCleskeyCailin O’Brien-FeeneyJack OlsonJessica Padour & Nate IsaakGisele & Trent PanszeSarah & Dean ParkDebbie & John RathbunTamarack ResortGeorganna & Douglas Weatherholtz

Donor RecognitionValedictorian $2000+Kevin ArrienJean BierleLarry & Tricia BierleRyan BierleSean & Kristin BierleGrace & James BroughtonOscar & Christine CastellonMichele & Thomas CastleDennis & Kendra ColemanMary & Bradley DelamielleureJib & Marci EllisonPatricia & Alex FunderburgPam GilletteKatie HawkinsJohn William Jackson FundPat & Eleanor KerrMichael & Elizabeth KlumpRobert & Patti LapeyreStacey & Donald LeebernLorri & Lance LeonaitisAndrew Lipskey & Holly KellyPatrick & Cissy MadiganLisa & Jeff MartinCarl & Anne McPhailGlenn & Tina MichaelMichael Family FoundationBeth & David Park FamilyMark & Kristina PickardPaul RauletJulia RobertsValerie & Michael RussellGordon Saul & Wendy SmithTucker & Mark SchrageKim & Scott SingletaryKatherine SpirtesAmanda & Knox ThompsonEric TorreseRanda & KC WeinerAndy & Nancy WiggersTim & Mary Wilcomb / Jordan-Wilcomb Construction

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Press in the PinesProof EyewearJoan ReichardMarilyn ReidMelissa RoyMaddy RuehmanMaggie RuchRichard & Nancy RushSalmon River BreweryWarren SamuelsNimi SandhuSheila SantosEliza SchenckGerhardt SchrageKaris SchrageJordan SchrageBrian SchrageGillian ScruggsLauren & Joel ShapiroLaura ShoupEmma Scott SingletaryTed SingletaryTova SorokaJohn ScottStephanie Sauer-WattsKathi & Worth SaundersNadia SoucekNelson SoucekKatarina SpearsGarrett StaufferBrady StrohmeyerJennifer & Steve StrubleTrinity TherapeuticKathleen ThomasMaggie ThomasHailey ThompsonFiona TorreseMary TraceyTwo SistersUnwind Body SpaLee & C.R. Van de VeldeBeth & Brian WallingfordCameron WeinerAlton WiggersJosephine WinborneJake WilsonKristi & John WyllieWill YeiserJanette Young

Heather GetzloffCatriona GilmourEmma & Andrew GilmourIsaac GoldsteinPolly GouldChris GragtmansGravity SportsJennifer Gray & James GriffithAlexander & Mary HarrisonPhebe & Edward HibshmanDottie HickeyAlice HillBen & Libby HillMahalie HillCarol Hines & David ElliottRoxy HuckabyJon & Lori HunterKate HunterDorothy JonesLarry JonesMichael JorgensonKeep Me in StitchesKatherine Kemper & Scott DeLaneyAmy & Mark KlimekAddie KlimekLake Cascade State ParksLakeview ChevronBecca LapeyreCharles & Amy LapeyreLindsay LangeLes SchwabYona LindenbaumTess LipskyJoe LovelaceJennifer LyonMay HardwareBurke MartinMcCall JewelryMcCall Outdoor ExchangeMcCall Pet OutfittersMcCall Sports ExchangeMaggie McCleskeyBraden McPhailJody & Mark MeierKatie MeyersKatie MilliganAnita MontesMarisa MoralesMountain JavaMountain Monkey BusinessEmily MulnickEsther Mulnick & John WatkinsLiam MurphyNalgeneNantahala Outdoor CenterLiz NeighborKevin NguyenNorthwest School of Fly FishingSusanne & Dean NortonShawn O’BrienSusan OlsonLauren PerraultJacqueline Perreira-SkillmanTheresa PerryJan PetersonPetzl

Donor RecognitionGraduate 44 Degrees NorthLana AfricanoAnne & Eric AllenAmerican Legion - CascadeBrian & Paula AmundsonDaniella AmundsonMark & Cindy AndersonSharon & Ken AndersonJane ArnoldArthur FamilyAsana ClimbingBackcountry ChiropracticBradley & Meda BarnesGeraldine BatesKatie Basham & Andy PressmanLes & Susan BechdelKali BechtoldCarina BeckerJack & Lavonne BierleBryan BiggsBistro 45Jami BlackEmily & Jay BorenPatty BourdeauxSusan & Mike BrooksGrace BroughtonIngrid BrudenellJudy & Jonathan BryanNed BuckinghamBuff HeadgearCascade StoreCascade Golf CourseLisa & Roger CatesJulie & Anthony CerraCheap ThrillsSam & Cindy ChewningGalit ChurchJeff & Samantha ColeGenie ConstantiniFred CrouchAnita CusslerNancy CusslerJack DavineMarina DavisCharlotte Del ColElizabeth DonichtNeil DobbsDr. Uma’s Healing & Creative Arts CenterTeresa DoomsAuriona EastMichael EdwardsEllen & Bud EllerMax FioreFlight of Fancy BakeryJeffrey & Sonja FlormanFerris FlormanMegan FriedmanAlex Garella

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“The most wonderful experience that I have ever had in my life.” - José “Coto” Ferrada, Fall 2015

“I felt as if I had settled into my routine at home too comfortably and was not learning new things about the world and about myself. I was hoping to find a new classroom and new people from whom I could derive unique lessons and experiences. The Alzar School has given me this classroom, this community and these experiences and so much more. It has provided me with room to grow and change, and I am forever thankful for that.”

- Tess Lipsky, Spring 2016

BOARD OF DIRECTORSThe Alzar School is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by an Advisory Committee comprised of experts and supporters from across the country. Bylaws, minutes, and other pertinent documents can be found online.

NAME POSITION ON BOARD OCCUPATION/EMPLOYER RESIDENCE

Dr. Kim Tanabe President Physician, St. Luke’s Garden Valley, ID

Katherine Hawkins Vice-President Physicians Assistant, St. Luke’s Boise, ID

Cailin O’Brien-Feeney Treasurer Policy Director, Winter Wildlands Alliance Boise, ID

Turin Dickman Secretary Biological researcher, Los Alamos Laboratory

Albuquerque, NM

Ken Anderson Board Member Retired, Former Principal Boise High School

Boise, ID

Tucker Schrage Board Member Former Teacher, Parent Representative Alexandria, VA

Shauna Arnold Board Member Massage Therapist, Parent Representative Cascade, ID

Kristin Bierle Ex-officio member Executive Director, Alzar School Cascade, ID

Sean Bierle Ex-officio member Head of School, Alzar School Cascade, ID

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The most engaging thing is being able to track your growth at Alzar School. You can clearly see improvement and strides that were made throughout the semester to get you where you

are.

- Darron Dowell