As we look back on the 2023-2024 year, we are reminded that the heart of Sussex lies not just in our classrooms but in the experiences, challenges, and discoveries that shape our community. Whether exploring the natural world, pushing the boundaries of creativity, or engaging in meaningful dialogue, our students embody the spirit of curiosity and courage. This year’s annual report is more than just numbers—it’s a snapshot of the collective effort, generosity, and passion that fuel our mission. Thanks to the unwavering support of our community, Sussex continues to thrive as a place where learning is an adventure and every student’s journey matters.
Dispatches from the Field - 2024 Annual Report -
What’s Inside?
As we look back on the 2023-2024 year, we are reminded that the heart of Sussex lies not just in our classrooms but in the experiences, challenges, and discoveries that shape our community. Whether exploring the natural world, pushing the boundaries of creativity, or engaging in meaningful dialogue, our students embody the spirit of curiosity and courage. This year’s annual report is more than just numbers—it’s a snapshot of the collective effort, generosity, and passion that fuel our mission. Thanks to the unwavering support of our community, Sussex continues to thrive as a place where learning is an adventure and every student’s journey matters.
Dispatches From the Field Alum - Jayne Kulina
Head of School - Miguel Gonzalez The Outdoors - Daniel Flemming The Arts - Josh Davis Curriculum - Christy Deskins The Numbers
Mission
At Sussex School, our mission is to provide a challenging, progressive curriculum in a nurturing environment, so that students can become confident, enthusiastic learners and caring participants in their local and global communities. Values Through the arts, the outdoors, and a challenging curriculum we cultivate creativity, courage, citizenship, and critical thinking in our students.
24/25 Board of Directors
Ange Anderson, President D’Et Heffington, Vice President Melissa Neidigh, Treasurer Uma Healy, Secretary
Sabrina Smith Kate Duran Bruce Tribbensee
Josh Davis, Teacher Rep Joe Johnson, Teacher Rep William Kearns, Student Rep Violet West, Student Rep
Bente Winston, Founder Taylor Brugh, Alumni Rep Kiki Hubbard
Thank You to all of our 23/24 Board Members who completed their terms this Summer. We appreciate all of your time, care, and vision.
Katie James, Treasurer Stephanie Lathrop Charity O’Connor
Kris Laroche, Teacher Rep Ruby Cline, Student Rep Nina Rohd, Student Rep
The familiar feel of worn-out vinyl bus seats, filled with holes where little hands had picked out foam, meant we were getting out. At my progressive, independent elementary school, we didn’t just go on regular field trips; we had “community adventures” in our “classrooms without walls.” At the time, the bus was nothing special to me; it was just a way for my classmates and me to get shuttled from place to place in our little city. The white, used bus, with scattered fruit snacks and dried flowers left from another class’s most recent escapade, reflected the casual nature of my groovy little school. However, since entering my public high school and hearing other students’ stories of a more traditional K-8 education, I realize I would not be the person I am today without that bus and the places it took me.
In third and fourth grade, every week or so, we would pack up for the day, load our little bus, and bring the classroom outdoors to what we called sit spots. Outside, in our sit spot areas, we learned about invasive species, studied local plants and animals, and sat quietly in our spots, under a tree or on the river bank, reflecting on a teacher- given prompt. Over eight years later, I still return to nature and sit when I need to reflect or ground myself. I also continue to remove invasive leafy spurges from mountain trails to protect our native flora and eagerly seek to identify various animals by their muddy prints after rain. The knowledge I gained about the beauty of Montana’s nature from those childhood outdoor excursions fostered a love and care for the outdoors that is central to my identity today.
Jayne & Lark
Jayne Kulina Sussex Class of ‘21
Alum Dispatch
Of course, the bus took us to other places, too. One of the monthly places we visited was a local retirement community called The Springs. At The Springs, each student would pair up with an elderly person, and we would make crafts, play games, and talk and tell stories. I loved listening to the elders recall their childhood memories of school and dreamily recollect days long gone. Some of my friends found the visits boring, but I enjoyed hearing different perspectives on the modern world and learning about the changes they had witnessed in a short lifetime. These interactions made our visits to The Springs a favorite bus stop. I carry a love of various perspectives and storytelling to this day; I seek out people’s opinions and prioritize listening well. Recently, I started volunteering in middle school classrooms. Every week or so, I look forward to hearing the ideas and stories of the students, once again giving me new perspectives. Sometimes, the bus trips took me to places that sparked my imagination. For example, the Missoula Art Museum never disappointed. Viewing colorful paintings and complex sculptures gave me a different understanding of beauty, belonging, and voice. Being introduced to art at a young age inspired and fed my love for it. I now take as many art classes as I can fit into my schedule, spend hours sketching in my free time, and enjoy discovering new ways to use my artistic abilities. I know that my childhood with these museum trips has informed my love of art now. Looking back on the out-of-school learning opportunities I had as a child, I have mixed emotions: one part of me is grateful for that rickety school bus and the significant impact it had on my personal development. The other part feels a sense of duty to those who do not have such an opportunity to learn through experience, wonder, and curiosity. This duty is why I want to become a teacher when I go to the next bus stop in my life, at college. I hope to guide children using experiential learning so they, too, may discover all that can be learned outside of classroom walls.
Head of School Dispatch
As we traverse this transformative year, I am exhilarated to update you on our strategic progress —a journey enriched by your steadfast support and commitment to our mission. Together, we are crafting a nurturing, progressive environment where learners blossom into confident, enthusiastic leaders within their local and global communities. Our strategic plan, launched with input from our entire community, is now in year 2. It has been a guiding light. It has helped us focus on growing as a trusted leader in progressive education and nurturing relationships within our community. This year marked a significant milestone with our Collaboration Showcase, where over 90% of our learners engaged in projects that seamlessly integrated arts, core academics, and outdoors. This celebration of learner-centered assessment sparked curiosity and critical thinking, embodying our dedication to public learning.
We are deeply inspired by stories like that of Andy T., an alumni parent, who shared, "Sussex School is where my children truly thrive, thanks to the engaging faculty and emphasis on learning." Such testimonials remind us of the profound impact our community has on learners' lives.
In alignment with our strategic goals, we remain committed to financial transparency, directing 85% of our budget towards educational programs, ensuring that every contribution directly enriches the learner experience. Our focus on professional development empowers our educators to be experts in shared learning, creating opportunities for them to publish, present, and share their expertise, thus further enhancing the educational landscape at Sussex. Looking ahead, we are thrilled about expanding community partnerships and integrating more outdoor and experiential learning opportunities. We are actively working to increase visibility and student engagement in our local community through educational partnerships and service projects. We recognize challenges such as ensuring the sustainability of our campus and community, and fostering a culture that truly embraces diversity and belonging. Yet, with our shared vision and values, we are poised to navigate these with courage and creativity. Let us continue to nurture a future where trust, exploration, and joy in learning flourish. Thank you for being an integral part of this journey.
What a whirlwind of adventure it’s been! The Sussex Outdoor Program has been busy fostering courage, growth, and unforgettable experiences in the great outdoors. This year, our students have pushed boundaries, faced challenges, and embraced new adventures. From tying in for their outdoor climbing routes to navigating snowy trails, they’ve shown incredible curiosity and determination. They’ve paddled through rapids, carved mountain bike trails, and run through fields of wildflowers, soaking up every bit of the natural beauty that surrounds us. Whether on rope, on snow, or in sneakers, they’ve explored, learned, and connected with the wild spaces that inspire us all. Here’s to the adventures still ahead!
“I really love getting to be out in the mountains. Getting to be out backcountry skiing is a huge plus. I have loved all of the days out with Daniel skiing and learning from him. I'm really grateful to have a mentor like Daniel to teach me and guide me through experiences like these so I can take them into my life and have them be long- term activities for me to do. The snow isn't always the best, but just being able to get and have fun more than makes up for it. I really love this program, and it has helped me to find new things to do in
and around the community I love.” Landon Felz, Sussex Class of ‘24
Outdoor Dispatch
Landon City of Rocks ‘23
“It is a trip that completely changed my life...” Connor Rogers, Sussex Class of ‘26
Reflecting on a year filled with creativity and meaningful collaboration, I feel truly honored and excited to be part of this amazing arts team. This year has been a testament to the power of progressive education, where authentic, real-world experiences and intentional collaboration are at the heart of everything we do. Our student ensemble, The Pop-Rocks, brought their learning to life through a dynamic rock performance at the ZACC, demonstrating the impact of community engagement and performance as learning tools.
Additionally, our first Sussex School Student Art Showcase at the ZACC gallery provided students with a platform to share their creativity beyond the classroom, connecting their artistic expression with the broader Missoula community. Our finalized partnership with SPARK! Arts, which will house teaching artists at Sussex School, further deepens our commitment to experiential learning, offering students authentic connections to professional artists and real-world arts education.
Sussex Pop Rocks Feb ‘24
Arts Dispatch
Our Theatre Department's captivating run of Xanadu exemplified how performance can foster teamwork, creativity, and personal growth, while our monthly open mic nights have continued to create valuable spaces for student voice and community connection. The Disco Dance Party Fall Concert was a shining example of intentional collaboration, bringing together our entire arts team to create a joyful, interdisciplinary experience. These initiatives reflect our dedication to progressive education, where learning is dynamic, student-centered, and rooted in real- world contexts. The art team at Sussex School is continuing to grow, diversify, and build out authentic learning opportunities that prepare students to engage meaningfully with the world. Stay tuned to see where we are headed next!
Curriculum Dispatch
It isn’t surprising that Sussex teachers love to create, design, invent, and explore. One of the truly rewarding aspects of teaching at Sussex is the opportunity to put these creative and dynamic skills to use every day. Whether it is morning circle or afternoon homeroom block, small-group direct instruction, a whole-class Socratic seminar, or an adventure off campus, creating meaningful learning experiences that are developmentally appropriate and able to pivot with student voice and choice is the essence of teaching at Sussex.
ZAP Garden Project Fall ‘24
When you collect all of these learning experiences in one place, a curriculum emerges: by subject and true to progressive tenets of education, by units that involve cross-curricular connections. During the winter of 2023/24 Sussex teachers took interdisciplinary teaching and learning to a new place with the first Collaborative Showcase. The CS is an all-school celebration of learning that promotes the ideas of student-engaged assessment. It positions students as leaders by empowering them to take the lead in their learning and communicating it to their peers and parents. The CS is a culmination of the 6- week collaborative block and creates a space for a public exhibition of core academics paired with the arts and PE. Through the CS, we have an opportunity to showcase our progressive education elements, approach, and outcomes and to connect with families. It was wildly successful and the showcase has become a landmark of progressive assessment in the school year.
Income
Campus Stroll
Expenses
2023/24 By the Numbers
Assets
Cash Accounts: $27,786 Endowments: $1,562,704 Property & Equipment: $2,303,869 Total Assets: $4,144,459
Liabilities & Net Assets
Payables: $51,183 Reserves and Designated Funds: $19,132 Enrollment Deposits: $78,050 Long-Term Debt: $0 Equity/ net assets: $3,996,094 Total: $4,144,459
Endowment Funds Allocation of Sussex In-school grants and memorial funds 2023/ 2024
Theodora Melone Fund for Natural Science and Outdoor Education: $580 Elizabeth Winston Endowment Fund for Music Education: $3,055 Elizabeth Winston Memorial Endowment Fund for Art Education: $2,436 Lauranita Hill Memorial Fund for Language Arts Education: $633 Don and Bente Winston Endowment for Mathematics Education: $2,495 The Sussex Endowment for Professional Development: $4,000 The Hank and Nancy Harrington Memorial Endowment Fund: $415 Jeremiah K. Thompson Memorial Fund: $795 Donald Winston II Memorial Fund for Field Science: $1,950
23/24 Quick Numbers
Number of Students: 130 Raised for the Annual Fund: $167,157 Given in Designated Gifts: $22,717 Grants and Credits: $57,267 Total Number of Donations: 628 Awarded in Assistance & Scholarships: $213,343 Percent of families who received tuition assistance/scholarships: 37
As we reflect, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the 428 donors who supported us during the 2023-2024 year, including in-kind donors, business sponsors, and hundreds of generous individuals.
Fall Fling at Paddleheads Stadium
Thank You Winter Warmer & Fall Fling Business Sponsors
Ink Realty Montana Towing Boyce Lumber
Mickelson Plumbing & Heating Merrill Lynch, KLO Group- Linton & Kiely Boyle, Deveny & Meyer Goodrich & Reely, PLLC Roemers Point S Tires Montana Snowbowl Frame of Mind Dennehy + Jerde Orthodontics Edward Jones - Marin L Felz Zoo City Apparel Office Solutions & Services
Spring Trip
Class of 2024
Camp Paxson
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