Brookwood School - Student Life

Brookwood Annual Meeting recalls 40 years of growth and achievement
November 16, 2009

THOMASVILLE - Headmaster Mike Notaro told the large audience at Brookwood School's Annual Meeting on Nov. 9 that the independent school is achieving its "ultimate goal of having our students prepared to succeed in college when they get there."

Notaro recognized the members of the Board of Directors, the Board of Trustees and the leadership of the Brookwood Endowment Fund for their involvement, efforts and long-term vision for the benefit of the school. He praised the faculty for their work with students in a challenging curriculum.

"We feel we provide a family atmosphere in a caring and safe environment," the headmaster said. "We have a 100 percent graduation rate, with 100 percent of our graduates going to college, and that says a lot about Brookwood's success."

Notaro's presentation followed remarks from three Brookwood alumni who are now in leadership roles for the school and the community.

Dr. Philip Watt, chairman of the Board of Directors, conducted the meeting. He was among the 140 students who enrolled in Brookwood the year it opened, 1970. His parents, Dr. Vance and Mercer Watt, were among the visionaries who founded the school and served on its board for many years.

Watt introduced Ian Quinton, who came to Thomasville from Australia in 1975 as an exchange student. Quinton became the kicker on Brookwood's state championship football team that year and graduated with the class of 1976. He developed a love for the community and Brookwood that brought him and his wife Debbie, along with their four

children, back to make Thomasville their home in recent years. Quinton's company, International Design and Display Group, relocated to Thomasville from Miami, built the desks and other furnishings for Crozer Hall that houses Upper School classes. One of Ian and Debbie Quinton's daughters has graduated from Brookwood and the other three are current students.

Quinton introduced his longtime friend Jay Flowers, also among the original students at Brookwood, who presented an overview of the school's 40 years of growth and development. Flowers is the father of three Brookwood students. His visual presentation showed the original one-building school sitting among pine trees on 25 donated acres, in contrast to today's nine large buildings situated on more than 40 acres.

Flowers, whose parents were also original founders and board members, showed photos of those who began the school 40 years ago. On Oct. 21, 1969, a small group got together for an organizational meeting.

"They dreamed of a fine school for boys and girls where they could get the best education possible in bright classrooms with a limited number of students and the best equipment," Flowers said. "They dreamed that each child would develop his entire potential and would be prepared for college and for life physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally and esthetically."

That vision quickly began to take shape as reality. By Feb. 23, 1970, Brookwood was chartered, and ground was broken that May for the first building, now known as Chubb Hall. Students and parents laid sod cut from the Boxhall Plantation property of Louise and Thomas M. Hines just days before the scheduled opening of the school. The former headmistress of the Lower School at the Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Louise Hines developed the original curriculum for Brookwood.

Unlike public schools, independent schools use no public funds, establish entrance requirements, set their own standards, utilize a creative curriculum and focus on students who want to achieve.

"Throughout our history, Brookwood's leadership has focused on what we can do, not what we can't do," Flowers said.

Brookwood opened on time, Sept. 8, 1970, with 21 teachers and nine grades of students.

Flowers reminded the audience that tuition at Brookwood consistently ranks among the lowest of all independent schools, with 15 percent of enrolled students receiving financial assistance.

Among the best-received statistics at the meeting was the fact that Brookwood has no debt, that tuition almost covers salaries and benefits and that fundraising and the school's Endowment Fund cover other operational costs.

Highlights from Brookwood's statistics:

A record enrollment was set last year for the third year in a row, with 485 students

289 families are currently members of the Brookwood community.

146 families, 51%, have more than one child at Brookwood

There are 52 families, 18%, in which a parent is a Brookwood alumnus or alumna

There are 94 alumni children enrolled, 35% of students

63% of faculty members have advanced degrees, with very little turnover

Brookwood's student-teacher ratio is 12-1

All students in grades 8-12 are involved in community service

15 students at Brookwood School have earned AP Scholars awards in 2009

In 2009, 94% of Brookwood students scored a 3 or better in AP exams and 66% scored a 4 or 5.

15% of Brookwood students receive financial aid