Dear Orme Alumni and Friends,
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we write to you today. This message serves as our final, urgent Call to Action for the future of The Orme School.
As we’ve shared over the past year, The Orme School was not immune to the financial struggles brought on by the pandemic, just as countless other schools have experienced. Despite the tireless efforts of our Board, school leadership, and many dedicated community members to identify a sustainable path forward, we have unfortunately not yet secured the financial resources needed to continue beyond this academic year. As things currently stand, Orme will have to close its doors at the end of the academic year; however, there is a path forward if we act immediately.
As we have previously communicated, tuition does not cover the full cost of educating our students. Currently, tuition revenue only covers approximately 65% of our operating expenses, leaving a significant gap of $1.5-$2 million annually. Our fundraising efforts and auxiliary programs, coupled with impacts from a worldwide pandemic, have not been sufficient to bridge this shortfall. Additionally, maintaining and upgrading our historic campus has presented another layer of financial strain, with essential maintenance deferred.
We estimate that raising $6 million within the next 6 weeks would provide us with the financial stability and time to re-enroll and admit students in order to remain open for another year, and continue with the programs that are successful and have been put in place over the last two years. As has been shared over the past couple of years, this world needs an Orme today more than ever.
Enrollment, which has always been the lifeblood of small schools like Orme, has become increasingly challenging in recent years; however, we do have more families interested in next year than we have had in the last five years.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, we were able to avoid closing much sooner. Our primary goal now is to complete the school year, and we are actively working to secure the funding needed to continue operations through graduation in May 2025. In addition, the Board of Trustees and Orme leadership are focused on one final Call to Action to secure the school’s future.
We are deeply grateful for your enduring love and support of Orme, and we are asking all of you to consider the role that Orme has played in your lives. Please consider making a personal contribution, spreading the word, or connecting us with others who may be able to help. This is a pivotal moment for us; we need immediate action and unprecedented unity. We humbly ask you for your immediate help to ensure our very existence. Below are the options for giving; please visit our online donation portal.
We understand that you will have many questions, and want to ensure that we provide the most helpful information possible. To that end, we have attached a Quick Facts document link below to help address some of your initial concerns.
Should you have any questions, or wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to reach out. The Orme School Board of Trustees can also be contacted directly at trustees@ormeschool.org.
We are filled with a hopeful yet cautious optimism that this year’s Reunion might not be one of the last held at The Orme School. As we navigate this uncertainty, we promise to keep you updated with any new developments.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to Orme. We are hopeful that, with your support, we can secure a future for this beloved school.
Sincerely,
Board of Trustees , The Orme School
P.S. We kindly ask for your understanding and respect as we remain an active school with minors on campus. To ensure everyone’s safety and privacy, please contact us in advance to schedule a visit. Thank you for your consideration.