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Tears
Ravenscroft
t
p
150 Years
Ravenscroft
Young Travelers on
by Billy
Howard '73
and Laurie Shock
the Path
ofKnowledge
ti&tv
-i.
"* r\
Text'? 2012 Billy
Howard and
All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced
Laurie Shock
publisher, excepting brief excerpts for use
Photography £ 2012
Designer: Laurie Shock
Editor: Julie
Auton
Proofreader:
Billy
in publicity
in
any form without written permission from the
and reviews.
Howard, www.BillyHoward.com
Very special thanks go to Chris Watters for the use of his beautiful photographs appearing on
Amy Bauman
pgs.
69- -71;
'
Chris Watters.
ADDITIONAL IMAGE CREDITS:
ISBN 978-0-9824779-3-9
LC 2012903250
archives.
Ashe County
1
Printed in China
of
Billy
Unless noted below, images are from Ravenscroft
Historical Society: pgs.
Howard; Christ Church
xii.
10;
©Rebekah Carson: author
archives: pgs.
xii, 8. 12, 14. 17;
of Congress: pgs. 12-13; North Carolina State Archives: pgs.
Library
xii,
4-5
(photograph by Stu Schwartz); Rev Gilbert White. The Natural
History ofSelbourne, 1879:
archives: Painting
M
pg. 2.
endshcets; Saint Mary's School
by |acob Eichholtz
Final note:
in 1830. pg.
The portrait of Dr.
Watson on page
3
losiah
7.
Ogden
was recreated from a
poor quality photograph or an
painting.
ztw.
It
on
all
the evidence
we have
w
*4»
oil
was rendered to the
best likeness of him, based
Published and produced by
Shock Design Books
454 Hamilton Street SE, #12
Atlanta.
GA
Twitter:
(*ShockDesignBook
30316
Web: www.shockdesignbooks.com
at this
time.
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Contents
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Introduction
Ravenscroft Timeline
A country's independence
A journey reaching across centuries
Embarking on ajourney
50
fflm
Acknowledgments
The words assembled
ni,
book were
to create this
students, administrators, donors,
their
and
deep love for Ravenscroft with an accurate reflection of the
We sincerely thank the
following for taking the time to
our emails and enthusiastically share their experiences
III '74. Becky Bradley, Denise Colpitts,
Kelly,
Zaki Haidary
Miller,
'11,
Margaret Mills
Phil Higginson,
'76,
Mary Moss,
Ned
Gonet, Herbert
L.
at
a treasure,
is
and
his
answer our
us,
Gupton
Mangum
calls,
'53,
Payton Hobbs, Doreen
David McChesney Bruce
'77
Purrington
L.
respond to
Vic Bell
1 1 1
'46,
Colleen
III '80.
Chris Watters generously donated his sports photography
School
with
Pruden, Fran Pugh, Alfred
Ramsden, Barbara Jean Warren, and Bob Winston
and future of the School.
past, present,
sit
Teachers, alum-
with us and we have tried to honor
at Ravenscroft: Patrick Bailey 'n.
David Lindquist, Tal
Bill
wisdom of many.
crafted from the shared
staff shared their experiences
The
commitment to visually documenting life,
archive he has amassed for the
particularly sports
and
fine arts,
Ravenscroft leaves a historical legaq' few schools can match.
The
story of Ravenscroft starts in Christ Church,
to their archives,
and we thank Kay Culp
for allowing us access
and Lee Weaver, who not only maintains the buildings but maintains the church
his-
tory as well.
Davyd Foard Hood's history of Christ Church, To
the Glory
ofGod: Christ Church, 1821-1996 is
an archival treasure trove and was invaluable in our research of the School's beginnings.
Sharon Hayes
guided us through the old Tucker Street buildings and brought
at St. Saviour's
that era alive.
We owe a debt of gratitude to
Southern School
Her work allowed us
biography of the School.
essential
Susan Ehtesham-Zadeh. author of Ravenscroft School: Story ofa
a full understanding of the history of Ravenscroft
It is
and stands
as the
required reading for a complete understanding of the people and
events that formed Ravenscroft.
We were guided on our journey by Susan
Washburn, who
tirelessly
researched our questions,
scheduled interviews, tweaked our words and challenged our assumptions. Her leadership, along with
guidance from Penny Rogers
committed
And
filled this
'93,
was the engine behind our
effort
and we are thankful
to have such
partners.
finalh, to truly
book with a
honor
all
those
who
have
made
contributions to Ravenscroft would have
of both Raleigh's greatest names and humblest benefactors.
list
to try to capture the heart
We chose instead
and soul of Ravenscroft and hope those reading and viewing will take owner-
ship of their contributions and proudly hold this
book
as a tribute to the legacy
of their philanthropy,
both of hearts and resources.
Ravenscroft
is
more than
a physical
have been there, as students, educators,
faith that
staff,
campus of buildings.
and supporters.
It is
education can build a stronger and more ethical world.
It lives as
the
And
an
that
is
of us
who
an impressive legacy for a
humble parish school started 150 years ago by one man's dream and another's
would approve.
ideal in those
embodiment of our hope and
passion.
We think they
V:-
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Dedication
The Teachers of Ravenscroft
Throughout our research we discovered how Ravenscroft has touched
and the world through students who entered with the
country,
Raleigh, the region, the
ripe capacity to
true love of learning and an inspired spirit instilled in the classroom.
grow and
left
with a
We found that this fertile and
nurturing environment has been due to one consistent and precious resource— teachers.
They
where they dedicate decades
are called to a profession
inside simple
rooms adorned
paper and imagination while fueling eager minds with a renewable source of energy-
in crepe
knowledge.
First
a special
and foremost
this
book
dedicated to them. Each of us has a place in our hearts and
is
memory for a teacher that set us
dreams and passions and compelled us
To name them
all
would be
a
to
larger than the
and sped us on
do our small part
in
a course to discover
making the world
book of its own. So we ask that you take
think of a face that smiled at you as you
dreams
right, inspired us,
world you knew.
first
entered an unfamiliar
room
our
a better place.
a brief
moment and
in a school only to realize
Introduction
From
came an
a single thought
action.
The thought was
Raleigh's children in a parish environment; the action
What
followed were the thoughts and actions of many
As we
realize
celebrate that
how many lives
grow to be known
As
who understood and valued
the vision.
years ago.
alumnus and now a father of a Ravenscroft student,
of my family's history In the 1960s,
move
now,
to educate
to start that school.
we
have been enriched by the school that would begin at Christ Church and
1
I
recall
to Falls of Neuse, as the Holdings, the
assure that Ravenscroft
And
would be good
as Ravenscroft.
as part
for the School's
it
good thought and the bequest, made more than 150
a 1974 Ravenscroft
Ravenscroft
that
was a bequest
would
thrive
and
cherish
made
Pughs and many others, strived to
flourish far into the future.
have had the privilege to serve
my school as
of School Doreen Kelly and congratulate the many young
receive their diplomas.
I
hearing the plans being
These young people, many of whom
Kindergarten at Ravenscroft. have their confidence
a trustee
faces, bright
instilled
I
have
and stand beside Head
with their futures, as they
known
through a
since they started
stellar
education and are
prepared not only to meet their individual potential but also to shape the future— theirs and
ours.
I
am
filled
with optimism for them and the generations of graduates
Today's Ravenscroft
dedicated families
who
Please join
me
is
who will
a school grateful for the vision of its founders
follow them.
and the many
have perpetuated and strengthened that vision.
in
embracing Ravenscroft 's sesquicentennial year by enjoying
anniversary book and honoring
ate belief in the education
all
those people
— past
,
present,
and
future,
who have
this
a passion-
of young minds
lU
TTT
T^ fesflfc
Chairman of the Board
&S2
1963
The first teacher
at
"he Tucker Street school
location,
Annie Tongue.
after twenty-five years
Late
Pavenscroft
Pugh
in
the yean Fran and Dr.
'38 identify
I
farm for building a
chases the land on
I
5
V.
Watson
a
new campus, the board
Falls
pur-
of Neuse Road, and the
following January, Ravenscroft
is
rechartered
an independent school without church
a
affiliation.
t
2006
1998
The Bold
Initiatives
(1998-2001)
School: Story of a Southern School,
first
history
the
book on Ravenscroft
is
written by Susan Ehtesham-Zadeh
based on 400 pages of painstaking
research by
E.
E/'Jack"
Dedication of young people
2003
Campaign
and Rove
Capital
begins,
Doreen C.
Kelly
becomes
2002
Ned Fox becomes
head of school at Ravenscroft,
and the Charge to Victory
Capital Campaign (2003-
interim head of
2006)
theatre, a
plan
is
new
Ravenscroft
strategic
accepted, and a
Carter and
Ravenscroft
his wife. Muriel.
1974
In
April the A,
E.
Finley Activity
Center is dedicated, both the
boys' and girls'
the
first
of back-to-back
s
championships, and A.J. Fletcher
program
grant of $ 0,000 from the
establishes a fine arts
with a
1
Fletcher Foundation,
.
TRUE VISION WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME.
C
\
ision to
found
a parish
$5,000 bequest
also
had
how soon may
.
.
education implies not
fit
the student for
the pursuits of later
life,
Church
in Raleigh,
North Carolina. Watson
left a
the church led by Rev. Dr. Richard Sharpe Mason, w ho
the teaching of young minds and a passionate belief in education.
wrote: "It
Who can
not good for the soul to be without knowledge
is
which
begin that intellectual disease
soon the mind ma)' commence
its
is
never to be cured
who
.
can
tell
tell
how
divergence from the path of truth."
Education, in Mason's mind, implied building a foundation of knowledge, remov-
only thorough instruction
to
school at Christ
to start a school at
a vision for
Mason
",
Ogden Watson's
)ne hundred and htry years ago, a spark was ignited by Dr. Josiah
ing impediments, building bridges, and setting a direction for "the
paths of knowledge."
He
young
traveler
built a school to guide students "a short distance
m
the
on the road he
is
but the rudiments, the
afterwards by himself to pursue."
foundation of knowledge.
Ravenscroft, at
It
is
its
very core, has held that path sacred and guided thousands of
here that the impedi-
ments are removed, the
bridges erected
.
.
young people
to lives fulfilled
guiding young minds
down
by a love of learning and giving. Ravenscroft continues
the path of truth Drs
reflect on the past, while celebrating the present,
—
Rev, Dr. Richard
Rector. Christ
S.
Mason and Watson envisioned.
and dream ot
all
We
that Ravenscroft can be
Mason,
Church
1
836
in
the future.
We arc
well
down
a path that
renews
itself
each time a
new student begins
his or her journey.
The
ate doctor
Opposite: Dr.Josiah
Ogden Watson,
the
young
vision of two friends, a spiritual
and philanthropist,
traveler,
and educational leader and
thrives ISO years later.
It
was
a true vision.
a
compassion-
A
school, like
continues on the path of knowledge, sending young leaders back into
whose $5,000 bequest became
the birth of Ravenscroft.
the world with
community
a
that
spark ignited and kept alive by teachers, administrators, families, and the
is
Ravenscroft.
:%
**>o
more than
brings
the joy and elation of precious freedom.
war. the sacrifice of lives lost, and the challenge
the values and intentions o! those
who
led the
a vision
of firsts
new county seat and
delegates decree that a
also reveals the financial realities ol
a
country with
way
Thirteen years after the start ol America's
depression that shook the South,
It
and excitement to continue building
is
first
great war.
upon the
heels of a financial
born At the [788 Convention
be
state capital
built within ten miles
in
of
I
lillsborough.
Isaac
I
lunter
s
Tavern, a favorite spot of legislators. North Carolina commissioners gather around one of the tavern's
tables
and plan the birth and
Raleigh.
capital
life
A
rise
of a great
city blocks lined
on paper by the hand of William Christmas
two-story brick statehouse
is
become
city that will
town square with
large
completed, and
in 1792.
in six
Raised
)f Virginia.
his
mother,
Lillias,
Lillias sees to
know
it
in
cares for her only child alone
This
a
rise of a
new
is
historic
it
marker
was
determined woman.
intelligent,
him
are the beginning thread that will
comes from
A
school that
is
more
familial than institutional, with
with
lives
of everyone
it
an organic
touches and the
it.
credits
where North Carolina state
planned the
I7Q2.
in a
a
connection
torn
the tavern as being the location
legislators
home
nine years old, after which
original Isaac
Hunter's Tavern before
down. A
of a
669.
state capital, sixteen-year-
the story of paths, of common threads, of greatness that
is
and energy that grow exponentially through the
cirv that rises
rises to
path into the twenty-first century
that culminates
A photograph of the
state
years, the construction
population
passion connected b\ hearts and hands across generations and time.
spirit
and
Britain to return to his birth
when he
An
count)' seat
that her son enjoys every educational advantage available. Little does she
that the educational values she instills in
weave
years, the
from Great
Scotland, |olm loses his father
new
Within two
more
As North Carolina leaders envision the
old ]ohn Stark Ravenscroft departs by boat
the
with oak and hickory trees springs to
birth
of
Following the .American Revolution, the Church of England begins disappearing from the newh
King close their churches
free nation as
Anglican clergy
the Episcopal
Church permanently separates from the Church
year Ravenscroft
is
loyal to the
in
great
of England,
numbers
and
in
In [789,
[817 the same
ordained deacon, the Episcopal Church accepts the Diocese of North Carolina
,
"»
I
ft
^' /
X-^-
f/
.
"f""^";
-
.
.
A
....
wgy
Site of the future Christ
Church and the
school that
parish
v
to be Ravenscroft.
Top: Plans for the city of Raleigh
drawn by William Christmas
I
in
792. Left Construction on a
two-story brick state capitol
was completed
in
I
794.
into
fold to be overseen by Bishop Richard
its
unwavering vision
born capital
church,
In
is
Channing Moore of the
August of
[821, while gathered together in a
group of like-minded Christian friends
a
Virginia Diocese. But an
growing through the southeast to erect an Episcopal Church
home
elect a vestry
and
in the
newly
with dreams of a
filled
officially
commit
new
form the
to
Congregation of Christ Church.
1823, the Episcopal Diocese of
By
North Carolina
is still
without a resident bishop, and
Christ Church, while growing strong in membership, remains without a physical building in which
Opposite: John Stork Ravenscrofi,
upon saving
ruin in
/
his father's estate
from
789, enrolled at William
and Mary College
to study law.
married and adopted
He
May
But on
to worship.
consecrated
as
the
first
23, at the
general convention at Philadelphia, Ravenscroft
as bishop.
Ravenscroft also agrees to a dual role as the
Known
"Mad
set a
as
lack"
is officially-
bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. In addition to his role
during his college years, his
first
rector of Christ
Church
commanding presence and
in Raleigh.
strong convictions
powerful precedent for the direction of the Episcopal Church in North Carolina. As he said
to a fellow clergyman:
five children
before applying for Holy Orders
within the Episcopal Church.
have one advantage over you; while you were brought up
Brother Green,
I
the fear of God
and
the world,
I
know
scoundrels into
all
in
all
ignorance of the great wickedness that
is
going on
in
in
about the ways of sinners, and can therefore track the
and hiding places and
their dens
strip
them of their
self-
conceits and refuges of lies.
With Bishop
Ravenscroft's leadership
with a bequest of perhaps
as
much
as
eighty miles east of Raleigh in Tarboro.
Thomas
now
$16,000 by
in place,
providence envelopes Christ Church
a parishioner
Mary " Jackey" Sumner
from Trinity Episcopal Church,
Blount, a
widow of Major General
Blount, had signed a will one year earlier for S16.OOO to be placed in a trust to build an
Episcopal Church in the city of Raleigh, the
first gift
of its kind given to any Episcopal Church in
North Carolina Upon news of the bequest, Christ Church Vestry begins
to build a
raising additional funds
church on the northeast corner of Union Square across from the Capitol building. In
i82Q. the small
wooden church opens
its
doors to grateful parishioners
who
previously had been
renting space for services. While Bishop Ravenscroft resigned his position as rector one year
earlier,
be his
illness.
he
is
blessedly present for the consecration of Christ Church's
last service
performed
as
bishop before
his
death
in
first
building. Sadly,
March of 1830, following
a
it is
to
prolonged
Lovingly laid to rest beneath the chancel of Christ Church, his influence and legacy are not
to be fully realized for at least another century
**
-"
Rev
[840, the third rector of Christ Church,
In
and
Ins position
is
George Washington Freeman,
Dr,
confirmed
in
Christ Church and becomes an active and
The two have much
in
common,
fnend Dr fosiah Ogden Watson,
philanthropic parishioner
is
significant!)', their
common
was quite
to have ministers interested
shared vision of
mid nineteenth century
the importance of education in the lives of children. In the early- to
it
resigns
succeeded by Rev. Dr Richard sharpe Mason Rev Mason's close personal
and even engaged
the education of their
in
community's youth Ministers were leaders of their community and many times the most-educated
people, so
it
was onl\ natural that they were often involved
Ardent passion
Watson
felt in
Dr.
not enough to describe the
level
in
educational endeavors.
of devotion both Rev. Mason and Dr
bringing quality education to the young children of Raleigh
cannot accomplish
12, I.XS2.
is
in his lifetime
Watson
however, he
is
determined
dies at his Raleigh estate, Sharon,
invested to start a school at Christ Church.
and
to achieve
What Dr Watson
upon
his
On
death
June
bequeaths $5,000 to be
in his will
Rev Mason, who had been president of both Geneva
College (now Hobart College) and Newark College, does not require additional persuading to
realize Dr.
Rev, Dr. Richard
became
Sharpe
rector of Christ Church
in
1840. His empassioned belief in
education for children compelled
him
to
honor Dr.Josiah Ogden
Watson's dream to found a
parochial school. Opposite: A
detail
his
of
Dr.
Watson's
$5,000 bequest
will
to hire
teacher for a school at
Christ Church.
and
a
Watson's dream.
"It
Mason
is
faith
not good for the soul to be without knowledge." Rev, Mason
and philosophy into
"the path of truth
"
I
[onoring his friend's wishes was
In Jeily [883, Raleigh's
that the School
War began
I
incomplete, so there
merging
fulfilling his
own
newspaper, The News and Observer, reports
until the Civil
had been founded and was operating
in [86]
says,
education was necessary to keep on
his belief that
low ever, early church records are sporadic and
is
nothing
the Christ
in
Church
archives to describe
the earh- educational instruction if it did occur Prior
South had not
to the Civil War, the
When
educational infrastructure.
in [865,
the South was devastated physically and
financially with an
and
built a strong
the war ended
epidemic of closed schools
businesses. Understandably, if the School
had begun before the war,
it
would have been
nearly impossible to continue
I
where
a
foibles
listorv
is
filled
with tangents, points
path diverts due to the capricious
of humanity-
a
misplaced numeral.
wsm
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S^<fs-*^ far**, £&**- 6o>cZe
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Q&/c^£,o*/
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Above: Mrs. Jennie Henry,
the
and
left,
was
hired as the
principal for Christ
when
it
opened
Here she
is
its
seen
third
first
Church School
doors
in
1
to the right
son-in-law, J. 0. Wilcox,
from
teacher
868,
of her
3m
who married
SM.;«.'
*««"*'
her daughter, Margaret, standing
to
the
left
flanked by the Wilcox children and
baby Margaret
unidentified
right
„
of MrWilcox.lhey are
in
the
woman
of Mrs, Henry
arms of an
standing to the
Morris.
,
father
Her
and co,„fo,t,
ind ependoneo
>
His
profligate.
bn
w*
an o
„,,„
m ade
every
her
a „„e among
effor
t. P
»««^
,
^
hc
„otb indolent
BOtoble
r
^ ^
^
ra '
fenuly -"
^^
„.
1
«-
» *£>
Ub
.
** -£•£
md therefore
whose name
little girl
w« »-W
,
fc
to
^
w<jm
nppear-
dutJ to
vast respon-
^L-nn^-^r^toher
»--heart.
her sensitive
feeble
hand
for
^ndsof winter.
gon e
to her
Mary "as
bread
as
Many
-rfcV
,
•
^
^^a
^ f*
the eiue.
fronl tUe
filing
dil lng mother
.
m
„„ e, of food,
„
of hnnger
„f the pain
and future events are impacted
Watson had
there
when he
records,
Ten years
died.
human
in
unexpected ways. In one such moment, the
will
belonging to Dr.
been entered into Johnston County Court since most of his properties were
originally
later,
when
Wake County court
the will was then entered into the
The minor
error caused the probate date to be recorded as 1862 rather than 1852.
detail, a clerical error in Dr.
Watson's
will, creates
the
moment we celebrate as our founding as
the
plans for the School officially take form.
Rev. Richard
Church School opens
school's first teacher,
school, a small
Mason makes good on
its
doors for the
first
somewhere between
wooden
vow to honor
his
With
time.
sixty
dream and Christ
Dr. Watson's
recently widowed Mrs. Jennie
and seventy students
welcomed
are
Henry as the
into the parish
building on the north side of the church facing the capital on
Union Square,
Left Rev. Mason's wife,
ringed by lovely maturing oaks and elms.
Almost ten
illustrated children's
years earlier. Rev. Mason's wife,
book by a woman author
in
it is
a collection
lessons.
It is
possible that students were taught
Church School. Although there
and
North Carolina.
Entitled
the
first
A Wreath from the Woods of
of eleven stories that teach the importance of truth, honesty, and other moral
Carolina,
to education
Mary Ann Bryan Mason, published
is
to children that
from that book
no record of it,
in
some of the
at the very least,
abounded within the hearts
early classes at Christ
reveals the level
it
of devotion both
of those at Christ Church.
of moral lessons for
Panic of 1873 arrives in autumn, and
over the next
five years.
50 students. While
crisis
The
unemployment
rises to 14
percent
classes are free at Christ
Church School, the
financial
impacts families in more ways than one can imagine and causes
admission to
fall.
Enrollment drops to a low of 28 students
economic recovery takes hold, and then
enrolled for the 1885 school year.
Henry not only running
Church records
It is
that goes
apparent there
beyond the
smoothly
m
is
a story
of Mrs.
lives
of her students and their
concern and care for each student
daily lessons in class. All
until talk begins
"industrial" facility
tell
the School but also attending baptisms and
other important family events in the
families.
until the
a staggering 125 students are
seems to progress
of transforming the School into an
and moving
it
to a
new
location.
A
Carolina
in
1
859. Written from the
heart and desire of one devoted to
children's education,
illustrated
following year, school enrollment drops to
children,
Wreath from the Woods of
book
Carolina by a
The
Mary Ann
Bryan Mason, published a book
it
was the
for children in
woman
author.
first
North
'
' ••-'
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AfiS*.
The
first
students to benefit from
Dr Watson's bequest met
modest wood
side
in this
building on the north
of Christ Church. Originally
'
facing the capitol building, several
years later
it
was enlarged and
turned to face Edenton Street. This
area 1910 photograph
known image of the
is
first
the only
school.
It
overlays an illustration of downtown
Raleigh
m
1872.
V
aCKs
m
Soon
and
after the
in [891,
Carolina.
mention of possibly moving the School, enrollment drops
Mrs.
Henry
The church
new
decides to delay hiring a
first
to
Ashe County
teacher to focus on a
The School
they plan to build on the west side of town.
marking the end of its
and moves
resigns her position
to thirty-two students,
in
Western North
new
mission chapel
experiences a three-year dormancy,
incarnation.
Despite another economic
Church manages
1894,
1893 that launches a four-year depression, Christ
crisis in
to
open
its
new
mission chapel,
on Johnson and West
St.
Saviour's,
Streets in Raleigh.
on September
The School reopens
9,
the
very next day within the welcoming walls of St. Saviour's, and in
one year, fifty-two students are enrolled with two teachers on
As
staff.
Raleigh's population increases to 19.218 in 1910,
school enrollment over the years seesaws significantly. By 1912,
only eighteen students are enrolled, and Christ Church
to the
is
Watson school fund by
made
year.
S4.615.91.
against the church for unpaid interest,
World War
I
in
debt
and the following
begins in Europe.
By the time the war ends
Chapel has
is
A year later, a legal claim
officially
become
St.
in 1918. St. Saviour's
Saviour's Church,
no record of the parish school having been
and there
is
in operation since
1912. Raleigh's population continues to flourish, as does the
congregation
at St. Saviour's.
Christ Church Vestry decides to
purchase a city block bordering Tucker and Johnson Streets,
where they plan
to construct a stone chapel, parish house,
and
rectory with generous donations by several parishioners.
The
largest contribution
comes from
lifelong church
member, Ernest Haywood, whose brother Edgar had died
1924, leaving
$40,000
Above: The original
St.
Chapel that opened
tember
9,
Chapel
officially
Church,
and a
Revival
Chapel
/
known
as
to be used to build the
Lackey,
is
The Edgar Haywood Memorial
in
a substantial inheritance. Ernest contributes
Saviour's Mission
its
Chapel.
The
new
chapel, asking that
current Rector, Rev Boston
it
be
McGee
doors on Sep-
894. Opposite:
becomes
St.
St.
Saviours
Saviour's
beautiful stone Gothicis
him
completed
in
1
927,
gift
<-),
overwhelmed with gratitude and,
in a letter,
expresses his conviction that the generous
stand as a memorial to both brothers, noting their benevolent and noble hearts.
[927, the cornerstone
is
laid as the beautiful
Gothic Revival stone chapel
Tucker Street along with an education wing and a new stone veneer
rectory.
rises
On August
proudly on
<s*'
,*&^»,
Years pass as the church congregation continues to
grow
and the Great Depression devastates the country from coast
coast.
With
Church
to
the climate of the deteriorating economy, Christ
struggles to
meet
operating expenses, and in order to
its
remain open, must resort to using money that had been slated for
special projects. Christ
Church Rector
Rev. Dr. Milton Barber
is
successful in seeing the church through this difficult time in history,
but the stress takes
and on March 27
its toll
ous stroke that forces him to resign
tion
and service
to the church are
six
1935,
months
he suffers a
later.
seri-
His contribu-
enormous, and he becomes the
second rector emeritus in the history of Christ Church.
A search for a replacement rector leads the vestry to three
Episcopal clergymen
call
to Rev. John
who
all
decline the inquiry.
Armstrong Wright
suade him to lead as rector at Christ Church.
who
shortly
upon assuming
his
takes a second
It
in Augusta, Georgia, to per-
new position
was Rev. Wright,
It
October 1936,
in
rediscovers Dr. Watson's original school fund earning interest.
This discovery compels Rev. Wright to approach the vestry with a
proposal to reopen the parish school.
in June, the
A committee is formed, and
p
^^^
committee members propose that the school include
Kindergarten through fourth grade to begin the coming
fall
with
Wnght
an approved expense of S500 to go toward school equipment
Above: Rev. John Armstrong
On June 21,
discovers Dr. Watson's original school
1937
it is
decided that the School be
Ravenscroft after Bishop Ravenscroft.
officially
One hundred and
named
fund earning interest and proposes
fifty-six
to
years after Ravenscroft 's
mother devoted herself to ensuring the
best educational opportunities for her son, a school
in his
honor to continue that
is
now named
legacy.
reopen the school at
St Saviour's
is
being stored
wood planks, nor the
financial resources,
bricks
nor the planed
and mortar that make
the selfless educators and their gift for reaching
giving birth to a passion for learning. Teachers,
a school, but
young
who
souls
nurture.
and
until
it
into the School's
phase of expansion.
it isn't
Saviour's.
window from Ravenscroft School at
be incorporated
Ultimately,
St.
Opposite-This original stained glass
can
next
J
fesSfefl
and enable eager students with the tools of critical and
challenge,
'£!-'>
imaginative thinking, are the true foundation of a school. Instilled
with an explorer's quest for knowledge, students navigate with their
own compass
a personal journey into the world. This
is
the journey
envisioned by Rev. Mason, leading "the young traveler in the paths
of knowledge."
In the
same
tradition as Mrs.
Henry
in 1868, a familial
environment becomes the strength of the newly christened Raven
scroft.
The
inspiring leadership
and care of two
brilliant educators,
-%
Miss Nancy Davis Lee and Mrs. Annie Hardy Tongue, become the
mortar holding together
Mrs. Tongue
known
as
is
this incarnation
hired as the
of the small church school.
teacher and Miss Lee, affectionately
first
"Miss Nannie," as principal and first-grade teacher. With a
nine-month schedule, one month longer than Raleigh public
Ravenscroft opens September
$6.50-57.00 monthly per
13,
child. Tireless, lifelong learners themselves.
Miss Nannie and Mrs. Tongue lead classrooms
genuine warmth.
An
schools,
1937, to 135 students at a cost of
immediate
filled
with energy and
success, attendance swells, challeng-
ing the School's physical confines but not sacrificing the quality of
education.
Still,
strategies are
brainstormed for building new space
and expanding the School despite limited
financial
means.
Above: Miss Nancy Davis Lee
becomes
principal at Ravenscroft.
Ravenscroft
Street
when
it
opened on Tucker
in St. Saviour's.
teacher. Mrs. Annie
Miss
Nancy
D. Lee
Mis
If
"
¥
Ethel Squtherland
Overleaf. Beloved
Hardy Tongue,
stands with her class
Third Year
Principal and First Year
Opposite; The original staff of
in front
Ravenscroft on Tucker Street.
of
Religious Education
The Kev. John
A.
Weight and
^
Fourth Year
Mrs. M. Dollar
Fifth Year
Mrs.
J.
G.
Miss
Vann
Patsy
McKay
*
Sixth Year
Mi l$ff&, L.«SoUTHER,KAND\
,,
Kindergarten
'Miss Kathekine Waite
ear
Mrs. Ben Tongue
T
fry*
sJe^v-d/x_y
Mil ss
Seventh Year
Elizabeth Sorreel
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38ft
As World War
1
1
begins, the School's financial challenges
build and, in I944. Rev. Wright resigns his position as rector to
join the
forces as a Lieutenant Chaplin. School enrollment
armed
continues to grow beyond the School's capacity. School
physician and trustee. Or. Aldert
raise $8,037.
is
used to
Root, manages to
S.
a cozy
install
Quonset hut
prefabricated round-roof steel structure),
(a
Ike Kav*"
1940
which
plete with potbellied stove,
where
classes
com-
can be held.
Students continue to flock to Ravenscroft, the war
doing nothing to deter the conviction and passion to
shepherd the School's growth despite
its
man) budget
and physical constraints. Before resigning
in [951,
Root embarks on another fund-raising campaign
Dr.
with
a vision to
cially
and
dream
his
build a new,
modern
physically separate
is
school finan-
from the church. While
delayed by economic difficulties sur-
rounding the Korean War,
it is
supporter and trustee,
L
:
Ivlr.
.
shared by another
F.
"lack" Carter,
money and guide
continues to raise
who
Ravenscroft's
direction as the church begins losing interest in
Xannictot* School
supporting the School.
The day
1966,
its
when
finally arrives
operation of the School.
Friends of Ravenscroft,
Above: The very
annual,
I
The
first
Ravenscroft
Raven, was created
940. and dedicated
Lee. Opposite: Class
set hut
to
to
is
in
is
A committee, the
quickly
formed
to
21, a
formal agreement
as acting chairperson.
is
signed with Mrs.
Thus begins
a
Mary Ann
long and complex
a Quon-
on church-school grounds due
student enrollment growing beyond
building capacity.
February
Broughton
in
17,
operate the School independently of Christ Church, and, on
Miss Nancy
held
on January
Christ Church votes to terminate
separation from the church that while, both joyous and painful at
times,
marks yet another rebirth for Ravenscroft that ensures
its
continuing presence and attracts prominent leaders in the Raleigh
community Their
in
insightful vision will
ways he could never have imagined.
fulfill
Dr Watson's bequest
KSH
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yj
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-
A
long-held tradition
was an
elaborate,
full-costumed Christmas Pageant held
every year at Christ Church.
s
—
^
\
Robert
P.
Holding
Jr.,
one of the most enlightened
elected as chair of the board of trustees in
visionaries in Ravenscroft's history,
September 1967 With
the desire of Headmaster John N. Tuplin, Ravenscroft takes
is
his progressive vision as well as
steps toward true greatness,
its first
beginning with a donation of $750,000 by Robert and his brother, Lewis R. "Snow" Holding.
donation to be matched by the board, the Holdings' contribution launches Phases
I
and
1 1
A
toward
the goal of reaching S5 million to purchase land and build a school, transforming Ravenscroft into
Raleigh's first college preparatory school for grades pre- Kindergarten through twelve.
Additional support immediately follows the Holdings' lead, beginning with Victor E. Bell
Jr.,
Mary Ann Broughton,
Pugh
'38,
who become
Jack Carter,
and parents of Ravenscroft students, Fran and Dr. Watson
invaluable to the future development of the School. In January of 1969, as
grand construction plans are drawn and a vision sharpens, Ravenscroft
Christ Church, yet maintains a spiritual foundation in
The vision and
where
ers,
finances
to build the School?
Fran and Dr. Watson Pugh
'38.
college preparatory school
more
families begin
School's greatest support-
In a meeting with Robert Holding, they alert
Falls
from
one question remaining:
to be falling into place, with
him
of Neuse Road near their horse farm. While
well north of downtown, the Research Triangle Park has
Raleigh's population nears
as
seemed
officially separates
approach to education.
The answer soon comes from two of the
of land available for purchase on
is
all
its
to 115 acres
this location
become an employment draw and
122,000 people. This provides even more evidence that an innovative
is
needed and building
it
north of the
city will
be the perfect location
moving near what eventually would become the most prominent high-
Opposite: Robert Holding shakes
the
hand ofA.
and development center
some supporters
still
location, the land
final
June
is
in the country.
Although
disagree with the School's proposed
purchased and the School conducts
its
graduation ceremony at the Tucker Street location on
4,
While the Tucker
an independent college
along with her husband Watson 38,
on
Falls
for building the
new
identified the available land
of Neuse Road
Street days are filled with great
on the board for over
years
progress and treasured memories, an era
new and
must end
and continues
forty consecutive
to
be one of
to
the most prominent supporters of
exciting
to the original vision
one
to begin,
all
of the School and
mission— to discover the passions that
vidual child
into
preparatory school. Above: Fran Pugh,
Ravenscroft campus. Fran has served
1969.
allow a
prominent
and a generous
contributor to Ravenscroft's transfor-
mation
tech research
£ Finley, a
Raleigh businessman
and guide each along
its
most important
reside in each indi-
his or
path to a love of life-long learning.
while keeping true
her
own personal
Ravenscroft. LeftTeachers at Tucker
Street hanging student art on
classroom
wall.
a
:
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In 1862, a seed was sown deep into
the Jives
ofour children and our
community. From that seed has
come great minds, great talent,
and great hope for ourfuture.
>
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^^^^
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"There's
an energy you
the School,
it's
electric,
feel
you
around
feel
it
in
every grade.
—
Patrick Bailey
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"Every
facility built
has been due
families.
We
impactful
all
gifts
on
to the
this
1
25-acre campus
generous support of
share a
vision,
change the
life
and these
of each and
every child at Ravenscroft."
— David bndquist
former Ravenscroft Director of Development,
Parent of Alumnae
1
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.
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was born of a simple dream to
bequest became the
There
in
is
only one child
the world
Child's
and
name
is
the
by the promises kept to thousands of young learners.
Could he have envisioned the
beyond imagination. One teacher
The man with
changed through
lives
in a small parish
A visionary
new millennium, worn smooth
Ogden
the dream. Dr. Josiah
Watson, would be followed by others shepherding the dream and watching
All
Church.
start a small parish school in Raleigh's Christ
cobblestone in a path stretching into a
first
it
his singular act
grow.
of generosity?
school laid a foundation. Thriving into
a
It is
new
Children.
millenium, the humble School has become an internationally-recognized model for the education
—
Carl Sandburg
and preparation of its most precious resource: children.
As students traversed the
grew beyond
With
its
School grew, moved, and grew some more.
years, the
the concerted effort of ardent supporters, Ravenscroft advanced into the
expansive
new campus on
and imagination seemed
template the future.
modern
era to an
—
limitless
is
The
an appropriate place to honor the
legacy of Dr. Watson's
own bounded knowledge,
grounded
soon
of Neusc Road, where growth was limited only by imagination
Falls
We pause in a moment of reflection— arbitrarily, we create touchstones from
markers, and 150 years
by our
It
capacity with teachers and students tucked into bell towers and under stairwells.
in the faith that
dream
surely as our present
past,
historical
examine the present, and con-
the imagination of a future untethered
is
was unimaginable
each successive generation will
make
to him.
use of the
It is
a future
most advanced
resources to prepare young minds for a world quite different from ours now, a world that
be passed into their
care.
Enveloped by
stately oaks
and magnolias. Ravenscroft 's stone columns and
iron-picketed gates open graciously to reveal a sprawling campus connected by rolling
hills
and meandering walkways,
theaters, libraries,
modern,
it
open
carefully
spaces,
retains the familial
traced back to the
first
and
And while
the setting
in a small
commitment, and
wooden
and families
distinctly
building next to Christ Church.
a clear vision are threads
through the Ravenscroft fabric creating a tapestry of faculty,
students,
is
environment for learning and growth that can be
classroom
Generosity,
planned with classrooms, laboratories,
athletic fields.
all
staff,
woven
alumni,
intertwined with a passion for lifelong learning.
Hf
Pi
r,
^
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i
1
HIIMIII1 111
II
1
II
V1
Murphy
Before the buildings were raised, before the iconic
countryside on
Falls
lit
a fire that
Vision, in the metaphorical sense,
is
consumed
sits in
ision
He was
not alone.
The
one of a community putting
pause
a
in
I
its
city's
ol a
balls
of Neuse
as too tar
from
growing
city,
I
lis
and Ravenscroft now
last hall
of the twentieth century was
and financial support into building a school that would never
the pursuit of excellence, but instead,
Midwestern barn-raising, Ravenscroft was
families, teachers, administrators,
and
among
arches of the
met the challenges
built by the passion
staff,
with children entering even' day,
Strolling
as
population.
story of Ravenscroft in the
faith
new incarnation
folding had a bolder and longer view,
would become one of the cornerstones
the geographic center of the
this
the ability to see beyond current trends and convic-
Raleigh's center with few willing to drive the distance,
\
1\
incredible obstacles.
While the pervading mindset considered
tions to a different reality
faith in that
first
purchased acres of
of Neuse Road "The vision of another dreamer shaped
Robert Holding forged an idea and
marked the
Tower
new
Bell
hour, a master plan was devised with trailers serving as classrooms on the
pitching
in
of a rapidly changing world Like
and
efforts of
many;
civic leaders,
building not a barn, but a school
endowed with books and dreams
the roses and beneath the magnolias, passing through the
Murphy
Bell
Tower, and entering one ot fifteen buildings
that dot the rolling 125-acre
campus
is
to travel a
path laid out over ISO years.
Tucker Street created the launching pad
from which the current incarnation sprang,
bestowing the name and encompassing
core values that moved, along with
students, gifted faculty,
and
staff
to
its
present expansive location. For
or Raleigh's
alumni, there
surplus
is
a
is
thirty years, the School nurtured
L.
Gupton
Jr.,
and prosper both
in St. Saviour's parish
lessons that
character,
as students
and
house and the army
would guide them through
a 1953 graduate, recalls a
promoting high moral standards and
and taught a core
fondly and emotionally invoked as family. For those
deep connection to the classrooms
Quonset hut where they received
Herbert
to learn
more than
youth in an atmosphere that
life.
deep sense of community
which offered him and
at the School,
his classmates the incentive
citizens.
Ravenscroft has evolved from the homogeneous student body of Tucker Street to a diverse
community of students,
munity and
at large.
its
but, according to
Gupton, has maintained
its
strong sense of com-
connection with earlier Ravenscroft students.
"It's
an excellent part of the educational system and an important part of the community
The
Ravenscroft experience then,
of youth to grow, learn,
Gupton
as
now, goes a long way toward accomplishing the goals
and connect with others and,
says, crediting his
therefore, prosper in the community,"
days at the Tucker Street campus with an enduring con-
nection to the School.
The
School's path has always contained obstacles to over-
come, and the limited
the needs of the
city,
onto the freshly
of a
size
of the Tucker Street school coupled with
presenr a decisive
mowed fields
new campus.
moment to
step forward
of grass and the pine forested land
An
architectural sketch
of the Library
& Technology Center which
on Ravenscrofi's
Falls
pus and opened
in
was
built
ofNeuse cam-
2001.
of Neuse campus.
A
blast
of dynamite on March 24, 1970, punctuates the move into the modern
marking the groundbreaking
era at Ravenscroft, dramatically
The new
Room
for
location provides a treasured
This grand expansion
Tucker Street might be
I
look around
see the School,
amazes me
.
.
.
and
as educators
it.
That
lot
Tuplin,
of trees on
first year,
nothing but
we had
trailers
is
accompanied by
become
pre- Kindergarten through twelfth grades.
a fear that
the intimate, family environment of
an alchemy of another order takes place.
The
prove unfounded
fears
emphasize nurturing the individual student's talent and potential through close
This
to think that
student
land with a
lost as
111
space.
to
rela-
tionships with teachers in a trusting atmosphere with limited regimentation.
it just
was a bare patch of
it
building.
Street
growth means more students, and the small school begins adding grades, soon
a full-fledged college preparatory school with students
"When
permanent
for the first
commodity unavailable on Tucker
who
is
is
its
new
location, articulated this approach:
the most important part of the structure of the School.
School to set a pattern and then
each youngster's education as
fit
every student into
was instrumental
in the School's
it; it is
It is
"
I
he
not the purpose ot the
rather the attempt to individualize
."
much as
The excitement of this new
and
heart and soul for Ravenscroft. Headmaster |ohn
new
the true beginning of a
helped transition the School to
possible
period was
move, and
Bell
felt
by student Vic
Bell
1
entered as a sophomore
1
1
'74.
His father. Vic
Jr.,
in 1969.
blacktop."
— Margaret
Mills
76
I
came
Ravenscrofi Associate Director
could
of Admissions and Marketing,
rules
2012-1 3 Alumni
Council President.
in the tenth grade,
feel
the excitement.
and
it
was
You could
were being written, and
1
just the
beginnings of the School -you
feel a lot
remember
of things to come.
the student
write the rules for the high school, and that was very exciting
Parent of Alumnus
Of course,
the
government was asked
You don't
get
to
many
chances to write the rules for the school you attend.
Bell III.
is
a
who
has experienced Ravenscroft as a student, parent, and as leader of the board,
testament to the power of that innovation, which both embraces the history of the School and
crystallizes the core values that
An
as
have remained at the center of
exciting pioneer spirit
they gather
in trailers for class.
is
Margaret Mills
1969. She was a student and her entire class
They had
tured.
a big vision.
When
I
grown and taken shape,
land with a lot of trees on
it
its
educational promise.
shared by the early students and staff on the new campus
fit
'76.
into
remembers the move
one
to the
look around and see the School and how
it
just
That
amazes
first year,
.-•-.
me
new campus
trailer.
to think that
it
we had nothing but
was
a
it
has
ma
bare patch ol
trailers
and blacktop.
in
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It is
Ravenscroft she credits with setting her sights on goals and accomplishments beyond
her imagination.
things,
even
if
I
"
1
always
made
knew my strengths;
when
for
I
felt
cared
mistakes.
they
I
I
I
was a
safe
though
I
environment
was valued
felt as
for
made
I
in
which to
who
I
some new
try
My teachers
was.
knew
mistakes; they
though, at the end of the day,
I'd
be appreciated
was."
'The
diplomas on June
their
felt it
felt as
always
Thirty-two members of the
tory,
I
knew my weaknesses. They knew when
did something good. But
who
for.
always
6,
1973.
iln d
independent school. Holding,
them
graduates, exhorting
will face in
life.
countable to
He
first
senior class proudly cross an outdoor stage to receive
move
to Foils
of
Neuse was a powerful
Ravenscroft comes of age as a full-fledged college prepara-
who had done
to "seek credible
so
much to make
vision,
this
day possible, speaks to the
and moral approaches and solutions"
to the issues they
reminds them that they have received a valuable education and
will
be held ac-
and
the Holdings
were good at looking ahead
and taking some
risk
and
it.
bringing other people
As the
final
students descend the stage and
move
their tassels
Ravenscroft reaches the other side of a journey begun long ago.
these
new graduates
It
from
right to
has fulfilled
left,
promise, and
its
along."
—
Vic Bell
III
74
enter the world with both heart and wisdom. This cycle has repeated itself
Ravenscroft Board of Trustees,
time and again, and the evidence of its power
is
in the successful
and diverse
graduates. Leaders in the arts, business, science, and humanities can
back to the lessons they learned in the
trailers,
all
lives
of its
many
trace their core values
classrooms, theaters, athletic
fields,
and
libraries
of Ravenscroft.
The next decades
yet,
see both
growth and setbacks with economic and
societal challenges;
the core value at the heart of the School remains, distilled by Bruce Miller, retired assistant
head of school and honored teacher,
in
one of the early philosophical statements
at the
new
campus:
Inherent in Ravenscroft
among them
is
an ever-present concern for the higher
tion, sportsmanship,
and
service.
in the classroom, in the studio,
spirit
It is
life;
these qualities, coupled with achievement
and on the playing
of excellence sought by the School for
These
ideals in
integrity, self-confidence, intellectual curiosity, creativity, convic-
ideals are
enhanced over the
School's mission with specific goals.
years,
An overall
all
field,
which constitute the
of its students
adapted to clearly guide each area of the
vision, consisting
of key elements for academics,
community, the environment, the educational journey, and personal relationships
at the School
1986-1991,2007-2012
Chairman, Board of Trustees,
2009-2012
provide a
map
to a
community grounded
in the values
of an engaged mind, an ethical character, an aesthetic
appreciation, a healthy lifestyle,
tion based
on courage,
tion, spirit, honor,
and
a spiritual
founda-
respect, responsibility, dedica-
and compassion.
The academic
plans and vision
may use
eloquent prose to describe the school mission, but the
"Each student at
words of students themselves are the
Ravenscroft has at least
the Ravenscroft
spirit.
actual evidence of
Zaki Haidary a 2011 graduate,
one teacher with
whom
entered as a freshman and was amazed at the intimacy
of his
class
and
their willingness to accept a
newcomer
—
into their ranks.
And
while social acceptance
is
important.
Haidary came to the School because he wanted a more
academically demanding setting. "I've been challenged
in evety grade level,
and every
class gives
you the op-
portunity to grow as a person and as a scholar."
But he received something
in his
education he
hadn't expected.
Ravenscroft does a great job with the
concrete things
ing—but, the
years
to stand
it's
— math, science, read-
real lesson
the 'softer'
is
up
hold your
in front
own and
from
skills. It's
my four
being able
of a group and
speak your mind;
being able to manage your time
well;
it's
project
they strongly identify."
being able to attack a group
and get things done.
And with
the rigorous level and course loads, you
learn a lot of things about yourself.
Patrick Bailey
'I
I
former student body president
t$
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Patrick Bailey, a 2011 graduate, a "lifer" at Ravenscroft
president,
is
best friends with a young
and former student body
man he met on his
with the same core people since Kindergarten.
I
first
day
Kindergarten. "I've been
at
know everybody's
brothers and
grandparents, where they go to church. Outside of the classroom, everything
And
least
it's
mothers,
a family"
that family includes teachers. Each student at Ravenscroft, according to Bailey, has at
whom they strongly identify.
one teacher with
In Bailey's case, a
math teacher from
continues to offer him advice and encouragement, years after having been in his
do nurture you
The
sisters,
as if
is
here. They're not babying us, but
it's
something you don't get
nurturing and individualized teaching begins at the earliest
Lower School read authentic
literature,
class.
at a big school."
We
applied to any text, so
we can
teach
skills
My
of Christ Church when
text packaged for
and
of Ravenscroft.
father sat on the Vestry
entire classes to books chosen for each student's interest. "So a student interested in basketball can
be reading next to another child reading about a princess.
halls
Students in the
levels.
moving away from commercialized
sixth grade
"They really
"Four generations of my
family have walked the
strategies that
can be
feed off any student and their passions and interests." according to
they
made
the decision to
reopen the school at
Saviour's,
which
is
St.
where
I
Head of Lower School Payton Hobbs.
"The students
are better able to understand themselves as learners
and
are
more
in tune
with themselves. Their engagement increases, and they consume books and more books because
they are able to read things that are interesting to them,"
The
roller coaster
rewards, according to
and adventure that
is
Hobbs
says.
middle school has
Head of Middle School Denise
its
own unique
challenges and
was a student
and
'40s. I'm
that
my
to
far as
It's
as
we can
is
to
grow them and move the students forward on the journey as
take them, respecting that they are
an exciting time when you can
still
make
all
a real
going to be
Community service
at
impact on lads and help them
Ravenscroft was born in a Middle School program over thirty years
The
heart of the program
is
helping adoles-
cents look beyond themselves to both the larger Ravenscroft community, the needs of their
own
communities, and ultimately the world.
"They can be
independent learner
a good, caring person; they can be a contributor to society; they can be
that's
what we
strive for
when our children
more confidence, a little more independence, and
outside of themselves," Colpitts says.
proud
children
to
say
went on
attend Ravenscroft as
leave us, that they have a
that they understand
what
it
means
my
grandchildren now."
—
at different places.
they are challenged to make good decisions and do the right thing.
ago and quickly spread to the rest of the student body.
the '30s
Colpitts.
do
Our challenge
in
an
little
to look
Alfred
L
Purrington
III
'46
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Ravenscroft students face a dizzying array of options, including twenty-seven advanced
placement courses, dozens of special-interest
clubs, studio arts, music,
drama, study-abroad pro-
grams, and enough team and intramural sports to appeal to students with a broad range of international backgrounds and interests.
Bill
Pruden, head of Upper School, understands the demands on students. "Everybody
wants more; teachers assign more homework, coaches have longer
practices, the fine arts has lon-
ger rehearsals than they did a generation ago. but nobody's invented a twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth
hour
in the
day to do
it all in."
A constant balancing act between academics, athletics, and fine arts, both on an institutional level
child's
and an individual student level,
growth and
face in college
fosters
time-management
skills
development of each
— preparing students for the challenges they will
and beyond.
The mission for the
arts, is
creates a lively tension in the
fine arts program, according to Dr.
to give students a combination of competence
David McChesney, director of fine
and confidence
in the arts.
"Our goal
is
provide an environment in which students with talent, interest, and passion in fine arts have
ground
allows
to develop their craft
them
and take
to the next level. They've been given the foundation that
to soar."
McChesney strives
Dr.
it
to
fertile
for a robust program, providing opportunities for students to be
involved in something both dynamic and extraordinary.
".
.
Ravenscroft knows
and culture and
how important
society.
It's
fine arts are to the
great that
of opportunities available within the
we can expose
development of children
children to the high level
fine arts, the aesthetic value
enrichment of life,
as well as
how necessary it is
for society
Ravenscroft,
we
recognize the value of what's going on in fine
importance, and balance
it
with academics and
arts,
acknowledge
importance, and bal-
cities to
be supporters of fine arts— visual, dance, music, drama, and musical theater. At
its
recognize the
in fine arts,
of arts and
and
we
value of what's going on
its
their
.
acknowledge
athletics.
ance
and
it
with academics
athletics."
—
Dr.
David McChesney
Director of Fine Arts
Maintaining the relevance of fine
in
arts in the
classroom
is
an equal challenge to the efforts
academics within our modern culture in which technological advancements expand student
experiences.
lum
"The
goal
is
to keep
moving forward
as
we
craft
both
for students as they advance in this twenty-first century."
a
compelling and useful curricu-
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1
1
Before the
seeds had fully sprouted.
first grass
Ravenscroft athletics had a powerful impact
on
became
the School and quickly
life at
ngrained in the culture, as coaches
burgeoning
in a
athletics
program
pursued excellence on the playing
and
fields
courts.
Soccer, football, tennis,
basketball teams
all
won
and
state
championships, some several
drew
times, before the '70s
a close
-
truly
a school that a
to
remarkable for
decade earlier
only graduated eighth-graders.
Athletics, the third
alongside academics and fine
component of an education
draws more than 80 percent
arts,
of Middle and Upper School students into one of twenty-five
different sports
and
fifty-three various teams.
"We've been a pioneer
The
tradition
with
Coach
began
Bill
Holleman,
credited with bringing the
boys' lacrosse,
We were
has
girls' field
the journeymen,
become
girls' lacrosse,
and
such as
girls'
and people have followed
us,
golf
and
That
Ned
Gonet.
tradition began with
Coach
Holleman,
Bill
and earning back-to-back
credited with bringing the sport of soccer to Raleigh and
state championships for
earning back-to-back state championships for the School
the School
in
the late 70s.
it
a very important part of our state fabric," according
to Athletic Director
sport of soccer to Raleigh,
in launching sports,
hockey,
in the late '70s.
Athletics at Ravenscroft strives to impart lessons of
management, and cooperation.
leadership, discipline, time
think
all
these things capture significantly
son needs to move on in
academics,
it
helps
good husbands and
life."
them be
wives.
Gonet
says.
what
a
"As they go
beyond
successful in their careers
There
"I
young per-
are a lot of things
we
and be
talk
about
Ned
Athletic Director
beyond the wins and
young person's
Gonet's greatest joy
on
they've
and he
"sees
become
they've set
.
.
.
what
goals
and reached,
families they've
His greatest joy
what kind of goals
fail,
and
and how
I
think
to pick
it's
huge
in a
up and move
they've chosen
I
the\
is
Ye
when former students
set
return and he "sees what they've become,
and
and reached, and what families they've developed, and careers
think they go back and realize that Ravenscroft was
critical for setting
the foun-
dation for their future."
at
Ravenscroft invested time
in
them, encouraged them, believed
and
in
never gave up on them, the students were able to succeed.
developed, and careers
they've chosen."
brings to the situation
in lite."
Because someone
what
it
is
when former students
return
the invariables
losses
The)' learn to cooperatively succeed and
life.
through
ally,
perfect world, but once
somebody goes
"We're not everything to everybody
It's
this school, they're prepared: they're
prepared academically, they're prepared emotion
and they're prepared
home." Gonet
says.
to
understand what
it
not
a
-
takes to succeed at the next level once they leave
I
%
4
.
.
.
Physical education at Ravenscroft begins in pre-
Kindergarten, giving students the opportunity to get active
and involved,
interact with other students,
work together
as a
Many students go on
dent
is
and learn to
team, while emphasizing individuality;
to organized athletics, but ever)' stu-
provided an education that combines lifelong
for an active lifestyle, along with rigorous academics
skills
and
exposure to a broad range of artistic expression.
Cross-pollination within
all
of these realms
is
encouraged by an atmosphere of collaboration and mutual
among
respect
student
in
teachers. Bell
dance performing
1 1
1
the story of a young
tells
ballet
on
stage: "Obviously, she
was a very good leaper and jumper. The track coach saw her
and
'Why don't you come out and
said,
the track team?'
And
I
don't
try high
jump on
know if that ever would
crossed her mind. She tried high
jump and became
have
state
champion. That happened because a teacher reached out
and
'Come
said,
try something!'
Pruden describes another type of education happening
at the School:
I
in a great believer that a big part of educa-
tion cannot be measured.
learn about everything
You want
kids to
from dealing with
different types of people to responding to
setbacks.
I
think those are
all
things that are
part of the lessons, but there's
grade somebody, so
I
no way you can
often refer to this as the
'ungraded curriculum.' These are the things
we
are trying to teach people, the things that
students are learning and taking away from
their Ravenscroft experience, but
you would
never see them specifically on a transcript.
"
Head of School Doreen
mirrors
"
1
metaphor of windows and
Kelly views the School through the
kids to be at a school
want
where they can find themselves, they can turn
have that mirror within the curriculum or within a teacher within a program
'I've
discovered myself!'
And
at the
same time,
the) can turn a different corner
a
corner and
which the)
in
and
say,
1
say,
'But I'm
'
looking beyond myself and can look out the window and
Described
as
charismatic and warm, and with
future, she says Ravenscroft "is
how
not
excellence
feel
is
defined."
all
about the
The School
"What
I
like
about Ravenscroft
is
that
it
in its
makes room
to
It's
go on
if 5011
full
to be
said,
its
complete mission,
lite
may
vision,
That's not just the
a safe place for big questions to
want three things
to be cared for;
world that overinflatcs
areas in which they
be asked
a journey."
its
history,
the;
for their children:
want them
and they w ant their children to be successful."
and
it is
those core
atmosphere attracting generations
and the; want their children
some control of their environment. Put another way,
to be happy;
look at
imbued with values honed sharp through
known; they want them
m
interrogation ot
values, consistently articulated, that Kelly says have created the
of families to the school Parents, she
in a
develop resilience
entirety
for the
head, the heart, the athletics, but the spirit as well
is
on the School's mission and
of high expectations
failure" to
and explored, and children are encouraged
Ravenscroft
that there's a world
allows children to experiment
comfortable and experience "safe
and values statement
gift
know
a laser focus
"They want them
to have learned to have
to be good; they want
them
"What
I
entirety
at
vision,
room
—
in its
if you
look
complete mission,
its
ment
about
like
Ravenscroft
and values
—
is
that
for the
it
state-
makes
full
interrogation of life."
— Doreen
Kelly
Head of School
Beginning
establishing their
in
Lower School, students
standards by which they are expected to
more thoughtful
curriculum,"
is
participate in
honor code, empowering them
live
a
of the "ungraded
process. Leadership, part
promoted from the
to set the
and creating
earliest years as
young stu-
dents become line leaders, holding doors for their classmates.
Responsibilities
grow throughout the
years as students take
greater control of their school environment and
become
ners with teachers and administrators in the
of the School.
The
responsibilities of
complex, and ambitious
but simple
moments
as
running
life
Ravenscroft are all-consuming,
capture the heart and renew the energy
a child tentatively lets
my breath away each year!"
strives to constantly
Like a glittering thread,
first
sewn
honor
its
our legacy of excellence,
nurtures individual poten-
into the School's fabric in
honing
its
beauty,
tial
to thrive in
is
spun from a
faith in the
promise of Ravenscroft that stretches through
history back to the original
gift.
educa-
its
entire
Generation upon generation
have been called on to replenish and add to the legacy of Watson's bequest.
Raleigh's
more educational
growth
options,
in the
mid-igoos created
a
need for
and the School was reconstituted
in
1937 In response to the needs of the community, the people of
Christ Church parish gathered the financial resources together
and
built
on legacy money from Watson's
original bequest, the)'
gift.
Without the
might not have gone forward with the
vi-
sion because, while there's always a connection of great people,
financial resources are required to bring vision to reality
mml
and prepares students
and
essence.
This golden thread
tional
its
community, guided by
mission.
the 1800s, the mission continues to weave into every aspect,
each stitch strengthening the cloth, enhancing
The Ravenscroft
moment
go of a parent's hand and runs into
the arms of their teacher takes
The School
Mission Statement
a school as diverse,
required to lead according to Kelly. "That precious
when
part-
a complex and
interdependent world.
The move
generation to
to Fulls of
commit
Ncusc required
a
new
financial resources to a larger
emboldened by the development of Research
vision
Triangle Park. This progressive explosion of growth in the re-
gion reflected the need for a bolder approach to the small school
on Tucker
aspirations
Street.
was
A
research and development center with global
a clarion call for education.
Fran and Dr. Watson Pugh
ion,
and her leadership over the
'38
life
were part of
this
new genera-
of the School comes from
a
core
desire to create an unparalleled experience.
1
love to see that children have an opportunity to excel
in
"/
love to see that children
have an opportunity
excel
in
whatever
academics,
art,
to
—
art, theater,
physical educa-
been very keen on creating something
been an amazing
really spectacular for the students.
It's
experience to see and reflect on
we've accomplished.
It's
all
here forever.
theater,
There
physical education."
croft,
—
Vice Chair,
whatever— academics,
tion. I've always
Fran Pugh
Board of Trustees
soil
are iconic
names
in
the
modern
history of Ravens-
man)' engraved on the buildings that emerged from the rich
of a forested land, touched only by nature. The Holding brothers
spearheaded
a
movement
great benefactors.
lies,
the parents,
that
would include some of Raleigh's
These names
are to be
honored along with the fami-
and grandparents of students who continue
to
endow
the vast majority of financial support for the School. Steeped in the
knowledge of their own
child's
growth, the; expand on nn already con-
siderable investment in tuition to
themselves and their
The
The
own
children
city
a part
of something beyond
Ravenscrofts future.
present would be unimaginable without these names.
future will require new
both the
1
become
names
to be
added
and the School who are willing
ideal that, in the end,
taking his or her
first
is
to the
revealed in the face of a child,
steps
list
believers in
to sacrifice financially to an
on the path of knowledge.
full
of potential,
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in
education begins
in the footsteps ol
others but leads to paths
undiscovered. Prevailing winds help chart the course, while new
ideas
The
and technologies
destination
is
steer in directions
not the goal;
strategic plan acts as compass,
unknown
to the traveler.
the journey that excites
it is
A
us.
and teachers are the navigators
as
students step forward into the future.
A history of remarkable achievements — overcoming
"You know,
when my dad
tremendous
and philosophical
obstacles, both financial
places
Ravenscroft on the path with the strength and resources of an
went
to this school
it
was
institution that has
all
about Raleigh.
went
all
When
to this school,
it
I
was
about North Carolina.
With
my
ability to
DNA, gives
confidence to a sacred promise between teacher and student. Each
child
who
future
kids here,
weathered change and risen to challenges. The
adapt and grow, written into the school's
enters these doors will be given the tools to survive in a
we can
hardly imagine.
it's all
This bold act of faith, looking into the future with hope,
about the world."
what we
— Bob Winston W
its
call vision.
It
is
has been a hallmark of Ravenscroft throughout
history as leaders, not satisfied with the status quo, have forged
III
into uncharted realms,
While great
becoming better and stronger with each
vision
is
rare, great vision
with resources
step.
is
rarer
still.
Ravenscroft thrives both from a history ot visionaries and those
who
believed in their vision.
It is
a rare
combination to be honored,
cherished, and protected.
The
a classroom.
future begins
Their journey
now with
will see
each
new
child walking into
teaching methods based on
technologies yet to be invented, but
still
rooted
in a style
crafted to
the individual student.
Ravenscroft teachers and administrators are constantly
striving to include the latest discoveries, but as Colleen
assistant
head of school for academic
advancement must be seen
in a
affairs, cautions,
broader context.
Ramsden.
technological
SKSB
We are going to continue to
our teaching, and
doesn't
using
that's
come from
them
to
just
infuse technology into our schools, our classrooms,
having the
improve learning.
new and
The
to
make
sure teachers are
tools used to teach adolescents are
learners can adapt. Research has
shown
Teachers are trying to understand
it's
also
We're doing a
up with current best
lot
how
of professional
practices.
as fast as the technologically savvy
that reading online takes longer, but
how that
how we're
are very intentional about
changing
and
great benefit of technology
cool devices, but
Our teachers
they're infusing technology into their classrooms.
development
The
the most important thing.
own
impacts both learning and their
of Middle School Denise Colpitts says the basics of reading, writing,
young
comprehension
teaching
history, science,
is
greater.
styles.
and math
Head
skills
remain the key ingredients of the curriculum, but the tools used to teach them arc changing.
The
future for us
is
to understand
how
learning and teaching are
children having technology devices and what that
Technology
is
just a tool, so
how do we embrace
means
changing—
for the learning process.
that tool which
is
captivating
to our students? Research says their brains are changing as they adapt to
new
technology, so
how do we
understanding there are
still
capitalize
With any new innovation comes
word began
to replace oral traditions,
on the best way
to
work with them,
basic skill sets they need.
fear of consequences.
and Socrates warned
it
Two thousand years
would lead
ago, the written
to superficial learning
and
thinking patterns. So, while these results need to be studied and appropriate solutions developed,
Ravenscroft
is
utilizing the best technology to find a balance well suited for effective learning
and
brain development.
A new
strategic vision for the future, articulated
members, administrators,
refines the
faculty',
by a planning team that includes board
and consultants, along with the
results
of broad-ranging surveys,
ongoing mission of Ravenscroft into three distinct goals that encompass how the school
educates, communicates, and grows.
The
first
goal
is
for educational excellence
and programmatic
distinction, building
upon
an "outstanding core curriculum by enhancing teaching and learning, and developing programs of
distinction that prepare students to learn, lead,
and serve
in a
complex and interdependent world."
Focusing on leadership, citizenship, and technology to complement core programs
will distinguish
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Ravenscroft programmatically as
it
seeks to burnish
and moral knowledge. Commitment
practical
tools of teaching
and learning are rapidly advancing
includes an emphasis
on both
academics, athletics, and the
The second goal
is
faculty
and
its
reputation for educating students in both
development
to professional
is
in a
world where the
an important component of the plan, which
staff compensation
and
prioritizing the facility needs of
arts.
to effectively
the Ravenscroft story, clarifying and refining the
tell
message, and communicating through both traditional and innovative
mediums
to ensure an
accurate and consistent understanding of the School in the broader community. Concurrently, the
"...
education implies
.
School
.
the foundation of knowl-
provide a targeted communication plan focused on attracting the finest students and
will
families to Ravenscroft.
The
edge.
It is
third goal
is
to build
upon the
legacy of financial stewardship
appropriate resources to attract and retain talented students, faculty, and
impediments are removed,
and expand
the bridges erected, the
Phil
to
directions set up,
and
facilities;
1
and support new
[igginson, assistant
goal for the future with
irregularities leveled, the
open the doors
its
head of school for
to great youngsters
staff;
maintain, improve,
strategic initiatives.
roots in the past:
institutional
"We need
a
who may not have
way
to
advancement, articulates
endow
this
this institution to allow us
the ability to pay.
How do we establish
the
an institution that makes certain
young
and provide the
here that the
traveler in the paths
of knowledge conducted a
would be students who couldn't
to
open
short distance on the road
it
honors
Snow
Holding's vision that 25 percent of this school
necessarily afford
it?
That's vision. That's saying this school needs
its
doors to great children and great families without burdening them."
A
key component of the School's financial stewardship
is
continuing a culture of
environmental best practices, reducing energy consumption, and maximizing environmental
he
is
afterwards by himself
sustainability
to
pursue."
—
history,
Rev. Dr. Richard
both
as a
These goals
Mason.
Recto/; Christ Church,
1
means
are
for financial savings
embedded with
and part of that history
is
a heart
that change,
and global citizenry
and soul that has run throughout Ravenscroft 's
when done
thoughtfully and with a clear vision, can
836
1840-1874
build on the past to create a sustainable future.
"No
place can stay static
want," according to
and have
tried to
Bill
and continue
work hard
to keep the core values front
appropriate changes, but again, try to keep
The
to prosper
and serve the students the way you
Pruden, head of Upper School,. "People have been conscious of that
it
and center
an eminently
challenges are daunting, but facing
them
is
human
we make needed and
young people."
what Ravenscroft has always done.
"People talk about real-world connections, and twenty first-century
relevant to students' lives," Colpitts relates, "and we've always
different way now."
as
place that serves
done
skills,
and making
that We're just
a school
doing
it
in a
The
future
Watson. But
it is
is
as
unknown
to us as
our present would have been to Dr. Josiah Ogdcn
our dreams that will make
it
possible as surely as that
first seed,
delivered in the
form of an idea and bequest, blossomed into the School we know today.
It is
a future guided by a philosophy of humble stewardship,
School Doreen
You
Kelly,
who knows
that
you can "never
are always reaching for the next generation,
students
who
are
rest
how to excel, and how
coming through the pre-Kindergarten doors
Where will
summed up by Head of
on the moment you say you're the
that future take us? If the past
imaginations
mm®
is
best.
to be the best for the
right now."
any guide,
it is
a
journey limited only by our
—^^
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'There
is
not one specific
sums up my
rather
many
Class of 201
new
I
's
and
new
show
the
camaraderie and
friends
were
bonds were formed.
these
that
high school experience, but
instances that
Because of the increase
class,
memory
in
unity
in
unity.
our
made and new
It is
my hope
that
friendships last through college
stick with us for the rest
—
of our
Sofia
lives."
Armstrong
'
I
I
B
am
"In
seventh grade,
Center.
One
nurtured
me
in
acting
around me; thanks
'the
found
I
to
new guy whose
Potter
my
niche
.
.
.in the Fine Arts
special teacher helped guide
mixed
and
fitting in
Angela Santuco,
glasses
I
make him
with John Lennon'
.
.
.
me and
with the Ravens
to
went from
look
like
Harry
becoming
comfortably acclimated and one of the class."
— Michael
m
,;;;
Santos 7
/
"This will
be the pinnacle of our
lives
here
at Ravenscroft, our gate to the future,
and our canonization as the
latest
veneration of the Ravenscroft family."
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