St. Agnes Academy – St. Dominic School
Reaches for the Stars and the Suns
Thanks to the generosity of over 425 donors and the dedication of many volunteers, the St. Agnes Academy–St. Dominic School "Reaching for the Stars and the Suns Campaign" has surpassed its $20 million goal!

The success of the campaign–the largest fundraising effort in a 157-year history–has been the catalyst for a major campus transformation, with the Veritas Research Center at its center. The 27,000 sq. ft. Research Center includes a Cybrary, a Distance Learning Center, a multi-media lab, a cyber café, eight classrooms and a senior lounge. This center has opened up a new world of learning for students and the atrium, known as the Four Pillars area, serves as a spritual hub.

The "Reaching for the Stars and the Suns Campaign" was rooted in the School's founding mission: To inspire academic excellence, leadership, service and faith. In addition to capital improvements, a critical component of the campaign was increasing the School's endowment. With planned gifts and a campaign match, the endowment is expected to soon exceed $10 million. The endowment benefits three critical areas: Faculty Excellence, Student Assistance and Campus Enchancement.

Originally founded in 1851 as St. Agnes Academy by the Domincan Sisters, St. Agnes Academy–St. Dominic School was formed with the opening of an elementary school for boys in 1957. The present school offers coeducational early childhood and kindergarten for boys and girls ages three through five, single sex classes for girls and boys in grades one through six, coordinated junior high classes for boys and girls in grades seven and eight, and college preparatory education for girls from grades nine through twelve. At the school Students are imbued with Catholic principles and Dominican spirituality stressing truth in word and action, the value of study and sharing knowledge with others, and the necessity of combining contemplation with action.

The Compass Group was selected from several top fundraising firms to provide comprehensive counsel for the "Reaching for the Stars and he Suns Campaign." Services included: implementing a planning study; conducting a series of board retreats and volunteer and staff training seminars; and, facilitating weekly cultivation and solicitation strategy sessions. The $20 million campaign exceeded its goal in 24 months, on time and under budget.