Giving
Every day, our school strives to do the impossible
We aim to create learning environments that support students in reaching their full potential as curious, compassionate, and capable global citizens who are gifted at collaborating in TEAms and navigating complex challenges.
Our founders believed this type of innovative school was possible and put the building blocks (academics, character, adventure, constructive adversity and real world learning) into place so that we could achieve something remarkable, not only for the students who could afford to pay, but also for those who couldn’t. Day in and day out we ask the “impossible” of our teachers. We ask them to exhibit exemplary skills both inside the classroom and outside. We ask them to model adaptability, empathy and advocacy and to help nurture those traits in their students. We ask them to be problem solvers, and to celebrate the problems solving skills of their students. Ultimately, we are asking them to build our students’ capacity to thrive in the new world, where social intelligence, adaptability and creativity are paramount.
Our vision is ambitious: Build character through calculated risk taking while studying the complex problems of today in the real world.
Why Does TEA Fundraise? Doesn’t Tuition Cover the Cost of Running the School?
Like nearly all independent schools, TEA operates with a gap between what we collect in tuition and the actual cost of delivering our program. This gap arises from several key factors. First and foremost, it reflects our unwavering commitment to providing access to an exceptional education, regardless of a family’s financial circumstances. Each year, TEA offers financial assistance to approximately 33% of our students, supporting them with either partial or full scholarships.
Additionally, we are fortunate to employ a dedicated faculty of exceptional individuals who have devoted their careers to nurturing the intellectual and personal growth of young people. It is crucial to us that we provide them with a livable wage and meaningful benefits—investments that reflect the immense value they bring to our community.
Finally, TEA’s distinctive, hands-on, project-based learning approach is both transformative and, inherently, resource-intensive. While this method of learning—grounded in real-world experiences—greatly enhances student engagement, it also requires significant financial support. As a result, we fundraise each year to ensure we can continue offering this unique and impactful program.
How Do We Plan to Raise the Funds?
Our Annual Giving Campaign, held each year during December and January, serves as the cornerstone of our fundraising efforts. During this campaign, we aim for 100% participation from our Board of Trustees, Faculty and Staff, and Parent community. This initiative is a call to action for everyone in the TEA family—much like our classroom philosophy of “We are Crew, not Passengers.” Every individual’s contribution, no matter the size, plays an essential role in propelling our collective mission forward.
In fact, we have achieved 100% participation in two out of the last three years, demonstrating that this goal is entirely within reach. Should we fall short of our financial goal during the Annual Giving Campaign, we will make an additional push for support at our Annual Gala, which will be held on Saturday, May 17th, at the Everline Resort and Spa.
I Can Only Contribute a Modest Amount — Should I Even Bother?
Absolutely! At TEA, fundraising is a true team effort, and we rely on every single contribution to support our students, faculty, and programs. Whether your donation is large or small, it makes a significant impact. The collective effort of our community—where every family, every staff member, and every volunteer contributes in a way that is meaningful to them—creates a powerful sense of shared purpose. This unity is what sustains and elevates the entire TEA experience. Your participation matters, and together, we can continue to provide our students with the exceptional education they deserve.
JOIN US AND DONATE TODAY!