The Country School
Capital Campaign

Welcome

Why a Comprehensive Capital Campaign?

Since The Country School’s founding in 1955, its facilities and operations have consistently reflected the concept of “country simplicity, being upgraded periodically through fundraising campaigns.”  During the 60th Anniversary Campaign completed almost ten years ago, much was accomplished to upgrade many of the physical indoor and outdoor learning spaces we value today, one commensurate with the quality of teaching that takes place. 
 
We embarked two years ago on a multi-year endeavor to expand the financial health and campus effectiveness of The Country School, with the same ambition as the generations who built the campus where our community thrives today. This 70th Anniversary Campaign has a physical plant component while the school also secures its financial future by building endowment.

Message from Leadership

  • John Fixx John Fixx

    Dear Country School Friends and Families,  

    As September 14, 2025, approaches, marking exactly 70 years since The Country School first opened its doors, I write to share some very exciting news. In celebration of our school’s seven-decade milestone, The Country School’s Board of Trustees has launched an ambitious, transformative endeavor: The Talent Within Capital Campaign. Over the past years of quiet conversations with families excited to help revolutionize our school, I am thrilled to share that some $2, 300,000 has been committed in pledges and cash.
     
    About the most powerful step you can take as parents is to demonstrate to your children through financial support of their school that you value their education fully. While they may not express gratitude at this time, the powerful lesson will remain with them forever.
     
    Since our founding in 1955, parents have stretched beyond tuition to continuously improve the academic, athletic, artistic and social experience for Country School children. Having taken the baton from families who have run this race before us, now it’s our turn to provide for today’s students and future generations.
     
    Please read through the information and engage in a conversation with Christian Vick or me about where your interest and financial ability best overlaps with the school’s needs. Some donors get excited about supporting endowment, some want to give to academic programs, some want to support the faculty and staff through salaries and professional involvement, while others might have even more precise interests. These exploratory conversations are most enjoyable for all parties involved.
     
    When my wife, Liza, and I were young parents, I rode my bicycle to The Country School as a 6th Grade English teacher because we could afford only one car. Yet still, somehow we scraped together and committed the funds to support the Campaign that built Blatchford Learning Center. When I walk under the beautiful oak sign of donors from that time, 30 years ago, I shake my head with wonder how we were able to stretch with two young children and diaper expenses, and then I nod my head with pride that we joined so many others as committed parents. Please join me in supporting the Talent Within Capital Campaign and share your joy with your children, whether they are current students or alumni.
     
    As we head toward 2025, I give thanks to the visionary parents who brought The Country School into being all those years ago. I also thank the visionary and generous individuals who continue to make The Country School a priority today so that students and faculty will continue to benefit, now and into the future. In the words of a Country School alumnus, it is “almost unfathomable” how many lives have been shaped. Thank you to everyone who has played a role.
    With best wishes,
     
    John D. Fixx P ’06
    Head of School
  • Christian Vick Christian Vick

    Dear Country School Community, 

    As the new Development Director at The Country School I am beyond humbled and delighted to join this community and participate in such an exciting campaign to move this wonderful institution forward. I am a high energy person, and it’s almost impossible not to be excited when walking the campus and spending time with the The Country School family. I come from a family of educators; teaching and enriching children is not only my passion, it’s a birthright, something I was destined from the beginning. 
     
    When I arrived, I was truly in awe at the beauty of this spectacular campus, the grandeur of our hiking trails and our athletic fields. I was even more impressed by The Country School children, families, and faculty. Everyone is so kind, so eager to learn, and always ready to love. What we have here is a special place filled to the rafters with salt-of-the-earth people. The Talent Within Campaign is the vehicle by which we can enhance our institution, improve our systems, create more opportunities for our students, acquire more resources for our educators, and set the school up for future success.
     
    My primary areas of focus will be driving our critical Annual Fund campaign and supporting our transformative capital campaign. The Annual Fund is so important to the school operationally; it supports the ongoing expenses facing the school including our faculty, and it makes such a huge difference for the school community. The Fall Appeal, Giving Tuesday, the Spring Gala – these amazing events all contribute to our Annual Fund.
     
    The Capital Campaign to support the new science and STEAM building is going to change the look of our institution forever, it’s going to directly impact our school community in the best ways imaginable. As a STEAM school, it will be invaluable for our exceptionally talented students to have direct access to advanced technology, makerspace equipment, tools to build, to create, to innovate. Our educators will not only benefit from the innovative layout of the space, but having access to more classroom space is something all of our teachers will appreciate. The new building will also give our maintenance team a spacious home to continue the unbelievable work they do to keep the school rocking and rolling. 
     
    These two campaigns will shape our present, and our future, and together we can achieve peak levels of development, engagement, and community. I am honored, blessed, and so happy to be here with you at the Country School. I appreciate the support, love, and acceptance I have already received. 
     
    Thank you so much,
    Christian Vick
    Director of Development

Capital Funds

Makerspaces & Maintenance Facility

Endowment Funds

Established in 1962 by parent donors and the Board of Trustees, ​​our endowment secures The Country School’s future for the generations of students and educators yet to join our school. “Until now, we did not quite have the courage to put money where it could not be touched.” (Board Chairman Clarissa V. Dundon, 1963.)  
The overall endowment is a family of funds that has been created over generations by families, staff, students, and friends of The Country School. Together, these funds support all aspects of the school, including programming, staff recruitment, and financial aid. 
Gifts have helped the General Endowment that includes seven other endowment funds grow close to $4,000,000.  The general endowment fund is similar to a savings account that generates income from the investment of the principal. When a gift is made to the General Endowment Fund, the gift is invested and allowed to grow while simultaneously producing income. While the donated principal is never touched, an annual distribution from the earnings supports the school’s students and teachers. The Talent Within Capital Campaign seeks to more than double our total endowment. Today, our endowment totals nearly $3,500,000.
A gift to the endowment is a gift that secures the long-term health of The Country School forever. Endowed gifts serve as powerful tools, benefiting the short- and long-term stability and growth of our students and faculty.

Annual Fund

The Country School Fund

Country School counts on $280,000 in donations every year to support the Annual Fund.  These funds for operational expenses preserve the strong educational program for students and help maintain a balanced budget. 
Learn More & Support

Annual Fund Goal: $280,000

Ways to Give

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341 Opening Hill Road, Madison, CT 06443
P. 203-421-3113  |  Health Office F. 860-469-2550