Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/246730
A 21st Century School 2005-2013 Latin's first and most important goal is "to sustain the school's outstanding educational program, which embodies the values of a well-rounded educational experience and inspires students to academic excellence. At the same time, continuously work to enhance the program to ensure its relevance for the increasingly complex and interconnected world of the 21st century." – 2007 Long Range Plan Head of School Don Firke and former Head of School Frank Hogan at the groundbreaking for Latin's new middle school building. 118 L AT I N M AGAZINE Two of the most ambitious efforts started during Head of School Frank Hogan's tenure came to fruition after Don Firke arrived to lead the school in 2005. In February 2006, the Eleanor Club was demolished and construction began on what would in the next year become a new state-of-the-art middle school and later an innovative upper school science center. The school also successfully completed its record-breaking $50 million campaign in 2007. While these were exciting and historical moments for Latin School, the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression was beginning to have an impact by 2008. For the next few years, Latin tightened its belt, cut its budget and planned for its future financial sustainability, while also trying to address the needs of Latin families who were struggling. "As was the case for most schools – whether independent, parochial or public – the economic downturn during the 2008-09 school year presented Latin with some challenges that were new to many of us," Don Firke wrote in that year's Annual Report. "We learned how to do more with less, learned how to adapt to difficult times, learned how best to take special care of our families and, in the process, learned the many different ways we are a strong and healthy school." Despite the downturn, the school was still able to award $2.8 million in financial aid in 2009 and celebrate a record-breaking $1.3 million Scholarship Dinner. Through a parent effort, the school also provided emergency funds for current families.