The Spirit of a Pioneer
Dear Hill-Murray Community,
On December 2nd, we welcomed hundreds of Hill-Murray supporters for our annual President’s Dinner. This event celebrates those who have generously donated over $1,000 in the past year, demonstrating their unwavering dedication to Hill-Murray and the students we serve. Among the night’s highlights was the induction of distinguished individuals into our Emerald Club, recognizing their remarkable contributions of over $100,000 to Hill-Murray. I continue to be humbled by the commitment that all of you show to Hill-Murray, investing in so many ways in Hill-Murray’s past, present, and future.
Our students were the stars of the evening, welcoming our guests and leaving a lasting impression. Senior Isabella Afonso moved everyone with her reflections on the essence of what it means to be a Pioneer, inspiring us to seek ways to make a difference in the world. The evening concluded with The Hill-Murray Christmas Variety Show. What a wonderful way to get us all into the Christmas spirit, it is such a beautiful reminder of the joy that this season brings.
Last week, we celebrated the Feast Day of Saint Nicholas with a prayer service in the chapel and a reception in The Nicholas Center. It is remarkable that one-fifth of our student body benefits from the resources offered at The Nicholas Center every day. This vital support enables us to meet each student exactly where they are on their unique learning journey. I would like to humbly ask you to join me in making sure that The Nicholas Center continues to support students who may learn differently to have access to Catholic education.
On January 8th at 6 pm we will be hosting our second Open House of the school year. This is an exciting opportunity to showcase Hill-Murray firsthand to prospective families and students. As valued members of our community and influential advocates, I encourage you to extend invitations to neighbors, friends, and family who you believe would benefit from the exceptional experience of attending Hill-Murray School. Find event details and the RSVP form HERE.
The Hill-Murray new rolling admissions process has been a great success, enabling us to welcome new Pioneers as they apply, rather than waiting for a fixed date to be accepted and enrolled. We’re thrilled with the number of new Pioneers we have already been able to welcome into our community. Current student re-enrollment will begin shortly after the new year. As you plan for the 2024-2025 school year, we want to provide you with ample notice of the new tuition rates for the upcoming academic year.
Grade 6: $9,523
Grade 7: $11,717
Grade 8: $13,911
Grade 9-12: $16,151
We understand that investing in a Catholic education is a sacrifice for most families. We want to assure you that this tuition increase was made after careful consideration. Hill-Murray’s Board of Trustees continuously assesses educational needs and related expenses to ensure that Hill-Murray is able to provide the best education experience possible for every student. Through the generosity of our community, we are able to provide financial assistance to over 35% of our students. If you need assistance, we are here to support you.
The holiday spirit is in full swing at Hill-Murray! I hope you have a chance to see the beautiful nativity set outside in the front of school, built and donated by a Hill-Murray alum. Our hallways are adorned with beautifully decorated doors from our student Connections groups, the sleigh outside the auditorium is overflowing with gifts for the toy drive, and our giving tree partners are receiving abundant donations. This embodies the true Pioneer spirit – a community coming together to spread joy and generosity.
Warmest wishes,
Melissa Dan
Hill-Murray School President
