St. Luke's held its annual State of the School event on October 30, 2024. Below is a full video replay of the evening, along with photos, community statistics, school financial information, and alumni voices.
Event Replay
Photos
The Forese Fireplace Commons provided a warm atmosphere for the event reception
It was all smiles during the evening, starting with the reception hosted by the Parents' Association
The event took on a talk-show format in 2024
Sixth graders reflected on last year's "Purpose Project," which centered on school diversity and inclusion
Older students discussed SLS' Compass Program and Leadership Institute
Head of School Mary Carter discussed the network of mentors and motivators available to students
Students gave a lively rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark"
Teachers Matt Goodman and Ty Wieland spoke about their students' work
One hundred and twenty-seven new students joined St. Luke's this year. These families are coming to St. Luke's from a growing number of surrounding towns. Our student body represents 43 towns — the largest number in our history. Please see additional important community data points below:
List of 12 items.
586
Current Enrollment
43
Towns Represented
24%
Students of Color
142
Full-Time Faculty & Staff
70%
Faculty with Advanced Degrees
39
Music, Theater, and Visual Arts Offerings
19%
Students Receiving Financial Assistance
83%
Students Participating in Athletics
35
Athletic Championships in the Last Six Years
10,884
Number of Service Hours Completed by the Class of 2024
20
All-State Awards Won by the SLS Theater Department in the Past Seven Years
3
Upper School Scholars Programs: Global, Literary, or STEM
Thanks to nearly 800 donors, the St. Luke's Fund has generously received $1.709 million in gifts. These contributions are put to immediate use and genuinely make a difference in the daily success of our students, faculty, and staff. Three classes — the Class of 2029, 2030, and 2031 — achieved 100% parent participation. St. Luke’s faculty and staff also reached 100% participation, marking over 20 consecutive years of this commitment!
The Class of 2024 Senior Gift has supported the existing Teddy Balkind Memorial Scholarship Fund and created a new endowed fund: The Class of 2024 Nurturing Wellness and Communities Fund. This fund supports programming that enhances students' physical and emotional health and initiatives related to community service. We are honored to celebrate our Class of 2024 seniors and their collective gift in our main lobby, featuring an interactive monitor that showcases students participating in wellness and community service programs and activities.
Our financial aid and scholarship endowment grew by $1,554,672, providing even more support to students in need.
Thank you
The following individuals and teams were instrumental in making the evening a success.
State of the School Presentation
Crew
Executive Producer & Writer: Nancy Troeger
Photography & Production Videos: Valerie Parker
Photography: Keyz 2 Life Media
Lighting Director: John Conners
Audio Director: Greg Tobler
Booth Cameras & Program Recording: Bryan DeVissiere
Stage Manager/Show Caller: Aviva Moss ‘25
Web & Slide Design and Presentation: Will Creighton
Production Manager: Sara Aylward
Production Assistants: Vanessa Odenbach, Eleanor Page, Sarah Letteriello
Green Room Manager: Iris Weizer ‘26
Promotion & Digital Program: Vanessa Odenbach & Sara Aylward
Parents’ Association Liaison: Sara Aylward
Host/Featured Guest
Christopher Rosow
Mary Halpin Carter, Ph. D.
Guests
Katie Boorse
Matt Goodman
David Pakman (SLS Parent)
Liz Perry
Sarah Westerberg-Egan
Ty Wieland
Beth Yavenditti
Student Guests
Eva Becker ‘29
Jacob Bueckman ‘31
TJ Francois ‘31
Lucie Geist ‘25
Teddy Lukens ‘28
Jenna Napach ‘31
Bhhavya Somaya ‘26
Musical Performances By:
Laurel Aronian '25
Ethan Lanier '27
Jaylen Myles '25
Eloise Pakman '25
Maggie Rosow '26
Sam Thomas '26
Maggie Lauer
Peter Valera
Special Guest: David Pakman
Parents' Association State of the School Reception Committee
Facing center: Co-Chairs Michelle Riley and Leah DeSantis. Committee in alphabetical order: Christine Barkley , Constance Bennett, Michele Casey, Lia Coleman, Carrie Corcoran, Lisa Hill, Juliet Howe, Jenn Kubick, Trish McGovern, Leslie Napach, Sarah O’Keefe, Michelle Seaver, Suzanne Sherter, Kate Stimpson, Theera Vachranukunkiet, Christine Weil, Melissa Welch
Special Thanks
Patrick Sullivan (Director of Dining Facilities), Executive Chef Thomas Sharkis, and the FLIK team
Darrell Maier and the Sodexo Team
Nano Saulnier and Rodney Vining
St. Luke's Board of Trustees Bartenders
Alumni Voices
A central reason for St. Luke's growth is that we have satisfied "customers" who share their experiences. Hear from some of them in the videos below.
Class of 2023 graduates describe the impact of supportive SLS faculty
Will Stamoulis '22 reflects on his St. Luke's experience from 5th through 12th grade
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.