A central place for current answers about Roycemore's path forward, fundraising, enrollment, faculty support, governance, and family planning.
Roycemore School will be open for the 2026–2027 academic year. Continued pledges and gifts will help strengthen Roycemore’s long-term stability, growth, and future planning.
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This Community FAQ is intended to serve as a central place for current answers for families, teachers, alumni, donors, and prospective families. It complements Board updates, school newsletters, meetings, calls, and email updates, and will be updated as important information changes.
The Board is using multiple communication channels, including Board update emails, school newsletters, webinars and Zoom meetings, in-person small-group Q&A, 1:1 phone and text outreach, division-specific conversations such as the Upper School family Zoom, and written summaries or meeting notes when available. For some meetings, recording or written follow-up has also been allowed or provided where appropriate. The goal is to keep the community informed while also creating spaces for direct questions and discussion.
Yes. Important information shared in live meetings should also be reflected in written updates or added to this FAQ so families who cannot attend still receive the same core information. Summaries and meeting notes have already been included in Board update emails where available.
Yes. Families can use the Submit a Question tab. Questions will be grouped by topic, combined when multiple families ask similar questions, and reviewed for inclusion in future FAQ updates. Individual student, personnel, or family-specific matters should still be handled through the appropriate direct school contact.
The FAQ will be updated when important information changes. During this stabilization period, updates may follow major meetings, fundraising updates, enrollment milestones, lender updates, or Board decisions.
Communication is a core recovery workstream because clear information helps rebuild trust, and trust supports enrollment, retention, teacher confidence, and fundraising. The current workstreams include finance and governance, engagement and enrollment, fundraising, communications, and community, with the RFA supporting the community pillar.
Yes. The Board hosted a Zoom conversation with Upper School families on Tuesday evening, June 2, to address questions and provide clarity around the unique considerations facing the Upper School community. Upper School families with additional questions can continue to use the FAQ submission process or direct school channels.
There are two distinct campaigns. The Teachers First Fund supports teacher salary and benefits commitments. The Save Roycemore Campaign supports the operational funding necessary to operate Roycemore for the full 2026-27 school year.
The Teachers First Fund supports faculty salary and benefit commitments. Faculty salaries and benefits for the 2025–26 school year will be paid as contracted through August 31, 2026. Teacher Fund dollars will be paid out through Roycemore’s payroll and benefits processes.
The Save Roycemore Campaign supports Roycemore’s 2026–2027 operations, transition planning, and long-term stability. Now that Roycemore will be open for 2026–2027, continued pledges and gifts will help strengthen the school’s financial foundation, growth planning, and future leadership transition.
Now that Roycemore will open for the 2026–2027 academic year, Save Roycemore pledges and gifts support the school’s path forward, including operating stability, growth, and future planning. Donors who wish to make or formalize a pledge can use the Letter of Intent Form and email it to fundraising@roycemoreschool.org.
As of the latest Givebutter totals checked for this FAQ, the Roycemore Teachers First Fund showed $183,150 toward a $650,000 goal with 96 supporters, and the Save Roycemore Campaign showed $1,377,414 toward a $2,000,000 goal with 146 supporters. Please use the Givebutter links for live totals, as campaign numbers can change throughout the day.
After the Fat Shallot community event weekend, an additional $20,000 was added to the Teachers First Fund, with additional restaurant proceeds still to come. The Board expressed appreciation to the RFA and everyone who participated.
Families, alumni, grandparents, and supporters can help by contributing to the Teachers First Fund, pledging or donating to the Save Roycemore Campaign, sharing the campaigns with extended networks, and connecting the school with potential supporters who care about independent education and Roycemore’s long-term future. Donors can complete a Letter of Intent Form and email it to fundraising@roycemoreschool.org.
Yes. Roycemore successfully reached the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year. Congratulations to all students, teachers, and the Class of 2026. Current-year funding supported key year-end activities, including graduations, prom, and trips. Faculty salaries and benefits for the 2025–26 school year will be paid as contracted through August 31, 2026.
Yes. Faculty salaries and benefits for the 2025–26 school year will be paid as contracted through August 31, 2026.
Yes. Summer camp is separately funded and will run this summer due to a donation from a Board member. Summer program registration remains open.
Sara is continuing to run summer camp, and the plan is for camp to be a strong summer experience for students.
Roycemore is looking for ways to back up student information so that records remain accessible. This includes information families may need for transcripts, records, or recommendations. More details will be shared as the records-access process is finalized.
Yes. Roycemore School will be open for the 2026–2027 academic year. The Board announced that this milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter focused on gratitude, clear vision, growth, transition planning, and long-term stability.
The school previously modeled a plan around 177 students with a certain level of giving. Now that Roycemore has confirmed it will remain open for 2026–2027, enrollment commitments are being finalized and any resulting updates to class sizes, staffing, and program planning will be communicated promptly and transparently.
Interest in a Roycemore education remains strong, with steady admissions inquiries and applications continuing through the transition period. Roycemore will continue offering regular tours and opportunities for prospective families to explore the school, while expanding outreach to mission-aligned families and strengthening the enrollment pipeline. Many faculty members across all divisions have stepped forward to assist with admissions throughout the summer and into the next academic year so prospective families can hear directly from the people who know Roycemore best.
Enrollment planning is ongoing now that Roycemore has confirmed it will be open for 2026–2027. Families have been asked to confirm their plans for next year by Wednesday, June 24. The school expects the reopening announcement to positively affect enrollment, and clearer numbers will be shared as commitments are finalized.
Roycemore will continue using enrollment information to guide budget, staffing, and program planning. With the school now confirmed open for 2026–2027, families are being asked to confirm their plans so the school can finalize clearer enrollment numbers and communicate any related updates.
Current financial planning will require a review of budgeted expenses related to extracurricular activities. Some adjustments may be necessary; however, academic excellence and the core student experience are expected to see minimal impact.
Now that Roycemore has confirmed it will remain open next year, the school expects this announcement to positively impact enrollment. Many families previously indicated they would reenroll if Roycemore stayed open, and clearer enrollment numbers are expected as those commitments are finalized. Any resulting updates to class sizes or staffing will be communicated promptly and transparently.
Engagement and enrollment work now includes confirming family plans for the 2026–2027 school year by Wednesday, June 24, supporting families with questions, and helping provide data for enrollment and budget planning. Families who need to discuss their specific situation can speak directly with the Enrollment Team.
Now that Roycemore has announced it will open for 2026–2027, families are being asked to confirm their plans for next year by Wednesday, June 24 so the school can prepare for August and beyond. Families should use the links provided in the school’s enrollment-confirmation email or schedule a conversation with the Enrollment Team if they need to discuss their specific situation. Families with multiple children should submit a separate response for each student if requested.
Families have asked about leadership, teacher retention, class sizes, programs, tuition, and the overall student experience. The Board’s latest planning FAQ addresses several of these areas, including Paul Druzinsky’s interim leadership role, faculty contracts and compensation, financial aid, prepaid tuition, admissions strategy, and program planning.
Yes. Roycemore extended the tuition withdrawal deadline and revised the Tuition Refund Policy for the 2026-27 academic year. Families withdrawing before July 1, 2026 will receive tuition paid for the upcoming year refunded, less the tuition deposit, with no further tuition obligation beyond the deposit.
Yes. All financial aid packages that have already been communicated for the 2026–27 school year will be honored. There are no planned changes to previously issued financial aid awards.
Under the revised policy, if a student is withdrawn or dismissed from July 1 through July 31, 2026 for reasons other than defined medical condition or relocation, the family's obligation is limited to 50% of the tuition in the enrollment contract. If withdrawal occurs from August 1 through the first day of school, the obligation is limited to 75% of the tuition in the enrollment contract, subject to the policy's terms.
Yes. All billing for 2026-27 school-year fees has been paused while a solid financial plan for the full 2026-27 school year is finalized and communicated.
Prepaid tuition will be refunded in July for any family choosing not to return. Families with prepaid-tuition questions should use the school’s direct outreach or the Submit a Question tab for follow-up.
The purpose of extending the refund deadline and pausing billing is to give families more time and flexibility while planning for the 2026-27 academic year continues and a comprehensive path forward is communicated.
Faculty salaries and benefits for the 2025–26 school year will be paid as contracted through August 31, 2026. The Teachers First Fund supports faculty salary and benefit commitments through Roycemore’s payroll and benefits processes.
Teacher Fund dollars will be paid out directly to teachers through Roycemore's payroll and benefits processes.
Many faculty members have already confirmed that they plan to return next year. The Board of Trustees will begin meeting with faculty after the weekend to finalize contracts for the upcoming academic year, and additional updates will be shared once that process is underway.
Many faculty members have already confirmed that they plan to return next year. The Board of Trustees will begin meeting with faculty after the weekend to finalize contracts for the upcoming academic year. Additional updates will be shared with families once that process is underway.
Teachers are central to the Roycemore experience and to the school’s path forward. Faculty salaries and benefits for 2025–26 will be paid as contracted through August 31, many faculty members have indicated plans to return, and the Board is moving into contract finalization for the upcoming academic year.
Yes. Academic excellence and the core student experience are expected to see minimal impact. Current financial planning will require a review of budgeted expenses related to extracurricular activities, so some adjustments may be necessary, but the overall Roycemore experience is expected to remain strong.
In April 2026, Roycemore experienced a significant leadership and financial crisis, resulting in a transition to a new working board of trustees. The working board had to rebuild data, records, and financial modeling after key information and financial discussions were limited to a small group that included school administrators who are no longer with the school.
Yes. Roycemore will conduct deeper reviews into the factors that led to the current position once the school's ability to move forward with the 2026-27 school year has been solidified.
There has been a change in the Chair of the Board of Trustees; Gillian Deinoff, a senior finance professional, is serving as Board Chair. A new Treasurer, Sam Iosevich, has also been appointed. Governance changes also include transitions within the executive committee, opportunities for experts in the community to help set the path forward, and the addition of new Board members with backgrounds in operational finance, law, human resources, talent advisory, project management, and analytics.
New Board members include Luis Fernandez in operational finance, Kim Yuracko in law, Robbyn Pauley in Human Resources, Jennifer Koplow in talent advisory/recruiting, Alexis Booth in project management as Secretary, and Sam Iosevich in analytics as Treasurer.
The main workstreams are finance and governance, engagement and enrollment, fundraising, communications, and community. The community pillar is being led by the RFA Executive Committee with Board support.
Paul Druzinsky has accepted the role of Interim Head of School beginning July 1. Paul is an accomplished independent-school leader with more than 40 years of experience and has served in permanent and interim leadership roles at several independent schools. He will work with the Board of Trustees to guide operations and planning for the coming year.
No. Paul Druzinsky’s appointment as Interim Head of School is a deliberate, strategic choice. He was not brought in simply to maintain the status quo or fill a gap. His mandate is to proactively restructure operations, stabilize the financial and administrative foundation, and establish a clear roadmap for Roycemore’s future so the school can attract and successfully launch the best long-term leadership.
The administrative team under Paul’s leadership is being finalized, and specific updates will be shared soon. Key leaders joining his team are internal Roycemore staff members who know the community deeply and are excited to partner with Paul. The goal is a strong, student-centered administrative structure that supports teaching, learning, and community engagement.
The consultant outlined multiple steps to consider around retention, fundraising, and a balanced budget. Those recommendations helped refine the path forward.
Paul Druzinsky’s interim appointment is part of a broader effort to stabilize Roycemore’s operational, financial, and administrative foundation. His mandate includes proactively restructuring operations and establishing a clear roadmap for the school’s future, while the Board continues work on finance, governance, budget modeling, and long-term planning.
Roycemore will be open for the 2026–2027 academic year. Faculty salaries and benefits for the 2025–26 school year will be paid as contracted through August 31, 2026, and bondholders have approved a forbearance agreement. Continued pledges and gifts remain important to support long-term stability and growth.
Bondholders have approved a forbearance agreement. The Board described this as a major milestone that demonstrates confidence in Roycemore’s long-term viability and vision and supports the school’s path forward into 2026–2027.
Finance professionals and volunteers are reviewing financials, preparing a balanced budget, and modeling scenarios based on enrollment. The team is also reviewing expense reductions and new revenue opportunities.
New revenue opportunities under consideration include renting the building during summers or weekends, alongside expense adjustments and fundraising.
The immediate focus is preparing for the 2026–2027 school year: transition planning under Paul Druzinsky’s leadership, finalizing the administrative team, confirming family enrollment plans, meeting with faculty to finalize contracts, continuing admissions work, and supporting Roycemore’s long-term stability and growth.
The Upper School community has distinct planning needs around credits, course offerings, college counseling, transcripts, recommendations, and retention. The Board hosted a dedicated Zoom conversation with Upper School families on Tuesday evening, June 2, to address questions and provide clarity around those considerations.
Roycemore is looking for ways to back up student information so that records remain accessible. This includes information families may need for transcripts, records, recommendations, credits, and college planning. Upper School-specific questions can also be raised through the Upper School meeting and FAQ submission process. More details will be shared as the records-access process is finalized.
Yes. The Board is using direct family outreach and topic-specific conversations, including the Upper School meeting, to address questions that differ by division, grade level, or family situation. Families can also submit questions through this FAQ page for grouping and follow-up.
Use the Submit a Question tab. Questions may be combined with similar questions and answered in future updates. For confidential, student-specific, personnel, or family-financial matters, please use the direct contact provided by the school or Board.
Families can support enrollment and retention by confirming their 2026–2027 plans when requested, responding to outreach, asking questions early, helping direct other families to current information, and sharing Roycemore’s positive path forward with prospective families. If you would like to support enrollment and retention efforts, contact enrollment@roycemoreschool.org.
Alumni, grandparents, and friends can support the Save Roycemore Campaign and the Teachers First Fund, share accurate information from Roycemore updates and the FAQ, participate in community events, and connect the school with potential supporters who care about independent education, teacher retention, and Roycemore’s long-term future. Continued pledges and gifts will help strengthen long-term stability and growth. Donors can complete a Letter of Intent Form and email it to fundraising@roycemoreschool.org.
This form is intended to collect recurring community questions for future FAQ updates. Questions may be grouped with similar submissions. Please do not submit confidential student, personnel, or individual family-financial information through this public form.