Baylor School Sees You, Charlotte! (2025)

What Families Shared After Their First Year at Baylor

Over the summer, Baylor surveyed families whose children completed their first year as students. Out of the 260 surveys that were sent, 100 people participated, yielding a 38.5% response rate.

• 99 percent of the respondents reported that Baylor’s academic program met or exceeded their expectations.
• 99 percent reported that Baylor’s academic support and mentorship met or exceeded their expectations.
• 99 percent reported that Baylor’s academic rigor and depth met or exceeded their expectations.
• 97 percent reported that the depth and impact of Baylor’s advisor program met or exceeded their expectations.
• 95 percent reported that opportunities for leadership development at Baylor met or exceeded their expectations.

Who Responded

• 42 percent either attended or had family who had attended Baylor, while 58 percent had no prior affiliation with Baylor.
• 50 percent were Upper School parents, and 50 percent were Middle School parents.
• 70 percent were day families, and 30 percent were boarding families.

Beyond the Numbers
Parents were also given the opportunity to leave us a comment about anything they cared to share with the school. Their remarks help bring our survey numbers to life:

"Baylor exceeded our expectations of being welcomed as a family.”

“I want to thank the Baylor school for their warm welcome; this is an awesome school.”

“Our son is thriving, and we are so happy for him.”

“Our daughter has thrived at Baylor. Thank you for a wonderful first year!”

“My son is all in and really grew in his first year.”

“Our daughter been saying she’s ready for school to start for weeks.”

“Our son was pushed harder than ever, which is exactly what our son needed and we what we were hoping for.”

“My child keeps saying that she misses Baylor in the summer and can’t wait to get back on campus for a new school year.”

“There seems to be a brother/sisterhood that did not exist where our child previously went to school nor where we went to school.”

“Thank you for providing such a wonderful experience for my child!”

Shop theOnlineSpirit StoreHere!

When you are on a Baylor merch search you can now shop our convenientonline Spirit Store, which offers a curated selection of Baylor branded apparel and accessories to outfit your every day.

Our assortment is always growing and changing, so check back often for new brands and products to show your Red Raider spirit year round!

The BaylorSpirit Store, located on the bottom floor of the Student Center, offers everything you need to show your Baylor Spirit! Our inventory is always fresh, so check it out often. And our products are from quality brands you'll recognize, including Nike and Vineyard Vines.

You'll also find novelty items - from bumper stickers to water bottles - that will help identify you as a Red Raider. And for the convenience of students, alumni, and parents, the store stocks a nice selection ofschool supplies.

Contact:

Sarena Hurston
423-267-8506, ext. 855
shurston@baylorschool.org

Two Alums Step Onto World Stage at Paris Olympics

Two Baylor alums stepped onto the world stage with athletes from184 countriesat the 2024 Paris Olympics.

PGA pro Stephan Jaeger ’08 claimed a spot on Team Germany for the Paris Olympic Men’s Golf Tournament, andswimmer Jack Kirby ’19represented his native country of Barbados.

Jaeger currently ranks 31st in the Fed Ex Cup Standings and earned his first PGA TOUR win out-dueling Scottie Scheffler in the final group at the Texas Children’s Houston Open in March.

He has seven professional wins with six coming on the Korn Ferry Tour. Jaeger is the first to shoot 58 or better in a PGA TOUR sanctioned event winning the 2016 Ellie Mae Classic with a Korn Ferry Tour record 30-under, 250 total.

A native of Munich, Germany, he was part of the Baylor golf dynasty, helping the Raiders to two of their 17 state championships with the 2006 team setting the TSSAA record for the lowest 18-hole score at the state championship. He went on to play for the UTC Mocs and hascalled Chattanooga home for 18 years. He and his wife Shelby have a son, Fritz.

A top Barbados swimmer, Kirby finished third in his heat of the men’s 100-meter freestyle at the Paris Olympic Games on July 30, clocking a time of 50.42 seconds, but was short in advancing to the semifinals.

Kirby was a boarding student at Baylor and following graduation he attended the University of Southern California. At Baylor, he still holds theBaylor Swim Club team record in 100 meter backstroke (56.19), which was set in 2018.As a senior, he took home first in the 100 yard back (48.21) and second in the 100 yard free (44.57) at the 2019 TISCA Tennessee state championship meet.

At USC, hefinished 10th in the 200-yard Backstroke (1:42.59/1:41.63) at the 2022 Pac-12 Championships. In 2021, he provided depth for theTrojans in the backstroke events, racing in two individual events at the Pac-12's.

Baylor Welcomes New Faculty and Staff for 2024-25

Baylor launched the start of the 2024-25 school year welcoming 24 new faculty and staff members during orientation the week of August 5.

Pictured above (front row, left to right on bottom step) areSheila Earl, Middle School world languages instructor; Lana Peppers, Middle School fine arts instructor;Liz Smith Ritter ’96, boarding admission associate;Elizabeth Napolitano, admission associate;Hannah Rosser ’20, Middle School world languages instructor;Molly Clounch, athletics (basketball);Mary Stagmaier Lenes ’10, regional cultivation director;Kate Tew, special events manager; (second row, left to right)Katie Christnacht McKenna ’99,prospect research and development assistant;Nastassja Hagan, Upper School science instructor;Callie Caperton, Upper School history instructor;Karen Wolfe, Upper School mathematics instructor;Rev. Matt Farr ’03, school chaplain and Upper School history instructor;Jonas Rodriguez, Middle School history instructor;Crockett Rodriguez, Upper School Learning Center instructor; (back row, left to right)Samson Miller, athletics (diving);Aaron Brown, athletics (tennis);Beyuan Hendricks ’19, athletics (basketball);Scott Fulkerson, maintenance;Quinn McDowell, athletics (basketball);TylerStinnett ’00, director of major gifts and stewardship;Kim Hayen, Upper School science instructor; andLeslie Franklin Wall '10,Health Center.

Joe Key Award Builds Connections While Enjoying Maine

Class of 2025 students who were selected for this summer's Joe Key Award trip were(front row, left to right) Johnny Sutter, Fisher Greenfeld, Benjamin Daniel, Reed Martin, Vivian Vetzel, Tate Harrisonand (back row, left to right) Head of SchoolChris Angel '89, Brent Coppage, Max Norman, Gussie Smith, Meghan Royal, Maddie Winchester, and Tova Ajayi.

A group of 12 rising seniors savored the final days of summer break by traveling to Acadia National Park in Maine for seven days of sea-kayaking, hiking, and camping on the annual Joe Key Award trip.

The annual triprecognizes selfless character and honors the late Joe Key, who worked at Baylor from 1961 to 1988 as a military instructor and study hall supervisor and was affectionately known as “Sarge.”

“My experience on the Joe Key trip was amazing, I was able to connect with my peers in a whole new setting and grow. I was also able to experience new things and make long lasting memories," said rising senior Maddie Winchester '25. "My favorite part of the trip was before or after dinner when we would play games, card games or Hacky Sack. I also enjoyed sitting around the fire and being able to talk with one another and have conversations that we might not have had at school.”