Where the Grey School Is Headed

Well met Wizards and Friends, As always, I hope that the day finds you in good health and high spirits!

As the excitements of the new year fade and February continues its frigid march toward spring, I’ve found my mind taken more and more to thinking about where we’re headed and what it takes to move in that direction.

Last year the School was able to raise just over $6,000, which is indeed no small feat and one we are all thankful for. Most impressive to me is that this was started so late in the year, with our formal efforts only beginning around August. And of course, we as a community found ourselves rising to that challenge not only to support our School in a broad sense, but also in response to our vote to lower tuition. Access to education is something I am deeply passionate about, and lowering the cost of entry to GSW, while contrary to typical financial savvy, truly felt to me like the right path for us to take. However, I noted that doing so would, perhaps ironically, come with a cost. To lower tuition meant that GSW would have to embark on more fundraising efforts, and as a community, we would need to answer that call.

Such a choice was one I felt needed to be put to the community, and so it was that we held a vote. And overwhelmingly, we voted to open our gates wider by lowering tuition and making ready to support our School’s fundraising efforts.

It was a deeply moving moment for me, and one I felt vindicated in manifesting when on December 31st of 2025 we hit our fundraising goal, only those few short months after we began. Now we find ourselves in 2026, and it is time for us to set new goals and to lay out a little about what these new goals will accomplish.

Let it be known: our 2026 GSW fundraising goal is $15,000.

Not a small chunk of change all in one go, but over the course of this year I suspect we’ll be able to accomplish it.

Now it must be asked, at least by the wise, what is it that GSW plans to do with $15,000? And to that I’d say, many things.

First and foremost, it should be understood that a good portion of what is raised goes directly to operational costs. Costs that were once covered by tuition now need to be seen to in other ways, and fundraising makes up the bulk of that. Things like paying our faculty, keeping the website and virtual platform running, upkeep on our physical campus, new and returning pupil scholarships and work scholarships, and general quality-of-life improvements are generally what donations go toward. In total, the difference in tuition we’re seeking to make up via donations yearly is (roughly) $10,000.

The additional $5,000 we’re looking to raise this year will largely go toward reinforcing these structures; however, it will also support new endeavors, such as our GSW Publishing House launching February 14th. I’m quite excited about this project coming to life and am keen to share that you’ll be able to find Kindle versions of all our academic papers available on day one. Of course, that’s only the beginning, as we will also begin accepting manuscripts for review from our faculty and Journeymen. We will also be allowing submissions from our sixth- and seventh-year apprentices. Now, if you’re not a member of the School and have something you’d like to publish, I fear you’ll have to wait just a little longer. More details will be available in my February 14th article.

Beyond the Publishing House, GSW is keen to take a step into the world of field research and exploration as well. While I don’t have too many details to share just yet, as we’re still in the process of setting things up, I can say that we are making plans for a 2027 trip to the UK and looking at the possibility of setting aside a small amount to begin the development of an “Expeditionary Fund.” This would allow us to send small teams consisting of a faculty member and up to three senior apprentices to conduct field research. I hear tales of tigers in New Guinea, and what a thought it would be to send a team of Beast Mastery Wizards to follow up on such things. Dreams for now perhaps, but so are the seeds of many great things.

I’m also very interested in setting aside a small fund to assist talented pupils in attending our yearly conclave here at Highspire Manor. Each year it truly is a highlight to see so many of our pupils and faculty gathered in one space, to share stories and food, a laugh or a talk along the walls. These things are priceless, and they are a meaningful stone in the foundations of what our School offers. In fact, it was the 2025 conclave that inspired my thinking to lower tuition in the first place. The benefit given to those who attended was not only in community and good times, though those are pleasant and no doubt important, but in the learning that took place, the growth that was given space to unfold. That is something I would like to see made available to more of our pupils. Alongside this year’s broader fundraising efforts, we’re also introducing a new Patronage Plan for those who’d like to offer steady, ongoing support to the School. This plan simply exists as a way to help sustain the work we’re doing here, month by month, in a manner that’s predictable and genuinely helpful on the operational side. For some, that kind of quiet, consistent support is easier than one-time giving, and this gives it a proper home. As with all such things, participation is voluntary and the purpose is straightforward: helping the School remain steady as it continues to grow.

Of course, this is merely where donation flow will be directed, and a plethora of other projects await announcement. That said, I fear if I were to go into the detail those announcements deserve here, we’d wind up with another book for the Publishing House. So let it suffice to say that GSW is making a strong step into 2026 and beyond.

With your help, Each footfall will land cleanly, Striding boldly, As we continue to Strive and Become.

Yours in Service and with my most Wizardly of Regards, Headmaster Nicholas Kingsley ᛞ www.GreySchool.org

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