Dear Urban Community Member,

As you probably know having driven down Oak Street, the new Academic and Athletics Center is now only about three months away from completion. We are so excited to see the newest -- and largest -- Urban expansion coming to fruition so quickly and beautifully. We also are celebrating a very special milestone with Head of School Mark Salkind – his 30th year as Head. In honor of both Mark’s longtime commitment to Urban, as well as his successful stewardship of the North Campus Expansion and extraordinary contributions to the school, it is my pleasure, on behalf of the Urban Board of Trustees, to announce that our new Academic and Athletics Center will henceforth be known as The Mark Salkind Center.   

Mark began his association with Urban as a Freshman student 50 years ago – at the very birth of the school –when there were 22 students and seven faculty/staff. Mark’s Class of 1970 was the second to graduate from Urban.

He began his long career with Urban in 1981, directing the Urban Arts program. He started teaching shortly thereafter, and also worked in Development, helping to raise $1.3 million to purchase the Gumption Building in 1984.

Named Director (now Head of School) in 1986, Mark has overseen the growth of the school for more than 30 years, and during that time not only has the school grown steadily in students, faculty, buildings and reputation, it has become a nationally known leader in educational innovation and excellence.

In seeking the secret to Mark’s and Urban’s success, what I found are two key things that he has done continuously as Head of Urban. First, Mark has always been and continues to be a relentless champion, cheerleader and supporter of Urban’s innovative approach to education and its uniquely supportive culture of academic excellence. Secondly, he has constantly pushed the institution and its people to grow and do better. Those two things combined have created a school that is among the most unique, inventive and emulated high schools anywhere in the country. Urban truly does do high school better, and has for 50 years.

Guiding Urban through all the societal, educational, economic and technological changes these past 30 years has been no simple task. Our community is incredibly fortunate to have had Mark Salkind during this time. Urban would not be Urban without his leadership. For these reasons, the Board is pleased to name The Mark Salkind Center in his honor.



Please join me in congratulating Mark!


My very best,

Scott Sklar (Emily ’16)

Chair, Urban Board of Trustees