ASCENSION EPISCOPAL SCHOOL FORWARD TOGETHER
2026 - 2030
STRATEGIC PLAN
Dear Ascension Episcopal School Community, It is with great joy and gratitude that I share Ascension Episcopal School’s Strategic Plan — a blueprint that will guide our school over the next four years and position us for continued excellence as we prepare for our next Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) accreditation cycle. This plan represents far more than a collection of goals. It is our shared direction and our commitment to intentionally shaping the future of Ascension. It reflects who we are today while boldly challenging us to become all that God is calling us to be. While every strategic plan has a beginning, it should never have a final chapter. Education is constantly evolving, and so are the needs of our students and families. For that reason, we view this as a living document — one that will continue to grow and strengthen as we listen, learn, evaluate, and respond. Our destination remains clear, even as the path may be refined along the way.
This vision did not emerge from one person’s ideas. It was built through the voices and wisdom of many. I am deeply grateful to our School Board, administrative leadership team, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and community members who generously shared their perspectives through surveys, focus groups, planning sessions, and countless conversations. Their honesty and unwavering belief in Ascension helped shape every priority found within these pages. Together, we identified seven strategic priorities that will define our work: Strengthening our mission, identity, and spiritual formation Advancing academic excellence and program innovation Growing enrollment by building meaningful relationships and expanding opportunity Developing the whole child through student life and social-emotional wellness
Ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability Continuing our commitment to safety and security Investing intentionally in our campuses and operations Woven throughout these priorities is a deeper commitment to stewardship, service, partnership, and generosity. We will work to make an Ascension education more accessible to mission-fit families and students with strong merit, while cultivating gratitude in those who have been shaped by this community. As we invest in the character, leadership, and faith of our students, we will also teach them to pour back into the place that has poured so much into them — bringing this commitment to life through community partnership and service to others. These priorities are not independent initiatives. They are interconnected, each supporting and strengthening the others as we continue to deliver what we proudly call the Ascension Advantage — an educational experience where students are known, challenged, loved, and prepared to lead lives of purpose. As Head of School, I firmly believe our greatest strength has never been our buildings, programs, or traditions alone. Our greatest strength is our people. When board members, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, students, and friends of the school unite around a common mission, there is no limit to what we can accomplish together. The next four years will require thoughtful planning, disciplined stewardship, collaboration, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities. Some initiatives will begin immediately, while others will unfold over time. Throughout the process, we remain committed to transparency, accountability, and
continual assessment to ensure our work remains aligned with our mission and responsive to the needs of our community. I am incredibly optimistic about the future of Ascension Episcopal School. Together, we will continue building a Christcentered community where students flourish academically, grow spiritually, discover their gifts, and develop the character to positively impact the world around them.
Thank you for believing in our mission, investing in our students, and partnering with us in this important work. We have every reason to be hopeful about what lies ahead, and I am honored to serve alongside each of you as we shape the next chapter of Ascension Episcopal School. Let’s go tell our story! Faithfully,
Sarah Lee
Head of School
M ISSIO N, I DE NTI TY, & SPI RI TUAL F O R M ATI O N
Goal 1
Deliver the Ascension Advantage as a lived experience Define the “Ascension Advantage”
as a clear articulation of what sets the school apart across academics, athletics, arts, spiritual life, leadership, and community engagement
Embed our mission intentionally
into all aspects of school life, including curriculum, programming, and daily interactions
Embody our identity
as a vibrant Christian school grounded in Holy Scripture and the Anglican tradition by providing opportunities for hands-on and experiential learning that help students grow in mind, body, and spirit, connecting faith, service, and real-world application
Foster servant leadership
by expanding service opportunities in our community and beyond
Ensure consistent messaging
and shared language around our mission across faculty, staff, students, and families
Why it matters When a school clearly defines and consistently lives its mission, it strengthens its culture, deepens student formation, and ensures that families understand the unique value of an independent school education. What makes Ascension special goes beyond academics — it is the integration of faith, learning, leadership, service, and community that shapes the experience of every student.
Goal 2
Prepare students for future success through rigorous & engaging academic experiences Maintain high academic standards
with a focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and intellectual curiosity
Expand experiential & hands-on
learning opportunities that connect classroom content to real-world applications
Ensure curriculum alignment
across divisions to provide a seamless and cohesive academic journey
Differentiate academic offerings
to meet diverse student needs and interests, including advanced and support pathways
Continuously evaluate & refine
programs to ensure relevance, rigor, and alignment with future-readiness goals
Why it matters In a complex and ever-changing world, academic excellence must go beyond the walls of a classroom. By providing a holistic educational experience, students learn to think critically, adapt confidently, and thrive in college, career, and life.
AC ADE M I C E XCE LLE NCE & PROGRA M E X PERIE NCE
EN ROLLMEN T & COM MUNI TY E NG AG E M E NT
Goal 3
Foster & grow an engaged school community built with families aligned with Ascension’s mission Define & actively recruit families
who align with Ascension’s academic, spiritual, and community expectations
Prioritize student retention
as the most efficient and mission-aligned driver of enrollment stability
Expand access through tuition assistance to attract high-potential students who may not otherwise afford enrollment
Create clear pathways for parent participation, including volunteerism, leadership roles, and community-building initiatives
Improve consistency, clarity, & transparency
of communication across all divisions and stakeholder groups
Empower current families to serve
as ambassadors by equipping them with tools, messaging, and opportunities to share the Ascension story
Develop strategic partnerships
with local organizations and community groups to broaden reach and visibility
Why it matters The strength of a PreK-12 independent school begins with meaningful relationships. When families feel connected, informed, and valued, they are more likely to remain engaged, share their story with others, and help ensure the long-term vitality of our school.
Goal 4
Equip the whole child with future-ready skills Establish a unified “We Are Ascension” framework that clearly defines character development and school culture
Ensure alignment of standards & behavioral
expectations with students, school, and parents through consistent communication and education
Provide structured life skills programming
that prepares students for real-world situations, including conflict resolution, self-advocacy, and decisionmaking
Strengthen Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) with a consistent, school-wide approach that is developmentally appropriate across grade levels
Integrate intentional opportunities for leadership development and service into student life programming across all divisions
Why it matters In addition to academic achievement, students need the tools to navigate the real world. Learning to selfadvocate, resolve conflict, manage emotions, build resiliency, and communicate effectively is essential to thriving in school and beyond.
S TUDE NT LI F E & SOCI AL-E M OTI ONA L W ELLNE SS
FI SCAL SUSTAI NABI LI TY
Goal 5
Steward resources with transparency & strategic investment Balance affordability with sustainability through thoughtful tuition and tuition assistance strategies
Maintain disciplined budgeting practices aligned with strategic priorities
Ensure all expenditures are mission-aligned and contribute to long-term value
Clearly communicate with stakeholders regarding financial stability, fundraising, and development initiatives
Explore diversified funding streams,
including partnerships and auxiliary programs
Why it matters Long-term success depends on responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to our school. By maintaining financial discipline, communicating transparently, and pursuing diverse sources of support, we can preserve the affordability, accessibility, and excellence of an Ascension education.
Goal 6
Protect the well-being of every student with a comprehensive & proactive approach Expand the definition of safety to include physical, emotional, and digital well-being
Implement robust incident reporting and tracking systems to improve visibility and accountability
Conduct regular internal & external risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities
Provide ongoing training
for faculty, staff, students, and families on safety protocols and awareness
Strengthen communication systems
to ensure timely and transparent updates
Why it matters Parents entrust their child’s safety — physical and psychological — to our school each day, and that responsibility requires a comprehensive commitment. Through proactive planning, ongoing training, strong partnerships, and transparent communication, we strengthen our ability to protect and support every member of our school community.
SAFE TY & SE CURI TY
FACI LI TI E S & OPE RATI O NS
Goal 7
Create an environment of excellence to support learning & community Align all facilities decisions
with long-term strategic goals and mission priorities
Advance and communicate a phased facilities
master plan that supports the school’s long-term vision
Implement proactive maintenance strategies to reduce long-term costs and disruptions
Enhance campus environments
to reflect quality, pride, and excellence
Create systems for stakeholder input on facilities improvements and needs
Why it matters The environment in which students learn, grow, compete, and connect plays a key role in their overall experience. By thoughtfully stewarding our campuses, planning for future needs, and maintaining high-quality facilities, we create spaces that support excellence, reflect pride in our school, and advance the long-term vision of Ascension.
Dear Ascension Family, On behalf of the School Board, I am pleased to share Ascension Episcopal School’s Strategic Plan, which will help guide the next chapter of our school’s growth and development. This plan reflects the thoughtful collaboration of many members of our community, including parents, faculty, staff, school and church leadership, and trustees.
Grounded in our mission and values, it outlines key priorities that will help ensure Ascension continues to provide an exceptional educational experience while remaining rooted in our Christian identity. As with any strategic plan, this document is intended to be both purposeful and adaptable. The Board and school leadership will review progress regularly, using it as a framework for setting goals and responding to the evolving needs of our school. I am grateful to everyone who contributed to this process, particularly Shannon Lynd, an alumna parent with a rich history of service to our school, who skillfully guided this deliberate and inclusive process. Her commitment, along with that of Head of School Sarah Lee and countless others, is a testament to the strength of our school community. At its heart, this strategic plan is about more than goals and initiatives.
It is a commitment to nurturing students who are intellectually curious, spiritually grounded, and prepared to lead lives of purpose and service. It challenges us to dream boldly, steward our resources wisely, and continually seek new ways to fulfill our mission in a changing world.
Ascension’s greatest strength has always been its people. We are blessed with exceptional students, dedicated families, talented faculty and staff, and faithful leadership. Together, we have built a remarkable community, and together, we will shape its future. With faith & gratitude,
Sara Trawick
Chair, Ascension Episcopal School Board
O U R M I SSI O N
Ascension Episcopal School is committed to educational excellence in a Christian environment.
O U R SC H O O L P R AYE R
O Heavenly Father, who has given us Thy Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer and friend: help us to understand His friendship, and to do such things as would please Him. Bless us in our work and our play. Make us gentle, generous, truthful, kind and brave. Keep us in purity of heart, and let the life of our school go on from strength to strength and have its place and meaning in Thy Kingdom: all of which we ask through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.