BOLDER. BRIGHTER. STRONGER.
2018 STRATEGIC DIRECTION
BOLDER.BRIGHTER.STRONGER.
CONTENTS 2 Introduction 4 Purposefully Strengthen Educational Excellence 6 Boldly Honor Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 8 Strategically Manage Finance and Enrollment 10 Generously Fuel Fundraising and Campus Improvement 12 Conclusion
Dear Friends, On the heels of an ambitious agenda of construction and growth, fueled by the concerted action of Sanford School’s entire community, we find ourselves in a position of strength. Our enrollment is solid. Our finances sound. Our ability to achieve our mission elevated. On a campus enhanced by versatile new spaces — thanks to our generous donors — we are even better equipped to provide our diverse student body with an educational experience like no other. As with any human endeavor, there’s always a stronger, bolder future to be imagined, a position higher on the mountain, more strategically located. And at Sanford, we’re not satisfied with remaining idle when there’s the potential to shine even brighter — to solidify our competitive edge as a leader in cultivating the unique talents of each and every student to walk our halls. Over a year ago, we embarked on a new strategic planning initiative, taking a close look at the place where we find Sanford today and boldly envisioning the Sanford we hope to become. In the typical Sanford way, we proceeded thoughtfully and collectively. Everyone’s voice mattered. The result is an exciting strategic direction that allows for an equally thoughtful path forward — driven by the very people who live and breathe Sanford each and every day. Rather than charting turn-by-turn directives for our future, it offers coordinates to guide our course as we seek to make an excellent educational experience truly exceptional. It affords us the agility to continuously reroute in real time, leaving us poised to seize the opportunities we encounter. This nimble plan revolves around four core areas found at the heart of who we are and what we do — our guiding stars if you will — and outlines ways to amplify their brightness. We intentionally included multiple perspectives in the plan’s elements to encourage dialogue that tests our ideas and advances our thinking. We are pleased to present you with these carefully crafted coordinates — an authentically Sanford approach to becoming a BOLDER, BRIGHTER, STRONGER version of the incredible school we already are. We invite you to join us on the journey.
Mark J. Anderson Head of School
Ted H. Dwyer III President, Board of Trustees
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Educational excellence. Diversity, equity, and inclusion. Sound finance and enrollment management. And fundraising that fuels continuous campus improvement. These are Sanford’s guiding stars. They define us. They orient us. They make our mission possible. And stoking their fire makes Sanford itself shine brighter. As we navigate the road to a stronger Sanford, the following coordinates, derived from these four stars, will guide our course. Rather than providing turn-by-turn directives, they offer agile routing, responsive to the opportunities that lie ahead.
BUT IT’S NOT
2018 STRATEGIC DIRECTION
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A JOURNEY WE CAN TRAVEL ALONE...
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G U I D I N G S TA R
Purposefully Strengthen Educational Excellence At Sanford, achieving educational excellence is an ongoing endeavor, steered by teachers who aren’t just instructors, but mentors and models of life-long learning. When we fuel our faculty’s passion and nurture their professional development, we shape a campus characterized by active learning, intellectual risk-taking, and innovation.
DESTINATION Through the relentless pursuit of educational excellence, innovation for the future, and attention to the critical relationship between teacher and student, we will ensure that “no talent lies latent”— strengthening the quality and the impact of the Sanford education.
COORDINATES
Sustain and grow our culture of high, personalized expectations and support for Sanford faculty, staff, and students, as well as an environment of continual organizational improvement.
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Sanford allows kids to explore interests in all subjects and be well-rounded, which is drastically undervalued in the education system. There’s no better way to prepare for college than to explore every interest, take risks, and ultimately work hard. Sanford provides the perfect environment for that. –Sanford Alumnus Develop and nurture innovative programs that differentiate and define the Sanford experience while continuing to allow faculty the flexibility and autonomy to create and own a highimpact curriculum.
Provide faculty and staff with meaningful professional development by continuing to furnish study grants, ensuring the routine dissemination of best practices, and encouraging in-house opportunities for growth.
Implement robust professional feedback and evaluations to ensure continuous improvement for all faculty and staff.
no talent lies latent
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G U I D I N G S TA R
Boldly Honor Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion By developing our students’ appreciation for a diversity of cultures and vantage points, Sanford prepares them to embark on their own paths as leaders in a global world. Our welcoming, supportive environment will shine as an example of diversity, equity, and inclusion for others to follow.
DESTINATION To fully honor the diversity of our students and the communities they represent, we will ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are engrained in the fabric of the Sanford community through representation, curriculum, policy, and culture. Sanford will prepare students as leaders who consider and appreciate diverse perspectives and cultures.
COORDINATES
Recruit and retain outstanding educators and administrators who reflect the diverse world in which we live.
We have a very accepting community. We don’t try to make everyone
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Provide curriculum, programming, faculty training, and community outreach that demonstrate our commitment to diversity, cultural competency, and global inclusion.
Ensure that Sanford’s policies and handbooks capture the spirit of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment that respects, embraces, and supports not only the common beliefs we share, but also recognizes, engages, and values our unique differences and perspectives.
similar because we understand that our strength lies in our differences.
–Sanford Student
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G U I D I N G S TA R
Strategically Manage Finance and Enrollment Without students, our mission is meaningless. Without tuition, its implementation impossible. Maintaining a healthy equilibrium between enrollment and revenue requires dexterity and careful attention to our evolving market. By forging boldly and efficiently forward, we strengthen our capacity to provide the finest education possible.
DESTINATION Sound and innovative enrollment management and financial practices will yield ongoing, long-term financial stability for the school, promoting Sanford’s competitive edge.
COORDINATES
Manage enrollment through innovative marketing and solid student retention strategies, as well as through continued endeavors to generate excitement about the Sanford experience.
Monitor the balance between tuition revenue and enrollment to ensure the school’s ability to fulfill its mission.
We found a great fit here for our son. I think Sanford is a gem in the arts, and sports. I know the cost is a concern, as it was
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Understand, anticipate, and address changing market conditions to manage enrollment levels and costs in order to remain competitive in the marketplace.
Ensure competitive compensation, benefit levels, and professional development opportunities to attract, retain, and develop an exceptional faculty and staff.
community with strength in academics, for us, but it has been completely worth it. –Sanford Parent
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G U I D I N G S TA R
Generously Fuel Fundraising and Campus Improvement The visionary evolution of our campus. Financial aid that promotes a socioeconomically diverse student body. A healthy endowment that allows us the latitude to dream big. Simply put, the flexibility to plan, reroute, and pursue our goals requires fundraising strategies that support growth and the generosity of Sanford supporters everywhere.
DESTINATION Sanford will enhance the student experience for current and future generations through astute investment in its people, programs, and facilities, advanced by the school’s successful fundraising endeavors.
COORDINATES
Develop a Campus Master Plan to address the needs of the Sanford community of today and tomorrow.
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By enhancing our instruction with state-of-the-art technology, we can provide our students with real-world experiences. This type of immersion prepares our kids for college, careers, and life. –Sanford Teacher
Plan future fundraising campaigns with a strong emphasis on timing and feasibility.
Coordinate complementary and parallel fundraising efforts to address important operating and campus needs, as well as to grow the endowment.
Account for facility needs to accommodate enrollment and raise new funds that specifically support Sanford’s innovative teaching and learning initiatives.
planning for the future
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Join us for the journey It took many voices to craft these coordinates. And it will take many more to pilot the path ahead. Whether you’re an advocate or an administrator, a donor or a doer, we hope you will embark with us on this exciting expedition to a bolder, brighter, stronger Sanford.
IT’S AN EXPERIENCE YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS.
–Sanford Administrator
BOLDER.BRIGHTER.STRONGER.
If we want future students to enjoy the benefits of cutting-edge spaces, conducive to the latest innovations in instruction and technology, that’s going to require ongoing evaluation and funds to support the changes.
6900 LANCASTER PIKE HOCKESSIN, DE 19707-0888 302.235.6500 SANFORDSCHOOL.ORG
Strategic Planning Committee: Mark Anderson Lynn Casto Ted Dwyer III (Chairperson) Chris Grundner Andrew Jefferson Holly Kalish Susan Keiser Lisa Lloyd-Washington Jaime Morgan Kathy Nachbar Sharon Rubin
I have been a part of several strategic planning initiatives and am particularly proud of this one. With Sanford’s mission as a guide, BOLDER, BRIGHTER, STRONGER finds a good balance between aspirational goals and practical solutions. This is a plan that will be useful, effective, and successful. –Sanford Trustee & Alumni Parent