Igniting the Tradition — Strategic Plan For Reitz Memorial High School 2022-25

IGNITING THE TRADITION STRATEGIC PLAN FOR REITZ MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL 2022-2025

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT It is my pleasure to present the Reitz Memorial High School Strategic Plan for 2022-2025. This plan is a result of an intentional effort that involved faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and benefactors of our school community. The result is an achievable, detailed, and well-developed plan for the future of Reitz Memorial High School.

Why is this Strategic Plan important? It serves as our vision for what we can be when we come together around a common cause. It helps unleash our potential as we gear up for our next century of operation and it points the way forward toward a future of possibility.

The educational landscape is rapidly changing. The students of today face trials we could not have dreamed about only ten years ago. As the ground shifts it is important that we adapt to meet the challenges of the day. It is also important that we never lose sight of who we are and what has made our school community special for so long.

That is why we are Igniting the Tradition. For the next three years, we will improve, adapt, and grow through a special focus on our Catholic identity, investments in our faculty and staff, and intentional outreach to our Reitz Memorial community. We will accomplish all of that proudly rooted in the story of who we are.

Now the real work begins. To succeed, I ask that our community invests in this work with their time, talent, and treasure. It will take a commitment by all of us to accomplish the goals laid out in this plan. May we all work together to ensure Reitz Memorial High School continues to be a place where all students are pushed to their highest potential in an environment where our Catholic faith is our foundation, where we seek excellence in everything we do, where we never hesitate to serve our sisters and brothers, and where tradition never graduates.

Gratefully, Christian Mocek President

LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL As an educator, I understand how important it is to have a plan. Whether it was a syllabus, a list of topics to cover, or being aware of that day’s major events, I had to know where I wanted to go. We always began our semester with the end in mind, with knowing what our goal was.

That is why I am thrilled to be sharing that we have finalized the Reitz Memorial High School Strategic Plan for 2022-2025. We are beginning this three-year journey with the end in mind – our goals are clear, our plan is achievable, and I am confident this school community will rally together to accomplish the work ahead.

As a student at Reitz Memorial, I knew what was expected of me and I knew there was a community of support that surrounded me. I was pushed to my highest potential by exceptional teachers whom I now have the privilege of working with. I was taught about my Catholic faith, expected to pursue excellence on the field and in the classroom, and encouraged to serve those most in need. I learned what the Reitz Memorial tradition was all about and what it means to be part of this special community of faith.

As we work to Ignite the Tradition over the next three years, our priority is to ensure today’s students have a similar experience through encouraging their spiritual, academic, and personal growth. However, we know we cannot accomplish that work without also investing in our faculty and staff. We will work diligently to ensure they are supported, appreciated, and able to excel.

This work is only possible with the prayerful and financial support of our parents, alumni, and friends. It will take a commitment from the entire Reitz Memorial community to accomplish our goals. I am grateful for what we have already accomplished together, and I look forward toward a future of hope.

Sincerely, Aaron Schmitt Principal

CATHOLIC IDENTITY Strategic Goal: Reitz Memorial High School will maintain a vibrant Catholic school community anchored by faith and guided by mission, in which all members can more deeply live their faith.

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Objective 1: Provide inviting, inclusive, and student-centered faith formation for all students.

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Objective 2: Empower faculty and staff to support and strengthen the mission of Reitz Memorial High School and carry out their ministry in the Catholic faith.

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Objective 3: Help support our students, parents, and alumni to develop lifelong engagement with their faith and parish community.

CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE Strategic Goal: Reitz Memorial High School will have a high-quality, highly skilled, and productive faculty and staff, and a rewarding work environment where employees lead with a deep understanding of, and commitment to, Reitz Memorial’s vision, mission, and core values.

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Objective 1: Positively contribute to the physical and emotional well-being of employees.

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Objective 2: Provide a structured professional development program, inclusive of faith formation, to advance the skills and competencies of all faculty and staff.

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Objective 3: Enhance the collaborative community among faculty, staff, and administration

COMMUNICATION Strategic Goal: Reitz Memorial High School will ensure open and timely communication both internally and externally among students, parents, faculty, staff, and administration.

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Objective 1: Assess and strengthen technology use to support effective communication among students, parents, faculty, staff, and administration.

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Objective 2: Audit and re-design digital communications to ensure our brand is authentic, well-defined, and known by our stakeholders.

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Objective 3: Create systems of feedback and accountability that holds faculty, staff, and administration to a high standard of professionalism when communicating.

SUSTAINABILITY Strategic Goal: Reitz Memorial High School will improve brand recognition, maximize enrollment, and expand and deepen the culture of philanthropy to position the school for long-term financial sustainability and growth.

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Objective 1: Grow annual alumni giving and engagement to support the students at Reitz Memorial High School.

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Objective 2: Develop and implement a comprehensive enrollment and marketing plan to increase student enrollment.

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Objective 3: Develop a plan for the next comprehensive capital campaign that seeks to create 21st century learning spaces as well as an endowment to support the needs of Reitz Memorial High School for the next 100 years.

GENERAL INFORMATION VISION STATEMENT Providing an environment where God inspires, we educate, students thrive.

MISSION STATEMENT Reitz Memorial High School is a Christ-centered Catholic community which educates all students to their highest potential by developing religious values, providing excellence in education, and fostering a commitment to service.

CORE VALUES Faith, Excellence, Service, Tradition

ABOUT US Reitz Memorial is a comprehensive school including grades 9 through 12. It is an inter-parochial Catholic High School operating under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Evansville.

Reitz Memorial exists to inspire and educate students to their highest potential. We combine academic excellence and a wide range of extracurricular activities in a supportive, family-like, Christ-centered, Catholic environment. All students are empowered to grow academically and spiritually, placing value on ethical and social responsibility.

Our current students, recent graduates, and 10,000+ alumni demonstrate how a Reitz Memorial education prepares our students for success in college and in life.

ACCREDITATION Indiana Department of Education Cognia

AFFILIATIONS INPEA: Indiana Non Public Education Association NCEA: National Catholic Educational Association

Thank you to all of those who helped form our Strategic Plan

IGNITING THE TRADITION REITZ MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL 1500 Lincoln Ave • Evansville, IN 47714 • (312)476-4973 • www.reitzmemorial.org