Hammond School Strategic Plan

fu•ture n

an expectation of advancement or progressive development

Defining the future

How paramount the future is to the present when o

O of changes and challenges as it has grown to become the premiere inDear Hammond Community,

ver the course of our 45-year existence, Hammond has faced a myriad

dependent school in South Carolina. We have graduated over 2700 of the best and brightest students in the area, many of whom have excelled in their chosen field of endeavor--be it medicine, law, education, business, the sciences, or the arts. The growth of our academic program and campus has been relatively quick for a school of our age, and quite expansive. Hammond has become an impressive addition to Columbia, but more importantly, we have developed a reputation for unique and creative ways of educating young people, a strong sense of community, a spirit found nowhere else, and an appreciation for the world around us. The following strategic plan, unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees, will serve as a blueprint to help build Hammond in new ways, while continuing to improve upon that which we do so well: educating young people.

Our Strategic Planning Committee consisted of a committed group of faculty members, parents, Board Members, and administrators who were charged with the task of helping develop the school’s direction. Following thoughtful discussions and a collaborative effort, the goals of the strategic plan include focusing on the following areas: community, curriculum, faculty and staff, technology, and financial support. As we work toward these goals, and as we define the future of Hammond, our objective is to strive for improvements where needed, while capitalizing on the successes of yesterday. We are thankful to everyone involved in the process. Please join us in helping make this plan a reality.

Jay Courie Chair, Board of Trustees

Bill Smith Chris Angel Committee Chair Head of School Vice-Chair, Board of Trustees

Defining the Future ... A Plan for

when one is surrounded by children. - Anonymous

Strategic Planning Committee Chris Angel Jeff Barnes Mary Best Rene’ Bickley Michael Borden Julie Brooks Jay Courie Bob Davis Jill Davis Karen Dukes

Andy Edgren Peter Fawcett Anne Fowler (‘90) Lee Harvin Katherine Hopkins Jim Lewis Blair Lowry Jody Lumpkin (‘96) Bill McElveen (‘76) Jodie McLean

Grace Moore (‘99) Rebecca Penland (‘82) Matt Radtke Laura Riley Jeff Selig Bill Smith Jason Tompkins Kelley Woody David Zalesne

Contents I. Goal One Community II. Goal Two Curriculum III. Goal Three Faculty and Staff IV. Goal Four Facilities V. Goal Five Technology VI. Goal Six Financial Support

com•mun•ity n

any group with a shared interest or goal

Defining the Future ... A Plan for

Community Hammond School will develop and maintain a unified atmosphere that is inclusive, welcoming, accepting, and affirming of the humanity of every individual.

Rationale Hammond recognizes that the value of a unified community lies in being a part of something larger than the individual. Additionally, Hammond recognizes the value of inclusivity in a school community as a way to support student achievement and preparation for college and life beyond Hammond.

Sub-goals 1. Hammond will demonstrate unconditional support and regard for the individual differences of those in the Hammond and global communities.

2. Hammond will identify and clarify the core values of the institution..

3. Hammond will foster a culture where honor is valued from PK-12.

4. Hammond will foster a culture where service is valued from PK–12.

5. Hammond will strengthen relationships with alumni, expand database, and educate our constituents on the value of network.

As a PK-12 school, Hammond will develop, articulate, and implement a research-based, continual, integrated curriculum that incorporates best practices of instruction to prepare students for continued education in college and beyond.

Rationale Hammond realizes that a purposefully designed curriculum is the foundation that defines a school.

Sub-goals 1. Hammond will develop a dynamic curriculum that balances cognitive, social, emotional, and physical wellness and is based on educational research from around the world.

2. Hammond will recognize the potential of the individual and strive to present material using differentiated instruction and by providing academic enrichment centers to promote learning for all students.

3. Hammond will further develop a college counseling program that fosters an understanding of the college process, encourages students to explore a variety of opportunities, and provides advocacy for individual students.

4. Hammond will foster a culture where experiential education opportunities are valued and accessible from PK-12.

These opportunities include, but are not limited to: arts, athletics, wilderness experiences, international and national travel.

5. Hammond will prepare students to thrive as citizens of the world by identifying and fostering key strategic alliances and exchanges with other academic institutions and businesses around the world, including both student and faculty exchanges.

Defining the Future ... A Plan for

Curriculum

cur•ric•u•lum

n

a set of courses constituting an area of specialization

fac•ul•ty n

the teaching and administrative staff and those members of the administration having academic rank in an educational institution

Defining the Future ... A Plan for

faculty & staff Hammond will recruit, retain, and develop diverse faculty and staff that implement the Hammond School mission by delivering academic excellence, enhancing the school community through collaboration among divisions and creating an environment where every student can develop to their full individual potential. Hammond will seek faculty and staff members who are enthusiastic life-long learners, experts in their subject areas, role models of high character, and genuinely excited about working with students.

Rationale Hammond recognizes that the success of students greatly depends on the quality of our faculty and staff. Professional development will keep our teachers and other members of the community current with best practices as well as continuously provide an infectious energy and enthusiasm that will model and inspire a love of learning that never ends. The school must provide and support the faculty with the right tools to ensure that our students will be well rounded and successful in a global, competitive environment.

Sub-goals 1. Hammond will have a competitive pay structure and recruitment strategy to attract and retain a quality, diverse faculty.

2. Hammond will further develop and implement a structured, transparent faculty, staff, and administration evaluation policy.

3. Hammond will further develop and implement a model Professional Development program to include up-to-date teaching techniques, curriculum, and technology for all faculty and staff.

4. Hammond will have faculty who are engaged with students outside of the traditional classroom.

In order to foster a community of learners and interactive collaboration, the school will design facilities that teach, where every space is purposefully utilized and becomes an active part of the educational experience. Our physical space will set an expectation of excellence.

Rationale As a premier college preparatory institution that prepares students to enter college with the skills necessary to compete with the best and brightest around the world, we must create an environment that maximizes optimal learning.

Hammond recognizes that campus facilities must be designed to support the active and collaborative learning of all members of the school community as leaders and learners in a competitive 21st century school.

Sub-goals 1. Hammond will develop and implement a campus master plan, utilizing our entire campus to meet all the needs of our constituents 2. Safety/Security/Access – We will design, develop, and maintain security, and age-appropriate access for all campus visitors and residents.

3. Public Image/Marketing/Community – In all of our facilities develop ment and maintenance, we will be mindful of our public image, marketing, and community outreach objectives by creating a clean, aesthetically pleasing and welcoming environment which promotes collaboration and unity among all three divisions.

4. Hammond will develop a maintenance plan that is cost effective and energy efficient. We will endeavor to incorporate sustainable building and maintenance practices for all facilities and grounds.

Defining the Future ... A Plan for

future

facilities

fa•cil•i•ty n

Something that is built, installed, or established to serve a particular purpose

e

tech•nol•o•gy n

the usage and knowledge of tools, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization Defining the Future ... A Plan for

technology Hammond will become a model among independent schools in the use of educational technology.

Rationale Proper use of technology will add immeasurably to the learning experience of each student, improve achievement, facilitate teaching and learning, and reinforce the school’s commitment to the environment. We believe that the appropriate use of technology can enhance the interdisciplinary curriculum, provide ways for our students to stimulate creative inquiry, intellectual achievement, and independent thinking.

Sub-goals 1. Hammond will maintain and support a technology committee that will evaluate the current and future uses of technology in all educational environments around the world and recommend strategies to the school.

2. Hammond will further develop a comprehensive vision and plan for technology.

3. Hammond will host an educational technology conference and have faculty and staff present at local, regional, and national conferences, demonstrating our effective use of technology.

4. Hammond will incorporate technology to improve the integration of information across administrative areas and connect all Hammond constituents.

Hammond School will fully fund the operation, maintenance, and growth of the institution.

Rationale The Board has a fiduciary responsibility to the Hammond Community to ensure the school remains a viable and sustainable institution.

Sub-goals 1. Enrollment: Hammond will increase enrollment by improving market awareness, measured by applications per opening, and will make every reasonable effort to retain students who are eligible to return, decreasing attrition.

2. Voluntary Giving: To promote institutional advancement, Hammond will emphasize and cultivate the School’s voluntary giving programs, making the growth of the endowment a priority and increasing the Annual Fund each year.

3. Debt: When necessary, Hammond will maintain a level of debt appropriate for an institution of its size, benchmarking against comparable independent schools, and will use surplus funds, when feasible, to reduce outstanding debt.

4. Operations: Hammond will price tuition and fees at market level to the fund operation, debt service and strategic initiatives of the School and to support and grow the Plant Replacement, Renewal and Special Maintenance fund.

Defining the Future ... A Plan for

financial support

fi•nance v

the obtaining of funds or capital