Drexel School System 2015-2018 Strategic Plan

The Drexel School System Strategic Plan 2015-2018

Let us open wide our hearts.

It is joy which invites us.

Press forward and fear nothing.

St. Katharine Drexel

The Drexel School System is a resource-rich, cutting-edge approach to Catholic education. Committed to redefining student engagement through robust technology and data-driven instruction, the Drexel School System is Transforming Catholic Education.

The Drexel School System Vision Statement Drexel Schools seek to prove that the creation of a new model of Catholic schools is possible and scalable. Guided by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the network of Drexel Schools forms the whole person through faith, knowledge, community, and by leveraging the resources and knowledge of a network of Catholic schools. Drexel Schools are recognized for sending forth into the greater community Christ-centered, compassionate, and confident leaders and problem solvers who exercise moral courage and service to others in their daily lives.

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SECTION I. SITE MATTERS

The items in Section I are specific strategic items requiring attention and action by the individual Drexel School sites.

I.1. Catholic Identity I.2. Academic Rigor I.3. Facilities I.4. Fiscal Responsibility I.5. Community Engagement I.6. Enrollment/Retention

I.1. Catholic Identity The Drexel Schools are committed to maintaining deeply spiritual communities united in the Catholic faith. All school employees are models of the faith and actively teach the values, heritage and traditions of the Catholic Church. The Drexel Schools fully engage the school community in formation opportunities including ongoing invitation to participate in prayer, the sacraments and in service to the community.

Drexel Schools will maintain Catholic identity through religious practice and education.

Engage and integrate the parish pastor appropriately into the formative life of the school Prepare the children to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation* Evaluate and update religious instructional texts and resources as necessary Continue daily religious instruction, including traditional and daily prayer, as essential components of core instruction Implement a preliminary site-level service learning initiative in accordance with the Drexel School System SLProgram Intentionally invite parents into the spiritual life and practices of the school and children *As appropriate at each site and contingent upon pastor agreement and the approval of the Bishop

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I.2. Academic Rigor The Drexel Schools are committed to providing a rich and robust academic curriculum that supports the learning of all students. Vested in the model of blended-learning, Drexel Schools offer a competitive educational opportunity that focuses on the holistic development of essential skills for young learners.

Drexel Schools will set and monitor student performance benchmarks and engage in thoughtful, data-driven instruction.

Determine and articulate site data benchmarks for student performance in core areas Articulate and effectively executed trimester data reports reflecting individual student growth, classroom gains and site differentials per the site benchmark Develop and implement individualized instruction and intervention plans for students who fail to meet the site benchmark Create and integrate a formal study skills curriculum K-8 Drexel Schools will remain committed to the full integration of Blended Learning as the primary instructional method for core instruction.

Support and monitor the certification of all teachers in “best practices” for Blended Learning Support and monitor the participation of all primary site leaders in the Principal Leadership Institute Monitor and evaluate classrooms for effective blended learning practices, in alignment with the expectations of the Drexel School System

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I.3. Facilities The Drexel Schools are committed to providing a learning environment that meets the academic, social and spiritual needs of teachers and students. Drexel Schools carefully steward resources to ensure that the development of the facility is in alignment with the mission of the school and the demonstrated needs of the academic, social and spiritual community.

Drexel Schools will maintain clean and safe school sites that support student learning.

Update and maintain site improvement assessments that reflect critical areas of need for continued student learning Ensure that school site is in full compliance with DSJ and CA safety protocols and expectations Conduct a preliminary internal evaluation of instructional and co-curricular space to determine high-priority areas of need for the future development of a master site plan

I.4. Fiscal Responsibility The Drexel Schools are committed to ensuring the sustainability of Catholic education. The Drexel Schools are thoughtful and conscientious about stewarding resources in accordance with the expectations of the Drexel School System.

Drexel Schools will manage finances with a priority on sustainability.

Comply with invoicing and expenditure procedures Implement a formal tuition assistance process for site-level aid Implement a tuition management collection procedure Implement a qualified and committed Finance Committee in accordance with the expectations of the Drexel School System Implement an annual budgeting process with periodic reporting and analysis, consistent with a 3-year fiscal plan

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I.5. Community Engagement The Drexel Schools are committed to partnering with parents in the education and formation of all children. The Drexel Schools have active and engaged parent communities that regularly and consistently support the needs of the school. Parents take on important leadership roles and work collaboratively, under the direction of the Principal, to further the mission of each Drexel School.

Drexel Schools will cultivate parent leadership by forming and monitoring important parent leadership groups.

Establish and evaluate for effectiveness a School Advisory Board that meets regularly and attends all important school events and meetings Establish and evaluate for effectiveness a School Fundraising Team that meets regularly and attends all important school events and meetings Establish and evaluate for effectiveness a School Admissions Team that meets regularly and attends all important school events and meetings

I.6. Enrollment/Retention The Drexel Schools are committed to the active recruitment and retention of quality families committed to Catholic education. The Drexel Schools work collaboratively with site leaders and School Marketing Teams to support site enrollment and retention needs.

Drexel Schools actively engage in and consistently execute strategic, targeted recruitment efforts.

Implement all required characteristics of the Drexel School System Branding Plan Conduct exit interviews with all departing families, keeping record for strategic response Set and maintain an overall school enrollment goal based on optimal class size and site-specific demographics Set and maintain an overall school retention rate with a target System retention of 93% Actively engage in targeted recruitment including the development of a School Admissions Team, in alignment with those expectations set forth by the Drexel School System

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SECTION II. SYSTEM MATTERS

The items in Section II are specific strategic items requiring attention and action by the Drexel School system.

II.1. Catholic Identity II.2. System Relations II.3. Enrollment/Retention II.4. Academic Integrity II.5. Financial Integrity/Development and Community Engagement

II.1. Catholic Identity The Drexel School System is committed to maintaining deeply spiritual communities united in the Catholic faith. All Drexel School System employees are models of the values, heritage and traditions of the Catholic Church. The Drexel School System fully engages the wider community in support for Catholic education.

The Drexel School System will actively support Catholic identity as a primary priority in the Drexel Schools.

Implement and support the work of a Mission and Membership committee on the Board of Directors Design and implement a system-wide integrated service learning program Engage and support pastors and parish leadership in the support of Catholic identity throughout the Drexel School System

II.2. System Relations The Drexel School System is committed to maintaining outstanding relationships between the governing authority of the Drexel School System and the Drexel Board of Directors. The collaborative spirit of the Drexel School System supports positive and productive leadership that is focused on stewarding resources for the Drexel Schools.

The Drexel School System will implement clear expectations and roles for each major leadership group and conduct annual evaluations for effectiveness.

Articulate internally and externally the specific role of the Drexel Board Refine a tool for the ongoing measurement of the effectiveness of the Drexel Board Delineate and articulate the unique roles of each Drexel Group including the Drexel Board, the Executive Committee, the Superintendent of Schools and the Assistant Superintendent - Drexel School System 7

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II.3. Enrollment/Retention The Drexel School System is committed to supporting the Drexel Schools in the active recruitment and retention of quality families committed to Catholic education. The Drexel School System has a vested interest in the healthy enrollment of each Drexel School and works collaboratively with site leaders and parent marketing teams to support the enrollment and retention needs of each school.

The Drexel School System will actively support the development of site marketing teams and partner with each Drexel School to execute strategic, targeted recruitment efforts.

Develop and implement Drexel brand, fully integrate across DSJ and each Drexel site Support individual sites in development and implementation of Site Brand Develop and support site-level Parent Admissions Team at each Drexel site Articulate and monitor expectations for site-level Parent Admissions Team and site-level administrators Articulate and monitor expectations for DSJ Admissions and Enrollment Specialist Implement a common application for admissions at a singular, DSS supervised landing page Implement a common site for admission inquiries including tours and requests for information at a singular, DSS supervised landing page Set, monitor and support enrollment targets for each site Set, monitor and support retention targets for each site Implement and support the work of a Board Enrollment Committee that supports the goals of the Drexel School System and Drexel School Sites (as appropriate)

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II.4. Academic Integrity The Drexel School System is committed to ensuring that the Drexel Schools maintain a high standard of academic achievement. Championed by the full integration of Blended Learning, the Drexel School System supports and evaluates for effectiveness the successful incorporation of technology and data-driven instruction in the classroom.

The Drexel School System will support and evaluate the effectiveness of each Drexel School relative to data-responsive Blended Learning and data-driven classroom instruction.

Develop and implement a rubric-based tool for blended learning instruction Implement and monitor trimester data-based benchmarking, classroom and site Develop and implement an instructional planning tool for data-driven instruction for the classroom and for the site Develop and implement a reporting tool for trimester testing data reports, Site › DSJ Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of blended learning benchmark relative to each school Articulate and monitor expectations for DSJ Blended Learning Specialist Create and implement a comprehensive, common language for accreditation reporting, inserted uniformly across all Drexel School System sites WCEA/WASC accreditation reports Implement and support the work of a Board School Committee that supports the goals of the Drexel School System and Drexel School Sites (as appropriate)

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II.5. Financial Integrity/Development and Community Engagement The Drexel School System is committed to stewarding the necessary resources to support the efforts and needs of the Drexel Schools. The Drexel School System actively seeks opportunities to build community partnership for the visioning and development of the Drexel program. At all times, the Drexel School System is committed to ensuring that all cultivation activities align with the mission of the Drexel School System and support the learning environment and experience for all children.

The Drexel School System will evaluate need and secure appropriate resources to support the financial demands of operating the Drexel Schools.

Develop, articulate and implement a plan to ensure the financial sustainability of each site Develop, articulate and implement a plan to ensure the financial sustainability of the DSJ Drexel Initiative, operations, management and resources Support site-level fundraisers and help set realistic targets for budgeting purposes Develop and support site-level Parent Fundraising Team at each Drexel site Supervise and support site-level financials including expenses/ reimbursements Implement a structured tuition management system at each site Develop and implement an annual fundraising and/or community building event for Drexel Re-establish the existing Board Committee to focus exclusively on funding for Drexel, including sourcing donors and preparing casual and formal fundraising events and opportunities Implement and support the work of a Board Finance and Development Committee that supports the goals of the Drexel School System and Drexel School Sites (as appropriate) The Drexel School System will make scalability a significant area of focus for future planning.

Develop, articulate and implement a plan to expand the number of schools in the system Recruit, Retain and develop high quality educators and system personnel Evaluate the staffing model/organizational chart relative to current and future needs

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DREXEL SCHOOL SYSTEM Schools of Distinction

Board of Trustees

Catholic Academy of Sunnyvale Holy Spirit School, San Jose Most Holy Trinity, San Jose Resurrection School, Sunnyvale Saint Clare School, Santa Clara Saint Joseph School, Mountain View Saint Patrick School, San Jose

Board Chairman Mr. Howard Graham

Executive Leadership Vicar General, Fr. Brendan McGuire Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Robert Serventi Superintendent, Mrs. Kathy Almazol Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Tara Rolle

School Committee Mrs. Patty Tennant, Chair Mrs. Kathy Almazol Dr. Pedro Hernandez-Ramos Dr. Tara Rolle Mr. Gordon Shukwit Ms. Karen Suty Enrollment Committee Ms. Karen Suty, Chair Dr. Tara Rolle Mr. Ron Hallagan Mrs. Jennifer Baran* Finance Committee Mr. Ron Hallagan, Chair Mr. Robert Serventi Mr. Thomas Yacono* Mission/Communications Committee Mrs. Mary Beth Riley, Chair Sr. Chris Maggi Mr. Jose Flahaux Fr. Mark Arnzen

Visit us at drexel.dsj.org For more information, contact: Dr. Tara Rolle Assistant Superintendent of the Drexel School System trolle@dsj.org 408.983.0183

Development Committee Mr. Jose Flahaux, Chair Fr. Brendan McGuire Ms. Kristi Saso * Member of a Board Committee but not a member of the Board of Trustees

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