ESK Strategic Plan 2022-2027

HOME OF THE SAINTS

Dear ESK Community,

In a world of educational change, it is a very exciting time to be at The Episcopal School of Knoxville. The 2022-2023 school year has opened with incredible energy and much jubilation, as we move beyond the challenges faced these past few years. Now serving more families than ever, ESK eagerly looks forward to its next chapter of success.

Over the past year, the Board of Trustees has been working diligently to develop our next strategic plan. Planning for the future of the school is one of the most significant responsibilities of the Board. As we approach the twenty-fifth anniversary of the school’s founding, we want ESK’s trajectory to be met with great success.

We engaged The Education Group, a national consulting firm, to guide us through a strategic process. Dave Davies, an experienced consultant, has worked beside the Board and community to bring us to a good plan for our next five years.

The process included in-depth interviews with Board members and administrators which then led to the development of a stakeholder survey generating over two hundred responses. Dave then came to campus to lead meaningful discussions with seven focus groups including, parents, faculty, administrators, Board members, and school supporters. The information brought forth by these discussions and survey responses was presented to the Board and administration in a detailed report. During the summer in June, this group met for a four-hour retreat session where we reviewed the school’s mission statement, reflected upon our vision, discussed the survey results, and developed the potential “planks” of the plan.

After refining the proposed document, we presented it to the faculty and the Board in August. Both groups unanimously approved the plan which we are now proud to share with you in the pages that follow.

We are excited about the clarity that this process has brought to the direction in which the school should proceed. We also extend our sincere thanks to the many individuals who have helped shape ESK’s strategic path, and we remain extremely grateful for the care and dedication shown by the many members of our school community. Our foundation is indeed solid, and our future is without question very bright.

Sincerely,

The Rev. Dr. Jerry Askew Chair of Board

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

F or almost twenty-five years, The Episcopal School of Knoxville has excelled in educating young people. At the heart of the school is the student experience. We know early childhood, primary, and middle school education, and we do it well. ESK has explored expanding to include a high school and has determined that, for at least the next five years, our efforts would be more productive if focused on the JK-8 grade levels.

We will further develop and refine our programs toward our goal of being the premier JK-8 school in East Tennessee through:

• Focusing our efforts and attention on a JK-8 curriculum that engages academic mastery, practical application, creativity, vertical integration, and adaptability through the lower to middle to high school transitions.

• Increasing the number of sections in our current grades to enable more students to experience an ESK education and provide expanded social opportunities and increased diversity of all kinds while maintaining current student:faculty ratios.

• Enhancing our gifted, counseling, and learning support programs through increased staffing and program development.

• Growing and refining our program for visual, performing, and theatrical arts.

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

ESK has an opportunity to position ourselves as a leader in educational spaces that will make us unique in the Knoxville area.

While continuing to provide a top-quality college preparatory program, we will explore developing signature programs, as well as strengthen and celebrate our current distinctive programs through:

• Continuing to develop the ESK graduate as a thriving student in their continuation of education.

• Developing an outdoor, environmental curriculum for all students grades JK-8 that embraces opportunities to apply core academic knowledge to outdoor education while utilizing our magnificent campus and natural resources of east Tennessee.

• Maintaining, enhancing, and communicating our character education programs including TRIBES.

• Reinforcing, celebrating, and communicating our Episcopal identity and what that means in the lives of our students, faculty, and families.

• Exploring the creation of a childcare facility for ages birth to Junior Kindergarten.

MARKETING, ADMISSIONS, AND COMMUNICATION

ESK will invest in marketing, communications, and student recruitment to ensure full enrollment and to explore increasing our student body.

We will reach more families through:

• Developing an advancement model that incorporates marketing, communications, fundraising, and admissions.

• Increasing staffing in advancement.

• Actively marketing ESK’s signature programs, inclusive culture, character education, and Episcopal identity across East Tennessee.

PLANK FOUR

FACILITIES

The ESK campus is attractive and spacious and affords us with many educational opportunities. Enhancing our facilities, expanding to allow enrollment and program growth, and maintaining current facilities are keys to the future success of the school.

We will enhance our campus and facilities through:

• Updating the campus master plan to facilitate our focus on grades JK-8 and our intent to increase the outdoor education program.

• Creating a plan to increase classrooms, expand the learning center and outdoor classroom space, and create an all-school assembly and performance facility.

• Developing a long-term maintenance and replacement plan to be funded by the PPRRSM (Provision for Plant Replacement, Renewal, and Special Maintenance) account.

PLANK FIVE

FINANCES

ESK is in a solid financial position, and we wish to further strengthen that position to guarantee the school’s vitality in the future.

We will ensure the continued financial strength of the school through:

• Continuing to budget for the maintenance of our campus and facilities with a goal of adding 2% of the operating budget annually to the PPRRSM account.

• Exploring a capital campaign to increase facility growth, as well as endowment funds for scholarships that will enable all qualified children to experience an ESK education.

• Aligning faculty salaries with the median salaries of comparable private schools and local public schools within five years.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Voting Members

The Rev. Dr. Jerry Askew  Chair of Board

Mrs. Rachel Hacker

Vice Chair of Board

Mrs. Nicole Underwood

Secretary

Mrs. Brandi Henson

Treasurer

Mrs. Stella Sudderth  Executive Member at Large

Non-voting Members

Dr. Jack Talmadge

Head of School

Ms. Katie McHargue

Director of Finance & Operations

Mr. John Mayo  Bishop’s Representative

Mrs. Jan Brown

Mr. Joseph Fielden

Mr. Doug McKamey

Mrs. Venice Peek

Dr. Pat Rutenberg

Dr. Angela Smithey

Ms. Anne Sprouse

Mr. Chad Vander Wert

Mrs. Corinne Mattern

Director of Advancement

Ms. Beth Sterchi

Lower School Director

OUR MISSION

The mission of The Episcopal School of Knoxville is to prepare JK-8 students for higher education and a lifetime of learning within the context of a loving, inclusive and family-centered community. We enrich our students’ intellectual, physical, cultural and spiritual growth so that they may realize their potential as children of God and citizens of the world.

Our spirit glows while Building Bright Futures on our Solid Foundation. ”

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SCHOOL MOTTO