La Salle Academy Strategic Plan

LETTER FROM OUR CHAIRMAN

DearMembersoftheLaSalleAcademyCommunity,

WhenLaSalleAcademywasfoundedin1848,fourDeLaSalleChristianBrothers hadjustarrivedinNewYorkCityfromFranceandimmediatelyestablisheda Lasallianschoolfor90boysinachurchbasementonCanalStreet.Today, LaSalleAcademystillstands,providingthebestofanindependent,Catholic, all-malecollege-prepschoolformorethan200studentsinNewYorkCity

Almosttwocenturieslater,ourmissionremainsunchanged. LaSallecontinues tobeaplacewherestudentsaretaughthowtocriticallythink,read,andwrite; wheretheyareencouragedtocultivatearelationshipwithalovingGod;and wheretheyarepreparedtobecomelife-longlearners,challengedtoexploretheir horizonsthroughintellectualcuriosity.

As we prepare to celebrate La Salle Academy’s 175th anniversary of our founding, we take this moment not only to reflect on our school’s enduring legacy and to celebrate this historic milestone,buttobegintosetoureyesonthefuture Overthelast18months,LaSalleAcademy’s President,Principal,andBoardofTrusteeshaveworkedinconcerttore-imagineapathforward, identifying areas where we can strengthen our operations and reinvigorate our school communityinthecomingyears.

IncommitmenttoourLasalliantraditionandunderstandingthecriticalroleLaSalleplaysinthe lives of our students, faculty, leadership, and alumni, we now embark on the diligent implementation of La Salle Academy’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. The strategic goals and objectives of this plan are ambitious, yet achievable, and will result in the transformational growthofourschoolforgenerationstocome.

OnbehalfoftheBoardofTrustees,Iwouldliketothankourschool’sleadershipandfacultywho will help make this Strategic Plan a success, and it is with heartfelt appreciation that I acknowledgeourstudents,parents,andalumniforyourongoingcommitmentandsupportofLa Salle Academy’s mission. As Chairman and a La Salle Academy alum, I can proudly say that the futureofLaSalleAcademyisapromisingone.

Chairman

SalvatoreLaRocca’82

Salvatore LaRocca ’82 Chairman

FamiliesandFriendsofLaSalleAcademy,

Asweclosethe2022-2023academicyear,weareeagertocommencecelebrationsfor La Salle Academy’s 175th anniversary! Founded in 1848, La Salle Academy has remained committed to providing a holistic human and Christian education to the youngmenwhomweserve,preparingthemforhighereducationandlife-longsuccess Tomarkthismilestoneandprepareourschoolforitsnextchapteroftransformational growth, we are pleased to present you with La Salle Academy’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.

This plan has had a lengthy gestation and reflects input from faculty, staff, and administrators. It benefits from an analysis of demographic data and from survey resultsreceivedfromparentsandalumni.TheTrusteesoftheschoolhavecontributed to it and endorsed the final text. The content reflects a corporate commitment to movingalongapathwaytothefuturewithintentionality. WhileLaSallewillcontinue toemphasizethehallmarksofitsheritage-faithdevelopment,serviceorientation,and communitybuilding–itwillalsofocusonfosteringcreativethinking,honinganalytical skills,andensuringtechnologicalliteracy.

While the person charged with the school’s leadership will change, the initiatives set forthinthisdocumentareindependentoftheindividualservingasPresidentandwill provideourschoolcommunitystrategicdirectionandforwardmomentumintheyears to come. Because this strategic plan is a living document, it will be impacted by unexpectedforcesanditsimplementationnuancedbytheindividualschargedwithits realization. The initiatives are clear and their substance solid. Their fulfillment will resultinLaSalleAcademyconfidentlyevolvingtorespondtotheneedsoftomorrow’s students

Saint John Baptist de La Salle, the namesake of our school, initiated the Lasallian movement almost three and half centuries ago. It is now a vibrant international network to which La Salle Academy belongs. De La Salle was intent on providing a quality human and Christian education to the children of the working class and to youngsters whose families were economically in need As a person of faith and zeal, with a dash of daring audacity and a dose of practical creativity, La Salle relied on DivineProvidencewhileheworkeddiligentlytoaccomplishhismissionofservingthe youngpeopleentrustedtohim.

Inspiredbyhisexample,weembarkonourpathwaytothefutureofLaSalleAcademy

BrotherThomasP.Casey,FSC Dr.ThomasS.Fitzmaurice President(2019-2023) President(2023-)

Brother Thomas P. Casey, President

Dr. Thomas S. Fitzmaurice, Incoming President

EDUCATINGYOUNGMENSINCE1848

MISSION

We create experiences of community within the school and encourage each student to develop his gifts and talents for his own growth and to engage in the caring service of others.

La Salle Academy is a rigorous all-male private, independent college-preparatory Catholic high school conducted in the Lasallian tradition. We educate students of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and offer opportunities for them to fulfill their potential. We provide a nurturing environment, which fosters spiritual, moral, intellectual, emotional, and physical growth. We challenge young men to be successful students, foster a commitment to service, and prepare our graduates to be life-long learners and caring citizens of the world.

VISION

La Salle Academy is known for our unique Lasallian pedagogy, educating students to become men of faith who possess a global conscience and who demonstrate an ongoing appreciation of life-long learning.

We will strive to model ourselves as a loving community of service, especially those most in need, entrusted to us by parents and guardians, providing students with a human and Christian education. We will faithfully respond to our vocation, gifted and sent as ambassadors by Jesus Christ, and we will embrace a vision grounded in our Lasallian Catholic heritage.

OURCOREBELIEFS

We understand that the implementation and transformational outcomes of La Salle Academy’s 2023 – 2026 Strategic Plan must be guided by our core beliefs in order to meet the challenges of the future, sustain our school’s legacy and operations, and better serve the members of our school community.

OURLASALLIAN CATHOLICIDENTITY

We will embody the mission of our founder and the Catechism of the Catholic Church in all activities, decisions, and policies that impact our school community.

FAITHFORMATION

We will provide opportunities for spiritual development in the Lasallian Catholic tradition across the curriculum, in daily classroom activities, and in all extracurricular opportunities in order to deepen the faith of our students and their relationship with Jesus Christ.

HOLISTIC EDUCATION

EFFECTIVEINSTRUCTION &CURRICULUM

DIFFERENTIATED LEARNING

ASAFESCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

We will provide an education that authentically incorporates intellectual, spiritual, moral, social, emotional, and physical growth.

We will cultivate critical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, personal integrity, experiences of collaboration, and responsibility in all students.

We will educate students with equal consideration and with the support necessary for each student to reach the highest level of academic achievement.

We will create a safe and educationally sound environment in which we as a community live as models of faith, compassion, and kindness.

SELF-DEVELOPMENT

We will constantly strive for the development of our professional qualifications and knowledge base, sharing best practices and demonstrating commitment to innovation in order to motivate and empower each student to achieve at his highest level.

DIVERSITY&INCLUSION

We will build and foster a community of individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds and encourage them to become socially responsible and culturally sensitive persons.

SOCIALJUSTICE

We bear a responsibility to the wider community which requires that we emphasize global awareness, local community service, and a concern for peace and justice.

COMMUNITY

We will continue to be in partnership with parents, alumni, and civic and spiritual leaders in our endeavor to form good citizens and active members of religious congregations.

STRATEGICINITIATIVE1:MISSION

Goal: La Salle Academy will reaffirm our commitment to living out and sharing the Lasallian mission.

Focus and Strategic Objectives: Our Lasallian Catholic identity is the mortar that binds our community together, despite the challenges we face. Working collaboratively with La Salle’s Campus Minister, Mission Council, and Lasallian Animator, we will continue promoting and cultivating the Lasallian charism and mission to faculty, staff, students, Trustees, alumni, and benefactors, ensuring Saint John Baptist de La Salle’s message and mission are everlasting

1.1 Develop and implement programs that embrace and promote the Lasallian tradition and mission across all school constituencies.

1.2 Expand the Lasallian charism beyond our immediate school community.

1.3 Nurture a Lasallian legacy among our alumni.

STRATEGICINITIATIVE2:ACADEMICEXPERIENCE

Goal: La Salle Academy will continue to strengthen and modernize our academic program, propelling students to succeed and embrace life-long learning

Focus and Strategic Objectives: Preparing students for life-long success and learning in the Lasallian tradition has never been more important. Students today are not only expected to achieve in all academic areas, but to do so while constantly adapting to the rapid technological advances of today’s digital age. At La Salle Academy, we pride ourselves on providing students with an authentic educational experience that focuses on the development of the whole person. Our faculty are not only subject matter experts in teaching students how to succeed at the collegiate level, but also take a differentiated approach to teaching, helping each student cultivate his critical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, personal integrity, and responsibility as he prepares to become a contributing member of society.

Over the next three years, we will continue to update our curriculum, invest in our academic resources, and strengthen our partnerships with colleges and universities to ensure that our students are provided every opportunity to broaden their individual interests and achieve at the highest levels of academic success.

2.1 Innovate our curriculumin key areas to maintain our competitive edge and prepare students for postgraduate success.

2.2 Invest in our teaching staff and classroom technology to ensure students and teachers have the resources they need to thrive.

2.3 Revitalize and expand our partnerships with colleges and universities.

STRATEGICINITIATIVE3:FISCALOPERATIONS

Goal: La Salle Academy will achieve long-term financial solvency to sustain our operations for future generations.

Focus and Strategic Objectives: La Salle Academy is at a turning point in our school’s 175-year history. With drastic changes to the educational and financial landscape in recent years, we have a responsibility to maintain a financially stable and resilient academic institution, capable of enduring future challenges. Great strides have been made by our school’s leadership tostrengthen La Salle’s financial structures, practices, and protocols. Looking ahead, we will remain committed to building a sound financial model for La Salle Academy by identifying new revenue streams and implementing fiscal best practices to sustain our school’s mission for generations to come.

3.1 Establish and implement robust modeling and monitoring protocols and fiscal best practices to ensure active and sound management of La Salle’s financial operations.

3.2 Achieve a balanced operating budget by the 2026-2027school year.

STRATEGICINITIATIVE4:ENROLLMENT&RETENTION

Goal: La Salle Academy will enhance our admissions strategies and maximize retention rates to increase the size of our student body and sustain our school’s long-term viability

Focus and Strategic Objectives: La Salle Academy plays a unique role within today’s college preparatory landscape. Our challenging academic curriculum, Lasallian pedagogy, vibrant school community, and culturally diverse student body sets us apart from our peers. Integral to our school’s legacy has been our commitment to offering need-based tuition assistance to students experiencing financial need, as well as granting need-blind merit-based scholarships. While La Salle remains a top school of choice for many prospective students, we have experienced a decline in enrollment and retention rates in recent years, primarily among students who cannot afford the full cost of tuition.

Over the next three years, our leadership and staff will take an aggressive approach to increasing enrollment and retention rates by 2026. In fidelity to our Lasallian mission, maintaining affordable tuition rates will be a priority as we work to recruit the next generation of Lasallian students and cultivate a healthy school community.

4.1 Implement an aggressive enrollment program to increase student enrollment annually.

4.2 Maintain and increase student retention by faithfully stewarding the student and parent experience.

4.3 Right-size the number of tuition-paying and need-based students while continuing to deliver our Lasallian mission.

“Totouchtheheartsofyourstudentsis thegreatestmiracleyoucanperform.”

-SaintJohnBaptistdeLaSalle,Med139.3,FeastofSt.Peter

STRATEGICINITIATIVE5:ADVANCEMENT

Goal: La Salle Academy will revive our advancement program and grow our philanthropic revenue to ensure ongoing support and expansion of our mission.

Focus and Strategic Objectives: From his earliest days as a newly ordained priest, Saint John Baptist de La Salle embodied a philanthropic heart. He gave generously to his community through his dedication to educating marginalized young people and founded schools for boys from working-class families who would otherwise not have access to a basic human and Christian education.

La Salle Academy continues to rely on the generous philanthropic support of our alumni and benefactors to ensure we can carry out our mission and subsidize tuition costs for families experiencing financial hardship. The Advancement Office is central to this work, and moving forward, will amplify its efforts to increase fundraising revenue to advance and sustain La Salle’s mission and operations.

5.1 Augment the capacity of our Advancement Office by restructuring positions and hiring new talent.

5.2 Increase La Salle Academy’s annual philanthropicrevenue over the next three years to strategically fund the operational and budgetary needs of the school.

5.3 Building upon Saint John Baptist de La Salle’s legacy, instill a culture of philanthropy among Trustees, donors, parents, and alumni.

STRATEGICINITIATIVE6:LEADERSHIP

Goal: In fidelity to the Lasallian tradition, our Board of Trustees will continue to broaden their vision, reinforce sound board governance, and support school administrators to advance La Salle Academy’s future growth

Focus and Strategic Objectives: The role of our Board of Trustees is to actively endorse our school’s mission and help steer La Salle toward long-term success. Great progress has already been made by Trustee leadership to analyze areas where the school must pivot in order to achieve long-term financial and operational solvency. With the collaborative support of administrative leadership, the Board will continue to play an integral role in overseeing the successful implementation of La Salle Academy’s 20232026 Strategic Plan. We will also continue to review the composition of our current Board and seek out new Trustees whose expertise, belief in the Lasallian mission, and leadership qualities will strengthen the effectiveness of La Salle Academy’s Board of Trustees.

6.1 Formalize and fully develop the Board structure.

6.2 Empower the Board of Trustees, individually and collectively, to see that the school continuesto thrive.

6.3 Formalize Board practices and milestones for ongoing financial and operational evaluations.

“Takecarethatyourschoolrunswell.”

-SaintJohnBaptistdeLaSalle,Letter42-toBrotherRobertinDarnetal,26February1709

Goal: La Salle Academy will research and select the best option for an optimal location for the school as of the 2025-2026 academic year

Focus and Strategic Objectives: In 1848, four Christian Brothers opened the first site of La Salle Academy in a church basement at 26 Canal Street. After many relocations throughout our 175 years in Lower Manhattan, in 2010, La Salle moved into its current school building on East 6th Street that it shares with St. George Academy. With approximately 220 students enrolled today, and with the upcoming expiration of our current lease in 2025, La Salle Academy must consider our options for determining a long-term solution for a school building that will accommodate our plans for future growth and ensure our long-term financial viability. As we embark on the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, our leadership will work swiftly to determine the optimal solution for either continuing to lease the building on East 6th Street or identifying the location that will best meet the needs of our students and school community.

7.1 Assess La Salle Academy’s options for the most viable solution for a long-term school building.

7.2 Determine a permanentsite for La Salle Academy’s operations by February1, 2024.

Thankyoufromourentire schoolcommunity.

LA SALLE ACADEMY LEADERSHIP

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

President (2019 - 2023)

Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC

Incoming President (2023 - )

Dr. Thomas S. Fitzmaurice

Principal

Ms. Kerry Conroy

Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs

Ms. Nicole Freeman

Assistant Principal for Student Services

Mr. Jerome Pannell

Director of Enrollment Management

Ms. Megan Welling

Director of Recruitment and Admissions

Mr. Anthony Chin

Senior Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations

Mr. Thomas Ferro

Director of Major Gifts and Grant Funding

Mr. Justin Talavera

Athletic Director

Mr. Jerome Pannell

Director of Campus Ministry

Br. Richard Galvin, FSC

Director of Finance

Mr. John Cregg

Director of Human Resources

Ms. Mary Kenny

Director of Administration

Ms. Mary Anne Glassen

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Chairman

Mr. Salvatore LaRocca ‘82

Co-Vice Chairmen

Mr. Martin Cottingham ‘88

Mr. Jason Snipe ‘99

Members

Br. Charles Barbush, FSC

Mr. Stephon Barnes ’97

Ms. Tamara Britt, Esq.

Br. Frank Byrne, FSC

Br. Thomas Casey, FSC, Ex-Officio

Mr. Joseph Cruz ’03

Br. Francis Eells, FSC

Mr. Carl Gambino ’76

Dr. Nicole Grimes

Ms. Candace Hammonds

Dr. James McLaughlin ’86

Mr. James Murphy ’72

Ms. Tara Prout

Mr. John Sullivan III, Esq.

Mr. Ramon Tallaj Ureña

Mr. Vincent Tese, Esq. ’60

Mr. Benjamin Ventresca, Jr.

Chair Emeritus

Mr. Valentine Lehr ‘58