From the shoulder of Storm King Mountain, where our campus overlooks the Hudson River, we see not only the strength and beauty of our surroundings, but also the boundless possibility that lies ahead. It is from this vantage point—rich in history and full of promise—that we are proud to share Enduring Strength, Limitless Possibilities: The Storm King School Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
Since 1867, The Storm King School has changed and evolved from a bedrock of strength while remaining steadfast in its mission and purpose—to prepare a community of global learners for the future by inspiring them toward academic success and confidence in a welcoming and varied learning environment that embraces character, balance, and trust. With this Strategic Plan, we renew our commitment to that mission and to the core values that define our school—truth, respect, responsibility, and scholarship.
As we celebrate 157 years of educating bright, curious young people from around the globe, we recognize that the world our students will enter is changing rapidly. They must be ready not only to navigate that change, but to lead within it. Guided by our mission and inspired by our vision—of a school defined by enduring strength and shaped by limitless possibilities—we have created a plan that positions Storm King to thrive in the years ahead.
This Strategic Plan is both a reflection of who we are and a roadmap for who we aspire to be. It lays out four strategic pillars—Engage and Connect, Innovate and Elevate, Enhance
and Expand, Invest and Sustain—that will shape our priorities and guide our decisions. The plan is designed to ensure that every student is deeply known and cared for, that our faculty are supported and inspired, and that our campus continues to reflect and produce the excellence we expect in every aspect of the Storm King experience.
This historic work is the culmination of thoughtful collaboration among school leadership, professionals from Educators Collaborative, faculty, and community members. We are especially grateful to the Board of Trustees for their leadership and partnership throughout this year-long process, and to the administrative team for their insight, dedication, and support.
We view this Strategic Plan not simply as a document, but as a living commitment to our students, our School, and our shared future. We invite you to join us as we enter Storm King’s next chapter. Whether you are a student, parent, alum, faculty member, or friend of the School, your continued connection and support are essential to bringing this vision to life.
Together, we will honor our legacy while boldly embracing the future. Just as Storm King Mountain stands steadfast through time, so too will The Storm King School—grounded in enduring strength and inspired by limitless possibilities.
Sincerely and with gratitude,
Robert Ginsburg ’72 Chair, Board of Trustees
Our Enduring Strength
For more than a century and a half, The Storm King School has stood on the shoulder of Storm King Mountain overlooking the scenic Hudson River in one of the most beautiful and dynamic places in America. Here, our storied history is built on a foundation of resilience and strength, much like the Mountain we call home. For 158 years, we have weathered challenges, adapted to change, and remained steadfast in our mission to educate, empower, and inspire our students toward academic success and confidence.
The world is changing at a rapid pace and today’s students must prepare for jobs that do not yet exist, in fields that have not yet been imagined. To ensure that Storm King students graduate with a competitive edge, ready and eager to thrive in the economy of the future, we help them become thinkers, doers, problem solvers, and adapters. This is not a new idea at The Storm King School; since 1867, our students have forged their own paths, explored their dreams, and realized their remarkable potential.
Our enduring legacy has not only shaped our past but also prepared us for a bold and bright future. Just as the Mountain stands firm through time, our school’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and growth will continue to rise, ensuring that we endure for generations to come. Our strong foundations fuel our vision for the future, where we will face new opportunities and challenges with the same strength and resilience that have carried us through the years.
Our Promise and Vision
Through the strategic planning process, our vision for Storm King emerged and crystallized to provide the framework for our thinking about the future. We will continue to use these commitments as our guide, ensuring our actions and resource allocations align with these intentions.
We are a school and community where:
• Every student is deeply known and cared for
• Faculty are dedicated to inspiring and educating students
• Diversity and belonging are integral to our culture
• Enduring relationships are at the heart of our work
As we created this Strategic Plan, we envisioned the future for our students. We’ve laid out a plan to build new, beautiful learning and residential spaces on campus, made possible by cultivating a stronger community and culture of philanthropy, and we will more clearly define and share those aspects that make Storm King unique. The Storm King School’s history is an inspiration, and drawing from the school’s legacy throughout 158 years, we will create the environment for the school to thrive as it enters its next chapter.
Engage & Connect
Pillar 1:
Engage and Connect
Our commitment to community goes beyond mere interaction. We understand that education is not a solitary journey but a collaborative expedition. We strive to nurture a diverse community of students, teachers, parents, alumni, and local partners rooted in our shared mission of learning and deep sense of belonging. We grow through collaboration, civic engagement, and a commitment to service and experiences that foster empathy, respect, and appreciation of others. By strengthening connections, we embrace our responsibility to develop students who will make a difference in our world.
Goal: Develop Strategic Partnerships
Establish a culture of ongoing engagement with the Storm King current and alumni communities and the greater Hudson Valley and New York regions.
Action:
Develop and foster relationships with key stakeholders to expand student learning, philanthropy, and civic partnership.
• Identify potential community partnerships and develop outreach strategies for each
• Expand communication and programming for current parents and alumni
• Leverage partnerships to give greater visibility to SKS and its program, and to enhance educational offerings for our students
Innovate & Elevate
Pillar 2:
Innovate and Elevate
Education is not about transferring information—it’s about igniting passion. Our teachers spark creativity, encourage risk-taking, promote critical thinking, and foster collaboration. We aim to enable transformative learning opportunities in a dynamic, academically challenging environment that expands beyond the traditional classroom. Through unique hands-on experience, creative problem solving, and interdisciplinary learning, students will become lifelong learners prepared to meet the world’s challenges.
Goal: Amplify Program Distinction
Leverage our unique location and campus to develop and communicate signature programs that enhance the student and faculty experience.
Action:
Focus financial resources and program development in the three key areas of academics, arts, and athletics.
• Recruit skilled faculty and coaches in identified target areas
• Utilize area outdoor spaces and community organizations to support expanded programming
Enhance & Expand
Pillar 3:
Enhance and Expand
Our physical environment is more than infrastructure—it is a critical component of the educational experience. We believe that living and learning spaces should match the ambitions of our students. The best spaces ignite learning, invite exploration, while also providing a feeling of comfort and belonging. We want every dormitory and classroom to reflect the high bar that our students and program need to excel. Our campus should exemplify the mission and values we instill in our community every day.
Goal: Commit to Campus Development
Update the SKS Master Plan to reflect our strategic commitment to providing an optimal learning and residential experience for students.
Action:
Identify and prioritize facility and program needs and the financial investment needed to enhance and expand relevant spaces.
• Conduct a needs assessment to identify facility priorities
• Update long-range financial plan based on deferred maintenance and new capital investment reflecting priorities
• Develop timeline, budget, and launch plan for building the new academic building
Invest & Sustain
Pillar 4:
Pillar 4: Invest and Sustain
The Storm King School is a gift that has been nurtured, cultivated and stewarded through the years since its inception in 1867. We now have that same opportunity and responsibility, and aim to ensure an enduring legacy of excellence is a gift for future generations. We will deepen and expand the needed resources and capacity to secure financial sustainability and advance the school’s mission in the decades to come.
Goal: Secure Financial Sustainability
Achieve and sustain financial sustainability to ensure the school continues to fulfill its mission for future generations.
Action:
Secure the resources needed to enhance our exceptional campus, distinctive program, and holistic student experience.
• Increase charitable giving by expanding the donor base and securing larger gifts
• Invest in new and existing facilities through successful completion of a capital campaign
Enduring Strength, Limitless Possibilities
Just as Storm King Mountain has stood resilient through centuries, our school will continue to rise, adapt, and lead. We are not merely preparing students for the world as it is, but empowering them to shape the world as it could be.
Our strategic plan is a declaration of our enduring commitment to excellence, innovation, and transformative education. We invite you to be part of this extraordinary journey, to join us in reimagining education, and to help write the next chapter of The Storm King School’s inspiring story.
Strategic Planning Leadership
Thank you to all who contributed to the development of the Strategic Plan
Robert Ginsburg ’72
Board of Trustees Chair
Roger Auerbacher ’66
Board of Trustees Past Chair
Robert Docherty ’72
Board of Trustees First Vice Chair/Secretary
Kerryane Monahan ’92
Board of Trustees 2nd Vice Chair
Richard Grossman ’79
Board of Trustees 3rd Vice Chair
Christine Watson ’94
Board of Trustees Treasurer
Bruce Hanson ’62
Board of Trustees Member
Johnathan Flores ’12
Board of Trustees Member
Michael Fischer ’82
Board of Trustees Member
Ken Goldwasser ’78
Board of Trustees Member
Peter Fox ’77
Board of Trustees Member
Neil Novesky P’25
Board of Trustees Member
Charles J. Cordero ’92
Board of Trustees Member
Ila Barton ’92
Board of Trustees Member
Steven Bluth ’83
Alumni Council President
Lisa Shambaugh
Head of School
Tracy Bennett Consultant, Educators Collaborative
Thank you also to the Storm King senior leadership team, all faculty and staff participants, and to the students, parents, and alumni who contributed to this effort via surveys, focus groups, and other feedback opportunities.
The Storm King School
314 Mountain Road | Cornwall on Hudson, NY | 12520
