NJC Strategic Plan - 2023-2028

Neuchâtel Junior College STRATEGIC PLAN 2023-2028

Dear Neuchâtel Students, Families, Alumni and Friends:

We are excited to share with you our refreshed Strategic Plan - The Neuchâtel Advantage. In a rapidly changing world, our Mission to transform curious minds into global citizens is more relevant than ever. Since 1956, our caring leaders, teachers, staff and host families have supported students to learn about themselves and the world and to develop into better leaders through our grade 12 and gap year programs in Europe.

Taking time to renew mission and strategy encourages us to ask reflective questions about the value we provide now and over the longer term. Graduates often describe Neuchâtel as ‘the best year of my life’. They tell us that living and studying abroad prepared them exceptionally well for transition to University. Parents see their children mature rapidly as their worlds expand and their confidence grows. Our motto of ‘step outside’ your home base, outside of your comfort zone, reflects our deep commitment to provide a well-supported journey of unique learning.

We welcome your support and feedback to help us keep delivering transformational experience-based learning and University preparation from our campus base in beautiful Neuchâtel, Switzerland. And we also hope to see some of the curious minds in your families and networks join us for the Neuchâtel Advantage of extraordinary personal growth that a year at Neuchâtel provides!

As a loyal alum (Bryn, Class of ‘92) and a grateful past parent (Kelley, Meghan ‘18 and Matthew ‘19), we invite you on behalf of our governing bodies in Switzerland and Canada to help us ensure Neuchâtel remains the school of choice for students and their families looking for unique experiential learning and transformational personal growth as they prepare for University and life.

Warm regards,

Bryn McCrossan-Maire ‘92

Kelley McKinnon Présidente, Le Conseil de Fondation Chair, Canadian Advisory Committee

Kelley McKinnon with her family celebrating the NJC graduation of her daughter Meghan ‘18.

Bryn McCrossan-Maire ‘92 addressing the graduating class of 2023.

We transform curious minds into global citizens through life-changing experiential grade 12 and gap year studies, preparing students for University and for life.

MISSION VISION

To ignite lifelong learning, purpose, friendships and adventure through an extraordinary educational experience in Europe.

OUR CORE VALUES

We will achieve our goals and create an exciting, supportive environment where everyone can discover their best self by living these core values:

STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE

Aim high.

Put in effort and dedication to achieve goals.

BE CURIOUS

Discover more about yourself, the people you encounter, and the world around you.

RESPECT

Respect, as our foundational daily mindset, means we treat all people well and are genuinely open to different views, different paths and different choices.

RESPONSIBILITY

Be accountable for your words, actions and choices. Be compassionate about mistakes.

TAKE RISKS

Be open to new things and new opportunities. Embrace the word “Try” and learn from failure.

BE ENGAGED

Big or small, local or global, contribute to make a difference.

INTEGRITY

Have courage to do the right thing. Always.

THE NEUCHÂTEL ADVANTAGE

STRATEGIC PILLARS AND PRIORITIES:

Neuchâtel Junior College, routinely described by its grads as “The Best Year of My Life”, offers a truly unique transformational year of learning, personal growth and new insights on the world and the future.

We are passionate about educating Curious Minds to Global Citizens from our home base in Neuchâtel, Switzerland where our students learn from extraordinary teachers and live with caring local families. For almost seven decades, we have helped young Canadians and other international students “Step Outside” their home environments and explore an expanded world around them, make new lifelong friends and learn about themselves and others all in a safe, structured environment.

Our accredited curriculum, engaged teachers, small classrooms and customized attention prepare students for the university of their choice. Traveling across Europe, participating in different cultural activities, and experiencing optional independent trips open minds to new ideas, and open doors to new opportunities. Our students quickly realize that ‘there is a teacher on every corner’. Along their well-supported Neuchâtel journey, students learn independent decision-making, responsibility and maturity as they live away from their families for the first time. They also have fun and new adventures on their Neuchâtel journey.

The Neuchâtel promise is that students will experience unique personal growth and be exceptionally well prepared for transition to top universities and for life’s challenges. Students grow and mature as individuals and as citizens of the world through day-to-day immersion in new places and cultures and through their awakening to all the possibilities of their lives.

Everything we do to achieve our mission of providing exceptional experiential education in Europe for grade 12 and gap year is guided by our core strategic pillars and objectives below.

PILLAR 1:

Life-Changing Experiential Education in Europe

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Education designed to teach independence, resilience and judgment to support students in new situations and particularly, to prepare them well for transition to university. Their daily lives at Neuchâtel teach them to embrace compassion, respect, curiosity and a sense of adventure.

Exceptional education with engaged teachers and curious, diverse students in small classrooms and through regular field study across Europe. NJC prepares students to be open-minded critical thinkers and involved global citizens.

Quality teaching facilities and campus life space plus a safe and welcoming home-away-from-home for learning and interacting with others in their host country of Switzerland and beyond.

PILLAR 2:

Expanded Learning through Living Abroad in other Cultures

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French speaking Swiss families welcome our students into their homes, involve them in Swiss culture and daily life, and support them in the transition to living away from home.

Students will learn or improve their french at their own pace under supportive guidance, along with opportunities to learn other languages.

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School-related and independent activities explore Switzerland, including participating in civic events, community festivals and sports; students are active participants in their Town of Neuchâtel community; opportunities for service expand cultural awareness.

Optional independent small group travel provides perspective through discovery of places across Europe combined with the critical learning and accountability for self and others.

PILLAR 3:

A Lifelong Community of Learners, Adventurers and Contributors

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Community starts the day of arrival at Neuchâtel. Students learn about themselves and make lifelong friends while living away from home for the first time under the caring supervision of teachers, staff and their new Swiss families.

Embracing the value of service and contribution, Neuchâtel enables opportunities for mentorship, connection and contribution among its students, alumni and friends across geography and demographics, including support of Neuchâtel and its endeavours.

Our responsible stewardship and the dedication of alumni, friends and volunteer leaders will ensure we offer an exceptional Neuchâtel experience for generations to come and continue to foster a lifelong love of learning, discovery and friendship.

Neuchâtel Junior College

STRATEGIC PLAN

We look forward to hearing from you. We love ideas, volunteers, support and we are always looking for students and families who want to live the Neuchâtel Advantage for themselves.

For Information on Admissions, please contact Dorit Tepperman, Director of Admissions admissions@neuchatel.org

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONNECTING WITH YOU

Andrew Keleher Head of School

akeleher@njc.ch

www.njc.ch