Our Future: Together S T R AT E G I C P L A N F O R NOBLE AND GREENOUGH SCHOOL
Noble and Greenough School (Nobles) is a day and five-day boarding school for grades 7–12 in Dedham, MA, and is home to over 625 students. Since 1866, Nobles has been of the moment and for the future.
Our Future: Together STRATEGIC PLAN FOR NOBLE AND GREENOUGH SCHOOL
The evidence is everywhere: students discovering, ensembles creating, athletic teams achieving, educators inspiring, and graduates leading. Through a combination of individual strengths and shared purpose, we thrive.
Our strategic plan clarifies our approach to the challenges ahead by identifying the opportunities within them and harnessing our mission to overcome them. We approach the future with confidence and pride. I feel deeply privileged and honored to lead a school so uniquely equipped to embrace this next era, one in which we will always work to fulfill our mission. We will embark upon our strategic journey as a school the way we always have: together. Thank you for your enduring partnership and support.
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As we map out our next strategic chapter as a school, living out our mission is more important than ever in a world that is more disconnected and unkind, more unaffordable and anxious, and more specialized and focused on outcomes. Amidst this backdrop, our mission and core values serve as our compass and empower us with optimism.
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At the heart of the Nobles experience is our steadfast belief in the power of connections—to faculty and staff, to classmates, and to our beloved campus. We invest in building community every moment of every day.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
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Catherine J. Hall, Ph.D. Head of School
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Noble and Greenough School is committed to a future built on the power of our connections, guided by our mission and values. 1.1
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Advance teaching excellence
Deepen the Nobles team experience
Increase resources for financial aid
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Catalyze curricular innovation Accelerate learning beyond the classroom
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Foster purpose-driven leadership
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Champion students thriving Strengthen structures and support
Expand support for employee housing
Invest in professional growth for faculty and staff
Commit to market-leading compensation
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Design supportive and dynamic learning environments Enhance integrative community spaces
Steward campus sustainability Leverage the environment as a catalyst for learning
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STRATEGIC PLAN VISION
Noble and Greenough School is committed to a future powered by our connections and guided by our mission and values to inspire growth and innovation. We will continue to invest in cultivating a thriving community by ensuring academic excellence and student well-being are mutually reinforced, expanding access and affordability, and reinventing and reenergizing our campus. We strive to remain an exemplar of educating students to be curious, resilient, compassionate, and impactful leaders in an increasingly complex world. Ultimately, we aim to graduate extraordinary students who pursue a lifetime of doing good.
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OUR MISSION
At Nobles, we forge human connections to inspire a lifelong process of discovery and unlock the potential to do good.
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Curiosity Curiosity inspires intellectual inquiry. By questioning, reasoning, and thinking critically, we embrace complex ideas and value the exchange of diverse perspectives. Respect Respect for self and others is the bedrock of our community, guiding us to act with honesty, humility, kindness, empathy, and trust.
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Playfulness Playfulness sparks creativity, energizes us to give our best, and fortifies resilience to face challenges. We balance hard work with humor.
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Generosity We show up for each other. We practice generosity in all its forms—sharing our knowledge, time, resources, and passions. Giving deepens our understanding of each other and ourselves. Belonging Community means everyone. When we are known and valued, we flourish. Together, we create an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to be their best selves.
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Education is most powerful when rooted in human connection—when intellectual challenge, personal growth, and meaningful relationships intersect. Through dynamic academics, a commitment to well-being, and a culture of teamwork, students develop the confidence to take academic risks, the resilience to navigate challenges, and the collaborative spirit to lead with purpose. The transformative relationships they form here enrich their pursuit of knowledge with meaning.
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Leading as an Academic Exemplar
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A Nobles education promotes lifelong intellectual curiosity, empowers learners to approach challenges with courage and a playful spirit, and prepares them to become well-rounded, engaged global citizens. 3 PLACE
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CONNECTED THROUGH POSSIBILITY LEADING AS AN ACADEMIC EXEMPLAR
Advance teaching excellence Invest in faculty innovation and collaboration + Implement programming to encourage deepened collegial relationships, cross-departmental collaboration, and national engagement with educators.
+ Fund innovation grants to support curriculum design and research.
Foster a culture of continuous learning
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+ Redefine departmental leadership roles to enhance professional growth and mentorship.
+ Redesign a three-year onboarding program to support the professional growth and retention of early-career teachers.
+ Enhance institutional feedback systems to promote continuous growth for all employees, integrating student feedback and peer observation.
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CONNECTED THROUGH POSSIBILITY LEADING AS AN ACADEMIC EXEMPLAR
Catalyze curricular innovation Conduct a comprehensive curricular review + Evaluate graduation requirements to ensure alignment with mission, core values, and evolving 21st-century needs, including technological fluency, cultural competency, and global engagement.
+ Expand interdisciplinary, experiential, and project-based learning that fuels curiosity, embraces playfulness, and encourages thoughtful risktaking.
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+ Integrate a mission-driven commitment to doing good into the curriculum.
+ Promote greater curricular alignment within and across disciplines. + Serve as a national model for thoughtfully adapting to the rapidlyevolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its impact on college and beyond.
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CONNECTED THROUGH POSSIBILITY LEADING AS AN ACADEMIC EXEMPLAR
Accelerate learning beyond the classroom Design immersive, experiential programs + Create grade-level anchor experiences and explore the development of a defining senior spring capstone project.
+ Develop mission-aligned Experiential and Community-Engaged Learning (EXCEL) programs that fully integrate with academic coursework, expand global learning, and provide opportunities for meaningful reflection.
+ Reevaluate the community service program to foster respect for others and
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nurture a spirit of generosity.
Expand mentorship and real-world learning opportunities + Increase access to internships and research opportunities by leveraging the Nobles graduate and family network, Boston-area partnerships, and global affiliations.
+ Support students to ensure that unpaid internships and research opportunities are accessible to all students, regardless of financial background.
+ Expand avenues for graduates to return to Nobles as mentors, guest speakers, and co-learners, enabling them to share their insights and experiences.
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+ Reinforce Nobles as a lifelong community where transformative experiences foster lasting growth and graduates remain engaged through enduring relationships.
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Harnessing the Power of Teams
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At Nobles, the concept of “teams” extends beyond athletics to include performing arts, student organizations, and Experiential and Community-Engaged Learning (EXCEL) programs. Across all areas, Nobles teams impart life skills, develop belonging, and create connections. Students are encouraged to develop multifaceted interests—considering both depth and breadth—and can choose from a wide array of collaborative experiences.
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CONNECTED THROUGH POSSIBILITY HARNESSING THE POWER OF TEAMS
Deepen the Nobles team experience Expand access and deepen impact + Broaden the definition of “team” beyond athletics to include performing arts, EXCEL groups, affinity spaces, and other collaborative communities that reflect and reinforce the school’s core values.
+ Evaluate and expand a rich variety of team offerings, including and beyond athletics, to reflect student interests, promote equitable access, and ensure long-term viability.
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+ Identify and build on opportunities for additional mission-aligned, schoolwide collaborative experiences to foster connection.
Ensure the highest-quality experience across all Nobles teams + Establish shared values and inclusive team cultures centered on respect and belonging across all levels.
+ Strengthen cohesiveness by establishing a consistent experience across all program levels.
+ Identify ways that all Nobles teams can live out EXCEL’s commitment to
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CONNECTED THROUGH POSSIBILITY HARNESSING THE POWER OF TEAMS
Foster purposedriven leadership Design a progressive leadership curriculum that spans all grade levels + Enhance schoolwide leadership programming anchored by our mission and core values.
+ Create new opportunities for dynamic, balanced, equitable student mentorship and peer leadership.
+ Integrate leadership education across grade-level orientations,
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academic courses, student life, and Afternoon Program.
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Expanding Student Financial Access
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Nobles is committed to ensuring exceptional students have access to a Nobles education, including both tuition and the costs beyond tuition that support the full experience.
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CONNECTED THROUGH POSSIBILITY EXPANDING STUDENT FINANCIAL ACCESS
Increase resources for financial aid Affirm and elevate our commitment to financial access + Significantly increase endowed support for tuition-based financial aid through strategic and sustained fundraising efforts.
+ Share our commitment to financial access and affordability more openly and transparently.
Advance full financial belonging
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+ Identify all participation-related costs required to attend Nobles and establish an equitable system for qualified students to receive non-tuition aid.
+ Determine opportunities to support student needs beyond campus that directly enhance and complement the Nobles experience.
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Nobles is anchored in its people. Lifelong connections among classmates and faculty are a hallmark of our history. However, spikes in the cost of living in the Boston area, with housing and childcare among the most expensive in the country, could make enrolling at Nobles unattainable for many families and choosing a career at Nobles untenable for many educators. We are dedicated to bridging these gaps to ensure we can continue to attract and support the people who make our community thrive.
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Deepening Student Well-Being Nobles has long believed that striving for excellence, building community, and promoting student well-being are inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing. Our school is established on a foundation of human connection and meaningful relationships. Students are surrounded by caring adults who know them well and offer support and guidance through important life moments.
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CONNECTED THROUGH PEOPLE DEEPENING STUDENT WELL-BEING
Champion students thriving Enhance student-centered well-being programs + Gather regular feedback from students and graduates to inform program evolution and stay relevant to meet evolving needs.
+ Conduct annual reviews of the faculty advising program to identify new ways to support student growth.
+ Align the Personal Development curriculum with core values and research-based practices.
+ Expand opportunities for students to take risks, learn from failure, and build resilience and a growth mindset.
+ Intentionally incorporate the natural campus landscape into wellness programming.
+ Continue to deepen equity, inclusion, and belonging practices across all student experiences as essential to community and personal well-being.
+ Draw upon research-based best practices to guide student skill development and family education.
Elevate the well-being impact of Afternoon Program
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+ Leverage expertise in adolescent and sports psychology to enhance students’ physical, emotional, and social well-being.
+ Reexamine participation requirements to ensure all students engage in physical activity and develop healthy lifestyle habits.
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CONNECTED THROUGH PEOPLE DEEPENING STUDENT WELL-BEING
Strengthen structures and support Enhance the coordination of staffing + Audit the existing student support staffing structure—including nurses, counselors, faculty advisors, and other specialists—to improve collaboration and impact on students.
+ Leverage the reimagined Shattuck Schoolhouse to centralize and deepen student support systems.
Use research and data to drive progress + Apply national best practices to remain a leader in balancing student well-being with smart rigor.
+ Collect and analyze student data to identify meaningful trends and inform wellness programming.
Educate and empower adults + Provide sustained, mission-aligned training for faculty, staff, coaches, and advisors to champion student well-being.
+ Develop and implement an annual parent/guardian education program
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Investing in Affordability for Educators Nobles recognizes the growing demands on faculty and staff, and sees an opportunity to reaffirm and elevate the teaching profession. 3 PLACE
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CONNECTED THROUGH PEOPLE INVESTING IN AFFORDABILITY FOR EDUCATORS
Expand support for employee housing Increase on- and off-campus housing + Identify the ideal locations and scope of additional on- and offcampus housing.
+ Implement the phased development of additional housing while continually assessing the evolving needs of faculty and staff.
Determine a standard for campus housing + Create a housing policy to ensure an equitable rotation of access to school-provided housing.
+ Establish quality standards for on- and off-campus housing.
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CONNECTED THROUGH PEOPLE INVESTING IN AFFORDABILITY FOR EDUCATORS
Commit to marketleading compensation Establish salary targets + Ensure all faculty and staff are compensated within the top quartile based on regional and national benchmarks.
+ Continue to utilize local and national benchmarking groups for ongoing analysis.
+ Integrate strategies to ensure equitable compensation for all educators.
Incentivize mission-aligned work + Identify opportunities to intentionally direct compensation that reflects Nobles’ institutional vision, with a focus on early-career teachers, multifaceted educators, and employees facing acute financial pressure.
+ Determine creative ways to support faculty and staff in balancing their multifaceted roles across school life.
+ Create mentorship pathways for emerging educators to become varsity program leaders.
Address employees’ financial strains
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+ Evaluate opportunities to offset the extraordinary cost of childcare for employees.
+ Expand benefits to address healthcare, retirement, and other financial challenges.
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Empowering Our Educators Nobles will continue to attract, support, and retain the best educators. We will invest in employees at various stages of their personal and professional lives so that they can afford to commit to this meaningful career.
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CONNECTED THROUGH PEOPLE EMPOWERING OUR EDUCATORS
Invest in professional growth for faculty and staff Examine hiring practices + Evaluate current hiring practices through the lens of industry best practices and a rubric for cultivating a thriving employee community.
+ Identify creative recruitment strategies to tap into non-traditional markets, recognizing the growing challenges in hiring educators.
Analyze retention practices + Study recent retention data for current and former employees, identifying themes and correlations to continue to invest in faculty and staff thriving.
+ Research best practices and implement creative solutions to further bolster employee retention.
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CONNECTED THROUGH PEOPLE EMPOWERING OUR EDUCATORS
Invest in professional growth for faculty and staff (continued)
Develop inspiring and transformative professional and personal growth opportunities + Research opportunities for educator exchanges with schools around the world.
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+ Develop faculty and staff Experiential and Community-Engaged
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+ Expand professional growth and collaboration opportunities for coaches.
Support faculty and staff well-being + Continue to invest in areas that offer a high quality of life connected to working at Nobles, identifying opportunities to boost morale.
+ Prioritize a robust healthcare support structure, including a wide variety of health insurance plan options and resources that support physical and mental well-being. PEOPLE
+ Evaluate ways to ensure all staff experience a full sense of
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+ Design a staff sabbatical program to recognize longserving staff members.
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Connected Through Place 3 PLACE
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Whenever we come together, we strengthen our connections. The spaces where we live, learn, and work profoundly influence our experiences. Our environment shapes our behavior, perceptions, and interactions in subtle yet powerful ways. Intentionally designed spaces and a thoughtfully sustained landscape inspire creativity, foster collaboration, and enhance learning. We will reimagine our use of campus spaces to forge new connections, strengthen existing ones, and learn and celebrate together.
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Innovating Facilities to Further the Mission Nobles is eager to leverage campus spaces to best deliver its mission and core values.
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CONNECTED THROUGH PLACE INNOVATING FACILITIES TO FURTHER THE MISSION
Design supportive and dynamic learning environments Incorporate best teaching and learning practices into classroom and office design + Identify the furniture, technologies, and instructional displays that best encourage a highly engaged, collaborative, and flexible classroom environment.
+ Prioritize design elements that stimulate creativity, curiosity, well-being, and diverse learning styles across disciplines.
Centralize student support offices to promote easy access and collaboration + Create physical and organizational connections between the people and offices in Shattuck Schoolhouse, leading to optimal and streamlined support to help students thrive.
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CONNECTED THROUGH PLACE INNOVATING FACILITIES TO FURTHER THE MISSION
Enhance integrative community spaces Revitalize campus spaces + Evaluate current spaces to ensure they promote access, inclusivity, and connection.
+ Reimagine Gleason Hall as a vibrant community hub for students, faculty, and staff.
Expand access to inclusive and multipurpose athletic program spaces + Upgrade the Omni to support year-round programming, including ice hockey, indoor tennis, and summer recreational use.
+ Study the possibility of adding a track around the existing turf field and consider adding a second turf field.
+ Update the Morrison Athletic Center to uphold campus standards and adapt to evolving programmatic needs.
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Advancing Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Nobles’ 173-acre campus possesses boundless opportunities to enrich learning, nurture well-being, and foster connections. The school will deepen engagement with its surrounding landscape, ensuring that generations are compelled to practice environmental stewardship.
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CONNECTED THROUGH PLACE ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY
Steward campus sustainability Establish and implement a campus-wide sustainability standard for all future buildings and landscape projects + Draw on best practices to ensure projects prioritize energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and ecological resilience.
Set measurable goals for operations and track annual progress + Establish targets for reducing emissions, energy use, water consumption, and waste.
+ Conduct annual building audits to understand resource usage better and inform a campus-wide waste-reduction plan.
+ Assess and report progress toward sustainability goals annually.
Implement sustainable land management practices + Evaluate and strengthen sustainability efforts that support biodiversity, native habitats, and long-term ecological health.
Instill a culture of environmental responsibility + Embed sustainability as a shared responsibility across campus operations, academic programs, and community life.
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CONNECTED THROUGH PLACE ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY
Leverage the environment as a catalyst for learning Integrate outdoor and environmental learning across the curriculum + Use the Nobles landscape as a living lab for research, stewardship projects, and experiential education.
+ Increase climate literacy and environmental impact in the academic program.
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Acknowledgments
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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We are deeply grateful for the time, care, and talent invested by the Nobles faculty, staff, leadership team, and the board of trustees in shaping our strategic plan. A journey that spanned several years, our strategic planning process was rooted in our mission and core values, enriched by the voices and perspectives of our community, and driven by an ambitious vision for the future. This plan is inspired by the privilege we have to educate our Nobles students, and it reflects the unwavering commitment of our community to our history, our present, and our future—together.
10 Campus Drive, Dedham, Massachusetts 02026 next.nobles.edu