Oak Knoll School Strategic Plan

2016 STRATEGIC

PLAN

MISSION STATEMENT

Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, Judeo-Christian in heritage, Roman Catholic in teaching and worship, is an independent school for boys and girls in kindergarten through grade 6 and young women in grades 7 through 12. The Oak Knoll community commits to the education and growth of the whole child, as articulated by the founder of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, Cornelia Connelly. The school fosters a faith commitment that engenders a joyous personal relationship with God in addressing the challenges of the world. In a learning climate that is based on trust and reverence for the dignity and uniqueness of each person, Oak Knoll provides an intellectually challenging and creative program of study that fosters excellence in every aspect of school life and prepares our graduates to “meet the wants of the age.” Welcoming a diverse student body, our learning community develops mature students who think critically, embrace knowledge, respond with moral and ethical integrity, and make responsible choices that enrich their own lives and contribute to the lives of others.

WE BELIEVE THAT:

• God is central in our lives.

• A nurturing educational environment supports personal, moral, intellectual and spiritual development.

• A challenging curriculum promotes intellectual growth.

• An open mind leads to a lifetime of learning.

• All voices deserve to be heard and respected.

• Each person has gifts and talents that enrich the community.

• Understanding and appreciation of difference lead to the celebration of diversity.

• A cooperative spirit and giving nature are essential to living the Holy Child philosophy.

• Each person is called to work for principles of justice, peace and compassion in every facet of life.

• With God working in us, we “can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.” ~ EPHESIANS 3:20

OUR VISION

Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child will be — and be recognized as — one of the finest independent Catholic schools in the country, preparing a diverse community of learners through rigorous academics, vibrant arts, competitive athletics, and service to others for lives of purpose and meaning in a global society.

STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

The strategic plan was developed to align with the educational goals of the Holy Child Network of Schools based on the philosophy of Cornelia Connelly. The plan addresses the key areas of the school: the educational mission of Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, its Catholic identity and witnessing to the charism of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, enrollment management, educational programs, faculty development, advancement, financial profile, campus environment and school life.

Meetings and interviews were conducted with various groups, individuals and representative members of the school’s many constituencies, including students, parents, board of trustees, administrators, faculty members, nonteaching professional staff and alumnae, among others. The process was guided by Meitler Associates, the consulting firm that partnered with Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child and the Strategic Planning Committee.

GOAL 1:

Holy Child Mission & Catholic Identity Oak Knoll will …

• Honor and further develop the

school’s Roman Catholic and Holy Child heritages.

• Continue to live out the mission of Cornelia Connelly and the Society of the Holy Child Jesus while self-reflecting through the Mission Effectiveness Process.

• Ensure the Catholic intellectual tradition continues to inform the K-12 curriculum.

• Explore additional opportunities for Lower and Upper School communal prayer and service projects to continue building the spiritual leadership skills of students.

• Ensure a process for faculty, staff and administration to support faith formation and provide spiritual experiences for students beyond the classroom.

• Explore further opportunities for parents and alumnae/i to deepen their own faith and share it with their communities.

GOAL 2:

Academic Excellence Oak Knoll will …

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Attract and retain the finest faculty, staff and administrators.

Define a “21st century education” that is steeped in Holy Child traditions.

Examine and refine, constantly, the Lower School and Upper School curricula to maximize learning opportunities for all students and ensure preparedness across all disciplines for their next level of education.

Ensure curricular coherence with improved grade-level and divisional transitions.

Expand academic opportunities for all students with creative and contemporary course offerings.

Implement a more comprehensive and thematic professional development program that focuses on personal and professional growth for faculty and staff.

Develop a Technology Master Plan that supports instructional goals and provides students with an exceptional foundation for their future.

GOAL 3:

Enrollment Management

Oak Knoll will …

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Follow the new marketing plan to raise visibility, name recognition and brand awareness.

Continue to enroll mission-appropriate students for our programs and community.

Award financial aid strategically to provide opportunities for a broader population of qualified applicants.

Expand the Marketing Committee to include board members, parents and alumnae/i with expertise in marketing.

Expand the Parent Ambassador Program to more effectively assist in admissions and marketing efforts on behalf of the school.

Create additional on-campus opportunities to showcase Oak Knoll’s extraordinary facilities and programming to prospective families.

GOAL 4:

Campus Environment

Oak Knoll will …

• Develop a Campus Master Plan that

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identifies facility needs and the requirements for continuing to deliver top quality programs.

Appraise, annually, all current facilities for improvements necessary to support Oak Knoll’s strong and competitive programs.

Continue implementing modern security procedures and protocols for the safety of the entire school community.

Explore possible property expansion opportunities on and off campus to best meet the educational and programmatic needs of the school.

GOAL 5:

Financial Profile & Advancement

Oak Knoll will …

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Continue to develop five-year projected budgets for planning and proper stewardship.

Determine competitive tuition levels that grant access to Oak Knoll to qualified students and families while funding the current capital and operating needs of the school.

Retire our “financial independence” obligation to the Society of the Holy Child Jesus prudently and expeditiously.

Position the school to be able to conduct a major capital campaign by 2021-22.

GOAL 6:

School Life

Oak Knoll will …

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Be a supportive, safe and inclusive community for academics, worship, arts and athletics.

Identify and cultivate student gifts and talents, inspiring them to fulfill their potential as leaders and to contribute to the school community and to society as a whole.

Enhance the Holy Child commitment to service and community through the daily practice of one’s faith by all members of the community.

Provide inspirational spiritual and service opportunities for students and adults to apply their faith, wisdom and service to the world around them.

ST R AT E G IC PL A N N I NG C OM M I T T E E

Patricia Barry Director of Lower School Admissions/Financial Aid Gregory Drummond Community Liaison Margaret Hariri Parents’ Association President Ann Higgins ’02 Lower School Math Teacher Suzanne Hildebrandt Upper School Secretary to Division Head and Deans

2015-16

oak knoll board of trustees

Jennifer Landis Upper School Division Head Lisa Levchuk Upper School English Teacher Elizabeth O’Mara ’86 Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement Christine Spies Lower School Division Head Annabela Svorinich Lower School Spanish and Religion Teacher Erin Traynor ’04 Upper School History and Theology Teacher Lisa Treanor Board of Trustees Member, Current Parent Beata Williams Parent Ambassador Chair Jennifer Wilson Associate Director of College Counseling/Diversity Coordinator

Jeffrey Schroeder, Chairman Jeffrey Bonner Sr. Marlene Brownett, SHCJ Art Corwin Mary Ellen Dundon, Alumna Robert Gasser Martha Gregory Robert Hariri Julia Jacobson ’06 Denise Kelly John Kenney Stephen Loughrey

Stacy McCann Tom McGee Jeanne McGovern Kevin McGrath Bob Noelke Chris Pucillo Ted Scott Lisa Treanor Motria Ukrainskyj ’78 Robert Walsh

Timothy J. Saburn, Head of School

44 Blackburn Road | Summit, NJ 07901