StrategicPlan 2025–2029
ThisstrategicplanforOurLadyofGoodCounselHighSchoolreflectsacommitmenttodeepening GoodCounsel’sCatholicandXaverianidentitywhileadvancingacademicexcellence,studentwell-being, operationalvitality,andgovernance.Rootedinthemissionofeducatingstudentsinthetraditionofthe XaverianBrothers,thisplanoutlineskeyprioritiesthatwillguideGoodCounsel,ensuringthatitremains abeaconoffaith,learning,andservice.
AttheheartoftheplanisthedeepeningofMission&Identity,wherewewillfurtherthefaith formationofourstudents,faculty,staff,parents,andalumni.Throughaseriesofinitiatives,wewill strengthentheunderstandingandsignificanceofourCatholic,XaverianBrothersSponsoredSchool identityacrossallaspectsofourcommunity,fromacademicstoathletics,toensurethatGoodCounsel continuestoliveoutitsmissioninameaningfulway
EquallyimportantisenhancingtheStudentExperience&AcademicExcellence.Wearecommittedto providingeverystudentaccesstobestpracticesin21stcenturyteachingandlearning,supportedby innovativecurriculum,rigorouscollegepreparatoryprograms,andcomprehensivestudentservices.This includesfosteringaninclusiveandsupportiveenvironmentwherestudentscanthrivebothacademically andpersonally.
Governance&LeadershipwillplayacriticalroleinensuringthatGoodCounselremainsaleaderin Catholiceducation.ByfocusingontheBoardofDirectors’involvementingovernance,mission,and philanthropy,andensuringtherecruitment,development,andretentionofdiverseandqualifiedfaculty andstaff,wewillcontinuetodeliveronourmissionandsustainahighlevelofeducationalexcellence
Tomaintaintheschool'sOperationalVitality,wewillfocusonexpandingphilanthropicsupport, strengtheningourpipelineofnewstudents,managingtuitionsustainably,enhancingtechnological leadership,andexpandingcommunityengagement.TheseeffortswillsecureGoodCounsel’sfinancial stabilityandensureaccessandaffordabilityforallstudents,preservingourcommitmenttoprovidinga world-classeducationforfuturegenerations.
ThisstrategicplanisaroadmapforGoodCounsel'sfuture,ensuringthattheschoolremainsathriving, mission-driveninstitutionthatmeetstheevolvingneedsofitsstudentsandcommunity.Throughthese coreprioritiesandgoals,GoodCounselwillcontinuetoinspireandchallengestudentstobecome compassionateleaders,lifelonglearners,andcommittedcontributorstosociety
Sincerely,
WilliamRiley,Jr.’68,Chair
JohnCiccone,President
Mission&Identity
Fosteringadeeperunderstandingandpractice oftheschool’sCatholic,XaverianBrothers SponsoredSchoolidentitywithineveryaspect ofthecommunityisacorepriorityforGood Counsel.Akeycomponentofthisisto enhancethefaithformationexperiencesforall membersoftheGoodCounselcommunity, providingstudents,faculty,staff,andparents withopportunitiestogrowspirituallyand embracetheschool’sXaverianvalues.
Forstudents,thismeanscultivatingadeeper awarenessofthesignificanceofGood Counsel’sCatholicandXaverianroots, allowingthemtoliveoutthesevaluesintheir dailylives.Facultyandstaffformationwillalso bestrengthened,ensuringtheyarewellpreparedtoeducateandguidestudentswithin thisrichfaithtradition.Parentswillhavenew opportunitiestolearnabouttheschool’s CatholicandXaverianhistoryandcharism, furtherunitingthebroadercommunityinits sharedmission.
GoodCounselwill strengthenitsnetworkand makeameaningfulimpact inareasthatintersect Catholicism,multicultural affairs,andinclusion. “ ”
TheXaverianidentitywillbeinfusedinto multipleareasofschoollife,includingthe athleticprogram,whereitwillbeintegrated tosupportthecharacterdevelopmentand sportsmanship.Additionally,alumni engagementwillbeenhancedthrough activitiesandpublicationshighlightingthe enduringinfluenceoftheXaveriancharism intheirlives.
Toensurethecontinuedgrowthofthese efforts,theOfficeofMissionandIdentity willbeequippedwiththeresourcesnecessary tomeetthecommunity'sevolvingneeds As partofthisfocus,theschoolwillexpandits commitmenttocommunityengagementby offeringmoreopportunitiesforstudentsto participateinserviceprojectsandsocial justiceactivities,encouragingthemtolive outthevaluesofcompassionandjustice.
Byconnectingwithpeerinstitutionsand mission-alignedorganizations,Good Counselwillstrengthenitsnetworkand makeameaningfulimpactinareasthat intersectCatholicism,multiculturalaffairs, andinclusion.Indoingso,GoodCounsel aspirestobealeadingvoiceinpromoting Catholicvaluesandsocialresponsibilityin today’sdiverseandevolvingworld.
Mission&Identity
GOALS & INITIATIVES
DeepentheFaithFormation ExperiencesoftheGood CounselCommunity
Furtherstudents’understandingofthesignificance ofGoodCounsel’sCatholic,XaverianBrothers SponsoredSchoolidentity
Strengthenfaculty&staffformationaseducatorsin aCatholic,XaverianBrothersSponsoredSchool.
Provideformationopportunitiestotheparent communityregardingGoodCounsel’sCatholic, Xaverianhistoryandcharism
IntegrateXaverianidentityintothedevelopmentof theathleticprogram.
IncorporateXaverianidentityintoalumniactivities andpublications.
EnsurethattheOfficeofMissionandIdentityis wellresourcedandpositionedtomeettheneedsof thecommunity.
StrengthentheExpressionofour Catholic,XaverianIdentitythrough CommunityEngagement
Expandcommunityserviceopportunities forstudents.
Increasethefrequencyandbroadenthe scopeofsocialjusticeactivitiesforstudents.
Networkwithpeerandmission-aligned institutions.
MakeGoodCounselaninfluentialvoiceat theintersectionofCatholicism, MulticulturalAffairs,andInclusion.
StudentExperience& AcademicExcellence
Dedicatedtoensuringthateverystudenthas accesstothebesteducationalpracticesanda learningenvironmentthatpreparesthemfor successinthe21stcenturyisacorepriorityat GoodCounsel.Essentialtothisvisionis articulatingaclearanddynamicapproachto teachingandlearningthatengagesallstudents, offeringrelevantandinnovativecoursesthat inspireacademicgrowthandcuriosity.
Akeyfocuswillbeenhancingtherigorof CollegePrepcourses,ensuringthatstudents arechallengedandsupportedinmeetinghigh academicstandards Byincorporating InternationalBaccalaureatebestpractices acrossallgradelevelsandsubjects,theschool willcreateagloballyinformed,inquiry-based approachtolearning Inaddition,the curriculumwillbeculturallyresponsiveand innovative,addressingthediverseneedsand perspectivesofthestudentbody.
Incollegecounseling,GoodCounselis committedtobroadeningaccessandguidance forstudentsastheynavigatetheirpostsecondaryoptions.Byexpandingresourcesand fosteringstrongrelationshipswithprofessional organizationsandcollegeadmissionsoffices, theschoolwilloffercomprehensivesupport, ensuringthatthecounselingstructurereflects thehigheststandardsinCatholicand independenteducation.
Studentwell-beingandbelongingarealso centraltothisplan.GoodCounselwill reviewandrestructurestudentsupport servicestoensuretheyalignwithbest practices,fosteringapositiveandinclusive learningculturethatextendstoallareasof studentlife Bynurturingphysicaland psychologicalsafety,theschoolwill continuetobeaspacewherestudentscan thriveacademically,emotionally,and socially
Finally,GoodCounselwillcontinueto investinstate-of-the-artfacilitiesthatmeet students'evolvingneeds.Completinga campusmasterplanningproject,alongside effortstosecurefinancialresourcesfor facilitymaintenanceandexplore opportunitiesforlandexpansionand partnerships,willensurethatthephysical environmentsupportstheschool’s missionofacademicexcellenceand studentwell-being.
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Bynurturingphysical andpsychologicalsafety, theschoolwillcontinueto beaspacewherestudents canthriveacademically, emotionally,andsocially.
StudentExperience&AcademicExcellence
GOALS & INITIATIVES
ProvideEveryStudentAccessto BestPracticesin21stCentury TeachingandLearning
ArticulatetheGoodCounselVisionforteaching andlearning.
Serveallstudentsbyincreasingdynamic,relevant, andengagingcoursesandprograms.
IncreasetherigorinCollegePrepcoursesand supportstudentsinmeetingthatstandard.
ApplyInternationalBaccalaureatephilosophyin teachingandlearningacrossallgradelevelsand courses.
Provideculturallyresponsiveandinnovative curriculum.
BroadenCollegeCounseling AccessandAdvising
Expandresources,access,andopportunities forstudentstoexplorecollegepathways.
Strengtheninstitutionalrelationshipswith professionalcounselingorganizationsand collegeadmissionoffices.
Ensurethecollegecounselingstructureand servicesreflectbestpracticesinCatholicand independentschooleducation
StudentExperience&AcademicExcellence
GOALS & INITIATIVES
ContinuetoCultivateStudent BelongingandWell-Being
Reviewandrestructurestudentsupportservices andstaffingtoreflectbestpracticesinCatholic andindependentschooleducation
Expandandenhanceapositivelearningculture andinclusiveenvironmentinallaspectsof studentlife.
Nurturephysicalhealth,well-being,and psychologicalsafetyforstudents
ContinuetoProvideState-ofthe-ArtFacilitiesthatMeet theStudents’EvolvingNeeds
Completecampusmasterplanningproject.
Strengthenfinancialresourcesforfacility maintenance.
Explorelandexpansionandpartnership opportunities.
Governance&Leadership
EmphasizingtheroleoftheBoardof Directorsinguidingtheschool’smission, governance,andphilanthropiceffortsisa corepriorityofGoodCounsel.Byrecruiting andeducatingDirectorswithexpertisein philanthropy,professionalexperience,and diversity,theBoardwillbebetterpositioned tosupporttheschool’slong-termsuccess.
Inaddition,greaterinvolvementof communitymembersonBoardcommittees willfurtherenrichthegovernanceofthe schoolbyinfusingdiverseperspectivesand expandingDirectors'outreachtoengage withkeystakeholders.
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Byfosteringaprofessional environmentthat prioritizesgrowthand excellence,GoodCounsel willcontinuetoattractand retaineducatorswhoreflect thecommunity’sdiversity andarecommittedto providingatransformative educationalexperience.
Anessentialelementofthiscorepriorityis ensuringtherecruitment,development, andretentionoffaculty&staffwhoare alignedwithGoodCounsel’smission.The schoolwilldevelopandimplementa targetedprofessionaldevelopment programthatequipsfaculty&staffwith theskillsandknowledgetoexcelintheir rolesandemergeasthoughtleadersin Catholicandindependentschool education
Byfosteringaprofessionalenvironment thatprioritizesgrowthandexcellence, GoodCounselwillcontinuetoattractand retaineducatorswhoreflectthe community’sdiversityandarecommitted toprovidingatransformativeeducational experience.
Tosupportthiswork,theplanincludes expandinghumanresourcesfunctionsand services,ensuringthatfacultyandstaffare fullysupportedintheirdevelopment,wellbeing,andcontributionstotheschool’s mission.Thisstrategicfocusongovernance andleadershipwillpositionGoodCounsel tothriveasaforward-thinkinginstitution dedicatedtoexcellenceinCatholic education.
Governance&Leadership
GOALS & INITIATIVES
StrengthenBoardofDirectors
LeadershipinGovernance, Mission,andPhilanthropy
RecruitandeducateDirectorsintheareasof philanthropy,professionalexperience,and diversity
IdentifycommunitymemberstoserveonBoard ofDirectorcommittees.
InvolveDirectorsinengagementandoutreach withalumnianddonorprospects
EnsuretheRecruitment, Development,andRetentionof Faculty&StaffAllowingthemto DelivertheGoodCounselMission
Developandimplementatargeted professionaldevelopmentprogramforfaculty &stafftoimprovemid-levelmanagerial, supervisory,andleadershipskills.
EmergeasthoughtleadersinCatholicand Independentschooleducation
Attractandretainfaculty&staffwhoreflect thediversityofthecommunity.
Expandhumanresourcesfunctionsand support.
OperationalVitality
Afocusonsecuringtheschool’slong-termfinancial healthandoperationalexcellencethroughaseriesof targetedinitiativesisacorepriorityofGoodCounsel. Centraltothiseffortisincreasingphilanthropic supportbygrowingtheschool’sendowmentto bolstertuitionassistanceandensurefiscalstability Thisincludeslaunchingacampaignfeasibilitystudy toidentifykeyfundingprioritiesandincreasing annualfundraisingeffortstomaintainoperational excellence.
Ensuringaccessandaffordabilityforstudentsremains atoppriority,andtheplancallsforasustainable approachtomanagingtuitionincreases,alongside implementingandevaluatinganewtuitionassistance policy.Tosupportenrollmentgoals,GoodCounsel willstrategicallymanageitsdomesticenrollment pipelinewhilealsoincreasinginternationalstudent enrollment,diversifyingthestudentbodyand enhancingtheschool’sglobalreach
Reducingrelianceontuitionincreasesiscriticalfor long-termfinancialstability.GoodCounselwill establishanendowmentdrawpolicyandexplorenew opportunitiesfornon-tuitionrevenue,whilealso reducingannualdebtservice.Tooptimizefinancial performance,theschoolwillconductthorough financialandmarketanalysisacrossallprograms.
Intherealmoftechnology,GoodCounselaimsto enhanceleadership,datasecurity,andinformation management.Thisincludesstrengtheningtheschool’s technologyinfrastructure,assessingdatabaseand networksecurity,anddevelopingbestpracticesfor dataaccessandsharing,ensuringthatalloperationsare secureandefficient.
Alumnioutreachandengagementwillalso beakeyfocus.Theplanoutlineseffortsto expandregionalnetworkingevents,grow alumniaffinitygroups,anddetermineareas ofparticularinterestforalumni involvement GoodCounselaimsto strengthenitscommunityandbroadenits supportbasebydeepeningalumni connections.
Additionally,theplanseekstoexpand communityengagementbyenhancing outreachandadvocacyeffortswithlocal businessandgovernmentleaders.Italso callsforstreamliningparentprogramming andcreatingmoreopportunitiesforparents toengagewiththeschool.Together,these initiativeswillensurethatGoodCounsel remainsoperationallystrong,financially stable,anddeeplyconnectedtoits communityforyearstocome.
Afocusonsecuringthe school’slong-term financialhealthand operationalexcellence throughaseriesoftargeted initiativesisacorepriority ofGoodCounsel. “ ”
OperationalVitality
GOALS & INITIATIVES
IncreasePhilanthropicSupport
Growendowmenttosupporttuitionassistance goalsandprovidefiscalstability.
Assesscampaignreadinessandidentifypriorities.
Increaseannualfundraisingtosupport operationalexcellence.
ReduceRelianceonTuitionIncreases toEnsureFinancialStability
Setandimplementanendowmentdrawpolicy.
Exploreopportunitiestoincreasenon-tuition revenue
Reduceannualdebtservice.
Conductprogramlevelfinancialandmarketanalysis toinformstrategicdecisionsaboutthescopeof programming.
EnsureAccessandAffordability forAcceptedStudents
Developandimplementatargetedprofessional developmentprogramforfaculty&staffto improvemid-levelmanagerial,supervisory,and leadershipskills
EmergeasthoughtleadersinCatholicand Independentschooleducation.
Attractandretainfaculty&staffwhoreflectthe diversityofthecommunity.
Expandhumanresourcesfunctionsandsupport
MaintainSustainableEnrollment
Strategicallymanagethedomesticenrollment pipeline
Increaseinternationalstudentenrollment.
OperationalVitality
GOALS & INITIATIVES
EnhanceTechnologyLeadership,Data Security,andInformationManagement toSupporttheSchool’sOperations
Enhancetechnologyleadershipandstructure.
Assessdatabaseandnetworksecurity.
Developandimplementdataaccessandsharing practices.
StrengthenandExpandCommunity EngagementOpportunities
Cultivateoutreachtoandinvitegovernmentleaders andcommunitybusinessownerstoschoolwide events.
Streamlineparentprogrammingandopportunities.
ExpandAlumniOutreach andEngagement
Assessalumniinterestintheirengagement withtheschool.
Strengthenregionalalumnieventseries.
Continuetobuildaffinityengagement opportunities.
