2025-2029 Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan 2025–2029

Dear Our Lady of Good Counsel Community,

January 2025

This strategic plan for Our Lady of Good Counsel High School reflects a commitment to deepening Good Counsel’s Catholic and Xaverian identity while advancing academic excellence, student well-being, operational vitality, and governance. Rooted in the mission of educating students in the tradition of the Xaverian Brothers, this plan outlines key priorities that will guide Good Counsel, ensuring that it remains a beacon of faith, learning, and service.

At the heart of the plan is the deepening of Mission & Identity, where we will further the faith formation of our students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni. Through a series of initiatives, we will strengthen the understanding and significance of our Catholic, Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School identity across all aspects of our community, from academics to athletics, to ensure that Good Counsel continues to live out its mission in a meaningful way.

Equally important is enhancing the Student Experience & Academic Excellence. We are committed to providing every student access to best practices in 21st century teaching and learning, supported by innovative curriculum, rigorous college preparatory programs, and comprehensive student services. This includes fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where students can thrive both academically and personally.

Governance & Leadership will play a critical role in ensuring that Good Counsel remains a leader in Catholic education. By focusing on the Board of Directors’ involvement in governance, mission, and philanthropy, and ensuring the recruitment, development, and retention of diverse and qualified faculty and staff, we will continue to deliver on our mission and sustain a high level of educational excellence.

To maintain the school's Operational Vitality, we will focus on expanding philanthropic support, strengthening our pipeline of new students, managing tuition sustainably, enhancing technological leadership, and expanding community engagement. These efforts will secure Good Counsel’s financial stability and ensure access and affordability for all students, preserving our commitment to providing a world-class education for future generations.

This strategic plan is a roadmap for Good Counsel's future, ensuring that the school remains a thriving, mission-driven institution that meets the evolving needs of its students and community. Through these core priorities and goals, Good Counsel will continue to inspire and challenge students to become compassionate leaders, lifelong learners, and committed contributors to society.

Sincerely,

William Riley, Jr. ’68, Chair

John Ciccone, President

Mission Statement At Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, a Catholic high school sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers, we inspire our students to excel, serve, and love.

Mission & Identity Fostering a deeper understanding and practice of the school’s Catholic, Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School identity within every aspect of the community is a core priority for Good Counsel. A key component of this is to enhance the faith formation experiences for all members of the Good Counsel community, providing students, faculty, staff, and parents with opportunities to grow spiritually and embrace the school’s Xaverian values.

For students, this means cultivating a deeper awareness of the significance of Good Counsel’s Catholic and Xaverian roots, allowing them to live out these values in their daily lives. Faculty and staff formation will also be strengthened, ensuring they are wellprepared to educate and guide students within this rich faith tradition. Parents will have new opportunities to learn about the school’s Catholic and Xaverian history and charism, further uniting the broader community in its shared mission.

“ Good Counsel will

strengthen its network and make a meaningful impact in areas that intersect Catholicism, multicultural affairs, and inclusion.

”

The Xaverian identity will be infused into multiple areas of school life, including the athletic program, where it will be integrated to support the character development and sportsmanship. Additionally, alumni engagement will be enhanced through activities and publications highlighting the enduring influence of the Xaverian charism in their lives.

To ensure the continued growth of these efforts, the Office of Mission and Identity will be equipped with the resources necessary to meet the community's evolving needs. As part of this focus, the school will expand its commitment to community engagement by offering more opportunities for students to participate in service projects and social justice activities, encouraging them to live out the values of compassion and justice.

By connecting with peer institutions and mission-aligned organizations, Good Counsel will strengthen its network and make a meaningful impact in areas that intersect Catholicism, multicultural affairs, and inclusion. In doing so, Good Counsel aspires to be a leading voice in promoting Catholic values and social responsibility in today’s diverse and evolving world.

Mission & Identity GOALS & INITIATIVES Deepen the Faith Formation Experiences of the Good Counsel Community + Further students’ understanding of the significance of Good Counsel’s Catholic, Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School identity.

+ Strengthen faculty & staff formation as educators in

Strengthen the Expression of our Catholic, Xaverian Identity through Community Engagement + Expand community service opportunities for students.

+ Increase the frequency and broaden the

scope of social justice activities for students.

a Catholic, Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School.

+ Provide formation opportunities to the parent

community regarding Good Counsel’s Catholic, Xaverian history and charism.

+ Integrate Xaverian identity into the development of the athletic program.

+ Incorporate Xaverian identity into alumni activities and publications.

+ Ensure that the Office of Mission and Identity is

well resourced and positioned to meet the needs of the community.

+ Network with peer and mission-aligned institutions.

+ Make Good Counsel an influential voice at the intersection of Catholicism, Multicultural Affairs, and Inclusion.

Student Experience & Academic Excellence Dedicated to ensuring that every student has access to the best educational practices and a learning environment that prepares them for success in the 21st century is a core priority at Good Counsel. Essential to this vision is articulating a clear and dynamic approach to teaching and learning that engages all students, offering relevant and innovative courses that inspire academic growth and curiosity.

A key focus will be enhancing the rigor of College Prep courses, ensuring that students are challenged and supported in meeting high academic standards. By incorporating International Baccalaureate best practices across all grade levels and subjects, the school will create a globally informed, inquiry-based approach to learning. In addition, the curriculum will be culturally responsive and innovative, addressing the diverse needs and perspectives of the student body.

In college counseling, Good Counsel is committed to broadening access and guidance for students as they navigate their postsecondary options. By expanding resources and fostering strong relationships with professional organizations and college admissions offices, the school will offer comprehensive support, ensuring that the counseling structure reflects the highest standards in Catholic and independent education.

Student well-being and belonging are also central to this plan. Good Counsel will review and restructure student support services to ensure they align with best practices, fostering a positive and inclusive learning culture that extends to all areas of student life. By nurturing physical and psychological safety, the school will continue to be a space where students can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

Finally, Good Counsel will continue to invest in state-of-the-art facilities that meet students' evolving needs. Completing a campus master planning project, alongside efforts to secure financial resources for facility maintenance and explore opportunities for land expansion and partnerships, will ensure that the physical environment supports the school’s mission of academic excellence and student well-being.

“ By nurturing physical

and psychological safety, the school will continue to be a space where students can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

”

Student Experience & Academic Excellence GOALS & INITIATIVES Provide Every Student Access to Best Practices in 21st Century Teaching and Learning

Broaden College Counseling Access and Advising

+ Articulate the Good Counsel Vision for teaching

+ Expand resources, access, and opportunities

+ Serve all students by increasing dynamic, relevant,

+ Strengthen institutional relationships with

and learning.

and engaging courses and programs.

+ Increase the rigor in College Prep courses and support students in meeting that standard.

+ Apply International Baccalaureate philosophy in teaching and learning across all grade levels and courses.

+ Provide culturally responsive and innovative curriculum.

for students to explore college pathways.

professional counseling organizations and college admission offices.

+ Ensure the college counseling structure and

services reflect best practices in Catholic and independent school education.

Student Experience & Academic Excellence GOALS & INITIATIVES Continue to Cultivate Student Belonging and Well-Being

Continue to Provide State-ofthe-Art Facilities that Meet the Students’ Evolving Needs

+ Review and restructure student support services

+ Complete campus master planning project.

and staffing to reflect best practices in Catholic and independent school education.

+ Strengthen financial resources for facility maintenance.

+ Expand and enhance a positive learning culture and inclusive environment in all aspects of student life.

+ Nurture physical health, well-being, and psychological safety for students.

+ Explore land expansion and partnership opportunities.

Governance & Leadership Emphasizing the role of the Board of Directors in guiding the school’s mission, governance, and philanthropic efforts is a core priority of Good Counsel. By recruiting and educating Directors with expertise in philanthropy, professional experience, and diversity, the Board will be better positioned to support the school’s long-term success.

In addition, greater involvement of community members on Board committees will further enrich the governance of the school by infusing diverse perspectives and expanding Directors' outreach to engage with key stakeholders.

“ By fostering a professional

environment that prioritizes growth and excellence, Good Counsel will continue to attract and retain educators who reflect the community’s diversity and are committed to providing a transformative educational experience.

”

An essential element of this core priority is ensuring the recruitment, development, and retention of faculty & staff who are aligned with Good Counsel’s mission. The school will develop and implement a targeted professional development program that equips faculty & staff with the skills and knowledge to excel in their roles and emerge as thought leaders in Catholic and independent school education.

By fostering a professional environment that prioritizes growth and excellence, Good Counsel will continue to attract and retain educators who reflect the community’s diversity and are committed to providing a transformative educational experience.

To support this work, the plan includes expanding human resources functions and services, ensuring that faculty and staff are fully supported in their development, wellbeing, and contributions to the school’s mission. This strategic focus on governance and leadership will position Good Counsel to thrive as a forward-thinking institution dedicated to excellence in Catholic education.

Governance & Leadership GOALS & INITIATIVES Strengthen Board of Directors Leadership in Governance, Mission, and Philanthropy + Recruit and educate Directors in the areas of philanthropy, professional experience, and diversity.

+ Identify community members to serve on Board of Director committees.

+ Involve Directors in engagement and outreach with alumni and donor prospects

Ensure the Recruitment, Development, and Retention of Faculty & Staff Allowing them to Deliver the Good Counsel Mission + Develop and implement a targeted

professional development program for faculty & staff to improve mid-level managerial, supervisory, and leadership skills.

+ Emerge as thought leaders in Catholic and Independent school education.

+ Attract and retain faculty & staff who reflect the diversity of the community.

+ Expand human resources functions and support.

Operational Vitality A focus on securing the school’s long-term financial health and operational excellence through a series of targeted initiatives is a core priority of Good Counsel.

Central to this effort is increasing philanthropic support by growing the school’s endowment to bolster tuition assistance and ensure fiscal stability.

This includes launching a campaign feasibility study to identify key funding priorities and increasing annual fundraising efforts to maintain operational excellence.

Ensuring access and affordability for students remains a top priority, and the plan calls for a sustainable approach to managing tuition increases, alongside implementing and evaluating a new tuition assistance policy. To support enrollment goals, Good Counsel will strategically manage its domestic enrollment pipeline while also increasing international student enrollment, diversifying the student body and enhancing the school’s global reach.

Reducing reliance on tuition increases is critical for long-term financial stability. Good Counsel will establish an endowment draw policy and explore new opportunities for non-tuition revenue, while also reducing annual debt service. To optimize financial performance, the school will conduct thorough financial and market analysis across all programs.

In the realm of technology, Good Counsel aims to enhance leadership, data security, and information management. This includes strengthening the school’s technology infrastructure, assessing database and network security, and developing best practices for data access and sharing, ensuring that all operations are secure and efficient.

Alumni outreach and engagement will also be a key focus. The plan outlines efforts to expand regional networking events, grow alumni affinity groups, and determine areas of particular interest for alumni involvement. Good Counsel aims to strengthen its community and broaden its support base by deepening alumni connections.

Additionally, the plan seeks to expand community engagement by enhancing outreach and advocacy efforts with local business and government leaders. It also calls for streamlining parent programming and creating more opportunities for parents to engage with the school. Together, these initiatives will ensure that Good Counsel remains operationally strong, financially stable, and deeply connected to its community for years to come.

on securing the “A focus school’s long-term

financial health and operational excellence through a series of targeted initiatives is a core priority of Good Counsel.

”

Operational Vitality GOALS & INITIATIVES Increase Philanthropic Support

Ensure Access and Affordability for Accepted Students

+ Grow endowment to support tuition assistance

+ Develop and implement a targeted professional

goals and provide fiscal stability.

+ Assess campaign readiness and identify priorities. + Increase annual fundraising to support operational excellence.

Reduce Reliance on Tuition Increases to Ensure Financial Stability + Set and implement an endowment draw policy. + Explore opportunities to increase non-tuition revenue.

+ Reduce annual debt service. + Conduct program level financial and market analysis to inform strategic decisions about the scope of programming.

development program for faculty & staff to improve mid-level managerial, supervisory, and leadership skills.

+ Emerge as thought leaders in Catholic and Independent school education.

+ Attract and retain faculty & staff who reflect the diversity of the community.

+ Expand human resources functions and support.

Maintain Sustainable Enrollment + Strategically manage the domestic enrollment pipeline.

+ Increase international student enrollment.

Operational Vitality GOALS & INITIATIVES Enhance Technology Leadership, Data Expand Alumni Outreach Security, and Information Management and Engagement to Support the School’s Operations + Assess alumni interest in their engagement + Enhance technology leadership and structure.

with the school.

+ Assess database and network security.

+ Strengthen regional alumni event series.

+ Develop and implement data access and sharing

+ Continue to build affinity engagement

practices.

Strengthen and Expand Community Engagement Opportunities + Cultivate outreach to and invite government leaders and community business owners to school wide events.

+ Streamline parent programming and opportunities.

opportunities.