Strategic Direction

Pursuit of EXCELLENCE

FRANCIS PARKER SCHOOL STRATEGIC DIRECTION

Our Strategic Direction

What is school for? The experiences of the last two years have revealed to the world the many roles school plays for students beyond academic learning. School is where students often find needed support and safety during challenging times. It’s where they play and build meaningful relationships. It’s where they learn to lean into difficult topics with empathy and thoughtfulness. It’s where they discover new passions and strengths. School is where adolescents develop the skills and knowledge needed to navigate an increasingly complex world.

In 2019, a visiting team from the California Association of Independent Schools provided us with a report of recommendations as part of our re-accreditation process, which mirrored many of our own conclusions found during Parker’s self-study earlier that year. As a large Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 institution, the visiting team’s recommendations centered on alignment—a goal that all Parker community members, regardless of constituency or role, would commit to shared School values and best industry practices.

The Pursuit of Excellence: Francis Parker School’s Strategic Direction is a result of the guidance from our accreditation and the essential insights we’ve gained since 2020. This guide shares our desired outcomes that will support the growth, health, and well-being of the Parker community. This strategic planning includes necessary flexibility to accommodate new external influences, voices, ideas, trends, and perspectives.

Our Guiding Principles

MISSION

Our mission is to create and inspire a diverse community of independent thinkers whose academic excellence, global perspective, and strength of character prepare them to make a meaningful difference in the world.

VISION

Our vision is to build engaging learning environments that nurture curiosity and prepare students with the skills and knowledge they need to embrace purposeful opportunities and live joyful lives.

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

We believe that students learn best in an inclusive and interdependent community where they can thrive socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Faculty create learning environments that support and challenge students to build their knowledge through interconnected and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

CORE VALUES

Students First

Preparing students to make a meaningful difference in the world is the cornerstone of a Parker education . Our mission, vision, and core values collectively prioritize the student experience, which means all School decisions are guided by what is best for children . Parker’s programs provide appropriate structure and guidance for each stage of the student experience to graduate individuals who are self-reliant and lifelong learners .

Academic Excellence

Within a learning environment where all students are seen, known, and valued, we offer courses that move students first through foundational knowledge and then forward “as far as the mind can see ” Students experience innovative and advanced courses that inspire them to think and achieve beyond their initial expectations . We partner with families to meet students’ needs and guide their academic journey

Global Perspective

We ask all members of the Parker community to become attuned to the systems—cultural, political, and economic—that create diverse backgrounds and perspectives throughout the world Students learn from a globally-focused curriculum and begin to know and understand the world through ageappropriate experiential education, service-learning, and guided international travel

Strength of Character

We seek to develop students who understand and value behaviors that are true and good We expect all community members to model upstanding citizenship, appropriately express their beliefs, and understand their responsibilities as members of the larger community . We provide opportunities for students to explore and strengthen these characteristics and expectations for themselves

Inclusive Community

We strive to create a community in which each person is given the opportunity to develop a healthy sense of self and empathy toward one another . We courageously lean into difficult conversations to cultivate an environment of inclusion and belonging We continuously reflect on our practices to prioritize cultural competency in our curriculum, program, policies, and strategic goals

No Limit to Better

True to our progressive legacy, we reflect on and iterate all aspects of school life to ensure that the Parker experience is distinct and serves the needs of our evolving community . There is no limit to what we can dream, do, and try By evaluating and innovating our practice, we model the habits of lifelong learning Striving beyond boundaries is the essence of a Parker education and fuels our journey “as far as the mind can see . ”

Themes

The five themes of Parker’s strategic direction chart our path in pursuit of excellence . These themes serve as guideposts to direct our work strategically and tactically as we move forward as a school . These themes include:

1) One Parker—our commitment to creating and inspiring a healthy, collaborative culture, aligning Parker’s curriculum, programs, and practices

2) Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies—a strengthening of support for the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of Parker students, faculty, and staff

3) The Needs of Society—answering the charge to actualize Parker’s public purpose by developing meaningful partnerships and sharing knowledge with our local communities

4) Lancers for Equity and Justice advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) through deliberate and holistic efforts

INITIATIVE Prioritize a Commitment to Parker’s Guiding Principles

INITIATIVE Establish Programmatic Alignment Sustainability

INITIATIVE

Ensure Parker’s Financial and Operational Sustainability

INITIATIVE

Secure Parker’s Position as a Leading Educational Institution

5) Future Forward—our commitment to the research and design of institutional systems, processes, and plans that ensure Parker’s sustainability as a leading educational institution EQUITY & JUSTICE FUTURE FORWARD

INITIATIVE . Invest in State-of-the-art Facilities for Parker’s Programs

INITIATIVE . Improve Technology to Meet Program Needs

INITIATIVE

Ensure Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is an Integral Part of Parker’s Culture

Prioritize Inclusive Hiring and Recruitment Practices

Integrate Inclusive Curriculum and Programming

INITIATIVE

Establish JK-12 Programmatic Alignment and Sustainability

INITIATIVE

Develop the Division of Integrative Programs

ONE PARKER

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

EQUITY JUSTICE

Inclusive and

INITIATIVE Center the Student, Parent, and Faculty Partnership

INITIATIVE

Elevate Physical Education and Athletic Programs

HEALTHY MINDS, HEALTHY BODIES

INITIATIVE

Support Student Mental Health and Wellness

INITIATIVE

Expand our Shared Duty of Care for Students

THE NEEDS OF SOCIETY

INITIATIVE

Leverage Parker Subject Matter Experts

INITIATIVE

Amplify Student Engagement in Real-world Experiences

INITIATIVE

Expand our Impact on Access to Education

One Parker

Create and inspire a healthy and collaborative culture, aligning Parker’s curriculum, programs, and practices.

INITIATIVE

Prioritize a Commitment to Parker’s Guiding Principles

Outcome: The Parker community has a shared commitment to the School’s mission, vision, educational philosophy, and core values . We will empower ourselves, our colleagues, and our community to act based on these shared beliefs .

TARGETS

 Thoroughly review, update, and clarify the School’s mission, vision, educational philosophy, and core values to ensure authenticity and relevancy

 Review and update documents and processes related to employee hiring and ongoing support to ensure alignment with the guiding principles

 Develop systems and processes to promote a healthy organizational culture by ensuring opportunities for transparency and employee feedback

 Strategically embed the School’s guiding principles across all platforms, publications, campus visuals, and community experiences

INITIATIVE

Establish JK-12 Programmatic Alignment and Sustainability

Outcome: Parker’s curriculum and programs are interconnected and intentionally designed to appropriately challenge students at their level . We will align our programs to ensure a consistent student experience from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12 .

TARGETS

 Regularly review scope and sequence documentation to ensure that Parker delivers an aligned, supportive, and challenging curriculum, JK-Grade 12, with clear learning outcomes and grade-level proficiencies in all subject areas Scope and sequence guides are updated annually and available to the Parker community .

 Foster working partnerships across divisions and departments, review faculty evaluation processes, and create and implement an assessment framework to facilitate JK-12 vertical alignment and best teaching practices to support the student experience

 Routinely assess the sustainability, relevancy, and quality of all School programs

 Review and clarify the roles and responsibilities of divisional leadership teams and advisors to ensure a developmentally appropriate and consistent experience for students in grades 6-12

 Review and clarify the organizational structure and processes of student support

 Review and define the role of technology in the classroom for both students and faculty

 Review the technology curriculum to ensure relevancy and program needs

 Review staffing levels to ensure investments in faculty, staff, and technology to meet program needs and expectations

One Parker

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INITIATIVE

Establish JK-12 Programmatic Alignment and Sustainability (continued)

Outcome: Parker faculty are expert teachers who continuously improve their instructional practice . We will create opportunities for faculty to collaborate across divisions and subject matters to align teaching norms, student assessments, and grading rubrics .

TARGETS

 Integrate proven and innovative methods of teaching and assessment that complement and improve current practices (e g , common assessments, performance assessments, interdisciplinary project-based assessments) .

 Create appropriate opportunities to acknowledge excellence in teaching .

 Design a project charter and operational plan for the development of the Office of Excellence in Teaching and Learning .

INITIATIVE

Develop the Division of Integrative Programs

Outcome: The Parker student experience is rich in program offerings before, during, and after the academic day . We will ensure a consistent student academic experience during faculty absences and engaging program offerings and staff to support students who are on campus before and after school .

TARGETS

 Refine procedures and processes to align practices around student support and coverage during the academic day and beyond .

 Further develop extended day program offerings .

 Review staffing levels to ensure investments in faculty, staff, and technology to meet the division’s needs and expectations .

INITIATIVE

Center the Student, Parent, and Faculty Partnership

Outcome: Parker parents are partners with the School in support of their student’s educational journey . We will provide mission-aligned learning opportunities and resources for parents, bridging the student experience from classroom to home .

TARGETS

 Assign all Grades 6-12 faculty as advisors, empowering them as knowledgeable advocates for parents and students

 Develop educational opportunities for parents that are in alignment with and support Parker’s culture, programs, and strategic initiatives

 Ensure transparency regarding curriculum and advisory learning targets

Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies

Support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of Parker students, faculty, and staff.

INITIATIVE

Elevate Physical Education and Athletic Programs

Outcome: Students are given the tools and education they need to incorporate joyful movement into their daily lives . We will provide the facilities, programs, and faculty students need to engage in meaningful and developmentally appropriate physical activity .

TARGETS

 Reorganize the athletics department to support JKGrade 12 physical education and athletics, including developing an age-appropriate curriculum that highlights character development, mindfulness, and basic understanding of various sports .

 Invest in aquatic center staff and programming to allow Parker athletes to participate in water sports and competition, and provides every Parker student oncampus space for swim lessons, water activities, sports, and water safety instruction

INITIATIVE

Support Student Mental Health and Wellness

Outcome: Parker students have the emotional support they need to concentrate and apply themselves in an academically challenging environment . We will ensure that age-appropriate support and programming are available to every student .

TARGETS

 Ensure all employees complete annual compliance training before the start of each school year The human resources department will ensure all compliance requirements are met for all Parker employees before beginning employment

 Develop annual professional development activities for faculty and staff on additional topics around best practices in supporting students’ health and wellness

 Provide educational opportunities and resources to parents on social and emotional topics

 Review, revise, and ensure adherence to homework and workload policies and expectations

 Reorganize the student support department to elevate the Head of Student Support and Wellness to a leadership position, allowing for the additional voice of student mental health and wellness in School decision making

 Invest in student support faculty and programming across grade levels and ensures student access to counselors when needed .

Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies

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INITIATIVE

Expand our Shared Duty of Care for Students

Outcome: The personal safety of students, faculty, and staff is heightened to prioritize safety protocols that put students first . We will review and improve our security and response procedures and prioritize a commitment to our shared duty of care for students .

TARGETS

 Complete a thorough security assessment to understand Parker’s current situation and needs .

 Invest in supervisory staff to ensure student safety before, during, and after the academic day

 Develop the School’s Incident Response Plan to ensure best-in-class emergency response and communication protocols and employee training .

 Implement a campus accountability system to account for all who are present on campus .

 Increase the understanding of the responsibility of all employees in the shared duty of care for students .

The Needs of Society

Actualize Parker’s public purpose by developing meaningful partnerships and sharing knowledge with our local communities.

INITIATIVE

Leverage Parker Subject Matter Experts

Outcome: Parker faculty and staff are experts in their fields . We will amplify our impact by identifying opportunities to celebrate the work of the School and share our knowledge within our communities and industries .

TARGETS

 Identify opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to engage with educational and professional partners

 Identify opportunities for faculty and staff to showcase and share work within their professional industries

INITIATIVE

Amplify Student Engagement in Real-world Experiences

Outcome: Parker students practice the hard and soft skills needed to successfully navigate adulthood and make a meaningful difference in the world . We will provide opportunities for students to expand their educational activities beyond the classroom . TARGETS

 Create opportunities outside of the classroom where students can develop and practice leadership, entrepreneurial, and collaborative skills with trusted organizations, businesses, and educational institutions

 Empower students to demonstrate their learning and mastery of workplace skills in the classroom and beyond

 Ensure that Parker’s Global Education Program is intentionally integrated into the academic experience in all three divisions and accessible to all Parker students

INITIATIVE

Expand our Impact on Access to Education

Outcome: Horizons at Francis Parker School bridges access to education for students in the San Diego region who need support in building academic and socialemotional skills . We will support this effort by ensuring the program has the resources to meet its goals for local students .

TARGETS

 Formalize the organizational structure of Horizons at Francis Parker School to include an active Board of Directors and an Executive Director

 Engage in fundraising efforts to meet the program needs for measured annual expansion

 Build strategic relationships with local public schools and organizations to amplify the program’s impact on children in the San Diego region

Lancers for Equity and Justice

Advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) through deliberate and holistic efforts.

INITIATIVE

Ensure DEIB is an Integral Part of Parker’s Culture

Outcome: DEIB is central to every level of the School’s organization and is an integral part of decision-making . We will take the time to holistically review and revise all aspects of School life to ensure they reflect the values of inclusion and belonging .

TARGETS

 Educate all employees to think, act, and reflect the values of equity and justice in all aspects of the School, including the composition of committees and boards; the criteria for vendor identification and selection; and the types of events hosted for our constituents

 Provide access to high-level thought leaders in the DEIB space to inform the School of current best practices, and bring these people, thoughts, and ideas to share, educate, and collaborate with our community .

 Invest in the faculty, staff, and programming needed to support the Office of DEIB, and elevate the Director of DEIB to the Parker Leadership Team .

INITIATIVE

Prioritize Inclusive Hiring and Recruitment Practices

Outcome: Parker students see their identities reflected back to them in their teachers, coaches, advisors, administrators, and staff . We will recruit employees and families who align with the vision and core values of the School and ensure that Parker employees, students, and parents have access to the resources and platforms they need to feel a sense of belonging at Parker .

TARGETS

 Formalize and support affinity groups for students, faculty, parents, and alumni to create spaces to share their experiences and advise on organizational change .

 Ensure that racial diversity is a fundamental hiring metric principle in the recruitment and hiring of faculty, staff, and administration .

 Provide cultural competency and implicit bias training for faculty, staff, administration, and the Board of Trustees

 Collaborate and partner with the admissions office to attract, recruit, retain, and support BIPOC students and their families

 Explore translation services or technology for student and family-facing programs .

Lancers for Equity and Justice

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INITIATIVE

Integrate Inclusive Curriculum and Programming

Outcome: Parker students’ academic and social wellbeing are supported through a sense of belonging in their School . We will ensure the School’s curriculum, programming, and teaching practices develop students’ self-awareness and intercultural competence to live in a multicultural society .

TARGETS

 Integrate anti-bias/anti-racist (ABAR) education into the JK to Grade 12 curriculum, ensuring the voices, experiences, history, and contributions of BIPOC are ubiquitous

 Expand and deepen ABAR education and culturally and linguistically responsive training for faculty, staff, and administration

 Formalize and incorporate ABAR education and training into the Lower, Middle, and Upper School co-curricular, assembly, and extracurricular programs

 Host DEIB-related forums, student empowerment collaboratives, and consortiums for the Parker community and external partners

 Partner with LGBTQ+ educational consultants to promote inclusive health and development curriculum for students

 Plan opportunities for first-generation students to visit in-state colleges and universities

 Research academic dashboarding and opportunities to collect student experiential data to inform School decision-making and program development

Future Forward

Research and design institutional systems, processes, and plans that ensure Parker’s sustainability as a leading educational institution.

INITIATIVE

Ensure Parker’s Financial and Operational Sustainability

Outcome: Parker’s operational processes are reviewed and strengthened to ensure the appropriate use of the School’s human and financial resources . We will analyze our practices and make meaningful improvements to ensure Parker remains financially strong .

TARGETS

 Partner with the Head of School to review and improve the School’s budgeting, reporting, review, and forecasting practices to ensure long-term financial stability

 Adopt a school-wide project management process to increase efficiencies and streamline implementation

Outcome: Parker is a leader in the development of innovative approaches to learning . We will support and invest in the prototyping and piloting of new Parker programs .

TARGETS

 Establish a framework for new and innovative programs to be tested and developed to enhance program offerings in a consistent and measured way

INITIATIVE

Secure Parker’s Position as a Leading Educational Institution

Outcome: Parker’s Leadership Team has a deepened understanding of the School’s marketplace position . We will engage in activities to better understand the behaviors, values, and needs of the next generation of Parker families .

TARGETS

 Complete a thorough market study to understand Parker’s current and prospective families

 Establish a committee to regularly scan external industry and consumer behavior trends to identify potential challenges and opportunities relating to School programming and enrollment

INITIATIVE

Invest in State-of-the-art Facilities for Parker’s Programs

Outcome: Students and faculty thrive in facilities and grounds that advance learning, inspire discovery, and ignite creativity . We will regularly review facility usage and development plans to ensure programming needs are met .

TARGETS

 Complete the Phase 8 project to ensure all school facilities meet the current and future needs of athletic competition and the overall physical education program, replacing aging buildings with state-of-the-art physical education and athletic facilities as defined in the Linda Vista Campus Master Plan

 Review the Mission Hills Campus improvements and integrate them into the School’s Master Plan .

Future Forward

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INITIATIVE

Improve Technology to Meet Program Needs

Outcome: Parker’s technology infrastructure supports dynamic learning environments and safeguards student, family, and employee privacy . We will invest in improvements to ensure the School’s information systems meet organizational needs . TARGETS

 Complete a thorough security assessment to understand Parker’s current situation and needs

 Review and revise procedures and policies related to data keeping that focus on the optimization of systems and accounts, the standardization of record-keeping across departments and divisions, and ensuring the privacy and security of stored information

Pursuit of Excellence

Parker’s strategic direction is our roadmap to continued and renewed excellence. We look forward to embarking on this journey together.