STRATEGIC LONG RANGE PLAN
2023-2028
SAN JOSE EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL
Board of Trustees 2022-2023
Mr. Brian Logullo, Board Chair
Mrs. Kristie Bliss
Mr. Simon Curtis
Ms. Forrest Holland
Mrs. Barbara Ondo Morrison
Mrs. Emily Rottmann
Mr. Michael Skipper
Mrs. Melissa Spediacci
Mrs. Courtney Stoner
Mrs. Allison Weaver
Administration and Clergy
Dr. Sloane Castleman
The Rev. Stephen C. Britt
The Rev. Sara Rich
Ms. Amy Blumstein
Mrs. Vivian Bradford
Mrs. Teresa Hall
Mr. Brian Pargman
Mrs. Stacey Stec
Head of School
Rector
Curate
Dean of Students/Director of Auxiliary Programs
Assistant Director of Admission
Director of Admission and Enrollment Management
Director of Marketing and Development
Director of Finance and Operations
STRATEGIC LONG RANGE PLAN
INTRODUCTION
The Strategic Plan shared within the pages of this booklet will be a historic one for San Jose Episcopal Day School (SJEDS) for one very simple and very momentous reason: this is the plan that will usher our school community through its 75th anniversary. As a Board, we felt the weight of that responsibility and committed ourselves to approaching this work with open minds, prayerful hearts, and with steadfast faith in the work God is doing through us and for our beloved community.
The goals we ultimately selected honor our longstanding history, identity, and mission, and yet also lift our gaze in the direction of a vibrant and inspiring future. As a leading Independent School in the Jacksonville area, we wanted to ensure that SJEDS remains a trusted, respected, recognizable, and highly sought-after school not just within the local community, but beyond. As such, we have wholeheartedly poured ourselves into developing a plan that is brimming with potential and reflective of our best intentions and hopes for the next chapter in San Jose Episcopal Day School’s story.
Reflecting on Our Past
Since 1950, San Jose Episcopal Day School has served as a thriving ministry of the San Jose Episcopal Church. While much has changed over the years, we have not wavered in our steadfast commitment to offering students a dynamic and challenging academic program of study within the context of a deeply caring and responsive Christian environment.
Owning Our Present
This is a school where the mission permeates every aspect of daily life. One cannot spend even a few minutes on our campus without seeing our mission in action! Whether you are winding your way through our halls, lending a helping hand in our classrooms, or observing students at play in some of our outdoor learning spaces, you are sure to witness faculty, staff, and students alike “Inspiring a passion for learning, a life of integrity, and a heart for Christian service.” Indeed, our mission is woven so deeply into the fabric of SJEDS’ identity that neither could exist without the other. SJEDS remains and will always be a Christ-centered community, exceptional in its calling and remarkable in its sweetness.
Setting a Course for the Future
As we look to the future, we see opportunities to emerge as Jacksonville’s premier independent elementary school by expanding our presence and brand recognition. We see opportunities to rejuvenate our academic offerings, to lift up our faculty, and to bring enrollment back to optimal levels. And finally, we see opportunities to engage the many diverse members of our community in meaningful and fulfilling fellowship by advancing the Episcopal Church’s stance, which is that “All are Welcome."
We look to our 75th anniversary with joyful anticipation and hope that every member of this community will feel called to commit to contributing on a personal level to the goals laid out in this historic Strategic Plan. Each of us is a part of this vision and has a role to play. As such, we invite you into this work and thank you for your ongoing, wholehearted partnership.
SUMMARY OF GOALS
GOAL ONE: Academics
San Jose Episcopal Day School will conduct a comprehensive analysis of its academic program and instructional practices to ensure all learners have access to top-tier instructional design and learning opportunities.
GOAL TWO: Community
San Jose Episcopal Day School will embrace all members of its community, recognizing the common threads that bind us while celebrating the differences that make each member unique and valuable, consistent with our School’s Episcopal identity.
GOAL THREE: Sustainability
San Jose Episcopal Day School will develop a plan for continued financial sustainability to ensure quality talent, facilities, and educational services.
GOAL FOUR: Marketing
San Jose Episcopal Day School will advance its mission and leverage its unique assets to promote its position as one of the leading independent schools in Jacksonville.
GOAL ONE | Academics
Cultivate a school-wide approach to classroom management that ensures all learners can enjoy engaging academics and membership within a safe, caring, positive, respectful, and inclusive community
Engage faculty in a comprehensive review of standards, curriculum, and instructional practices across all major subject areas to augment vertical and horizontal alignment and to ensure that students are receiving an educational experience that is challenging, engaging, and empowering
Develop a school-wide Engineering and Innovation Program that engages students in cross-disciplinary, hands-on opportunities to explore real-world problems and to develop skills and habits of the mind such as questioning, researching, prototyping, collaborating, and communicating
Advance the professionalism of our faculty through tiered professional growth cycles that empower educators as leaders of their own learning and as revered leaders in their respective fields beyond our campus
GOAL TWO | Community
Recruit, retain, and support faculty and staff of the highest caliber
Increase diversity among our Faculty and Board membership to better reflect the broad diversity of our student population
Nurture our relationship with our parish church and guide all of God’s people to faithful worship and engaged participation in our parish or in a faith tradition of their choosing
Create interest and affinity groups to better connect our families to one another and provide opportunities for these groups to share ideas and experiences with the community
Ensure that all people feel welcome in our social and learning environment
GOAL THREE | Sustainability
Develop a focused plan to offer competitive salaries at every position
Increase enrollment, striving for full enrollment of mission-appropriate students in all classrooms
Assess needs and costs of maintaining and improving our historic building and extensive grounds, with the intent of connecting to a capital campaign
Expand cash reserves and establish an endowment for financial aid
GOAL FOUR | Marketing
Promote the hallmarks of our identity as an Episcopal school, which includes spiritual growth, academic excellence, a warm and inclusive community, and the remarkable sweetness that has always characterized SJEDS
Recognize and celebrate student, faculty, and alumni achievements with the greater community, highlighting their careers, professional accomplishments, and personal pursuits
Create and foster relationships with grandparents, alumni, businesses, and community leaders to support SJEDS’ long-range goals
Holy Spirit, Lord of love, Come to our school today. Work with us and play with us And hear us when we pray. Show us how to follow Christ In all we think and say and do, For He was once a child like us and All our cares and joys He knew. Amen.
