St. Johns Country Day School 2020-2021 Strategic Plan

2020-2025

Strategic Plan

Mission Statement St. Johns Country Day School's mission is to provide a superior college preparatory program with an innovative curriculum that stresses academic accomplishment, artistic excellence, and athletic competition in a supportive environment that develops students who seek solutions, accept responsibility, and create collaboration.

Introduction and Process From its founding in 1953, St. Johns Country Day School has been at the forefront of college preparatory education in Florida. One of the founder members of the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS) in 1954, St. Johns has continued to lead the way in defining the college preparatory education, experience, and curriculum.

In 2020, the Board of Trustees initiated the process to develop the School’s next five-year strategic plan, which sets St. Johns on a course of continued self-evaluation and quality improvement. In cooperation with the Head of School, the Board determined the following areas of focus:

1. What does it mean to be a college preparatory school in the 21st century?

2. How can St. Johns meet the challenge of developing an increasingly diverse, inclusive, and supportive School community?

3. How will the School maintain its financial strength as a leading independent school in the 21st century?

Once these focus areas were identified, the Board appointed a Strategic Planning Committee comprised of trustees, administration, and faculty. The Strategic Planning Committee approached this work with a commitment to collaboration and inclusivity. With St. Johns’ mission statement at the center of every discussion, the Strategic Planning Committee engaged the School community in discussions and meetings during the 2020-2021 school year. Additionally, the strategic planning process was informed by the comprehensive self-study St. Johns undertook from August – October 2020 as a part of the School’s reaccreditation by the Florida Council of Independent Schools.

The resulting strategic plan provides a clear vision for St. Johns’ future and the priorities for how we should invest our resources and focus our efforts over the next three to five years. The Board of Trustees approved the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan in May 2021.

This plan represents an important next chapter in St. Johns’ history of helping Northeast Florida’s students realize their highest potential. Thank you to everyone who contributed time, thought, and enthusiasm to develop this vision for the future of our School.

Valorie Baker Head of School

Eugene B. Nichols Chair Board of Trustees

College Preparatory Preparing Students to Lead in the 21st Century Rationale While the mission of St. Johns Country Day School remains very much the same as when our School was founded in 1953, education and the School itself are changing rapidly.

We know that graduates of tomorrow need a whole host of skills and experiences that didn't exist nearly seventy years ago. That's why St. Johns is redefining the college preparatory experience, helping students cultivate the skills they need to be prepared for the colleges of today and the 21st century workforce beyond. St. Johns' goal is to develop students who seek solutions, accept responsibility, and create collaboration.

Goal Continue to prepare St. Johns students not just to survive but to thrive in college and beyond.

Strategies 1. E nsure that the School’s mission is grounded in proven fundamentals with an openness and willingness to accept diversity in the execution of the fundamentals.

2. E stablish a center for innovation and technology to generate and support a curriculum grounded in design thinking and multidisciplinary purposes.

3. E nsure that St. Johns’ curriculum is meeting the current college entrance preferences.

Community Cultivating Community Rationale In our ever-changing world, the ability to confidently engage in civil discourse is essential to becoming an active and involved citizen. Therefore, we must educate our students and the broader School community about the skills necessary to listen and respectfully respond to the challenging topics of today. Teaching equity and inclusion is fundamental to producing globally aware citizens and celebrating equity and inclusion with our faculty, staff, and students is an important component of training the leaders of tomorrow. We believe this philosophy affirms that all families are welcome, connected, and integrated into the life of St. Johns Country Day School.

Goal Continue to cultivate and promote a school that is diverse, welcoming, and inclusive and that appreciates differences while fostering community.

Strategies 1. D evelop and implement effective strategies to tell the St. Johns story and attract and retain mission-appropriate students and families to the St. Johns community.

2. D evelop and implement effective strategies to attract and retain highly qualified faculty and staff.

Financial Strength Elevating Our Financial Strength Rationale Today's schools must plan for the future as well as remain competitive in the present.

Success is based on a commitment to building the endowment, and continual prudent fiscal management.

Goal Sustain and develop financial resources that serve current and future generations in ways that amplify St. Johns’ core values.

Strategies 1. E valuate tuition rates using competition models as well as socio-economic and market trends.

2. E valuate current financial aid policies and model to ensure they support students who fit our academic goals and mission.

3. E valuate annual participation and budget constraints to offer a 403(b) match that is competitive with the market.

4. L everage funding and naming opportunities toward teacher incentives, salaries, and professional development.

5. C onduct a full analysis of the feasibility of continuing the Merit Scholarship program.

Explore naming opportunities and percentages of the scholarship.

6. C onduct a full evaluation of current facilities with opportunity model created and prioritized by need.

7. B etter balance the Board profile of parent and non-parent membership.

Strategic Planning Committee Craig Phillips (Chair) Steve Connor Margaret Rood Gibbs Rick Gregson Joseph E. Lemieux, Jr. Richard Wilson

Board Officers Eugene B. Nichols, President Daniel W. Hodges, Vice President Steven W. Connor, Secretary Allan E. Wulbern, Treasurer

Board of Trustees Nicholas K. Courtney Margaret Rood Gibbs Rick Gregson Joseph E. Lemieux, Jr. John Maierhoffer Robin McMullen Pamela Petty Craig Phillips Daniel Towers Richard Wilson

Trustees Emeritus Dr. Steven B. Kailes Stephen F. Russey, Headmaster Emeritus

Ex Officio Valorie Baker, Head of School

3100 Doctors Lake Drive Orange Park, FL 32073 Phone: (904) 264-9572