From the Head of School
Sr. Jane Meyer, O.P. Since St. Agnes Academy began 107 years ago, there have been a number of “drivers” that have changed the focus of education, including the number of women now comprising college enrollment and the professions. The Academy has always been on the cutting edge of education and able to address those changes because of the planning we do. Our strategic plan is a living, breathing document, one that allows us to help create the future rather than stumble into it. It was our current strategic plan that led us to buy the land that is now our “Field of Dreams.” As a result, we have added eight additional teams and approximately 48% of our students participate in at least one sport. Our wellness program has expanded, and P.E. credit is available for the popular Rhythm and Motion classes. We will add a yoga class to the curriculum this coming year. Diversity within our student body and our faculty has been a strategic goal. This current school year opened with the following population: 9% African American, 12% Asian, 20% Hispanic and 59% Anglo. St. Agnes now more closely reflects the changing face of Houston. We take pride in our religious diversity as well, as we are enriched by many other faiths. We have accomplished an amazing amount in every area of our plan. We now begin the next phase of our strategic planning process to guide us through 2020. We started in February with “The State of the School” in which more than 200 interested parents and volunteers came together to talk about their own visions for the Academy’s future, core values that will not change, and the challenges and opportunities we are sure to face. And, we came away energized. We are continuing with focus groups of faculty and staff that are identifying how the current drivers of education – globalization, new technologies, and opportunities for service – must be reflected in all we do. An Emeritus Advisory Council was formed, made up of the wisdom from the past: men and women
who were highly engaged during their daughter’s time at St. Agnes and who bring valuable experience and institutional memory. We continue to survey alumnae, current and past parents to guide us from their perspectives. It is clear from the information that we have collected so far, we know who we are and what we are about: Dominican values, Catholic identity, academic excellence, service to others, empowering young women, and appreciation of diversity. The approach we take now will reflect those core values and allow us to align our facilities and staffing with our program needs. We all sit under the shade of a tree that someone else planted. That is one of my favorite expressions and sums up quite nicely our approach as we begin the next phase of our strategic planning process – honoring the past and looking to the future. Out of this strategic planning process we will create our map for the future. We will set priorities for facility expansion and improvements. We will examine enrollment and decide what we need to do to find balance culturally and economically. And, we will, as a community, phase our decisions into manageable stages so we can continue to offer excellence in education. Come sit in our courtyard under the shade of the live oak trees that the Dominican Sisters planted 50 years ago. Strengthen your ties within the St. Agnes community, and God bless you for being a part of our driving force.
Mission Statement Rooted in the Dominican tradition, St. Agnes Academy provides a Catholic college preparatory education that encourages young women to develop intellectual curiosity, to work for social justice, and to act with integrity and compassion.