Strong Minds, Kind Hearts, Bold Future.
Message from the Head of School & Board Chair
Dear Stratford Hall Community,
As we begin Stratford Hall’s 25th year of operation, we are very pleased to present you with our new, long-range strategic plan. Within these pages, you will find deeply meaningful perspectives on the past, present, and future of our school. Our community deserves no less than this bold and clear path to advance Stratford Hall’s distinguished history of diversity, creativity, and excellence.
Since the world is changing at an increasingly rapid pace, the needs of families, children, and educators continue to change as well. As a leader in K-12, International Baccalaureate education, we constantly explore new ways to build student skills and habits, provide socioemotional development, and strengthen kindness and togetherness.
Through surveys, focus group discussions, and interactive workshops, the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Governors developed this plan with the support of consultants Future Design School. Our community offered insights into the greatest strengths that uniquely define our school and the areas where we could develop strategies to leap forward. Each section presents these strengths and commitments in that order.
We are deeply committed to serving this remarkable school with dedication and collaboration. Thank you for being an integral part of the Stratford Hall community.
Warmly,
Richard Kassissieh Head of School
Ron Cheung Board Chair
Our Mission
Empowering a diverse community of learners to passionately steward our changing world
Our Vision
Inspiring minds through innovation and ingenuity
Our Values
• Integrity
• Curiosity
• Belonging
Proud & Inclusive Community
Recognizing that our differences are our strengths, we strive for equity and genuine belonging in our community. We are proud of the rich cultural diversity of our school and the character development that comes from valuing each other’s unique identities.
We welcome and respect people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, races and cultures, religions and indigenous ancestries, abilities, and socioeconomic means. We have a role to play in creating a world free of identity-based oppression.
OUR COMMITMENTS:
` Demonstrate courageous integrity around living our stated DEIB values
` Deepen our Truth & Reconciliation practices
` Proudly celebrate the efforts and accomplishments of our students, staff, families, and alumni
` Support the wellbeing of our staff and students in innovative ways
` Develop meaningful, lifelong relationships with our alumni community.
` Strengthen awareness of our identity as a diverse and inclusive school in the broader community
` Attract and enroll families to broaden socioeconomic diversity
` Uphold student perspectives in shaping the future of the school.
“I love working here. The students are incredible people who inspire me every day. I am grateful for the long career I have had here and I am proud to work at Stratford Hall.”
- STAFF
STRATEGIC PILLAR TWO
Joy in the Pursuit of Excellence
As one of the first IB Continuum schools in Western Canada, we embrace joy within the challenges of pursuing academic, co-curricular, and social excellence. Creativity, discovery, critical thinking, and collaboration enhance the educational journey for all.
OUR COMMITMENTS:
` Involve students in shaping the design and delivery of their educational experiences
` Develop innovative approaches to deepen engagement and achieve balance within our IB programs
` Connect programs to the Portrait of a Graduate actions: Authenticity, Personal Growth, Ethical Values, and Positive Change
` Support educator collaboration to enhance creativity and joy
` Explore a second, innovative pathway in Grades 11-12 based on the IB Careers Related Programme (CP)
` Clarify our personalized approach to post-secondary advising and career coaching.
` Support students in making greater connections to the world beyond school
“Every day is a chance to learn. I really love the feeling of walking through the doors with a wonderful day ahead of me.”
- STUDENT
United in Future Vision & Shared Responsibility
Our school is united in a future vision and shared responsibility in achieving our goals. We are all dedicated to ongoing innovation, demonstrating growth mindsets, and working collaboratively.
We ensure that decisions are informed by evidence and continually evolve to meet the changing needs of our students and community.
OUR COMMITMENTS:
` Act with intentionality and shared responsibility to meet the changing needs of our students and community
` Strengthen our commitments to design thinking and sustainability as drivers for innovation
` Grow the Senior School by 50% to further diversify and strengthen electives, sports, and arts programs
` Redevelop the campus to increase space and create a new heart of the school
` Strengthen financial sustainability to support future school innovation
` Study faculty and staff roles and time commitments in order to support well-being
` Build a culture of role clarity, feedback and growth mindsets
` Responsibly collect data to inform decision making and maintain mission focus
` Provide greater visibility into board governance and membership
“This is a community dedicated to learning by challenging individuals to reach past obstacles, be it individual or collective, through leadership, interaction and innovation.”
- PARENT
