MISSION 2028: Inspiring, Stewarding, and Ensuring Our Legacy

STRATEGIC PLAN MISSION 2028: Inspiring, Stewarding, and Ensuring Our Legacy

MISSION Stratton Mountain School provides a unique environment that offers each student the opportunity to pursue excellence in competitive winter sports and college preparatory academics while developing strong personal values.

FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR In 2022, we celebrated the first 50 years of Stratton Mountain School.

This impressive milestone affirmed the power of a compelling vision, a disciplined plan, and a passionate community. As SMS moves toward the centennial mark, we continue to envision and embrace our future with intention, inspiration, and information. In April, we launched a strategic planning process aimed at charting our course for the next 3-5 years. The new plan should build on the strong foundation those before us have firmly established and ensure Stratton Mountain School remains one of the most prestigious winter sports academies in the world.

While the Board of Trustees holds ultimate responsibility for stewarding the school and its mission, we know that our future lives in the hands and hearts of our community. We engaged trustees, alumni, staff, faculty, coaches, students, and parents in a dialogue about what we love most about SMS and where we see an opportunity for change. The Task Force analyzed data, identified strategic challenges and opportunities, explored internal and external influences and trends, and drafted a framework of key priorities, goals, and strategies. They brought both curiosity and a critical eye to the process, recognizing that while we cannot control the future, we can and must be prepared for a range of possibilities. We can shape, rather than react, to our ever-changing landscape, guided by our shared vision for SMS. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to share my gratitude to all who contributed to this exciting conversation. In particular, I would like to thank Trustee Darcy Ahl and Head of School Carson Thurber for their leadership in the strategic planning process. I also want to acknowledge the dedication of the 17 Task Force members who worked diligently throughout the summer to craft a plan rooted in our enduring mission and elevated by our courageous aspirations.

The pursuit of excellence continues to shine as our north star. We appreciate all who have supported the journey of Stratton Mountain School in its first half-century and invite you to join us as we move toward a bright future.

Robert J. Stevenish, Board Chair, P’21

OUR PROCESS IDENTIFY THE BIG QUESTIONS • Where do we need or have the opportunity to innovate?

• What do we need or want to preserve?

• Where do we see the risk?

• What are the issues we are trying to address?

• What additional information or data do we need?

CRAFT THE STRATEGIC GOALS

To guide our planning process, the school’s leadership engaged Educators Collaborative, a nationally recognized firm that assisted with the Head of School search in 2019 and knows Stratton Mountain School well. A Task Force composed of trustees, alumni, staff, faculty, coaches, and parents worked collaboratively through a series of exercises designed to establish priorities based on trends, data, and feedback from our community.

The Task Force met throughout the summer and crafted strategic goals, strategies, and work plans with action steps. Estimated costs, metrics of success, and responsibility for implementation are in development as SMS moves forward on the execution of the strategic plan.

• Do these Strategic Goals capture the opportunities and challenges we have identified?

• Do the Strategic Goals reflect the mission and values of SMS?

STRATEGIC PLANNING TASK FORCE

• Based on the information we have, is there anything missing?

Darcy Ahl Trustee ‘80, Co-Chair, Trustee, P’08 Allison Barber PA President, P’24

EXPLORE POSSIBLE STRATEGIES

Kate Boobar Athletic Trainer

• Do the strategies align with and/or enhance our mission?

Emily Daly Community Life Director

• Do they build on and/or reinforce our competitive advantage?

Ann Marie Forehand Trustee, P’16, P’20

• Are they financially viable?

Rick Jones Facilities Director

• Do we have the organizational capacity to implement these strategies?

Kate Koch History Faculty, P ‘18, P’20

• What will we not do as a result?

• Do these strategies advance our vision for SMS?

DEVELOP WORK PLANS • Articulate the action steps • Estimate the resources needed • Identify metrics and deliverables • Specify who holds responsibility • Establish priorities

Alex Lehmann Academic Dean, P’20 Ryan McKenna Business Office Mike Morin Director of Sport, P’22 Deb Newson Director of Communications, P’17, P’21 Rose Serels Trustee, P’14, P’18 Amie Smith Advancement Gifts Officer Jim Sullivan Director of Admissions, P’22, P’28 Carson Thurber ‘02 Co-Chair, Head of School Mary Via Business Manager Holly Wendell Assistant Head of School

OUR GUIDEPOSTS Inspire and Nurture Our Students Steward Our Community with Intentionality and Care Ensure the Enduring Legacy of SMS

INSPIRE AND NURTURE OUR STUDENTS

SMS is committed to providing a robust, engaging, and joyful educational, athletic, and living experience for our students. We will focus on nurturing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit— through dedicated attention to and programming in all areas of adolescent development.

• Ensure a collaborative and systemized approach across faculty, coaches, and the administrative team to ensure highly personalized support for every student • Increase student access to and broaden counseling, mental health support, and sports performance programming • Explore opportunities to align wellness goals throughout the community, including residential life & school policies • Enhance and expand Student Life programming

SMS takes pride in its exceptional and rigorous academic and winter sports programs and the personal values our students develop. Working in collaborative partnership, our expert faculty and coaches will leverage effective technology, innovative curriculum approaches, and continued flexible, student-focused strategies to ensure we deliver our high-quality program to all students on and off campus.

• Improve information sharing, collaboration, and multi-disciplinary curriculum development across departments • Provide regular opportunities for parent and student feedback on the SMS experience to support ongoing school improvement • Strengthen academic support systems and accountability for traveling athletes • Intentionally schedule time for professional development, in-service days, and class and school visits • Enhance and leverage communication tools and technology through increased staff training and support

STEWARD OUR COMMUNITY WITH INTENTIONALITY AND CARE

By clearly communicating our unique mission and the distinctive value of an SMS education, we will strive to broadly attract, selectively enroll, and intentionally retain a diverse group of students who will develop and thrive academically, athletically, socially, and emotionally within the supportive SMS community.

• Develop and communicate the desired profile of the SMS student athlete in alignment with the school’s mission and values • Strengthen alignment with faculty, coaches, and admissions to ensure clear and consistent enrollment practices • Increase outreach and visibility nationally and globally to target high-caliber winter sports athletes and families • Continue to strengthen the ongoing assessment of student success and well-being

Our unwavering commitment to program excellence reflects the extraordinary quality and dedication of SMS faculty, staff, and coaches. Through competitive salaries and benefits, enriching opportunities for professional development and growth, and a supportive, inspiring environment in which to teach and live, we will continue to recruit and nurture an exceptional cohort of professionals.

• Develop clear job descriptions and career growth plans to encourage ongoing professional growth and investment in SMS • Enhance the staff experience to encourage engagement and long-term commitment to the school • Recognize faculty long-term commitment through added benefits • Improve instruction and support in the use of technology for students and staff • Optimize resource planning and allocation to recruit and retain faculty and staff

STEWARD OUR COMMUNITY WITH INTENTIONALITY AND CARE

In addition to the love of sport, community remains at the heart of the SMS experience. We aim to strengthen and foster deeper, enduring relationships with all stakeholders, including students, families, staff, faculty, coaches, alumni, and the greater Stratton Mountain area.

• Integrate the work underway by students and faculty to refresh and reinvigorate SMS core values into school culture and programs • Strengthen ongoing engagement in the Stratton Mountain community and respond to immediate emerging needs • Develop a three-year plan for strengthening community partnerships • Expand outreach to increase awareness and community involvement with SMS, including school events and campus facilities • Explore what volunteerism and community service mean at SMS for students and adults • Develop a forum for publicizing community service and volunteer opportunities

ENSURE THE ENDURING LEGACY OF SMS

Ensuring financial sustainability in an ever-changing landscape is critical to the ongoing success of SMS. Future planning will focus on strengthening key components of the school’s financial model, including access and affordability, fundraising, faculty and staff compensation, auxiliary program revenue, and facility and campus investment.

• Ensure the long-range financial plan includes scenario planning for key variable costs, including health insurance, deferred maintenance, and increased compensation • Increase fundraising, including annual giving and endowment support, through cultivation, stewardship, and strategic opportunities • Expand events to support fundraising, alumni connections, and greater visibility for SMS • Explore opportunities to leverage camps and facility leasing to generate auxiliary revenue, recruit students, and raise the profile of the school

SMS will remain nimble and proactive in responding to unforeseen, continually evolving circumstances. These include capitalizing on opportunities to enhance or expand our program and campus, exploring strategic partnerships, and scenario planning to mitigate potential risks to the school’s capacity to deliver on its mission.

• Further develop emergency response resources and crisis management planning • Enhance & expand collaborative partnerships with Stratton Mountain, Mount Snow, and similarly aligned venues • Explore strategic relationships to enhance or expand our program and campus, including shared personnel, technology, and operational services • Strengthen relationships with legislative contacts, peer independent schools, and community leaders to ensure advocacy and support on issues impacting SMS

FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Stratton Mountain School Community, In 2023, Stratton Mountain School launched a visionary process to craft our next strategic plan, a joint endeavor led by our Board of Trustees and in partnership with Educators Collaborative. Together, our community – trustees, loyal alumni, tireless staff, dedicated faculty, inspirational coaches, and engaged parents – embarked on a transformative journey. This endeavor has given rise to Mission 2028: Inspiring, Stewarding, and Ensuring Our Legacy.

This dynamic plan reflects our collective aspirations and shared values, serving as a compass that steers us toward compelling and tangible outcomes. Mission 2028 is not a static document; it’s a roadmap reflecting our commitment to progress and adaptability. Annually, we will come together – trustees and key stakeholders – to review, refine, and, if necessary, recalibrate our strategic goals to mirror the evolving landscape of education and sport.

Our strategic plan revolves around three guiding pillars: Inspire and Nurture Our Students: SMS is committed to providing a robust, engaging, and joyful educational, athletic, and living experience for our students. We will focus on nurturing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—through dedicated attention to and programming in all areas of adolescent development.

Steward Our Community with Intentionality and Care: By clearly communicating our unique mission and the distinctive value of an SMS education, we will strive to broadly attract, selectively enroll, and intentionally retain a diverse group of students who will develop and thrive academically, athletically, socially, and emotionally within the supportive SMS community.

Ensure the Enduring Legacy of SMS: Ensuring financial sustainability in an ever-changing landscape is critical to the ongoing success of SMS. Future planning will focus on strengthening key components of the school’s financial model, including access and affordability, fundraising, faculty and staff compensation, auxiliary program revenue, and facility and campus investment.

At its heart, this strategic plan aims to create a vibrant, inclusive community where each member can grow, thrive, and belong. We take great pride in developing a strong foundation that prepares every student for their next step. Wherever their journey takes them, SMS graduates bring the curiosity, courage, and compassion fostered in our classrooms and on the mountain. They are future-focused and world-ready.

As we unveil our plan, Mission 2028, I extend my deepest gratitude to each community member. Your dedication, insights, and unwavering belief in Stratton Mountain School have shaped this vision and are integral to our success in the future.

Thank you for your continued support.

Carson A. Thurber

STRATTON MOUNTAIN SCHOOL

7 World Cup Circle Stratton Mountain, Vermont 05155 www.gosms.org