Stuart 6-Year Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan for Stuart 2011 - 2017

Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart Princeton, New Jersey

THINK. LEAD. CHANGE. Strategic Plan for Stuart 2011-2017

Introduction In the fall of 2010, Stuart’s Board of Trustees and administration embarked on an extensive strategic planning analysis based on two premises: first, that mission is primary, and second, that students are the center of every conversation.

Over the course of the school year every aspect of Stuart was reviewed: from curriculum and staffing, to the financials and facilities, to the happiness of our students and parent satisfaction. Constituent input was solicited through surveys, interviews and meetings.

The process culminated with a three-day planning meeting during which the Board of Trustees, together with the administrative team derived the goals and implementation strategies for the following 6-Year Strategic Plan.

Strategic Plan for Stuart 2011-2017

Mission Statement Stuart’s mission is to prepare young women for lives of exceptional leadership and service, through a challenging and innovative curriculum, superb teaching, and close attention to each girl’s personal development. Part of an international community of Sacred Heart schools, Stuart is an independent Catholic school that welcomes and embraces students of all faiths and backgrounds, helping them to become accomplished, committed women whose confidence, global perspective and passion for justice will transform the world in which they live.

Sacred Heart Goals & Criteria A Sacred Heart education is unique in that it is founded with the express purpose of educating women and girls. The mission of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, who established the Society in 1800, seeks to educate the whole child by combining a rigorous academic experience that also nurtures the heart and spirit. While academics are emphasized, the child’s social, moral and spiritual growth is also developed. Respect for the world’s religions is emphasized, and each girl is encouraged to develop her personal faith.

The Stuart community embraces diversity, with nearly half of its students representing religions other than Roman Catholicism. Founded in 1963 as a member of the international community of Sacred Heart schools, Stuart educates our students to the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart schools: 1.

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A personal and active faith in God A deep respect for intellectual values A social awareness which impels to action The building of community as a Christian value Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom

Strategic Plan for Stuart 2011-2017

The Strategic Plan Goals The following Strategic Plan Goals are based on our desire to increase the quality of education at Stuart, retain high caliber students, faculty and staff, incorporate innovative 21st centry curriculum and methods, and address consistuent feedback while at all times ensuring that Mission remains central.

1. Provide students with challenging and innovative

curriculum and expanded extra-curricular opportunities

2. Expand our superb faculty development program 3. Enhance communication between community

constituencies: administration, faculty, students and parents

4. Review the Pre-School program 5. Maintain financial stability 6. Preserve the excellence of the facilities 7. Celebrate Stuart’s 50-Year Anniversary in 2013-2014

Strategic Plan for Stuart 2011-2017

1

Provide students with challenging and innovative curriculum and expanded extra-curricular opportunities

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Continue with the implementation of the iPad2 program to the greatest potential, taking advantage of this revolutionary tool to enhance curriculum and student learning

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Increase emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering & math) areas of study to complement our well-recognized liberal and fine arts programs ¡¡

Hire a STEM specialist

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Creation of STEM Initiative Task Force to include internationally recognized experts

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Coordinate STEM efforts with the Office of Advancement to create plan for funding

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Develop a Technology Plan to support the iPad2 program as well as future STEM programming

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Expand global opportunities through additional world language curriculum and teaching methods beginning in Lower School

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Continue with curriculum reviews started last year in world languages and Middle School mathematics. The next area to be reviewed is science

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Expand course offerings through Online School for Girls and explore additional options

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Strengthen athletics opportunities beginning with the addition of varsity soccer, and soccer and tennis after school programs for Lower School students. Hire an athletics assistant to support the new director of athletics.

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Hire two new guidance counselors to provide additional academic, social and emotional support for students in all three divisions

Strategic Plan for Stuart 2011-2017

2

Expand our Superb Faculty Development Program

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Double faculty development budget to provide opportunities for faculty to attend outside workshops and seminars, and to bring in speakers and workshops ¡¡

Continue technology integration, taking advantage of technology as learning tool

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Emphasize project-based learning

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Tie faculty compensation to faculty development

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Hire Technology Integration Support person

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Hire Director of Curriculum & Faculty Development

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Develop a faculty review plan

Strategic Plan for Stuart 2011-2017

3

Improve communication between administration, faculty, students and parent communities.

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Re-design the Stuart website so that it is more reflective of the community and easier to navigate

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Hire a website manager to maintain the website content

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Consolidate parent information to one system

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Evaluate current electronic and printed communications and develop communications plan

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Celebrate alumnae with an Alumnae Hall of Fame & highlight alumnae on the website

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Celebrate faculty with an updated faculty directory including photos and biographies and highlight faculty on website

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Increase efforts to highlight school and student achievements in the local press

Strategic Plan for Stuart 2011-2017

4

Review the Pre-School Program

5

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Consider branding and marketing options of the co-ed pre-school in an all-girls environment

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Evaluate the Pre-School Program, including curriculum, facilities, hours of operation, costs and tuition

Maintain Financial Stability uu

Celebrate strong financial prospectus including no debt, significant endowment and a healthy ratio of earned vs. gift income

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Implement revenue-generating initiatives which allow for the ongoing support of the Strategic Financial Plan

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Adhere to the Strategic Financial Plan

Strategic Plan for Stuart 2011-2017

6

Preserve the Excellence of the Buildings and Facilities The strategic planning analysis concluded that Stuart’s buildings and facilities are in excellent condition and commended school leadership for strong stewardship.

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Continue to fund maintenance requirements as needed

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Re-wire for school-wide Internet access

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Upgrade campus security

Celebrate Stuart’s 50-Year Anniversary in 2013-2014 uu

Formulate plan for celebration of Stuart’s 50th Birthday in the 2013-2014 school year

Strategic Plan for Stuart 2011-2017