SOARING FORWARD
The Independence School Strategic Vision
Dear Independence Community,
We are pleased to share the publication of Soaring Forward: The Independence School Strategic Vision.
Over the course of the 2024-2025 school year, we engaged in a thoughtful and inclusive strategic planning process that brought together voices from every corner of our community—faculty, staff, parents, students, alumni, trustees, and others with long-standing affiliations with the school. Through surveys, listening sessions, and workshops, we explored the challenges and opportunities facing Independence.
The resulting vision is a bold and ambitious roadmap that honors our mission while positioning us for future excellence. It identifies key priorities, outlines strategic goals, and supports the values that will guide our decisions and investments over the coming years. Most importantly, it reflects the shared hopes and aspirations of our school community.
Our many thanks to all who participated in making this plan possible, especially the Strategic Planning Committee, Board of Trustees, and our consultants from Triangle Associates.
Thank you for your continued support, commitment, and belief in the future of Independence.
Together, we are building something truly extraordinary.
In partnership,
Tim Costello, Head of School
Christine Cook and Kevin Dombrowski, Strategic Planning Committee Co-Chairs
Kristin Giffin, President, Board of Trustees
STRATEGIC PLANNING BY THE NUMBERS
months of research and planning
workshop participants who completed over 7 hours of planning exercises
community surveys completed 317 student surveys completed
hours of listening sessions to provide feedback with over 122 participants key initiatives identified
Our Mission
The Independence School inspires students to become independent, intellectually curious individuals who possess an exceptional spirit for learning, leadership, and citizenship.
The Independence School Strategic Vision is comprised of the following four initiatives:
#1 SOLIDIFY OUR POSITION AS THE TOP PRE-K THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOL IN DELAWARE
#2 ADVANCE THE STRENGTH OF OUR OUTSTANDING FACULTY AND STAFF
#3 CHERISH OUR INDEPENDENCE AND iNDEPENDENCE
#4 ENHANCE THE USE OF OUR 90 ACRES
SOLIDIFY OUR POSITION AS THE TOP PRE-K THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOL IN DELAWARE
We are deepening our focus on what we do best—providing an unmatched Pre-K through 8th grade experience that emphasizes joy in learning, strong academics, and space for kids to truly be kids. We’ll continue to elevate our educational excellence while ensuring we remain the best value among area private schools.
Our Vision
Elevate Our Commitment to Pre-K through 8th Grade Educational Excellence
Maintain Position as the Best Educational Value Among Area Private Schools
Uphold a School Culture Where Kids Can Be Kids
Enhance a centralized and integrated system for student support, including academic, social-emotional, and mental wellness.
Ensure necessary resources to sustain our delivery of a high-quality education for all students at every stage.
Further incorporate technology and hands-on learning to enhance educational outcomes in collaborative workspaces designed for making, learning, exploring, and sharing.
Remain steadfast in offering an exceptional educational experience at an outstanding value.
ADVANCE THE STRENGTH OF OUR OUTSTANDING FACULTY AND STAFF
Our educators are the heartbeat of The Indy Experience. We’re committed to attracting and retaining top talent through a commitment to professional growth and learning. We’re investing in those who invest in our students every day.
Our Vision
Actively Recruit and Retain the Top Faculty and Staff to Ensure Successful Delivery of The Indy Experience
Create Opportunities for Greater Collaboration and Targeted Professional Development
Ensure our Faculty and Staff are Compensated as Best-in-Class Educators
Continue to benchmark and invest in faculty and staff compensation.
Implement a formalized mentor program to coach and onboard new employees, fostering a sense of belonging and impact.
Offer additional faculty paid opportunities, including summer grants and continuing education programs through area universities.
CHERISH OUR INDEPENDENCE AND iNDEPENDENCE
We’re leaning into the values that make us who we are—citizenship, leadership, and patriotism—while growing our endowment to secure financial stability and program excellence for generations to come.
We’re also strengthening our sense of belonging, so every member of our community feels seen, valued, and connected.
Our Vision
Embrace the School’s Founding Principles of Citizenship, Leadership, and Patriotism
Grow the Endowment to Support Financial Stability and Program Excellence
Strengthen Our Spirit of Community and Belonging
Develop and optimize programs and initiatives that bring the values of citizenship, leadership, and patriotism to life through student-led projects and community engagement.
Ensure a welcoming environment for all members of our community by integrating our values of integrity, respect, and responsibility into the daily life of the school.
Establish endowment funds that directly align with institutional priorities, including scholarships and financial aid.
Further expand alumni engagement and networking opportunities.
ENHANCE THE USE OF OUR
90 ACRES
Our campus is one of our greatest assets, and we’re committed to bringing its full potential to life. From broadening outdoor education to expanding wellness opportunities for students and staff, we’ll continue creating space for learning, creativity, movement, and connection.
Our Vision
Broaden Outdoor Education Opportunities
Expand Student, Faculty, and Staff Health and Wellness
Maximize the Potential of Our Campus
Develop a master plan to best utilize the 90-acre campus in the near and long term, including the Eastburn Property, while exploring additional opportunities for environmental sustainability.
Build a dynamic and age-appropriate upper playground to complement the Funk Outdoor Classroom.
Create a History Wall/Living Museum detailing the history of the school to celebrate its legacy and inspire ongoing success.
Enhance existing and develop new science and nature partnerships with area organizations.
A comprehensive tactical plan has been developed to activate Soaring Forward: The Independence School Strategic Vision. It entails a multi-year horizon of approaches that will evolve as required to meet our goals.
We are advancing this work with a number of key priorities designed to advance the objectives of our four primary initiatives.
These initiatives will be our foundation for decision-making.
As we move forward with the implementation of our strategic initiatives, it is essential to continue engaging our community of stakeholders in meaningful and intentional ways.
This process was shaped by broad input and a shared vision for the future of our school. We are committed to maintaining that same spirit of collaboration and transparency as we bring the plan to life. In that spirit, we will provide regular updates on progress, celebrate milestones, and seek feedback to ensure we remain aligned with the community’s values and priorities.
We know that the success of our strategic initiatives depends on the collective strength of the Independence community. We are deeply grateful for your continued engagement as we shape a vibrant and sustainable future for our school.
2024-2025 STRATEGIC PLANNING
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Katie Burke P’23, ’27
Trustee
Christine Cook P’28, ’30
Co-Chair, Trustee
Tim Costello P’26, ’28
Head of School
Kevin Dombrowski P’29, ’31, ’33
Co-Chair, Trustee
William Doroh P’27, ’29, ’32
Board Treasurer
Carrie Fang P’23
Trustee
Bianca Fraser-Johnson P’23, ’27
Board Secretary
Kristin Giffin P’13, ’15
Board President
Sarah Lauzen P’29, ’31, ’32
Michael Marinelli
Trustee
Travis McKay ’98, P’27, ’30
Brian Pan ’19
Lisa Principe P’14, ’16
Faculty
Jeff Shahan P’23, ’26, ’29
Trustee
Mona Singh P’18, ’20
Board Vice President
Vincent Thomas P’23, ’26
Trustee
Amelia Wyant ’90, P’24, ’25, ’26
Trustee
Ping Xu P’27
Trustee