Report to the Community: WT's Strategic Plan, 2011-2014

Report to the Community

Winchester Thurston School

Three Year Strategic Plan, 2011 – 2014

Our bold plan for a smart future Four years ago, in the midst of an educational revolution, we set out with a bold plan. To prepare our students for a future marked by global influences, unpredictable change, and a call for innovation, we launched our strategic plan with the same pioneering spirit, determination, and grit that guided our first 128 years. Thank you for helping bring this plan to life. —Gary J. Niels, Head of School

Five Domains for a Smart Future DOMAIN ONE:

Great Teaching

DOMAIN TWO:

Programmatic Innovation

DOMAIN THREE: Reputation

& Resources

DOMAIN FOUR:

Competitive & Sustainable Facilities

DOMAIN FIVE:

Generative Thinking

DOMAIN 1 GOAL:

Assuring Great Teaching Maintain, develop, and recognize a uniformly talented faculty by: Attracting and retaining talented faculty from diverse backgrounds, reflecting the character of our global society Providing competitive salaries and benefits Offering a robust Professional Development program that integrates 21st century skills and practices, through engaging and relevant teaching methods Empowering and supporting WT teachers in enhancing their practice through a meaningful Formative Development program Recognizing and rewarding faculty excellence

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

n Faculty salaries and benefits increased to align with benchmark schools n Dean of Faculty role established to provide meaningful Formative Development system for faculty n Robust Professional Development program defined and fully operationalized including goal setting, peer-to-peer collaboration, and curricular enhancement n Professional Development budget increased to 1% of revenue – ensuring every faculty member has resources to pursue significant Professional Development, including international study, national conferences, and online learning

“As teachers, we are all performers.

When you have an opportunity for a colleague to come and see you teach, you are excited even more so about what you’re doing. You have chosen this profession for a specific purpose and to be able to have feedback from your colleagues really means a lot.” — Janna Lettan

DOMAIN 1:

Great Teaching WT’s Talent Initiative brings out the best in teachers What made some students join the Nazi Party in WWII Germany while others resisted?

Upper School students in Dr. Josh Andy’s “Genocide and Holocaust Studies” course examine the power of propaganda and contrast it with the “White Rose Exhibit,” an international exhibition of the student counter movement that WT hosted for the community.The powerful discussion is the culmination of Andy’s 2013 trip to Poland with Classrooms Without Borders, thanks to WT’s commitment to Professional Development for faculty.

“WT’s Talent Initiative is focused on attracting, retaining and growing the very best faculty,” explains Amanda Greenwald, Dean of Faculty. “Faculty across divisions are traveling across the country—and around the world—to bring best practices in teaching and learning back to WT to share with others.”

Teacher innovation is alive and well at the North Hills Campus at WT, thanks to teacher Steve Cooper. The visionary Northbound Trail helps students connect concepts learned in the classroom with the natural environment. While third graders read Little House on the Prairie, for example, they also build a log cabin, gaining new understanding of the characters’ pioneer experience.

DOMAIN 2 GOAL:

Education at the speed of change Prepare students for a world that demands the ability to collaborate, solve complex problems, think imaginatively and critically, and innovate in a global society, through programs in: City as Our CampusSM STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Global Citizenship Educational Technology Diversity

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

n New academic schedule launched, allowing for more active engagement and 21st century learning skills n Two-year diversity series for WT community implemented n Mandarin language offerings expanded to Lower School n Sister School agreement signed with Peking University Elementary School n City as Our Campus expanded to include three capstone courses: Urban Research and Design, Research Science, and Citizen Scientist n The Workshop established in Kindergarten, through a City as Our Campus partnership with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh n STEM Symposium launched, giving students the opportunity to demonstrate sophisticated research and development in science, technology, engineering, and math n Computer Science department established and interdisciplinary courses developed with humanities, math, and art/music n Director of eLearning position created, changing the nature of how we deliver learning n As the only Pennsylvania school in the Malone Schools Online Network, unprecedented learning opportunities provided

DOMAIN 2:

Programmatic Innovation

Students in Graig Marx’s advanced Research Science class gain critical hands-on engineering experience at the TechShop. By designing solutions to real-world problems – from world drinking water shortages to air quality issues – students use an iterative process to develop prototypes that can be tested, improved, and perfected. The course culminates with the annual STEM Symposium, where students share their work with community leaders.

Learning for the world of tomorrow Second graders create their own communities and learn to adapt to change as unforeseen obstacles are thrown into the mix. Ten years their senior, WT students in the post-AP class Urban Research and Design are devising more sophisticated solutions to real-world problems in communities around Pittsburgh.

These are just two components of WT’s unique City as Our Campus program, which gives students the opportunity to learn critical problemsolving skills by tapping into the rich resources surrounding our school.

Computer Science: from Pre-K to Post-AP When WT introduced the Computer Science Department in 2013, it was another pioneering moment in school history, becoming the first independent Pre-K – Grade 12 school in the region to establish a true computer science experience, teaching students how to problem solve, not just how to use technology. Upper School course offerings have expanded to nine, including several post-AP level classes, and new curriculum is being introduced at all grade levels, with our youngest students learning systems thinking.

“Two weeks in the classroom and on the playground together provide our students and the Peking University Elementary School students with a much deeper understanding of the cultural differences and similarities than they could learn from any book, film, or even research project,” shared Karen Gaul, fifth grade teacher, of WT’s partnership with the Chinese school. “Our students are understanding that we’re more similar than different.”

DOMAIN 3 GOAL:

Sustaining our mission Position WT competitively in the marketplace, diversify and grow WT’s revenue streams, and provide resources to assure a thriving future: Promoting WT as a national leader in academic learning Offering generous but sustainable levels of financial aid Exploring and examining ways to provide services to international students Developing programs that leverage core assets, and enable WT to reach a wider market Increasing our endowment to provide income in perpetuity that supports the school’s strategic priorities

Celebrate WT, the campaign for a smart future, is the biggest endeavor in school history. Through the $20 million fundraising campaign, WT is increasing its endowment, supporting great teaching and great students via compensation and financial aid, and renovating well-used spaces within the school facility.

Growing a smart future

$19,487 $11,141,155

DOMAIN 3:

Reputation & Resources

Endowment per student

$15,700 $14,515

$6,044,511

Nationally recognized as educational leader As the first, and one of only five schools among the 1,400 members of the National Association of Independent Schools to have received both the Edward E. Ford Foundation Leadership Grant for educational innovation and a Malone Scholarship Endowment by the Malone Family Foundation, WT proudly celebrates its place alongside some of the nation’s greatest independent schools.

$3,904,785 $839,292 Cumulative amount pledged to Celebrate WT campaign Gross revenue from programs Students of Color

$682,533 $528,410 24%

26%

27.9%

International Students Opening Enrollment

643

2011 -2012

650

2012 -2013

660

2013 -2014

DOMAIN 4 GOAL:

Assuring high-quality learning environments Support our innovative faculty in their pursuit and provision of a dynamic learning environment, build competitive position, and improve sustainability by: Undertaking target renovation projects in the Main Building of the City Campus Improving sustainability practices and systems school-wide, in a comprehensive strategy that results in modifications and enhancements to reduce carbon footprint, and realize cost-saving energy efficiencies

Growing Greener The first step in WT’s environmental sustainability strategy was an Investment Grade Audit, which identified a host of improvements. As a result, WT has integrated energy efficiency efforts into the Athletics Wing and Auditorium renovation plans: n Replacing the building’s original boilers with new high-efficiency boilers DOMAIN 4:

Competitive & Sustainable Facilities

n Insulation and air seals n Energy recovery ventilators n Tamper-proof programmable thermostats n New exterior doorways n Low-flow showers, lavatories, and toilets n LED fixtures for houselights and stage lights n Demand control ventilation

WT is revitalizing three important, well-used spaces at the City Campus Main Building:playgrounds to be outdoor classrooms n The first project reimagined our playgrounds to be true outdoor classrooms and learning spaces for our youngest students. These well-researched and thoughtfully designed spaces exemplify the very best practices in elementary education and immediately made an impact on our students. n With the highest participation rate in school history, WT’s athletics program is flourishing. The renovated athletics wing features a Bears Hall of Fame that showcases and celebrates our athletes’ accomplishments. And by renovating the athletics facilities to include proper locker rooms, fitness center, and trainer space, we’ve created more useful space for hundreds of student-athletes. n Standing much the same as it did when constructed more than 50 years ago, Falk Auditorium will undergo a renovation to become a true performing arts space, one that offers a technically advanced place for hands-on student learning in stagecraft, as well as improved acoustics, lighting, and seating.

These enhancements are helping WT develop a more comprehensive approach to sustainability, with possible savings of more than $40,000 annually.

DOMAIN 5 GOAL:

Generating the future

Envision long-term educational, programmatic, and fiscal opportunities that ensure an ongoing commitment to sustainability by: Developing a structure and system to consider long-term strategies and fold new thinking, learning, and data into future strategic plans Generating long-term ideas that build upon the initiatives in the current Strategic Plan Appointing a Task Force to research and analyze a set of longer term strategies, and recommend priorities for the next iteration of the strategic plan, beyond 2014

Enhancing our global presence DOMAIN 5:

Generative Thinking Globalization. Entrepreneurship. Innovation.What’s happening in the world around us has a significant impact right here in our community. How can WT plan for – and be ahead of – the worldwide trends? How can we prepare our students?

Our school? Our community?

The WT Board of Trustees examined global trends and invited a panel of experts to generate ideas for the long- and shortterm. Ever since, the Board has been exploring these ideas, which cover an array of categories, from financial vitality to the programmatic future of the school.

One particularly robust area of exploration currently underway is identifying international opportunities for WT. What would a global independent school look like? How is that similar to WT? Different?

As a result of this exploration, WT leaders visited China in 2014, meeting with current parents and reaching a Sister School agreement with Peking University Elementary School in Beijing. This is an area for further evaluation in future strategic planning.

Dr. Jared Cohon, former president of Carnegie Mellon University, challenges WT Advisory Board members to think outside the boundaries during a generative thinking session about being a school that aspires to graduate global citizens.

Poised for a smart future:

planning 2015 and beyond

Moving into the next phase of growth, goals for WT’s 2015 – 2018 strategic plan are beginning to take shape:

Revolutionizing Teaching and Learning Ensuring Financial Vitality Growing WT’s Brand Promoting Diversity and Social Justice Upholding Environmental Sustainability Advancing the North Hills Campus Developing a Master Site Plan

MISSION Winchester Thurston School actively engages each student in a challenging and inspiring learning process that develops the mind, motivates the passion to achieve, and cultivates the character to serve.

CORE VALUES Critical thinking; integrity; empathy; community; diversity.

CREDO Think also of the comfort and the rights of others.

2014-2015 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Douglas A. Campbell, President Terrance A. Hayes, Vice President Douglas H. Ostrow, Vice President Deesha Philyaw, Vice President Dusty Elias Kirk, Treasurer Kathleen L. Metinko ’91, Assistant Treasurer Jennifer Gonzalez McComb ’89, Secretary Elsa Limbach, Assistant Secretary Gary J. Niels, Head of School

Deborah L. Acklin ’80 Kerry Bron ’84 Kathleen W. Buechel Manny Cahouet-Rotondi Simin Yazdgerdi Curtis Ilana Diamond Cindy Akers Gerber Robert I. Glimcher Rosanne Isay Harrison ’56, Emeritus Neal H. Holmes Elizabeth S. Hurtt ’74, Emeritus Vincent O. Johnson

Janet Harrison Kuzmishin ’87 Carole Oswald Markus ’57, Emeritus David L. Porges Henry Posner III, Emeritus Martin E. Powell Kelly Hanna Riley ’91 Paul Rosenblatt Susan Santa-Cruz ’60 Sharon Semenza Philip T. Sweeney Jane Arensberg Thompson ’57, Emeritus

BOARD OF TRUSTEES STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE 2010-2011 THROUGH 2014-2015 Dusty Elias Kirk, Committee Chair, 2010-2011 through 2013-2014 Deesha Philyaw, Committee Chair, 2014-2015 Douglas H. Ostrow, Committee Vice Chair, 2010-2011 through 2013-2014 Paul Rosenblatt, Committee Vice Chair, 2014-2015 Henry Posner III, Board President, 2010-2011 Douglas A. Campbell, Board President, 2011-2012 through 2014-2015 Gary J. Niels, Head of School

Ralph Bangs Kerry Bron ’84 Ilana Diamond Cindy Akers Gerber Janet Harrison Kuzmishin ’87 Terrance A. Hayes Diane P. Holder Elizabeth S. Hurtt ’74 Vincent O. Johnson Jennifer Gonzalez McComb ’89 Linnea Pearson McQuiston ’69 Alka Patel Martin E. Powell Nancy Scott

Philip T. Sweeney Jane Arensberg Thompson ’57 John Charney, Assistant Head for Operations Maura Farrell, Associate Head for External Affairs Amanda Greenwald, Dean of Faculty Nancy-Rose Netchi, Director of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Scanlon, Director of Major Gifts David Wollam, Director of Finance

Winchester Thurston School 555 Morewood Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213

North Hills Campus At WT 4225 Middle Road
 Allison Park, PA 15101

www.winchesterthurston.org

www.wtnorth.org