Strategic Plan

Village School Strategic Planning Committee 2009-2010
Major Goals (published 2010)

 

I. Foster Inclusivity, Diversity and Multiculturalism

Background and Rationale: Village School is firmly committed to diversity in order to provide a dynamic and fulfilling educational experience. The school’s objectives in providing a multicultural education are to foster mutual respect and create a community of inclusivity and acceptance. The school values the richness brought about by the recognition of differences and the discoveries of commonality. Village School seeks families, faculty, staff and administrators who share and reflect its values.

Goal: Foster inclusivity by supporting increased diversity and a multicultural curriculum.

Implementation Steps:

  • Encourage support for an inclusive community that embraces Village School’s commitment to diversit
  • Continue to identify ways to attract a more diverse student populati
  • Continue to develop and employ strategies to attract administrators, faculty, staff and trustees that reflect the diversity Village School strives to represent.
  • Utilize Village School’s multicultural curriculum to foster awareness of and appreciation for inclusivity and diversity among students.
  • Communicate to the broader community Village School’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity, reinforcing that this is central to preparing students for life in a dynamic global environment.

 

II. Develop and Sustain Facilities for Current and Future Generations

Background and Rationale: Village School is committed to providing facilities that support the long-term needs of its programs, students, faculty and parents. The school continually assesses ways in which it can improve its physical infrastructure and is committed to incorporating feasible, environmentally sustainable practices into its facilities management.

Goal:Optimize the use of Village School’s campuses to provide the highest quality facilities to support the school’s mission.

Implementation Steps:

  • Re-examine the current master plan, with an emphasis on the Swarthmore Campus, focusing on optimizing existing facilities, environmental sustainability and foreseeable needs
  • Evaluate and build a technology infrastructure that provides for an innovative environment that is adaptable to emerging technologies.
  • Develop a financial strategy that positions the school to fund future renovation, construction and property acquisition.

 

III. Attract and Sustain a High Caliber Faculty, Staff and Administration

Background and Rationale: Faculty, administration and staff play a vital role in defining and determining the quality of the educational program. Village School is committed to devoting the necessary resources to support its educators and maintain a school climate where every person’s ideas and creativity are valued, and where professional expertise is fully utilized.

Goal: Provide an environment that encourages professional growth, inspires excellent performance and fosters a long-term commitment to the school.

Implementation Steps:

  • Ensure competitive compensation packages for the faculty, staff and administration in order to sustain and attract high caliber employees.
  • Explore means to ensure that Village School is providing the best possible work environment for its employees.
  • Maintain a culture that supports professional development to foster job satisfaction, stimulate high performance and stay abreast of current trends in education.
  • Assess staffing levels to ensure that adequate resources and support are in place for teachers, staff and administration.

 

IV. Preserve and Enhance a Strong Financial Foundation

Background and Rationale: Through careful financial planning and support from a generous community, Village School has built a strong financial foundation. Funding the school’s broad and balanced academic programs, compensating faculty and staff competitively and maintaining Village School accessibility to socio-economically diverse families are paramount to fulfilling its mission. Strengthening the school’s financial position and exploring alternative financial strategies are both vital to assuring long-term financial stability.

Goal: Preserve and enhance Village School’s financial strength to ensure long-term financial stability.

Implementation Steps:

  • Create an endowment as a future revenue source for financial strength and stability.
  • Explore the feasibility of alternative revenue sources and cost structures.
  • Evaluate ways for maximizing the school’s capital structure to provide financial flexibility.
  • Develop an ongoing communication program highlighting the school’s financial position.

 

V. Enhance and Expand Advocacy, Marketing and Communication

Background and Rationale: Village School strives to ensure that the constituents it serves understand and embrace the school’s mission, values and vision. The school believes that effective communication and marketing strategies are critical in conveying the benefits of both its academic and character education programs.

Goal: Adopt a school-wide marketing philosophy that highlights Village School’s distinct values and programs.

Implementation Steps:

  • Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that focuses on reaching target audiences with clear, credible and consistent messages about Village School’s mission and values.
  • Review Village School’s overall brand image to ensure alignment with its mission.
  • Responsibly utilize technology to enhance communication with all Village School constituents and broaden the school’s reach both internally and externally.

 

VI. Cultivate a Dynamic Learning Community that Embraces Growth and Innovation

Background and Rationale: Preparing a child for the future requires a strong partnership between home and school. Village School is committed to balancing high academic standards with attention to the social and emotional growth and individuality of its students.

Goal: Continue to develop programs that teach our students the skills necessary to thrive in a changing world.

Implementation Steps:

  • Encourage children to discover and develop their passions through exposure and experience.
  • Expand the Parent Education Program to support a strong school and parent partnership focused on the child’s development of a firm sense of responsibility for themselves, the environment and the larger community.
  • Fully utilize the academic program to lay a foundation for the students’ future understanding of multiculturalism and the global society. ? Ensure that the core curriculum adheres to high academic standards and reflects current educational research. ? Create an environment where students, parents, faculty and staff are proficient and ethical users of a wide range of technology for learning, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, creativity and personal productivity.

 

VII. Integrate, Advance and Expand Technology

Background and Rationale: The seamless integration of technology within the educational program is critical for promoting academic achievement across all disciplines. Village school is committed to exploring and implementing changes in technology that will advance its mission.

Goal: Use technology to improve the learning environment, enhance communication and make efficient use of administrative resources.

Implementation Steps:

  • Integrate the best learning and productivity tools into academic programs and administrative functions.
  • Evaluate current methods of technology instruction to best meet curricular goals.
  • Continue to evaluate and use technology to enhance communication and expand outreach of the school.
  • Explore the use of technology to bring otherwise inaccessible content and experience to the classroom.
  • Ensure the students’ skills and ethical utilization of technology are aligned with the school’s core values.