Falmouth Academy
Forward Strategic Vision 2020–2023
Dear Friends of Falmouth Academy, I am excited to share with you the results of Falmouth Academy’s year-long strategic planning process. Despite the onset of the global pandemic and the intensive effort that was required to pivot in March 2020 to a remote learning environment, the work of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee proceeded without interruption. At the May meeting of the Board of Trustees, Falmouth Academy’s Strategic Vision 2020—representing the collective efforts of so many—was officially and unanimously endorsed. The process began back in May of 2019, with the selection of our lead facilitator, Ms. Jenn Desjarlais of Cambridge Hill Partners. Together we engaged faculty, former faculty, parents, alumni, community members, and most importantly our students, many of whom participated in a facilitated strategy session of their own. With both patience and persistence, Jenn helped us frame and follow a process that honored our original goals of being thorough, transparent, and inclusive. Yes, a lot has changed in the last fifteen months! But, against the backdrop of these uncertain times, now is actually the perfect moment for this young institution to celebrate our history, affirm our values, engage our many stakeholders, and together chart a bold path forward. Now is the moment because, simply put, there’s no time to waste.
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
The strategic vision we share with you here is deeply rooted in our mission statement, which compels us to “embolden each student to take creative and intellectual risks to engage the challenges of our times.” Herein you will learn more about the four strategic directions we will be pursuing over the years ahead: “Distinctive Place,” “Renewed Curriculum,” “Excellence in Teaching,” and “Future Sustainability.” And you will see that embedded within and integrated across each are three clear charges: to operationalize our stated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice, to build on our long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and resilience, and to evolve our program so that it is intentionally responsive to the multi-faceted role technology plays in the lives of current and future students. Let it never be said of Falmouth Academy that we lack ambition! I am grateful for the efforts and wise counsel of all who participated in the process, and invite your wisdom and support as, together we move FA… ...Forward. Sincerely,
Matthew Green Head of School
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
Falmouth Academy
Forward Strategic Vision 2020–2023
mission
values
vision
strategic directions
Inspired Learning to Engage the Challenges of Our Times Curiosity — Creativity — Capacity
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
200
volunteers
ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
2 PARENT GROUPS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
ALUMNI COUNCIL
FACULTY & STAFF
GRANDPARENTS
2 STUDENT GROUPS
COMMUNITY FRIENDS
We engaged in a number of activities “ and exercises designed to move us toward consensus of three to five strategic ideas in service of which a series of measurable action steps could emerge.
”
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
The Process Each group was asked a similar set of prompts: What are Falmouth Academy’s key strengths and how can we build on them? What are the primary challenges that we must be aware of or address moving forward? Putting aside feasibility, what opportunities could strengthen the academic experience and support student engagement?
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
Guiding Principles mission
values
Harnessing the power of inspired learning in a world-renowned scientific and vibrant artistic community, Falmouth Academy emboldens each student to take creative and intellectual risks to confidently engage the challenges of our times.
We value… the beauty of knowledge and the joy of conversation, collaboration and generosity of spirit, the power of a culture of kindness, relationships built on trust, respect, and direct communication, the wonder of imagination, each student’s pursuit of diverse challenges and opportunities, teachers as models of confident, rich adulthood.
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
vision
Inspired by the teaching excellence of its faculty, the impressive professional accomplishments of its alumni, and a long-standing reputation for academic achievement, Falmouth Academy strives to be the standard for educational excellence in southern New England. We prepare our students to become lifelong learners and engaged and responsible citizens who are ready and eager to meet the challenges of the future. We connect our students to other ideas, places and cultures by creating relevant learning opportunities in and out of the classroom and cultivating in them the curiosity, creativity and capacity necessary to fully participate in a diverse society and an increasingly interconnected world. FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
strategic directions
Distinctive Place
We are fortunate to be located in a region rich with opportunities. Whether it be the world renowned scientific community all around us, the increasingly fragile ecosystem that
surrounds us, a bustling year-round town just down the hill, or the natural environment
just outside our classroom doors, our school is uniquely positioned to re-imagine where
learning happens. We will make a meaningful
difference to the distinctive place in which our school exists through initiatives that integrate sustainability into our curriculum, facilitate
out-of-class experiences, create connections, and extend learning opportunities for all
students, and otherwise speak to the unique challenges of this generation’s increasingly uncertain and unstable climate. FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
OBJECTIVES • Establish FA as a leader in educating for resilience and adaptability in the face of accelerating change, with a particular focus on climate science education • Maximize our impact through initiatives involving integration of sustainability into our curriculum, out-ofclassroom activities and research and scholarship • Re-imagine and expand partnerships with local, regional, and global organizations to provide educational/ experiential opportunities across the curriculum for all students • Expand our capacity to offer auxiliary programming to the local population during a summer session
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
strategic directions
Renewed Curriculum
We take pride in creating a rigorous
and inclusive environment that inspires
learning. Recent advances in brain science, a population undergoing significant
demographic change, and the ever-increasing role technology plays in a world that
continues to get smaller compel us to re-
examine our curriculum to ensure that it is
intentionally structured and fully responsive
to this changing world and its many pressing “challenges of our times.�
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
OBJECTIVES • Complete a comprehensive curriculum review across all grades and disciplines in conjunction with an increased focus on technology, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and community outreach and engagement • Develop and implement a framework and process for articulating and evaluating educational outcomes for our students to include a “portrait of a graduate” statement • Update and implement a detailed technology plan to identify and integrate the most appropriate and effective uses of technology to enhance and support curriculum and instruction • Reform the academic schedule so that it better supports individualized, experiential and interest-based learning • Elevate signature program offerings to include the integration of climate science across the curriculum in support of FA’s leadership in this area
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
strategic directions
Excellence in Teaching
The success of the school has always been rooted in the quality of its teachers and
the transformational learning our students
experience in their classrooms. We will invest in
attracting, retaining, and supporting a dedicated, diverse and motivated professional faculty
committed to our mission, values and a shared
culture of continuous learning and improvement.
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
OBJECTIVES • Attract and retain excellent educators from a diversity of experiences and backgrounds who offer valuable perspectives for the student population we serve • Document a fair and equitable faculty compensation structure and benefits plan • Design and implement a comprehensive faculty development plan that fosters creativity, experimentation and reflection and provides meaningful support for faculty research and collaboration • Continue to build faculty capacity for the implementation of instructional and student use of technology
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
strategic directions
Future Sustainability
With a characteristically thoughtful,
thrifty and creative approach to financial sustainability, the school will build on its long-standing commitment to ensuring
accessibility and affordability to a diverse
and diversely talented student population. We will attend to the financial framework
and infrastructure required to achieve our educational goals and strategic priorities.
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
OBJECTIVES • Grow the school’s endowment to ensure long-term sustainability • Enhance our financial model and revenue streams to create opportunities for innovation and development • Document and continue to develop a long-term strategic enrollment plan informed by educational trends, market realities and distinctive opportunities afforded by FA • Explore partnerships with local and regional organizations to raise visibility and viability for students currently underrepresented at FA • Research tuition models and financial aid strategies that mitigate barriers to access for local and regional families so as to better diversify the school at all levels • Complete short-term improvements to facilities and develop a facilities master plan that clearly defines and integrates sustainability for campus operations and further reduces the school’s reliance on fossil fuels • Increase alumni support and engagement to build a culture of philanthropy by expanding our alumni donor base. Initiate an alumni mentorship program to connect our students to opportunities and experiences beyond FA
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
The process would not have been possible without the leadership of our...
FACILITATOR Ms. Jenn Desjarlais is an experienced strategic planner. She is familiar with Falmouth Academy through her work in college admissions at Wellesley College, where she served as Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid and a member of the senior leadership team. Jenn’s firm, Cambridge Hill Partners, specializes in strategic planning and organizational change, and counts among its clients notable colleges including MIT, Harvard, Tufts, Williams, Wellesley and Smith, and schools not very different than our own, including Nashoba Brooks, Concord Academy, Beaver Country Day School, and Emma Willard.
STEERING COMMITTEE Members of the Steering Committee have worn multiple hats here at school. Among them are four current or former Heads of School, four current parents, seven parents of alumni, six trustees, seven current or former classroom teachers, and one alumnus. Combined, they represent more than 180 years of affiliation with Falmouth Academy! MEMBERS Joe Valle, Board Chair, Past Parent, Grandparent Matt Green, Head of School, Parent Ben Feldott, Parent Cynthia Feldmann, Board Treasurer, Past Parent Joan Holden, Board Member, Former Head of School Monica Hough, Faculty, Past Parent Mike Jones, Board Member, Parent Andy Kingman ’00, Board Member, Alumnus Liz Klein, Faculty Ben Parsons, Faculty, Former Head of School Laura Shachoy, Board Member, Parent Rob Wells, Faculty, Past Parent, Former Head of School
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
The students impressed us not only “ with their aspirations for their school but also their understanding and appreciation for the strong position and institutional culture from which we will be pursuing such ambitions.
”
– Matt Green on student strategy sessions
FA FORWARD
Strategic Vision 2020–2023
FALMOUTH ACADEMY 7 Highfield Drive, Falmouth, MA 02540 falmouthacademy.org