Berkeley Hall School Strategic Plan 2013-2018

BERKELEY HALL SCHOOL STRATEGIC PLAN 2013 – 2018 Approved by the Board of Trustees on June 18, 2013

The following strategic plan has been adopted by Berkeley Hall’s Board of Trustees. This plan sets the agenda for the Administration and for the Board for the next five years.

BERKELEY HALL MISSION To develop active thinkers in a balanced learning environment that inspires children of diverse backgrounds to fulfill their unlimited, God-given potential.

PHILOSOPHY* Berkeley Hall, a nursery through eighth grade school, was founded in 1911 by two dedicated educators, Leila and Mabel Cooper. Their approach to education was rooted in their study of Christian Science, which recognizes that God-given qualities are a part of each child’s nature. This approach is still the core of a Berkeley Hall education. Our teachers, all of whom are active Christian Scientists, cherish each child as inherently intelligent, good, inquisitive, and uniquely talented. They help students exceed expectations and encourage exploration and discovery, while supporting and nurturing them.

Berkeley Hall is not a church-supported or parochial school. The Christian Science religion is not taught in the classrooms, but spiritual principles of love, respect, and selfesteem underlie all aspects of school life. Our balanced learning environment includes the advancement of intellectual, moral, social, artistic, and physical capabilities.

Character education has always been an integral part of our program.

The school is committed to serving a diverse student body and seeks applicants with records of strong academic ability and achievement, solid citizenship, and high moral values. Parents must embrace the academic and ethical standards of the Berkeley Hall community and be willing to participate as partners with the school in their child’s education.

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GOALS FOR STUDENT LEARNING* • • • • • • • • •

Build knowledge, cultivate skills, and exercise higher-level thinking in reading and literature, writing and speaking, mathematics, science, social studies, and Spanish.

Embrace the values of compassion, respect, responsibility, and honesty, and use these to make appropriate moral choices.

Explore and develop personal interests and abilities in athletics and visual, performing, and technical arts.

Develop motor skills, teamwork, and a continuing joy in physical activity.

Participate in opportunities for cooperation and leadership.

Apply technology to gather, organize, process, and communicate information for research and creative expression.

Develop study skills and learn to manage time, materials, and tasks.

Appreciate our country, its traditions, its cultural diversity, and the democratic process.

Recognize and commit to responsible citizenship through service to school, local, national, and worldwide communities and stewardship of the earth’s natural resources.

MEASURES OF SUSTAINABILITY FOR INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS (Provided by the National Association of Independent Schools) •

Financial Sustainability: becoming more efficient and less costly.

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Environmental Sustainability: incorporating sustainability practices into teaching and practice; becoming greener and less wasteful.

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Global Sustainability: becoming more networked internationally and less parochial in outlook.

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Programmatic Sustainability: becoming more focused on the skills and values that the marketplaces of the 21st Century will seek and reward, and less narrowly isolated in a traditional disciplines approach to teaching and learning.

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Demographic Sustainability: becoming more inclusive and representative of the school-age population and less unapproachable financially and socially.

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Berkeley Hall School | Strategic Plan 2013-2018 I. LEARNING: Professional Development and Assessment, Learning Standards, Curriculum, and Student Assessments •

GOAL A: Increase strategic use of technology in service of key learning goals and provide appropriate professional development and support.

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GOAL B: Promote an active learning community that encourages professional growth and reduces teacher isolation.

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GOAL C: Continue ongoing alignment of BHS performance standards with core learning standards.

II. ENROLLMENT: Quality and Quantity of Applicants Candidates; Retention/Attrition of Mission Appropriate Families/Students; Alignment of Enrollment with Strategic Plan •

GOAL A: Increase enrollment of mission appropriate families/students.

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GOAL B: Increase retention of mission appropriate families/students.

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GOAL C: Strengthen existing, and develop new, partnerships with feeder and receiving schools.

III. COMMUNITY: Outreach, Support, and Management of BHS Relationships •

GOAL A: Develop strategic marketing plan that clearly positions Berkeley Hall School as a Center of Excellence in N-8 education in Los Angeles and beyond, and that compellingly differentiates Berkeley Hall’s value proposition among the targeted audiences and markets that the school exists to serve.

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GOAL B: Expand, foster, and strengthen mutually beneficial and supportive relationships with past, current, and prospective Berkeley Hall School donors, benefactors, and supporters.

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GOAL C: Engage, leverage, and strengthen BHS alumni relationships.

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Berkeley Hall School | Strategic Plan 2013-2018

IV. FACILITIES: Functionality, Maintenance, Improvement, Security, and Pride in Appearance of Campus Structures and Grounds •

GOAL A: Address functionality, maintenance, and overall appearance of campus structures and grounds.

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GOAL B: Enhance campus security.

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GOAL C: Explore viability of combined gym/auditorium.

V. RESOURCES: Financial Sustainability and Best Practices, Capital Improvements, Fundraising, and Employee Compensation •

GOAL A: Continue application of Best Practices to BHS financial policies and procedures.

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GOAL B: Build operating reserve and increase endowment to strengthen the school’s financial position.

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GOAL C: Develop plan to increase building fund and retire existing construction debt.

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GOAL D: Coordinate with Learning, Enrollment, and Community to ensure alignment of compensation and staffing plans.

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GOAL E: Develop a combined and balanced tuition and financial aid plan.

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BHS Administrative Council Lisle Staley, Head of School Rick Peters, Chief Operating Officer Sarah Colmaire, Dean of Academics Melanie Duffy, Dean of Students & Athletic Director Rick Fields, Director of Advancement Nathalie Miller, Director of Admissions

BHS Board of Trustees Margaret Andrews, Chair Rick Larson, Vice Chair Bettina Duval Lisa Garner Darrin Kennedy Ron Krisel, Treasurer Chris Lindgren, Secretary Ruth Loeb Randy McElvain

Berkeley Hall School | Strategic Plan 2013-2018 ACCOUNTABILITY CHART Leadership and Reporting Structure CATEGORY

Board of Trustees

BHS Administration

BHS Agent

I

LEARNING

Margaret Andrews Ruth Loeb

Lisle Staley Sarah Colmaire

Teacher Group Leads

II

ENROLLMENT

Margaret Andrews Rick Larson

Lisle Staley Nathalie Miller Rick Fields

Carolyn Good

III

COMMUNITY

Bettina Duval Lisa Garner

Lisle Staley Rick Fields

Elizabeth Berkowitz Sara Swallow Lisa Taylor

IV

FACILITIES

Chris Lindgren Randy McElvain Ron Krisel

Rick Peters

Richard Biggs

V

RESOURCES

Rick Larson Ron Krisel Darrin Kennedy

Lisle Staley Rick Peters Rick Fields

Luisa Horrell BHS_2013_STRATEGIC_PLAN

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