BKHS StrategicPlan 2023-2028 FINAL

A Letter from Our Principal

Dear BK Family,

Bishop Kenny High School will celebrate 75 years of service to the young people of Jacksonville in 2027. In preparation for this milestone, I present our new five-year strategic plan. This document is drawn from recommendations of our recent accreditation visit, evaluation of our previous strategic plan, and our vision for the future of Bishop Kenny High School. This plan details a roadmap to our 75th anniversary and maintains our commitment to continuous improvement.

The 2017-2022 Strategic Plan was written without foreknowledge of the pandemic that was to come. COVID caused school closure, the advent of virtual learning, the cancellation or redesign of beloved events, including graduation, prom, athletic competition, the annual auction, and much more. Despite these unforeseen challenges, we met and exceeded the goals of our last strategic plan.

In August 2022, we welcomed 1,360 students to our campus, our highest enrollment in more than ten years. In the past five years, our beautiful campus has seen major upgrades to learning spaces and the repurposing of other facilities to meet the needs of our school today. Most importantly, we remain committed to upholding our Catholic identity, the hallmark of life and learning on this campus since our founding in 1952.

I look forward, with great enthusiasm, to beginning our work with this new strategic plan. It is ambitious and will challenge us as we work together to bring it to successful completion. I welcome and encourage you to join us in the exciting work ahead.

Sincerely,

Todd M. Orlando Principal

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

VISION

Guided by the lessons of the Gospel, Bishop Kenny graduates will be persons of integrity capable of making life decisions and positive contributions to their faith, family, and global communities.

MISSION

Rooted in Catholic values and traditions, our mission is to partner with parents in the education and formation of their children by providing a culture of faith, a rigorous curriculum, and personal enrichment through which all students can achieve and excel as they prepare for college and for life.

CORE CATHOLIC VALUES

As a Catholic high school community, we:

• Consecrate ourselves to Jesus through Mary under the title of Our Lady of La Leche.

• Proclaim the Gospel message in word and deed.

• Build a Catholic faith community.

• Celebrate our faith through prayer and worship.

• Promote service to others, especially the poor and vulnerable.

• Provide opportunities for spiritual growth.

Cultivating a culture of Christian service is foundational to the BK experience. The Class of 2022 completed 48,881 service hours during their four years at Bishop Kenny.

MISSION & CATHOLIC IDENTITY

GOAL 1

To enhance our Catholic identity and the religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical dimensions of learning across all subjects.

1. Develop lessons that reflect our Catholic identity throughout all subjects with an emphasis on the integration of the religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical dimensions of learning.

2. Continue to promote a culture of faith woven throughout academics, athletics, and activities.

GOAL 2

To expand our partnership with parents in supporting the well-being of our students.

1. Increase parent education opportunities in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, and resiliency.

2. Continue the collaboration of the Minds, Hearts, and Souls Committee to educate the faculty in responding to the mental health needs of our students.

GOAL 3

To expand our focus on acceptance throughout the school community as we recognize our creation in the image and likeness of God.

1. Recognizing that we are grounded by the values and teachings of the Gospels, we will teach our students how to respond morally and ethically in word and deed.

2. Continue the work of the Diversity Task Force and the Diversity Student Union in exploring new ways to celebrate diversity on campus.

GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP

GOAL

To attract, form, and retain a high-quality, professional staff dedicated to the school’s core mission.

1. Ensure institutional stability through succession planning at all levels.

2. Evaluate recruitment and hiring practices to attract the best-qualified candidates.

3. To increase our support and development of faculty members, fostering a culture of teacher-ministers who carry out the mission of Catholic education.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

GOAL 1

To further aid our students in achieving academic excellence in our college preparatory learning environment.

1. Augment our existing support systems to improve achievement for students with learning differences.

2. Increase professional development to train our faculty to meet the needs of diverse learners.

3. Continue to expand resources to assist all students in achieving success.

GOAL 2

To focus on the compatibility of our learning environment to support an enhanced college preparatory curriculum.

1. Continue the development and alignment of curriculum mapping with a goal of adopting common assessments across same subject areas.

2. Renovate all classrooms on campus with the infrastructure, resources, and enhancements that will ensure a quality learning environment equipped for the future.

The Class of 2022 was awarded more than $13M in scholarships. They are attending 50 colleges and universities in 13 different states, two earned military appointments, and 17 committed to a collegiate athletic program.

OPERATIONAL VITALITY

GOAL 1

To welcome all academically qualified students who desire a Catholic, college-preparatory education by promoting the financial affordability and value of the Bishop Kenny experience

1. Increase awareness of the financial affordability of Bishop Kenny High School through both public grant and scholarship programs and Bishop Kenny’s financial aid program.

2. Communicate the value of Catholic education in the formation of individuals who demonstrate high moral character and social responsibility through life-long contributions to their community.

GOAL 2

To invite our alumni and benefactors to actively participate in ensuring the future growth of the school and its programs for the next generation of Crusaders

1. Cultivate donors in support of the endowed scholarship program, which will provide financial assistance in perpetuity to those in need.

2. Create a development plan that incorporates a capital campaign to renovate and enhance athletic facilities.

3. Communicate long-range financial sustainability, the relationship between tuition and operating costs, and the importance of philanthropic support from alumni, parents, and friends of Bishop Kenny.