Atlanta Public Schools
Strategic Plan 2012-2017 “Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
Atlanta Board of Education Brenda J. Muhammad District 1 Byron D. Amos Vice Chair, District 2 Cecily Harsch-Kinnane District 3 Nancy M. Meister District 4 LaChandra D. Butler Burks District 5 Yolanda K. Johnson District 6 Courtney D. English At-Large Seat 7 Districts 1 & 2 Reuben R. McDaniel, III Chair, At-Large Seat 8 Districts 3 & 4 Emmett D. Johnson At-Large Seat 9 Districts 5 & 6
Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Superintendent
Table of
Contents
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ndent
rinte e p u S e h mt
Letter fro
ary
umm S e v i t u c Exe About Us Mission
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7 8
ements t a t S n o i and Vis nts
itme m m o C d an re Beliefs
Co
9 10-11 12 13-16 17 18 x i d n Appe
iples
rinc Guiding P
ucture
tr School S Strategy
Map
Strategy
ment
Align e v i t a i t i n gic I
Strate
ion
to Act l l a C ’s t n nde
Superinte
recard o c S d e c Balan Atlanta Public Schools
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“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
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Page Letter Title from the
Subtitle Superintendent
Text Dear Students, Parents, Employees and Partners:
A
tlanta Public Schools (APS) proudly serves approximately 50,000 students. On behalf of each student, we enter the 2012-13 school year and beyond with a renewed commitment to academic excellence, educational equity, ethics and engagement.
This is an important period for our organization. The decisions that we make and the plans that we implement will impact students, parents, employees and community members for years to come. It’s important that we do the correct things, and equally important, that we do them with a sense of urgency.
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Atlanta Public Schools
Last year we experienced an escalated level of stakeholder involvement at numerous community and school board meetings and hearings. Input from these forums and the input of our teachers and leaders were invaluable in developing our new direction for the future. Our five-year strategic plan will set the path for APS going forward, focusing on a consistent, aggressive and strategic structure of excellence for all schools and divisions within APS. Strategic objectives, paired with initiatives and action plans, will be measured for effectiveness and ultimately lead to improved student achievement. The framework outlined in this document is vital as we move forward with
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excellence, equity, ethics and engagement. We are privileged to serve the students, staff, parents, partners and community members who comprise the APS family. We look forward to your continued confidence and support during the new school year and beyond. Sincerely,
Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Superintendent
“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
Frederick Douglass High School
Executive
Summary
T
he vision of Atlanta Public Schools is to be a studentcentered, high-performing urban school district, where all students become successful, life-long learners and leaders. The district has laid the foundation for this vision with the development of the 2012-2017 Strategic Plan for Atlanta Public Schools, “Strategic Leadership…The Road to Excellence. The plan is the result of the collaborative effort between the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education, Superintendent, administrators, faculty, staff, partners and the community. The thoughtful and honest input of stakeholders on the strategic direction makes the final plan a much stronger document that provides a roadmap to address the work necessary to achieve the mission and vision for APS. The plan recognizes the critical roles of all stakeholders to implement the plan with fidelity and to ensure that all achievements are sustainable. This five-year strategic plan provides a consistent, aggressive and strategic structure of excellence for all schools and Atlanta Public Schools
divisions within APS. The plan calls for the highest level of accountability, ethics, transparency and engagement and recognizes that students come first and all decisions to be made are in the best interest of the students, which is the basis for the three perspectives: (1) Students, Stakeholders and the Learning Environment; (2) Leadership and Talent Development; and (3) Financial and Operational Systems and Support. The perspectives provide guidance for APS leadership in the development of policies and regulations, objectives, strategies and initiatives to achieve the mission and vision. The three perspectives and 11 strategic objectives described in this plan will drive the thinking, actions, and investments over the next five years. These perspectives and strategic objectives are outlined in a strategy map illustrating how APS will unify and balance the components of the strategic plan. The strategy map is then translated into action using a balanced scorecard. |
This scorecard describes the perspectives, strategic objectives, corresponding performance measures and the strategic initiatives pursued to achieve the strategic plan. These strategic initiatives range from implementing the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards in order to ensure educational equity and rigor in the classroom to developing a district-wide coordinated effort to improve the culture, climate and safety in all APS schools and facilities. These initiatives are cross-functional in nature and ensure the strategic objectives, and ultimately the APS mission and vision, are achieved. Full achievement of all strategic objectives will be possible with the continued commitment and support of the Board of Education, Superintendent, administrators, faculty, staff, partners and the community. Working together, APS can achieve the vision of being a student-centered, high-performing urban school district, where all students become successful, lifelong learners and leaders.
“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
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About
Atlanta Public Schools Fast Facts About Atlanta Public Schools 2012-2013 Student enrollment approx. 50,000 Elementary schools 50 Middle schools 15 Single-gender academies 4 High schools 21 Nontraditional programs 2 Charter schools 13 Evening school programs 2 Total APS learning sites 103 Ethnic Distribution of Students 78% African-American Caucasian 13% Hispanic 6% Multiracial 2% Asian/American Indian/ Alaskan/Other 1% Students eligible for free and reduced priced meals 74.76% Number of 2012 graduates 2,093 Scholarships offered $87 million to class of 2012 Number of Title I Schools 95 FY13 General $574 million Fund Budget
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Atlanta Public Schools
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tlanta Public Schools (APS) is one of the largest districts in the state of Georgia, serving approximately 50,000 students in 103 learning facilities throughout the city of Atlanta. APS schools are organized into nine K-12 clusters which provide a quality education for our students. The cluster model provides greater access to a more equitable distribution of resources and multiple layers of support. APS has adopted Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS), which outline high expectations for what students should know in the 21st century and make the district part of the nation-wide initiative to standardize instruction.
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“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
Mission and Vision Statements Mission Statement
mission of Atlanta Public Schools is to educate all students through academic excellence, preparing them for success in life, The
service and leadership.
Vision Statement
vision
The of Atlanta Public Schools is to be a student-centered,
high-performing urban
school district where all students become
successful life-long learners and leaders.
Atlanta Public Schools
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“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
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The New Schools at Carver
Core Beliefs and Commitments
1 2
We believe that all children can learn. We are committed to developing students who are critical thinkers, and we are committed to creating safe school environments that best meet the social, emotional and cognitive needs of individual students.
Characteristics of a High Performing School district A clear and shared focus
n
High standards and expectations for all students n
We believe that teachers matter. We are committed to creating and supporting effective teachers and leaders for APS students.
Effective school teachers and leaders n
High levels of collaboration and communication n
3 4
Curriculum, instruction and assessments aligned with state standards n
Frequent monitoring of teaching and learning n
We believe all students should be fully prepared and inspired to graduate from high school ready for college and/or careers. We are committed to fully preparing and inspiring all students to graduate ready for college and/or careers.
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We believe that community is critical. We are committed to engaging our community with the goal of creating and sustaining strong relationships.
We believe that students should be lifelong learners. We are committed to developing students who will become lifelong learners that will make significant contributions to society.
Atlanta Public Schools
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Focused professional development n
Supportive learning environments n
High level of family and community engagement n
Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
“Strategic Leadership ‌ The Road to Excellenceâ€?
Guiding Principles
Excellence… in everything we do Implementing the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards will ensure a new standard of academic excellence in every school. The standards outline high expectations for what students need to know to be ready for 21st century colleges and careers anywhere in the world.
Equity… in the distribution of district resources Through redistricting, APS created a new regional and cluster model to replace the school reform team structure. Under the cluster model, resources are to be allocated to fully staff and provide more support, more opportunities and more equity to the schools.
Atlanta Public Schools
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Ethics… to protect our integrity APS will continue stronger testing security measures and mandated annual ethics training for every employee. In addition, every school will have two ethics advocates who will act as resources for ethical decisionmaking. Advocates will also infuse ethical principles and character education throughout the curriculum, as well as through teacher and leader actions.
Engagement… with our community APS created the Office of External Affairs which is devoted to community outreach, corporate and foundation relations, constituent services and open records requests. APS is working diligently district-wide to become more engaged and transparent with the community.
“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
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School
Structure
B
eginning in School Year 2012-2013, APS schools are organized into nine new K-12 clusters – each with a main feeder high school. Under the cluster model, students from the same neighborhoods will be able to stay together throughout elementary, middle and high school. The cluster model provides the groundwork for achieving the goal of every school providing a quality education for every student, regardless of where he or she lives in the district. Each school in the cluster will have access to a more equitable distribution of North Region Frederick Douglass North Atlanta B.E.S.T. Academy C.S.K. Academy
Douglass Cluster
DOUGLASS
N. Atlanta Cluster
High Schools
B.E.S.T. Academy City-wide
The school clusters are organized into four regional units, each with an executive director for administration. Clusters are identified by high schools as follows:
South Region Carver South Atlanta Forrest Hill Academy
High Schools
North Region
available resources and multiple layers of support. The cluster model also provides for a greater degree of collaboration and professional development among the elementary, middle and high schools within the individual clusters of schools.
B.E.S.T.
N. ATLANTA
Middle Schools
{ {
SUTTON
NO FEEDER SCHOOLS
Middle Schools
PRICE
Carver Cluster
SYLVAN
CARVER PARKS
S. Atlanta Cluster
S. ATLANTA
Forrest Hill Academy
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Atlanta Public Schools
{
LONG
BOYD * FAIN F.L. STANTON
GROVE PARK INTERMEDIATE (3-5)
BOLTON ACADEMY BRANDON BRANDON PRIMARY GARDEN HILLS JACKSON
High Schools
C.S.K. Academy
{ {
C.S.K.
JACKSON PRIMARY RIVERS SMITH SMITH PRIMARY
Middle Schools
{
C.S.K. ACADEMY
Elementary Schools
SLATER THOMASVILLE HEIGHTS
FINCH GIDEONS PERKERSON
CLEVELAND AVENUE DOBBS HERITAGE ACADEMY
HUMPHRIES HUTCHINSON *
* Year-Round School
NO FEEDER SCHOOLS
FORREST HILL
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SCOTT TOWNS USHER WOODSON PRIMARY (K-2)
* Year-Round School
{ City-wide
High Schools
South Region
{
Elementary Schools
B.E.S.T. ACADEMY
West Region Benjamin E. Mays D.M. Therrell Booker T. Washington West End Academy Elementary Schools
HARPER-ARCHER
Middle Schools
{
East Region Henry W. Grady Maynard H. Jackson Crim Open Campus
“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
Elementary Schools
NO FEEDER SCHOOLS
High Schools
Grady Cluster
M.H. Jackson Cluster
Crim Open Campus
GRADY
M.H. JACKSON
Middle Schools
{ {
MAYS
West End Academy
CENTENNIAL PLACE * HOPE-HILL MARY LIN
MORNINGSIDE SPRINGDALE PARK
* Year-Round School
M.L. KING
THERRELL
WASHINGTON
Middle Schools
{ { { {
Elementary Schools
{
YOUNG
{ { {
BUNCHE
BROWN
KENNEDY
ADAMSVILLE PRIMARY (K-2) BEECHER HILLS CASCADE
CONTINENTAL COLONY DEERWOOD ACADEMY
BETHUNE CONNALLY
MILES INTERMEDIATE (3-5) PEYTON FOREST WEST MANOR
FICKETT KIMBERLY
NO FEEDER SCHOOLS
NO FEEDER SCHOOLS
WEST END ACADEMY
North Region
South Region
n
n
The Kindezi School (K-5) KIPP Atlanta Collegiate (9-10) Latin Academy (6)
KIPP Vision (5-7)
East Region
West Region
M. AGNES JONES VENETIAN HILLS
Charter Schools & Regions:
Booker T. Washington High School
West Region
n
n
Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School (K-8)
East Region
BENTEEN D.H. STANTON DUNBAR PARKSIDE
BURGESS-PETERSON TOOMER WHITEFOORD
COAN
NO FEEDER SCHOOLS
Mays Cluster
Washington Cluster
{
INMAN
CRIM
High Schools
Therrell Cluster
Elementary Schools
(Elementary & Middle School Campuses)
Drew Charter School (PreK-8) Intown Academy (K-8) Wesley Academy (K-8)
Atlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Preparatory Academy (K-8) KIPP Strive (5-8) / KIPP Strive Primary (K) KIPP WAYS (5-8)
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“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
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2012-2017
Strategy Map
T
he strategy map shown below is a visual tool illustrating how APS aligns its resources to achieve its mission to educate all students through academic excellence, preparing them for success in life, service and leadership. The map is organized into three perspectives (Students, Stakeholders and the Learning Environment; Leadership and Talent Development; and Financial and Operational Systems and Support) that define causal relationships among the 11 strategic objectives, ultimately achieving the APS mission. The map helps visualize the strategy while unifying and balancing the components of the plan.
Objectives
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Atlanta Public Schools
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“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
Strategy — 2012-2017 The following pages communicate APS’ five-year strategy and translate the strategy map into action. Each page highlights the perspective, strategic objectives, corresponding performance measures and the strategic initiatives pursued to achieve those strategic objectives. The components all work together to achieve the strategic destination: Objectives articulate the components of the strategy; n Performance measures track progress toward achieving and communicating the intent of the objective; and n
Strategic initiatives help close the gap between current and desired performance.* * Source: 2008 Balanced Scorecard Collaborative, a n
Palladium company
Students, Stakeholders and the Learning Environment
Atlanta Public Schools
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“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
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Strategy — 2012-2017
Students, Stakeholders and the Learning Environment
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Atlanta Public Schools
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“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
Strategy — 2012-2017
Leadership and Talent Development
Atlanta Public Schools
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“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
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Strategy — 2012-2017
Financial and Operational Systems and Support
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Atlanta Public Schools
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“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
Strategic Initiative Alignment
Atlanta Public Schools
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“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
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Superintendent’s Call to Action
S
uccess does not happen by accident. Schools and districts do not become high performing by chance. Achieving “Excellence in Everything We Do,” requires commitment, dedication, discipline and focus on doing the right things and doing them well. The success of the strategic plan rests on everyone. When every person carries out his and her role with fidelity, Atlanta Public Schools will steadily make progress toward the ultimate goal of ensuring success for every student.
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Atlanta Public Schools
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“Strategic Leadership … The Road to Excellence”
Henry W. Grady High School
re Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Option rtfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellenc aracteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Missi ion Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structure cellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Scho ystem Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Them d Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beli d Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Scho chool Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics gh Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statemen Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Are d Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Manageme ptions • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition cellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitmen Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structur xcellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Scho ystem Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Them d Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beli d Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Scho chool Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics gh Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statemen Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Are d Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Manageme ptions • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition cellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitmen Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structur xcellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Scho ystem Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Them d Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beli d Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Scho chool Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics gh Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statemen Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Are d Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Manageme ptions • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition cellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitmen Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structur xcellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Scho ystem Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • Syste anagement Options • Excellence Focus Areas rtfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellenc aracteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Missi ion Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structure cellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schoo
Office of Organizational Advancement 130 Trinity Avenue, SW, 8th Floor Atlanta, Georgia 30303