Strategic Plan
2023-2025
"Wisdomrestsinthe heartofapersonof understanding."
Proverbs14:33
“Atitsheart,strategicplanningisa processthatunleashestheeffortsof exceptionalpeopleinfulfillmentofa crucialtaskthatisdirectedtowardthis commonpurpose:thatyoubetterbecome whatGodhascalledyoutobe.” Pue,RethinkingStrategicPlanning,p.25
SECTION01:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Covenant High School is on a mission to combine gospel-centered mentorship with highquality, college-preparatory education. As Covenant approaches its 30th anniversary, the school is focused on ensuring the next 30 years are impactful for both the community and the Kingdom of God. This strategic plan for 2023-2025 outlines key initiatives in Faithfulness, Sustainability, and Innovation to achieve this vision.
01 Faithfulness: Intentional Missional Alignment and Permeation
Covenant will unify its community through a cohesive spiritual formation program by Fall 2023, including a spiritual formation room and a prayer chapel. By Fall 2024, the school will formalize biblical statements on broad issues, fostering a clear biblical worldview. A culture of unity will be promoted through habitual prayer in all school activities by Spring 2023.
02 Sustainability: Careful Financial Practices and Long-term Positioning
The school seeks to fund 90% of its operating budget through tuition-based revenue by Spring 2025 Tuition increases will help eliminate the annual budget gap, aiming for $12,000 for domestic students and $24,000 for international students by the 2024-2025 school year. Covenant will also secure a $2.5 million reserve fund by Fall 2025 and aims to achieve and maintain full enrollment (400 students) by Fall 2025.
03 Innovation: Anticipatory and Responsive Programming
Covenant will create a comprehensive Biblical Worldview curriculum by Fall 2024 and develop an independent Covenant Online Academy by Summer 2025 to diversify income and extend its reach The school is enhancing its technology experience with a proprietary one-card system and a streamlined SIS platform by Fall 2023. Faculty and staff development will be prioritized through short-term sabbaticals, increased PTO, and a comprehensive Employee Care Portfolio by the start of the fiscal year 2025.
04 Growth: Expansion of Mission for Achievement of Vision
Covenant High School is committed to enhancing its facilities and growing enrollment through strategic initiatives, including a targeted $4.5 million capital campaign. The school is focused on cultivating a strong culture of giving, expanding our donor base, and extending our influence within the community Security improvements and a comprehensive student support system are also key priorities, with goals to increase student diversity.
This strategic plan outlines Covenant High School’s commitment to fostering a unified Christian community, ensuring financial sustainability, and embracing innovative programming to enhance the overall educational experience and institutional health.
Strategy 01
FAITHFULNESS:IntentionalMissionalAlignmentandPermeation
1.1Unified,ThinkingChristianCommunitythroughSpirit-FilledFormation
CovenantHighSchooliscommittedtofosteringaunified,thinkingChristiancommunity throughintentionalandspirit-filledformation.Thisinitiativeaimstoholisticallysupport students’spiritualneeds,cultivateaclearbiblicalworldview,andfosteracultureofunity andprayerwithintheschoolcommunity.
InitiativesandGoals:
Formalizeacohesive,school-widespiritualformationprogram
Formalizebiblicalstatementsonmajorbroadissues
Createacultureofunitythroughahabitofprayer
1.2Spirit-FilledInteractions
CovenantHighSchoolseekstoenhancecommunitytrust,unity,andclaritythroughspiritfilledinteractions.Thisinitiativefocusesonequippingallmembersoftheschool communitytounderstandandarticulatethefoundationsofCovenant’smission,vision,and values,andtoalignathleticprogramswiththeschool’sChristianprinciples.
InitiativesandGoals:
Equipandtrainemployees,trustees,students,andparents
Broadalignmentofcoaches,students,andparentstotheCovenantWay
StatusandProgress:
EmployeeandParentTraining:Initialtrainingprogramsareinplace,withongoingpeerto-peertrainingmechanismsestablishedtoensurecontinuousengagementand reinforcementofCovenant’sfoundationalvalues.
AthleticProgramAlignment:
Summerorientationsessionsforcoachingstaffhavebeenconducted,alongsidepreseason meetingstosetexpectationsforparentsandstudents.Communityeventsandwritten devotionshavefosteredadeeperunderstandingandalignmentwithCovenant’svalues
Strategy 02
SUSTAINABILITY:Carefulfinancialpractices&long-termpositioning
2.1Short-Term,IncrementalInstitutionalPositioningthroughBudgeting
CovenantHighSchooliscommittedtoensuringfinancialstabilityandsustainability throughcarefulbudgetingandincrementalinstitutionalpositioning.Thisstrategyaimsto fundasignificantportionoftheoperatingbudgetthroughtuition-basedrevenueand progressivelyeliminatethetypicalyearlynonprofitbudgetgap.
InitiativesandGoals:
Ensure90%oftheOperatingBudgetisfundedthroughtuition-basedrevenue IncreaseDomesticandInternationalYearlyPerStudent(YPS)Tuition
StatusandProgress
Tuition-BasedRevenueFunding:
Currenteffortsareontrack,withoperationalbudgetsalreadyreflectingconservative enrollmentestimatesanddepartmentalbudgetsbeingadjustedbasedonapprovedneeds.
TuitionIncreases:
ThecurrentdomesticYPSis$11,485,projectedtoreachthe$12,000targetbythe20242025schoolyear.TheincreaseininternationalYPSisalsoprogressingasplanned, positioningtheschooltomeetitsrevenuegoals.
2.2Long-TermPositioningthroughSavingsandLegacyGiving
CovenantHighSchoolaimstoensurelong-termfinancialhealthandstabilitythrough strategicsavingsandlegacygivinginitiatives.Thisstrategyfocusesonbuildingsubstantial reservefunds,fullyfundingannualdepreciationexpenses,andachievingconsistentyearly costsavings.
InitiativesandGoals:
Securea½yearreservefund
Fullyfundannualdepreciationexpenses
Generate1%-2%yearlycostsavings
StatusandProgress:
ReserveFund
Thecurrentreservestandsat$2.2million(asofFebruary2024),ontracktomeetthe$2.5 milliontargetbyFall2025.Theplanincludesmaintainingasurplusof$50kperquarter.
DepreciationFunding
Significantfacilityupgrades,includingHVACcontrolsandVAVreplacements,havebeen completed,withfurtherprojectslikechillerinstallationsplannedforFall2024.
CostSavings
Initiativestostreamlineoperationsandsecurecostsavingsareinprogress,withongoing evaluationtoensurecontinuedfinancialefficiency.
2.3FullFundingthroughFullEnrollment
CovenantHighSchoolaimstoachieveandmaintainfullenrollmenttoensurearobust primaryrevenuestream.Thisstrategyfocusesonreachingfullfacilitycapacity,balancing full-payfamilies,enhancingfundraisingefforts,andadjustingtuitionasneeded.
InitiativesandGoals:
Achieveandmaintainenrollmentatfullfacilitycapacity(N=400):
StatusandProgress:
CurrentEnrollment:
AsofAugust2023,thecurrentenrollmentstandsat385students.Theschoolisonpaceto achievefullenrollmentof400studentsbyFall2024,oneyearaheadofthetarget.
Strategy 03
INNOVATION:Anticipatoryandresponsiveprogramming
3.1ExternalAcademicOfferings
CovenantHighSchoolaimstoenhanceitsacademicofferingsbydevelopinga comprehensiveBiblicalWorldviewcurriculumandestablishingtheCovenantOnline Academy.Theseinitiativesaredesignedtoensurelong-termstudentsuccessanddiversify incomestreamswhileextendingtheschool'smissionbeyondgeographicalandtraditional limitations.
InitiativesandGoals:
Createamarketable,cohesive,andcomprehensiveBiblicalWorldviewcurriculum DevelopCovenantOnlineAcademy
StatusandProgress:
BiblicalWorldviewCurriculum
Thecurriculumdevelopmentisinprogress,withsignificantinputfromvarious departmentsandexternaladvisorstoensureacohesiveprogram.
CovenantOnlineAcademy:
Theinitialphasehasbeensuccessfullyrolledout,withover50classesofferedforcredit recoveryinSummer2022and35classesinSummer2023,generating$26kinrevenue.The goalofachievingfullindependencefromexternalplatformsisontrackforSummer2025.
3.2UserTechnologyExperience
CovenantHighSchoolaimstoenhancetheusertechnologyexperiencebydevelopinga proprietaryone-cardsystemandimprovingtheStudentInformationSystem(SIS) platform.Theseinitiativesaredesignedtostreamlineoperations,captureadditional revenue,andprovideamoreefficientandseamlessexperienceforstudents,staff,and parents
InitiativesandGoals:
Developaproprietaryone-cardsystem ProvideamoreseamlessandefficientSISexperience
StatusandProgress:
One-CardSystem
TheCovenantConnectappandproprietaryone-cardsystemweresuccessfullydeployed byFall2022 Thetransitiontoan80%cashlessprogramisontrackforcompletionby Winter2023.
SISImprovement
TheschooloptedtorenewtheBlackbaudcontractforthreeyears,enhancing functionalitiesandbroadeningtrainingtoensureamoreseamlessexperience.Initial improvementsareunderway,withfullimplementationexpectedwithinthenexttwo years.
3.3FacultyandStaffDevelopment,Wellbeing,andRetention
CovenantHighSchoolisdedicatedtofosteringthedevelopment,wellbeing,andretention ofitsfacultyandstaff.Thisstrategyfocusesonprovidingopportunitiesforpersonal renewal,establishingprogrammedrhythmsofrest,andcreatingacomprehensive EmployeeCarePortfoliotosupporttheholistichealthofallemployees
InitiativesandGoals:
Developshort-termsabbaticalsforfullyvestedstaff/faculty Enactandencourageprogrammedrhythmsofrest DesignanEmployeeCarePortfolio
StatusandProgress:
Short-TermSabbaticals:
Thescheduleforfacultysabbaticalsisset,withpoliciesforstaffsabbaticalsstillin development.
ProgrammedRhythmsofRest: PersonaldaysforteachershavebeendoubledasoftheendofFY2022,withfurtherpolicies beingalignedtosupportrestandprofessionaldevelopment.
EmployeeCarePortfolio: Developmentisunderway,withaseriesofinitiativesbeingtestedandrefinedtoensure comprehensivesupportforemployeewellbeing.
3.4EstablishStudent-RunBusinesses
CovenantHighSchoolaimstosupportstudententerpriseandfundvariousclubsby establishingstudent-runbusinesses.Thisinitiativefocusesonutilizingexistingandnew vendingoptionstocreateopportunitiesforpracticalbusinessexperienceandgenerate revenueforstudentactivities.
InitiativesandGoals:
Establishstudent-runbusinessesfromexistingandnewvendingoptions
StatusandProgress:
TheCoveCoffeeShop: Plumbingandelectricalinstallationshavebeencompleted.Equipmenthasbeeninstalled andisoperational Primaryleadershipandmanagementroleshavebeenestablished,with StevensonandFightmasterservingasmanagers.DECAhascreatedacomprehensive businessplan.ThecoffeeshophadasoftopeninginDecember2023andachieved profitabilitywithintwoweeks.ThegrandopeninghappenedinMarch2024,featuring brandingandmerchandise.
Strategy 04
GROWTH:Expansionofmissionforachievementofvision
4.1ExternalAcademicOfferings
CovenantHighSchoolaimstoenhanceitsfacilitiesandincreaseenrollmentthrough strategiccapitalcampaignsandreimaginingexistingspaces.Thisstrategyfocuseson raisingfundsforgrowthandimprovingtheschool'sinfrastructuretosupportanexpanded studentbodyandacomprehensiverangeofacademicandathleticofferings.
Strategies:
Executeaquietcapitalcampaignforgrowth($45million+)
Enhanceandreimagineexistingfacilities
ExpandourSphereofInfluence
StatusandProgress:
CultureofGiving
Effortsareunderwaytoenhancemessagingandstorytellingacrossplatforms,withafocus oncreatingpersonalandimpactfulcommunicationsthatresonatewiththecommunity.
DonorBaseGrowth
Engagementjourneysandcultivationplansarebeingsegmented,withanincreasein personalvisitsandcontactstobuildstrongerdonorrelationships Adetailedadvancement managementplanisindevelopmenttoguidetheseefforts.
SphereofInfluenceExpansion
StrategicrepresentationoncommitteesandtherecruitmentofCovenantAmbassadorsare inprogress,aimingtodiversifyandexpandtheschool'sinfluenceandsupportbase
4.2TrueAdvancementImpactandCulture
CovenantHighSchoolaimstofosteracultureofgiving,buildarobustdonorbase,and expanditssphereofinfluence.Thisstrategyfocusesoningrainingacultureofsupport, cultivatinglong-termdonorrelationships,andincreasingtheschool'svisibilityand engagementwithinthebroadercommunity.
InitiativesandGoals:
CultivateaCultureofGiving
BuildandGrowourDonorBase
ExpandourSphereofInfluence
StatusandProgress
CultureofGiving
Effortsareunderwaytoenhancemessagingandstorytellingacrossplatforms,withafocus oncreatingpersonalandimpactfulcommunicationsthatresonatewiththecommunity.
DonorBaseGrowth
Engagementjourneysandcultivationplansarebeingsegmented,withanincreasein personalvisitsandcontactstobuildstrongerdonorrelationships.Adetailedadvancement managementplanisindevelopmenttoguidetheseefforts.
SphereofInfluenceExpansion
StrategicrepresentationoncommitteesandtherecruitmentofCovenantAmbassadorsare inprogress,aimingtodiversifyandexpandtheschool'sinfluenceandsupportbase.
4.3TrueAdvancementImpactandCulture
CovenantHighSchoolaimstoenhancestudentcarethroughcomprehensivesecurity measures,holisticsupport,andincreaseddiversity.Thisstrategyfocusesonimplementing robustdatasecurityandimprovingstudentsupportsystems.
InitiativesandGoals:
Implementnewsecurityplanandstafftrainingprogram
Developholisticstudentcareandsupport
Increasestudentracialandethnicdiversityto30%non-white
StatusandProgress:
SecurityPlanandTraining
TrainingfortrainersthroughACSIresourcesisscheduledforearlyFall2024,withrequired trainingforallstaffbymid-Fall2024.Parentseminarson"TeensandTechnology"and "DepressionandAnxiety"havebeenconducted,andchildprotectiontrainingforfaculty, staff,andcoachesisongoing.
HolisticStudentCare
Professionaldevelopmenton"Trauma-informedteachingandlearning"isscheduledfor PresidentsDay2024.Acentralizedlogofstudentnotesandincidentshasimproveddata accessibilityfortheadministrationandstudentcareteam.
DiversityIncrease
Thecurrentnon-whitestudentpopulationisat20%(asofApril2023).Effortstoincrease diversityincludeparticipationintheIndianaLatinoConsortiumandbuildingrelationships atfeederschoolevents.
4.4Marketing(needforproduct)&Brand(feelaboutproduct)Permeation
CovenantHighSchoolaimstostrengthenitsmarketingandbrandpermeationthrougha comprehensiveevaluationofitsbrandstrategyandthedevelopmentofstandardized templatesfordepartmentalmarketinginitiatives.Thisstrategyfocusesoncreatinga consistentandimpactfulrepresentationofCovenantacrossallcommunicationplatforms andensuringalignmentwithbrandstandards
InitiativesandGoals:
Completeacomprehensivebrandstrategyevaluation
Developappropriatetemplatesfordepartmentalmarketinginitiatives
StatusandProgress:
BrandStrategyEvaluation
Thecomprehensiveevaluationisinprogress,withkeydepartmentsactivelycontributing tothedevelopmentofimplementationdocumentation.Thegoalistoensureaunifiedand consistentbrandpresenceacrossallcommunicationsandplatforms.
MarketingTemplates:
Initialtemplateshavebeencreatedanddistributedtodepartments.Quarterlyevaluations areplannedtoensurealignmentwithbrandstandardsandtomakenecessaryadjustments forcontinuousimprovement.
We are deeply grateful to each of you who have joined us in this journey. Your steadfast support and commitment to our mission reflect a shared faith in the transformative power of Christian education.
As we look forward, we continue to trust in God's guidance and provision, knowing that together, we can shape a future filled with promise and purpose for every student at Covenant.
Thank you for being an integral part of this community, as we strive to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders