Information Technology (IT) is a strategic imperative for learning institutions that want to maintain high standards of academic excellence, foster the growth and development of students and faculty/ staff, and uphold standards for the tools and resources necessary for academic administration. It is essential for academic institutions to possess foresight and adaptability in responding to the needs of today’s ever-changing educational landscape. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one example of an evolving technology that is reshaping academic and business institutions. Empowering digitally adept lifelong learners has become a critical necessity to keep pace.
Highland School recognizes the importance of establishing a framework for the selection and utilization of technology to support the school’s capabilities in the classroom and school administration. This plan will harness Information Technology to advance Highland School’s mission and achieve the goals outlined in the Highland Strategic Plan.
Highland School’s IT Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 emphasizes three key areas:
1. Future Ready Skills
2. Digital Proficiency
3. Business IT
By addressing these areas, Highland School will prepare its students with the essential skills to thrive in an increasingly digital world, ensure accessibility to digital resources for all members of the school community, and optimize business processes through the effective use of technology.
This strategic plan acknowledges the need for continuous development in response to the ever-evolving educational landscape. By integrating technology into various aspects of the institution, Highland School can provide a supportive and innovative environment for its students, faculty, and staff. Through this plan, Highland School will stay at the forefront of technological advancements and effectively meet the needs of its stakeholders.
To cultivate a dynamic learning environment that leverages technology to empower community members by fostering innovation, collaboration, global citizenship, and lifelong learning.
Highland School prepares students to thrive, lead, and serve in a diverse and dynamic world, developing essential skills and character by challenging them with a demanding academic and co-curricular program. The mission of this Information Technology Strategic Plan is to enable Highland School to provide reliable, secure, and accessible resources and services that empower our students, faculty, staff and families and foster community engagement.
We believe that technology is a powerful tool that can transform and enrich the educational experience for our students. Our philosophy of technology integration is rooted in the following eight principles:
Technology is a means to extend and deepen students’ learning experiences. It provides personalized learning that caters to diverse learning styles and abilities. We recognize that not every learning experience is made better with the integration of technology but encourage thoughtful integration when its use is beneficial and developmentally appropriate.
We encourage educators to be innovative and creative in their teaching practices through the integration of technology. We are committed to providing training for teachers and supporting them as they explore new technologies. Training teachers in ways that balance high- and low-tech opportunities is critical.
Technology should be used to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy skills. We integrate technology into classrooms and provide a safe, secure, and appropriate technology curriculum.
Technology enables students to collaborate, connect with experts, and engage in meaningful interactions in our Highland community as well as outside of our walls. We also utilize technology tools to communicate with students and families via our learning management systems and other technology platforms.
We use data-driven insights to inform instruction and personalize learning pathways for each student.
Students are encouraged to become responsible digital citizens who can navigate and evaluate digital information effectively. We emphasize the responsible and ethical use of technology, digital citizenship, and online safety.
We strive to prepare our students for an increasingly technology-driven future. We aim to equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.
We are committed to the continuous improvement of technology integration efforts. We regularly assess the safety, effectiveness, reliability, and use of technology equipment, tools, applications, and strategies and make adjustments based on feedback and outcomes.
Our philosophy of technology integration highlights our dedication to providing a dynamic learning environment where technology is harnessed to empower our students and prepare them for the challenges and opportunities that await.
The following guiding principles shape technology selection, training, and strategic & tactical planning. These guiding principles serve to ensure the timely and effective delivery of services and provide the best outcomes for Highland School. While this plan covers all use of technology at Highland School, it is also heavily informed by the school’s Academic Technology Philosophy.
Ensure equitable access to Highland School’s technology for all students, families, faculty, and staff, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities.
Strive to find the best tools and technologies to enhance learning and productivity. Leverage technology where appropriate to foster collaboration, teamwork, communication, creativity, and shared learning experiences.
Utilize technology to inform data-driven decision-making, personalized learning, and development in all areas of operation.
Promote responsible and ethical use of technology, including AI, emphasizing digital literacy, online safety, and ethical conduct in the digital world.
Maintain a strong, safe, and reliable infrastructural network. Research and leverage best practices in technology to provide effective and efficient administration, data management, and cybersecurity.
The primary objective of the Information Technology Strategic Plan is to harness the power of technology to advance the mission of Highland School and contribute to the attainment of the objectives outlined in the Highland Strategic Plan. The development of the Highland School IT Strategic Plan centers on three key pillars: Future Ready Skills, Digital Proficiency, and Business IT.
The focus on Future Ready Skills acknowledges the need to equip students with the necessary competencies to thrive in a technologically-driven society. This includes fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, digital literacy and citizenship skills. These skills are foundational to our philosophy at Highland School. When used effectively and appropriately, technology can play an important role in the development of Future Ready Skills, preparing students to thrive, lead and serve in a diverse and dynamic world.
Highland School recognizes the importance of access to technology resources and training for all stakeholders, to enhance learning, productivity, and communication. From faculty and students using digital resources, to staff members utilizing the school’s administrative systems, to families who leverage communication tools to engage in the school community, ongoing development is key to maintaining
proficiency and maximizing productivity. Digital Proficiency empowers the Highland School community with the knowledge and skills needed to collaborate, engage and connect through the use of technology.
Business IT encompasses the integration of technology into administrative functions to streamline processes, enhance communication, and improve overall efficiency. This includes implementing robust information systems, reliable network infrastructure, secure data management practices, and effective technology support services. Optimizing these areas allows Highland School to facilitate seamless IT operations.
Information Technology Strategic Plan focuses on three key pillars:
Future Ready Skills acknowledges the need to equip students with the necessary competencies to thrive in a technologicallydriven society.
Digital Proficiency empowers the Highland School community with the knowledge and skills needed to collaborate, engage and connect through the use of technology.
Business IT encompasses the integration of technology into administrative functions to streamline processes, enhance communication, and improve overall efficiency.
For a holistic approach to creating priorities for the strategic plan, we have outlined goals, objectives, and initiatives and aligned them across the 3 strategic pillars. Objectives and initiatives relating to each pillar are identified as follows:
OBJECTIVES PILLAR ALIGNMENT
To increase communication and education regarding technology for all stakeholders
Coordinate school Leadership alignment with IT Strategy Future Ready Skills Digital Proficiency Business IT
INITIATIVES PILLAR ALIGNMENT
Refine faculty, staff, and family technology onboarding
Create a Technology resource board on the HUB
Enhance communication and resources to families
Provide ongoing faculty and staff training/professional development in technology that prioritizes design thinking skills
Develop and enhance mechanisms to include stakeholder IT feedback
OBJECTIVES
Ensure students, faculty and staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a digital world
Enhance and refine technology integration in technology and interdisciplinary curricula
Reimagine digital literacy curriculum
Refine student technology onboarding process
Develop and Implement faculty and staff technology goals
Continued analysis of technology resources, tools, and best practices in education, including higher education
Intentional integration of design thinking skills into the educational program
Assess technology offerings in area schools to ensure Highland School’s place as an innovator
Continued analysis of AI in the educational landscape including training, policy development, standards of use, and integration
Continued evaluation of policies for resilient IT security, safety, and data management
Refine IT Policies for best practice
Analysis of technology contracts, providers, contractors, and services
Ensure School Leadership alignment with IT Strategy
Refine and expand data maps
Ensure IT policies are comprehensive and reflective of industry best practices
Create and analyze contract/subscription database
Redefine the relationship between Highland and the IT Managed Service Provider
Enhance annual data security audit based on best practices and current trends
Establish a mechanism for communication of IT strategy with school leadership
Analysis of cybersecurity requirements for prioritized implementation
Provide faculty, students, and staff with robust technology resources and tools
Explore funding sources for technology tools and resources
Continued analysis of stakeholder IT requirements
Enhance mechanism for prioritization of IT assets
Creation of a multi-year IT Capital Expense Strategy
Explore educational and philanthropic partnerships with local IT organizations
The Highland School Information Technology Strategic Plan envisions utilizing both established and emerging technologies to facilitate innovative and adaptable teaching methods, enhance learning experiences, and streamline business operations. This IT Strategic Plan will serve as a guiding document to align technology initiatives with Highland School’s overall strategic goals and objectives.
By leveraging technology effectively, Highland School will provide a modern and innovative learning environment that prepares students for the current and future digital world.
We wish to express our profound gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the thirteen members of the Strategic IT committee for their tireless efforts in the creation of the 2024-2027 Highland IT Strategic Plan. For two years this committee of Trustees, Faculty, Staff, Parents and Alumni with expansive IT industry experience, collected Highland community input, survey data and industry/academic best practices to develop the preceding IT Strategic plan. This plan represents an exciting next step for the future of Highland School.
Danielle Desalu Trustee, IT Committee Chair
Jody Warfield Board of Trustees Chair
Darragh Davis ‘69 Board of Trustees Vice Chair Alumni
Cassin Bertke
Assistant Head of School, Director of Learning & Teaching
Erica Deane Director of Academic Technology
Mike Megless Business Office and Operations Manager
Miller Kines IT Analyst
Amudha Mahendiran Trustee, Strategic Planning Committee
Phone: (540) 878-2700
www.highlandschool.org
Nahid Keck Trustee Audit Committee Chair
Johnny Wen ‘02 Director of Technology
Capital One Alumni
Gordon Wallace ‘16
Software Engineer MITRE Alumni
Kate Willey ‘17 Senior Associate iConsulting & Operations Rubris Alumni
Luke Warfield ‘20
Wake Forest University ‘24 Alumni