EDEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
STRATEGIC PLAN 2016-2019
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Strategic Plan
“The significance and impact of our mission compels us to remain on course.� John Doe, CEO, 1studio
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MISSION DRIVEN SINCE 1983 An interesting fact about aviation; if navigation is off course by only a single degree for one hour, the intended landing point will be missed by a mile. And, the longer you travel off course, the farther the distance from your target. The significance of charting and staying on course is very clear. Eden Christian Academy recently completed a rigorous, one-year strategic planning process for this very reason. We want to remain on course. For more than 30 years, Eden has operated on the foundation of a Christcentered mission statement and set of core values. Two guiding principles have attributed to Eden’s growth and prominence in the region: a commitment to seek first the kingdom of God, and a commitment to excellence in all endeavors. Beginning with that foundation, parents, board members, faculty, and staff worked diligently to develop a three-year strategic plan. We are grateful for their time and effort working together to envision all that Eden can be. The resulting three-year strategic plan focuses on these core strategies: 1. Maintain and enhance Eden’s high standard of academic excellence
2. Promote the importance and impact of a Christ-centered education throughout the community 3. Ensure Eden’s near and long-term financial sustainability Another important component of planning is ongoing assessment and improvement. The strategic plan is intended to be a living document that is revisited and evaluated as it becomes part of daily operations. As we look ahead at the demands that will be placed on our students, Eden Christian Academy is uniquely positioned to educate and equip students for the future. We remain dedicated to pursuing an excellent, Christ-centered education for the hundreds of students entrusted to us. Every administrator, teacher, and staff member is devoted to the mission of developing the mind and heart of each student as they become all that God created them to be. The significance and impact of our mission compels us to remain on course. We ask for your prayers, support, and commitment as we work together toward a vibrant future for the school and all our students.
TOM HUGHES Head of School
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Strategic Plan
CHRIST-CENTERED STUDENT FOCUSED
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MISSION STATEMENT
Eden Christian Academy is committed to providing an exceptional educational experience by engaging the mind and heart of each student to think and act with Christ-like character.
CORE VALUE 1 CHRIST-CENTERED
We recognize the Lord’s sovereignty over every aspect of life. (Matthew 28:18; Colossians 3:17)
CORE VALUE 2 AUTHORITY OF GOD’S WORD
CORE VALUE 3 EXCELLENCE
We believe the Scriptures to be the Spiritinspired source of all Truth and the lens through which we are to observe and relate to the world in which we live. (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16)
We believe that God is the creator and author of all that is good, beautiful, and wise. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:23)
CORE VALUE 4 PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS
CORE VALUE 5 EDUCATION OF THE WHOLE STUDENT
We recognize the God-given responsibility of each parent to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4)
We believe that students are more than minds to fill and education is more than knowledge to dispense. (I Corinthians 12:4-6)
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Strategic Plan
STRATEGIC PLAN 2016-2019
CORE STRATEGY 1 Maintain and enhance Eden’s high standard of academic excellence CORE STRATEGY 2 Promote the importance and impact of a Christ-centered education throughout the community CORE STRATEGY 3 Ensure Eden’s near and long-term financial sustainability
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Strategic Plan
CORE STRATEGY 1 Maintain and enhance Eden’s high standard of academic excellence Goal 1a: Continue to implement best practice learning methods to continuously improve the quality of the educational experience • Identify a faculty team to explore and expand the fulfillment of the learning needs of students through the exploration of the kinesthetic learning process, specifically Makerspace, with growth mindset applied. • Explore hands-on and real world learning experiences and integrate into curriculum, specifically language arts, science, and math with the inclusion and application of technology and the arts. Goal 1b: Further integrate focus on the specific needs of each student • Evaluate and properly position each student to better meet his or her needs. • Expand curriculum and course offerings with focus on mathematics, science, and language arts. Goal 1c: Evaluate current offerings in the Fine Arts program and expand appropriately • Evaluate present schedule and make appropriate changes. • Develop a comprehensive program for grades 7-12. • As enrollment and interest dictate, explore the addition of courses such as art history, music theory, studio art, drawing, as well as advanced placement offerings. Goal 1d: Expand ongoing professional development for teachers and administration • Formulate a professional development plan for faculty that allows for individual growth as well as across grade levels and with each department. • Invest additional resources and time to support this goal.
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Strategic Plan
CORE STRATEGY 2 Promote the importance and impact of a Christ-centered education throughout the community Goal 2a: Develop a formalized marketing plan • Develop a marketing plan focused on the Eden brand and positioning. • Identify and utilize veteran parents to share the Eden experience with prospective families. Goal 2b: Develop programs and opportunities to grow community engagement • Increase participation in co-curricular activities. • Conduct community events on campus. • Utilize video and digital media to promote the school. • Develop and communicate comprehensive transportation options. Goal 2c: Grow enrollment responsibly at all 3 campuses • Retention rate of 85% or greater at elementary schools. • Retention rate of 90% or greater at upper school. • Create an Ambassador Program for new families. • Focus on new family onboarding during first year.
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CORE STRATEGY 3 Ensure Eden’s near and long-term financial sustainability Goal 3a: Establish a cash reserve policy to fund 1 year of external revenue • Research and define industry practices. • Set specific annual targets. Goal 3b: Establish an office of institutional advancement • Hire director of advancement. Goal 3c: Expand revenue sources to fund financial aid • Define current gifts/giving trends. • Identify current prospects and find new prospects. • Evaluate current process in securing gifts and make changes if necessary. Goal 3d: Expand the annual giving program • Gain understanding of annual ‘giving universe’ by interviewing other schools and 501c3 organizations. • Define our current ‘giving universe’ by name/business, family, alumni, other. • Identify opportunities (pledges, multi-year commitments, planned giving, etc.) and develop outreach/PR plan. • Set annual fundraising goals and measure success by percentage participation of families/alumni. Goal 3e: Continue cost management and financial stewardship practices • Continue to exercise cost management and financial stewardship to ensure Eden remains financially accessible.
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SPECIAL APPRECIATION
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STRATEGIC PLANNING TEAM Eden Christian Academy is grateful to the following individuals who contributed time and talent to the strategic planning effort.
Todd Aiken - Academic Officer, parent
Scott Mizerak - Board Member, parent
Don Balla - Board Member, parent
Dave Mohr - Teacher
Todd Barnhart - parent
Heidi Pollick - Teacher
Kelly Birsic - Teacher
Allyson Potter - Teacher
Phil Bishop - Board Member, parent
Ben Potter - Teacher
Ted Bovard - parent
Kate Powell - Teacher
Nanette Curtis - Director of Admissions
Carrie Powers - Principal
DeAnn Donahugh - Teacher
Linda Prevost - parent
Steve Eckert - parent
Jeff Queen - Board Member, parent
Laura Eisses - Board Member, parent
Sivaram Rajagopalan - Board Member, parent
Rebecca Ferrario - Teacher
Michelle Rice - parent
Greg Foltz - Teacher, parent
Sue Sahli - Financial Assistant
Rebecca Funyak - Teacher
Julie Schriver - Director of Marketing and Communications
Carol Gloster - parent Steve Good, - Athletic Director, parent Jeff Gronbeck - Board Member, parent Shawna Haynes - Receptionist, parent Tom Hughes - Head of School Kim Hyland - Principal, parent Steve Kohler - parent David Lloyd - Headmaster Emeritus, grandparent Karen Lukitsch - Teacher, parent Pete Medure - parent 11
Strategic Plan
Isaac Sjol - Teacher, parent Sheila Slater - Teacher, parent Chuck Smullin - Operations Officer Jana Snavely- Teacher, parent Justyn Terry - parent Jill Tillotson - parent Eric Tissue - Board Member, parent Sheryl Vuich - Teacher, parent Rose Weir - Financial Administrator
WHAT WILL WE MAKE OF THIS MOMENT? A strategic plan is a valuable tool to keep the vision and mission of Eden Christian Academy on course. That journey begins as we seek God in every area of school life and keep our promises to students and parents. At Eden, that’s our commitment each and every day. Will you join your prayers with ours as God accomplishes great things in the lives of all our students? EDEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 206 Siebert Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412.364.8055 edenchristianacademy.org
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