French International School of Oregon Strategic Plan

“I saw what language did for my kids’ brains and how it helped them make connections, be open-minded, and be accepting of other cultures.”

- MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT

A GLO BAL MINDSET

When Jean Claude Paris opened our doors to three students in the basement of the St. John Baptist Church in Southwest Portland in 1979, it was the beginning of an exciting journey for French International School of Oregon. Through the years, French International pursued bold innovations including the creation of the Middle School, additional immersion curricula, a new site, and the adoption of the International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy and frameworks. As Portland’s longest-established immersion school and the only IB World School in Portland for preschool through eighth grade, we have always been a school that embraces change and transformation in order to provide a unique experience for our students. With this in mind, we are excited to share our new Strategic Plan.

We are a community that develops curious and critical thinkers through a robust and immersive multilingual curriculum. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community that celebrates diverse perspectives. Our programs create the foundation for reflective learners to thrive and effect change in an interconnected world. We are inspired by our mission and are convinced that our new Strategic Plan will guide us into the future as one school with a united vision.

Over the past 18 months, we engaged parents, students, board members, alumni, and alumni families to provide key insights on areas of growth and opportunity. This feedback from our community directly informed our path forward, and we sincerely thank you for being a part of our journey.

As we work towards unifying as one school, we are aiming to build a more connected campus, become a regional leader in international culture, increase access, and further diversify our student body. We intend to be the first school in the Northwest to fully integrate language immersion, STEAM curriculum, and the International Baccalaureate philosophy while promoting inquiry-based learning, fostering critical thinking and empathy, and fueling creativity and exploration on a purposefully designed campus.

French International educates students from a global perspective preparing them to engage with inclusivity, achieve with integrity, and excel with distinction. As we look to the future, consider this a road map to continue to build upon our incredible 43-year history.

Sincerely,

Scott Hardister Julie Falk HEAD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEE Strategic Planning Committee Co-Chair Strategic Planning Committee Co-Chair

ONE SCHOOL UNITED VISI O N

PILLAR 1

AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE

We will increase access to French International to further enrich our school culture and cultivate a sense of belonging for all members of our community.

WE WILL

• Expand access to French International School of Oregon by increasing available financial aid funds and establishing a new transportation system.

• Continue to increase faculty and staff salaries and support them with a robust professional development program in order to retain and attract the very best.

• Create systems throughout French Interntational that support a more diverse community.

PILLAR 2

PROGRAMS THAT PREPARE

We will provide a consistent, nurturing, academically challenging curriculum for all students that prepares them for success beyond French International.

WE WILL

• Develop, enhance, and align our transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary programs across the school to provide a robust curriculum alignment for all students.

• Create a dynamic, streamlined STEAM program for all grade levels to enhance the transfer and application of learning.

• Leverage professional development in areas that enhance our student learning experiences such as differentiation, student support, inclusion, and language.

“Thanks to a bilingual education and an IB program, my students can navigate different types of environments and cultures and get a better understanding of people and world issues.” - TEACHER

PROPOSED PLAN

PHASE ONE: Middle School (Completed)

PHASE TWO: (1, 2, 3) Maternelle and Lower School, Revise Traffic Flow, Parking

PHASE THREE: (4) New Dining and Gathering Hall

PHASE FOUR: (5-11) Renovations

FUTURE CONSIDERATION: Sports Fields, Performing Arts Center, Parking

PILLAR 3 A PLACE WITH PURPOSE

We will create a unified, expanded, sustainable campus that serves and embodies the school’s mission.

WE WILL

• Design a comprehensive master site plan that will guide the long-term future of our campus, and design permanent Maternelle and Lower School classrooms that support our innovative and unique programs.

• Launch a Capital Campaign that supports Phase Two of campus development, including new Maternelle and Lower School classrooms, improved safety and traffic flow, and enhanced flexible spaces for student learning.

• Actively pursue the acquisition of adjacent properties to broaden the opportunities French International offers students.

PILLAR 4 A PRESENCE IN PORTLAND AND THE WORLD

We will make French International a leader for international and multilingual studies, culture, and events in the region.

WE WILL

• Host internationally focused speakers and experts at the school to enhance our programmatic and community experiences.

• Establish institutional relationships that create and bolster opportunities for the French International community to engage in sharing, volunteering, and learning in the broader community beyond our school.

• Develop and showcase the unique expertise of our students, faculty, staff, and leadership to the local, national, and global community.

“Students are immersed in a different world— learning in another language and engaging with different cultures at a young age.” - PARENT

ABOVE & BEYO ND

Our Strategic Plan builds on French International’s Mission, Who We Are, and How We Create Belonging, all of which were developed during the planning process.

MISSION

French International School of Oregon develops curious and critical thinkers through a robust and immersive multilingual curriculum. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community that celebrates diverse perspectives and creates the foundation for reflective learners to thrive and effect change in an interconnected world.

WHO WE ARE

Our innovative, multilingual curriculum is taught in small classes by native speakers. Students are the center of our community and learn through authentic inquiry, collaboration, and multiple teaching styles to discover and hone strengths.

HOW WE CREATE BELONGING

French International is a welcoming community, connected by shared principles of integrity, respect, empathy, and equity.

Our Strategic Plan is an ambitious roadmap for French International School of Oregon. It is an affirmation of our strengths and a vision of our promise as we build on our 43-year history.

We are deeply grateful for the contributions of the many stakeholders, including faculty and staff, students, parents, alumni, and Trustees, who provided input via surveys, interviews, and focus groups.

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE

September 2021 - June 2022

Julie Falk, Co-Chair

Scott Hardister, Co-Chair

Matt Birchard, Trustee

Cyreena Boston Ashby, Trustee

Nathalie Debrun-Sittler, Faculty

Käthlin Gabaldon, Faculty

Charles Jenkins, Trustee

Anne Prouty, Faculty

Scott Hardister Head of School

Connor Reiten, Trustee

Denisse Reyes, Trustee

Scott Shaw, Parent

Michael Smythe, Trustee

Bonnie Stewart, Parent

Laura Taylor, Trustee

Leadership Team

Diego Zaragoza Tejas Assistant Head of School

Emmanuelle Burk Middle School Division Head

Aurore Molerus Lower School Division Head

Gabrielle Esbeck Maternelle Division Head

Shawna Foster Director of Development

Arezu Movahed Director of Admissions

Zach Laney Director of Marketing and Communications

“French International’s strong curriculum prepared me better than most of my peers for the challenges of an academically rigorous college-prep high school. As importantly, my ability to fluently speak three languages has opened up numerous career options for me in today’s global economy.” - ALUMNUS