FOR WARD GREY NUN ACADEMY STRATEGIC PLAN 2017-2020
DEAR FRIENDS OF GREY NUN ACADEMY,
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bold strategic vision is one that looks forward to the future, while never losing sight of where you’ve been, who you are, and those who are making the journey along with you. For nearly 60 years, Grey Nun Academy has been proudly educating children to carry out the mission of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, and to be thoughtful, compassionate, contributing members of our society. As we look forward to the future, we remain steadfast to our core values of preparing children for life academically, emotionally, and spiritually, and to creating a community where teachers, staff, and families work together to educate the whole child. The Board of Trustees (BOT) of Grey Nun Academy serves to protect and preserve the Academy and reinforce its mission. Planning for the Academy’s future requires that we work closely with school administrators to set policy, manage finances, and make longterm plans to ensure a healthy future. On behalf of the BOT, we are proud to bring you Forward, Grey Nun Academy’s map to chart our course for the future and to help ensure that we stay true to our mission, philosophy, and vision. Created together with Catholic School Management, Forward is a strategic plan that incorporates recommendations that emerged from Grey Nun Academy’s dual-accreditation process with Middle States Association and AdvancEd, as well as feedback from parent surveys. The BOT at Grey Nun Academy is grateful to our Head of School, Deborah Kost, for her tireless pursuit of excellence, and to the Academy’s administration, faculty, and staff for their commitment to providing every child with a strong educational foundation and creating an atmosphere where students feel safe, happy, and ready to learn. Let’s move Forward together! In gratitude,
Jean Kuhn Chair, Grey Nun Academy Board of Trustees
DEAR GREY NUN ACADEMY COMMUNITY,
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ur 55th anniversary is on everyone’s mind at Grey Nun Academy, and every academic year reminds us to honor our past, celebrate the present, and continue to envision the future for another era of educational excellence. Enclosed is Grey Nun Academy’s Strategic Plan, Years Two and Three, Forward. We will continue to execute on strategies to enhance academic goals, as well as invest in faculty and staff, programs, partnerships, and our physical plant. Forward provides clear guideposts for moving our school forward in areas deemed critical to educational excellence in today’s world. Faculty, staff, board members, the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, and parents are collaborating schoolwide on important initiatives advancing the school’s mission in a 21st century context, emphasizing innovation, leadership, and mission-centered growth. A fundamental aspect to the Strategic Plan is a thoughtful investment in and commitment to our faculty and staff, who are the day-to-day stewards of the Academy’s mission. Building an engaged and inclusive community is a key area of emphasis, ensuring that our students and faculty view themselves as change-makers and problem-solvers during their academic years at Grey Nun Academy and throughout their lifetime. Service learning and community outreach are important ways to connect students to the world around them. Our school is mission, faith, and student centered; all are welcome at Grey Nun Academy. We are fortunate to have talented and dedicated faculty and staff, a Board of Trustees and parents who embody the mission of our school, and the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart who tend to their legacy and ministry at Grey Nun Academy. Thank you for your support of our wonderful school; if there is ever a time to wrap your arms around a place that has inspired lifelong learning, friendships, spiritual growth and a strong educational foundation, it is now. Your investment in Grey Nun Academy is an investment in teachers, students, and future leaders. As we celebrate 55 years of excellence in education, join us as we move forward in advancing the mission of educating children for life. Warmly,
Deborah Kost Head of School
FORWARD
A Strategic Plan for Grey Nun Academy With nearly 60 years of commitment to academic excellence as evidenced in our mission, our vision and our philosophy, Grey Nun Academy (GNA) is dedicated to a learning process that allows each child to attain a fuller knowledge of God, world and self. This dedication to student achievement is evident and reflected in on-going communication, documentation and decision making among all stakeholders. Challenging educational programs and equitable learning experiences are implemented in a measurable way so that all students achieve learning, thinking, and life skills necessary for success. Evidence of a strong commitment to instructional practices includes active student engagement, a focus on depth of understanding, and the application of knowledge and skills. School leadership, faculty, and staff hold one another accountable to high expectations for professional practice. GNA and its Board of Trustees are committed to on-going professional development for faculty and staff. The school’s leadership implements a continuous improvement process that gives clear direction for providing conditions that support student learning. The improvement process includes action planning that identifies measurable performance objectives, strategies, activities, resources, and timelines for achieving the Academy’s goals. School leaders hold all school personnel accountable for and evaluate the overall quality of the implementation of all interventions and strategies. During the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years, Grey Nun Academy actively began creating a three-year strategic plan; implementing an observation/evaluation process for faculty/staff, revising/reviewing report cards/interims, creating Admission standards/processes, overseeing curriculum review, providing professional development opportunities, and continuing to use data to drive instruction and improve student outcomes. The growth process will be collaboratively reviewed, evaluated and communicated to the school community. The Academy also implemented a Personnel Manual and Student/Parent Handbook as well as a Health, Safety, and Security Handbook. Grey Nun Academy is in a renaissance period with new people and new ideas entering the community. Our school is proud of our mission-centered, studentcentered program. The tone of the community is forward-thinking and the future is bright.
FOR WARD
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
1. MISSION & IDENTITY
Grey Nun Academy will continue to articulate, promote, and inspire the Catholic, intellectual, and spiritual traditions that encompass the values of St. Marguerite d’Youville, the foundress of the Grey Nuns, and continue to instruct students in the basics of faith formation and worship, specifically those of peace and social justice, while embracing a diverse school community. Recommended Objectives • Develop and implement a plan to engage all families, regardless of religious affiliation, in understanding and appreciating the Catholic faith. • Increase priest presence in the school’s faith life. • Expand community service learning program for grades 3-8.
2. GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP
Grey Nun Academy will develop and progressively implement a collaborative model of ownership, governance, and administration that clearly defines roles, establishes effective means of communication among all members of the school community, and promotes professionalism, accountability, and ownership of the school’s mission. Recommended Objectives • Annually acquaint current and new families with the role of the Board of Trustees through the presence of Board members at beginning of the school year meetings and through other means of communication. • Annually conduct a Parent Survey to obtain feedback in all areas of the school’s operation.
• Identify and recruit new members of the Board in order to maintain no more than 20% of membership from current parents. • Annually evaluate the performance of the Board of Trustees. • Communicate with all stakeholders information about the strategic plan and results being achieved through implementation of the plan. • Ensure continuity in Board leadership and membership. • Annually assess the Administrative structure of the Academy, roles and responsibilities of Administration, and the composition of the Leadership Team.
3. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Grey Nun Academy will implement best practices in education, and regularly review an enhanced system of instructional delivery and a clearly mapped and wellresourced curriculum that supports a range of learners, exceeds the Common Core State Standards, and prepares all students for success in competitive high schools. Recommended Objectives • Continue three-year cycle of curriculum review to ensure it is the best program for the students at GNA. • Include diversity in all curriculum areas to prepare students to live and work with various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups and to facilitate collaboration and cooperation.
• Assist teachers in following curriculum guidelines in an organized and timely manner, allowing them to help students reach objectives more easily.
consistent with the 1:1 initiative, as curriculum is updated.
• Provide opportunities for monthly prayer services and/or praying of the rosary for faculty and staff.
• Ensure that all faculty achieve minimal standards • Review and update for technology proficiency compensation programs for • Assist middle school aged in curriculum and instruction faculty and staff. students in identifying through professional aptitudes and interests. development. 6. FINANCES Grey Nun Academy will operate • Identify formative • Prioritize items critical to in a financially stable position assessment opportunities maintaining the integrity that is less tuition dependent which will lead to improved and security of the by increasing multiple income student outcomes. technology of GNA and streams such as donor support, address as funds permit. grants, and planned gifts for • Determine the effectiveness endowment growth; supported of the school’s educational 5. OPERATIONAL by the development and program and student implementation of a three (3) VITALITY services through outreach to Grey Nun Academy will and five (5) year financial plan young alumni. based on achieving optimal establish a positive, solutionenrollment. driven, growth-minded, • Offer opportunities for cohesive school environment students to enrich their Recommended Objectives built on strong professional learning experience through relationships including attention • Establish a balanced budget offerings of fine arts, sports, to an equitable pay scale for for 2018-19 academic year. clubs, and activities. faculty, staff and administration, • Create a three year financial and providing relevant and business plan to and ongoing professional 4. TECHNOLOGY maintain financial control development to support best Grey Nun Academy will, and sustainability for GNA. practices and 21st century through the design and learning methodologies in implementation of a order for all to live the mission • Establish a balanced budget comprehensive technology for 2019-2020 academic of the school. plan overseen by a technology year. committee, prioritize the use Recommended Objectives of technology to differentiate • Provide opportunities for and diversify instruction, faith formation of faculty enhance learning, and engage and staff. students’ creativity, utilizing best practices and professional • Implement a pay scale for all development. faculty members, both new and current. Recommended Objectives • Annually update the Master • Hold a Faculty and Staff Plan for Technology. Retreat at the beginning of the school year in • Continue to implement conjunction with faculty and the Technology Scope and staff meetings. Sequence for students,
8. ADVANCEMENT
Grey Nun Academy will launch and maintain a comprehensive Advancement Plan that maximizes support from all sources in order to further the mission of the school. Recommended Objectives • Design and implement Major Gift phase designed to identify additional donors and increase revenue. • Coordinate with the Home & School Association to increase fundraising yields by completing an assessment and redesign of fundraising initiatives. • Increase Board of Trustees and faculty/staff participation in Annual Fund giving to 100% in order to apply for grants and provide incentive for additional donations.
• Identify new sources of and apply for grants and corporate sponsorships, and obtain one or more new grants per year. • Expand Annual Fund.
9. MARKETING & ENROLLMENT
Grey Nun Academy will implement an updated Marketing & Enrollment Plan to attain optimal enrollment through specific recruitment, admissions, and retention programs, as well as relevant professional development, in order to attract and retain a dynamic and diverse student population. Grey Nun Academy will continue to develop a visible, dynamic presence in the community by promoting clear, consistent, and positive messages through trained,
well-informed constituents and will continue to review and implement its Marketing Plan, which includes advertising (print and digital), social media channels, and public relations across all identified target markets.
• Initiate 1:1 outreach by administrators and faculty to all current families throughout the school year to improve retention.
• Complete rebrand of Lower School and Middle School divisions to align with values of today’s parents.
• Create experiences for the • Complete and annually recently baptized through update a comprehensive, age four and their parents written, data driven or guardians, in concert with Recommended Objectives Marketing and Enrollment a personal contact plan to • Obtain demographic Plan based on contemporary run from baptism through information to determine research on generational enrollment. the potential pool of values and preferences. students for grades PK3 – 8. • Improve retention of fifth • Continue outreach to and sixth grade students • Fully implement a program large corporations or day by continuing to create of Parent Ambassadors, care centers that provide an academy-like setting in including Social Media services to corporations and grades 7 and 8. Ambassadors, with robust relocation specialists for outreach to potential and their employees. new families.
MISSION STATEMENT Grey Nun Academy is an independent, Catholic, coeducational, elementary and middle school in Bucks County, Pennsylvania for students in PreK3 to eighth grade. In the tradition of Saint Marguerite d’Youville, Mother of Universal Charity, Grey Nun Academy welcomes children of all faiths and cultures. Within an academically rigorous environment, students progress developmentally through two distinct divisions: Lower School grades PreK-5 and Middle School grades 6-8. Embracing its commitment to academic excellence for nearly 60 years, Grey Nun Academy integrates learning with faith and action, while nurturing and encouraging the unique gifts found in each person. Students receive technologically advanced instruction with increasing specialization throughout their school career. Together, the members of the Grey Nun Academy community inspire responsibility and compassion while preparing students to succeed in a changing world.
Grey Nun Academy 1750 Quarry Road Yardley, PA 19067 215-968-4151 www.greynunacademy.org