ACHIEVING GREATNESS EMBRACING GOODNESS
PATHWAYS TOWARD DEVELOPING STUDENTS AS ETHICAL LEADERS, COMMITTED TO THE COMMON GOOD
MISSION
Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School develops in students a love of learning, respect for self and others, faith in God, and a sense of service to the world community.
OUR VISION
At the heart of our strategic plan is the image of a Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School graduate, many years from now—a clear vision of the future.
We see this graduate as a shining example of greatness and goodness, embodying our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and strong moral character.
As the torchbearers of HIES, our alumni will embody the essence of our mission, radiating ethical clarity, a love of learning and an abiding respect for self and others.
As we embark on the journey outlined in this strategic plan, let us hold this vision of our HIES graduate, and all those who follow in their footsteps, close to our hearts.
Because this vision is the ultimate reflection of what we strive to achieve—an enduring legacy of excellence, virtue and service that transcends generations.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School Achieving Greatness, Embracing Goodness Strategic Plan embodies and affirms our mission, values and strategic direction. We are determined to uphold HIES’s position in the top tier of independent schools in Atlanta and to lead among independent schools nationwide. Being the largest Episcopal parish day school in the United States, with a proud tradition of fostering a welcoming community and a legacy of excellence, we will align our resources toward the goals outlined in this plan.
We embark on this plan from a position of strength. Our vision remains fixed on the horizon as we innovate while preserving the timeless virtues that define our school’s greatness.
A subcommittee of the HIES Board of Trustees engaged the assistance of outside consultants in the Fall of 2023 to begin formulating this strategic plan. The committee was asked to think long-term about our opportunities, without the constraints of shorter-term strategic planning cycles. The authoring and adoption of Achieving Greatness, Embracing Goodness was a comprehensive and inclusive effort, reflecting the feedback from hundreds of conversations, focus groups and surveys across all constituents in our community.
The future is brighter than ever before for HIES. With unwavering conviction, we embrace the dawn of a new era for HIES, emboldened by the promise inherent in this visionary plan.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EPISCOPAL EDUCATION
WE WELCOME
We are a Christian community that welcomes all students of varying faiths to embark on a journey to discover what inspires their minds and fires their hearts. HIES is a place where the full spectrum of God’s presence in the world and in our lives is explored, deepened and celebrated. We affirm the gifts, faith traditions and backgrounds of all HIES students.
WE LISTEN
We encourage students to listen to the views, the hearts and the actions of others. We are a community of explorers drawing on curiosity, critical thinking and reason to deepen learning and strive for justice.
WE LEARN
We learn to think widely, deeply and boldly and to intellectually engage with the world and our roles in it. As an Episcopal school, we believe that learning is a critical and life-long skill.
WE SERVE
As students embark on their HIES journey, we ask each student, “How will you impact the world? How will you strive for justice and peace among all people, recognize and respect the dignity of every human being?” We build change agents of all ages to serve others and transform the world.
WE WORSHIP
We gather as a community of students, faculty and staff in weekly chapel services and beyond that affirm both our Christian traditions and religious diversity. We celebrate values that unite rather than divide, and we nurture the ethical and moral lives of all involved.
PATHWAYS TO EXCELLENCE
Pathway I Preserve, Promote and Enhance Our Community
Pathway II Pursue Academic Excellence
Pathway III Cultivate, Develop and Invest in Our Faculty and Staff
Pathway IV Foster a Culture of Wellness
Pathway V Enhance Campus Facilities and Programming
Pathway VI Prioritize Institutional and Financial Stewardship
PATHWAY I
At Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, we are a dynamic community united by a shared mission and a pursuit of excellence. Rooted in our Episcopal values, we strive to foster a community that embodies bravery, confidence, resilience and the profound understanding that each individual is cherished and part of something greater than themselves.
With a collective vision and a deep sense of purpose, we set forth on a journey to enhance the very essence of our cherished school community for students, faculty, staff, families and alumni.
Through collaboration, empathy and a commitment to mutual respect, we will continue to be a place where each member of our community feels valued and empowered to thrive. We find ourselves at a pivotal juncture, poised to cultivate an even deeper sense of belonging among all facets of our community— students, faculty, families and alumni.
PRESERVE, PROMOTE AND ENHANCE OUR COMMUNITY
Strategic Initiatives
• Continually foster school spirit and build community among all divisions and constituencies.
• Continue to be a school that serves a wide range of academic profiles in keeping with the inclusive nature of an Episcopal School.
• Identify opportunities for the HIES community to engage with Sandy Springs and Atlanta.
• Strengthen the vital and defining partnership between Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church and Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School.
• Emphasize the critical components of our Episcopal identity with all stakeholders.
PATHWAY II
Our aim is to provide a comprehensive, forwardthinking and challenging academic experience that meets the individual needs of our students. We will expand our experiential learning opportunities by enhancing existing programs such as The PEAK Leadership Institute and the Program for Global Citizenship, as well as launching a new Service Learning curriculum that is tailored to each division. Our goal is to offer a diverse range of academic programs and become recognized as a school that caters to the needs of the entire family.
At Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, we strive to maintain our reputation as an institution that supports and encourages students to achieve their full potential. To achieve this, we will focus on understanding each student’s unique interests and talents. By offering dynamic course options and a wide range of experiential learning opportunities, we will remain at the forefront of learning and individual growth, preparing our students for both today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.
We will teach students a structured and agile approach to problem-solving, to embrace technology and to begin exploring career paths and passions while at HIES. We will do this while ensuring curriculum alignment across divisions and inspiring excellence across all departments and subjects. Staying true to our mission, students will leave HIES with a profound love of learning that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
PURSUE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Strategic Initiatives
• Commit to curricular alignment and communication across divisions to continue to offer an outstanding, rigorous and relevant academic experience.
• Following the principles of the Episcopal tradition, we will further engage with scripture, reason and experience, emphasizing the importance of questioning, dialogue and exploration in the pursuit of understanding faith and truth.
• Expand The PEAK Leadership Institute and the Program for Global Citizenship and consider other experientiallearning opportunities.
• Continue to cultivate a leading college counseling office and explore the advanced course planning necessary for a successful student experience.
• Develop a signature program for service learning that is aligned with our Episcopal identity.
• Explore the implementation of an online academy, offering courses with broad appeal to students within and outside of our community, without disrupting the current academic program.
PATHWAY III
Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School is well positioned to redefine educational talent standards in the increasingly competitive academic landscape. To secure our future, we must cast a wider net, unearth exceptional educators and nurture a culture that attracts those dedicated to students, the art of teaching, learning and continual growth.
The support of the HIES community serves as the bedrock for our bold ambition: to become the preeminent destination for exceptional faculty members. We aspire to elevate our school to the pinnacle of workplace satisfaction within the vibrant cities of Sandy Springs and Atlanta, where every member of our team finds fulfillment, inspiration and boundless opportunities for professional growth.
Embracing this audacious vision entails significant investment in our faculty and staff. This commitment will ripple throughout our culture and programs, unleashing a wave of positive transformation that will resonate far beyond the confines of our campus. Together, we embark on a journey toward excellence, innovation and unparalleled achievement, propelling HIES to the forefront of educational distinction.
CULTIVATE, DEVELOP AND INVEST IN OUR FACULTY AND STAFF
Strategic Initiatives
• Utilize innovative hiring practices to recruit and retain the most talented faculty and staff from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds.
• Launch a professional growth framework that encourages meaningful feedback and assessments, cultivates leadership development and encourages classroom innovation within our HIES faculty and staff community.
• Further enhance and promote a high-performance culture as we cultivate and celebrate excellence in the faculty and staff and actively seek recognition as the Best Place to Work® in our area.
• Explore scheduling models that empower our teachers with time flexibility without compromising academic excellence.
Pathway III | Cultivate, Develop and Invest in Our Faculty and Staff
PATHWAY IV
At Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, we recognize that true excellence extends beyond academic achievement—it encompasses the physical, emotional and social well-being of every individual within our community. We recognize the significant positive impact that prioritizing wellness will have on our community’s growth and success. Our dedication to creating a culture of wellness is not just a reaction to current challenges, but a proactive investment in the continued vitality of our community.
Through this strategic undertaking, we promise to foster an environment that supports the mind, body and spirit of each community member. We will encourage healthy lifestyle choices, provide access to mental health resources and promote a sense of belonging and connection. Our goal is to empower every individual to flourish and reach their full potential.
FOSTER A CULTURE OF WELLNESS
Strategic Initiatives
• Establish a wellness care team that evaluates physical and mental health and belonging across HIES divisions.
• Implement comprehensive wellness education programs for students, faculty and staff that focus on mental health awareness, stress management techniques and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Further establish dedicated counseling and support services, including access to licensed mental health professionals, to address the social and emotional needs of students and provide timely intervention and support when necessary.
• Integrate mindfulness and relaxation practices into the school day to promote stress reduction, emotional regulation and overall well-being for students, faculty and staff.
• Regularly assess and evaluate the effectiveness of wellness initiatives and interventions through data collection, surveys and feedback mechanisms to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with the evolving needs of the school community.
Pathway IV | Foster a Culture of Wellness
PATHWAY V
Through our campus and facilities and a strong commitment to athletics and fine arts, we will enhance the sense of community and connection that makes Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School unique among Atlanta-area independent schools. We will design, build and sustain safe, high-quality environments and programming that inspire students, teachers and the community to express, learn, innovate, compete and explore.
To ensure our campus rises to the level of the excellence provided throughout our academic programs, we must build a state-of-the-art performing arts center and athletic facilities. To accomplish this, we will launch a comprehensive capital campaign to fund the building of top-tier spaces that will provide our artists and athletes with some of the finest stages, fields and courts in the country.
ENHANCE CAMPUS FACILITIES AND PROGRAMMING
Strategic Initiatives
• Make strategic investments in upgrading our existing buildings and facilities, including a refresh of the Middle School, the installation of a new turf field on South Campus as well as the move from grass to turf for Baker Field and the baseball/ softball field.
• Embark on Phase 2 of the HIES Campus Master Plan, inaugurating our next capital campaign that will pave the way for the construction of a multipurpose campus center for the performing arts that will also accommodate entire divisions/large groups in order to enhance community and build fellowship.
• Build a third gymnasium, an additional weight room and tennis courts as well as pursue outdoor stadium seating and field lights.
• Continue to upgrade, improve and explore security enhancements throughout our campus. With the launch of a crisis management committee, HIES will more closely partner with our Sandy Springs neighbors and the Sandy Springs Police Department.
PATHWAY VI
We will continue to leverage a financially sustainable economic model aligned with our mission, vision and values that ensures program excellence and accessibility for Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School families.
We believe in strong financial management, and we will continue to be good stewards of the school’s resources. We aim to hire and retain the best faculty and staff while also ensuring tuition increases are carefully considered.
We recognize the need for endowment fundraising to strengthen the school’s financial position while providing a permanent, sustainable source of operational funding. This fundraising will be balanced with the need for ongoing campus expansion to fully support the school’s future programming needs.
PRIORITIZE INSTITUTIONAL AND FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
Strategic Initiatives
• Strengthen HIES’s financial position by growing our endowment through planned giving.
• Explore new revenue streams to help offset the rising cost of tuition.
• Ensure a highly competitive compensation and benefits package to hire and retain key talent; explore faculty/staff tuition remission models.
• Broaden our efforts to increase participation from alumni, parents and grandparents in annual giving.
• Optimize effective governance by maintaining a high-functioning Board of Trustees with leadership succession planning and creating a Board profile tied to the strategic plan.
