Moving Forward: A Strategic Blueprint by Meadowridge School

Moving Forward: A Strategic Blueprint

We are entering an exciting time in Meadowridge history as we complete the final stages of our strategic plan and look forward to embracing, and shaping, the inevitable change that the future will bring. Meadowridge has well-established traditions, practices, and expectations that continue to form the basis of our journey towards learning to live well, with others and for others, in a just community.

Our school and community continue to grow and as

also maintain a relatively small, yet intimately

we welcome a diversity from around the world to

connected community. This connection is critical

our school, we remain mindful and intentional about

in developing a supportive, well-understood

the potential changes this brings. We are aiming

partnership with parents that is fostered through

at 750 to 800 students from Junior Kindergarten to

regular communication, community engagements,

Grade 12.

volunteering and direct connection with learning.

This is an important number as it allows us

Our educational programming continues to be our

to mitigate the costs of running a world class

top priority. Through a wide variety of academically

academic and co-curricular program while

rigorous courses, strategic engagements that

Moving Forward: A Strategic Blueprint for Meadowridge School

focus on collaboration, communication, and moral

donations of our parents, alumni, students, faculty,

development, and interactions with and within

and board. These gifts provide a virtually immediate

the natural environment, we work alongside like-

enhancement to the educational experience of

minded families to create passionate leaders who are

children and we encourage participation from

committed to improving their communities and our

everyone in our community.

world. The International Baccalaureate Programme provides a framework for our academic program that

Paramount to accommodating our growth as a

we enrich and enhance with our environmental and

community is the expansion of our facilities and the

social context.

realization of our campus master plan. Through the committed vision of families, generous donations

We have the great fortune of a campus that boasts

from parents, and diligent fiscal management, we

immediate access to forests, a creek, farming,

have actively engaged in the planning, development

camping, and wildlife. We have a diverse population

and building of a Great Hall, new Gymnasium, and

that celebrate their differences and embrace their

a massive internal renovation and relocation of our

far greater commonalities. Through the collaborative

library and elementary fine arts wing.

engagement, our students not only accomplish great academic feats, but also develop compassion,

However, our vision could not be realized, nor could

empathy, and understanding. This holistic growth is

our campus be born, nor our faculty supported, nor

what generates the most pride at Meadowridge.

our children grown, if we did not have a foundation of astute financial management and a strategically

Of course, to accomplish this vision, we need to have

focused Board of Governors. The predictable, stable,

great people and great resources. We actively and

and sustainable finances of the school open the

intentionally attract, support, and develop faculty

doors to success. The strategic vision of the Board

and staff that share similar beliefs and ideals.

provides the direction and ensures the stability that

Generous support and professional development

allows the school to prosper. With these components

remove barriers that might otherwise inhibit

already well established, it is easy to see why our

outstanding teaching and learning.

school is at such an exciting time.

Our facilities are strong and continue to develop as our community grows. Our educational programming is deeply enhanced through our

Scott Banack

Annual Fund which is financially supported by the

Head of School

ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING THIS PLAN The 25-year Strategic Plan from 2012 is still the framework for this plan. That includes the financial planning and framework provided at that time, as well as the educational intentions set out. These goals are predicated on the assumption that the school will grow to between 720 to 800 students over time with an assumption of growth of 20 students each year from a base of 560 in 2017. This plan assumes that further growth of the school facility will be directly relational to the growth in fund development rather than through cash operating surpluses. The fundamental assumption of this plan is that the school development is driven by the educational quality in the school, although other factors related to educational quality may also support population growth. This plan assumes that our school is intentionally intercultural and international with English as the Lingua Franca.

Moving Forward: A Strategic Blueprint for Meadowridge School

The finances of the school will continue to be predictable, stable, and sustainable. The school should continue to generate a cash flow from operations equivalent to amortization, sufficient to sustain all aspects of school operations, debt repayment, and cash reserves. Budgeting will continue to reflect a conservative approach to the estimation of enrolment. The school will develop and maintain a Strategic Financial Plan to support this Strategic Plan. The school will fundraise for large capital projects, such that a majority of costs are from donations, with a positive return on investment for any part of capital building financed through debt or reserves. The school will continue to seek ways to moderate tuition increases. We will actively seek ways of ensuring affordability for families experiencing temporary challenges.

Meadowridge will continue to deliver an excellent educational program. Meadowridge will continue to develop the IBO Continuum school programme.

Our students will continue to perform at a high level on all local and international assessments.

We will expand the course offerings in the Diploma Programme.

We will continue to use inquiry methodology as a way for students to find personal meaning within a rigorous international curriculum.

We will investigate greater language offerings, including the IBO Bilingual Diploma. We will continue to aggressively develop experiential educational programs, including design, outdoor education, domestic and global travel, personal projects, education for sustainability, athletics, and a variety of clubs. We will continue and further develop our learning and embrace of internationalism and interculturalism through both formal and informal curricula. This will include study, travel, and global communications, as well as through enrolment and community engagement in events, celebrations, and community education.

We will investigate and try out an electronic portfolio methodology in order to further personalize the PYP, MYP, and DP curriculum and reporting. We will continue to develop a strong advisory system for Grades 6 to 12. We will continue to offer strong post-secondary counselling, and provide earlier support, starting in Grade 9. The school timetable shall reflect the need for students to have balance in their day between the physical, intellectual and emotional components of their lives.

Meadowridge will continue to develop as an advancement-oriented school

We will develop a well-maintained database of prospective and present donors. We will continue to pursue fund development in the school, notably major gifts and capital funding. We will clarify capital targets, while maintaining an Annual Fund which is not targeted. We will predict fundraising targets as a function of expenses in fund development at an 80/20 ratio after a year of development. We will continue to provide excellent communications designed to inform current families of events, and to market the school with messages centred upon the Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan. We will continue to host multiple events for the larger community and to provide opportunities for community members to attend appropriate school events.

We will continue to revise our admissions and reregistration processes in order to track data more efficiently and with greater clarity, and to make both processes easier, faster, and more predictable. We will develop a stronger follow-up process with current donors. We will link fund development to campus development so as to provide voice to potential donors. We will continue to follow all ethical guidelines in fund development. We will seek to formalize the ways in which we engage with Alumni and ensure opportunities to contribute exist. We will use events largely as friend-raisers rather than fundraisers.

We will continue to have outstanding leadership and staffing within the school over time We will continue to offer outstanding conditions of work and compensation so as to attract and retain excellent teaching and school staff.

Moving Forward: A Strategic Blueprint for Meadowridge School

All staff will continue to have multiple opportunities for professional development and leadership development.

Risk Management will continue to be a priority There will be an annual review of all risk management at the school including insurances.

Risk assessment and management will be an integral part of all school planning.

We will ensure that we continue to have a strong sense of community We will develop the Meadowridge School Society membership so as to have sufficient committed members to populate our task forces, committees and Board, and to provide insight into a variety of school considerations. We will investigate ways of celebrating maternal languages while encouraging the universal use of English. We will continue to provide volunteer opportunities for parents and alumni to engage in the school in a variety of formal and informal ways, e.g. Parent Guild, library and classroom support, coaching, celebrations, committees, and events. We will continue to celebrate our international orientation through marketing, communications, symbolism throughout the school, admissions, and program.

We will continue to design facilities so that they can be used by members of the school community and the broader community. We will continue to align our service offerings with local community organizations and charities. We will continue to encourage families to locate close to the school, and to provide no homestay service through the school. We will only accept registration for at least a full year, eschewing short-term foreign placements. We will continue to develop a strong student and family orientation process for new students and families to inculcate a culture of mutual caring, and civility, upon a foundation of the Learner Profile and intercultural celebration. This will include monthly educational emphases.

Meadowridge will develop outstanding facilities for a maximum population of 800 students within a continuing pastoral setting, with consideration for every facet of learning Further development of building construction shall be dependent upon fundraising within the school. More parking will have to be added as the school size increases. We will continue the development of the North Forest, to bring further resources for experiential and outdoor education. If possible, more land should be purchased.

Moving Forward: A Strategic Blueprint for Meadowridge School

We will continue our intention to develop a campus, rather than a school building, congruent with our belief in the development of the intellectual, social, physical, and emotional lives of students. If funding for significant building development is not available through fundraising, enrolment will be capped until such time as funds are available.

2021 CAMPUS EXPANSION: RENDERINGS

2021 CAMPUS EXPANSION MAP: FUTURE ADDITIONS

OUR FUTURE: EXPANSION TIMELINE ACHIEVED

ONGOING

NOT ACHIEVED

Burke Hall

Library Relocation & Renovations

Visual & Performing Arts Building

Gymnasium & Expanded Fitness Facilities

Elementary School Art, Music & Classroom Renovations

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