BUILDING AN EVEN BETTER EXPERIENCE. STRATEGIC VISION
Today, tomorrow and beyond
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Dear Norfolk Collegiate Community, During the 2015-16 academic year, our community engaged in a strategic planning process keenly focused on our collective aspirations for our students and our school. Surveys, focus groups and many conversations were conducted to gather a sense of our community’s priorities and hopes for our school. This highly inclusive process resulted in a shared vision for Norfolk Collegiate’s future that is firmly anchored by comprehensive data gathering and a commitment to our distinctive and innovative instructional program. From the outset, the strategic planning committee has been dedicated to the development of a plan that offers a bold vision for the future of Norfolk Collegiate. The outcome of this work is six strategic imperatives in which we are confident every member of our community will find opportunity and connection. These strategic imperatives are organized around themes that emerged as most important to you, our stakeholders. Three of the six imperatives are focused on the instructional program and our commitment to learning that gives students the opportunity to delve deeply into topics they are studying, to make meaningful real-world connections and to grow personally in an inclusive community. The remaining imperatives are related to the administrative and operational support necessary for the full realization of our exceptional Norfolk Collegiate experience. Since 1948, we have intentionally crafted an instructional program that incorporates innovative thinking and the best of current research in education. Nearly 70 years later, we are honored to continue this legacy. As you read our plans for the future, please join me in looking forward to the many exciting possibilities for learning and community that lie ahead. Sincerely,
Scott G. Kennedy Headmaster
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VISION Innovative learning for a changing world.
MISSION STATEMENT Norfolk Collegiate develops critical thinkers, doers, and explorers through innovative, engaging instruction in an inclusive and supportive learning community.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES We embrace our vision and fulfill our mission according to the following guiding principles: • • • • • 2
Providing an excellent, broad-based educational foundation Supporting students in an inclusive environment Fostering close partnerships among students, faculty and parents Grounding students in a strong value system Engaging our community in lifelong learning
PROGRAMMATIC IMPERATIVES
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Academic Innovation Real-World Experience Well-Being & Community
OPERATIONAL IMPERATIVES
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Cultivation of Talent Learning Spaces Decades to Come 3
ACADEMIC INNOVATION
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Our Promise: Encourage innovative teaching and learning that is informed by current dialogue and research in education. We will integrate progressive models of assessment into the pre-K to grade 12 academic experience. We will build a daily and annual schedule to support student success and to facilitate new instructional models. We will research, implement, and quantify best practices for inquiry-based, student-centered 21st-century learning. We will devise a comprehensive professional development plan that is differentiated for individual growth and institutional needs. 5
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
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Our Promise: Create real-world learning opportunities through collaborative partnerships with organizations and institutions in our local community and beyond. We will develop and implement a pre-K to grade 12 philosophy for experiential learning that complements and enhances the instructional program. We will develop a formal programmatic structure, such as a center or institute, to implement and sustain excellent experiential and service learning opportunities. We will create and expand a database of all existing and future community partnerships, including opportunities for pre-K to grade 12 experiential learning. 7
WELL-BEING & COMMUNITY
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Our Promise: Cultivate a climate of personal integrity and well-being that engenders socially conscious thinking and respectful relationships. We will further incorporate learning that explores and acknowledges cross-cultural differences and promotes the understanding of and respect for a diverse and inclusive society. We will develop a comprehensive program for personal growth that fosters ethical decision-making and responsible citizenship. We will identify and capitalize on learning opportunities to foster the physical, emotional and spiritual wellness of our community members.
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CULTIVATION OF TALENT
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Our Promise: Attract and develop diverse, exceptionally talented faculty, administrators, and staff committed to the mission and academic initiatives of the school. We will prioritize a competitive salary and benefits program for faculty and staff. We will recruit and support teachers, administrators, staff and board members from diverse backgrounds. We will develop ways to recognize and compensate faculty and staff who consistently demonstrate high standards of performance.
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LEARNING SPACES
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Our Promise: Update the campus master plan to reect the quality and value of our innovative program. We will provide a safe and inviting environment for our students, staff and visitors. We will create instructional spaces in support of our commitment to project-based, collaborative and experiential learning. We will create common areas in support of our commitment to a welcoming campus for all of our constituents. We will establish and maintain auxiliary facilities in support of present and future student activities. We will ensure that our infrastructure and instructional spaces support current and emerging technologies. 13
DECADES TO COME
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Our Promise: Secure a vibrant and ďŹ nancially sustainable future. We will deepen and expand the culture of philanthropy. We will strategically market the considerable strengths of the school and its enduring sense of community. We will expand programming to bring faculty, staff, alumni, students and families together. We will continue to identify and integrate alternative revenue sources.
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One of the most gratifying aspects of this strategic planning cycle has been the tremendous participation and support received from our entire Norfolk Collegiate community. I would like to extend a sincere thank you to every member of our community for sharing your ideas and hopes for our school throughout this process. I also would like to thank those whose service on the Strategic Planning Committee and Strategic Task Forces has resulted in a plan that so aptly captures our shared vision. This plan is testament to the community that continues to define Norfolk Collegiate today, tomorrow and beyond. Scott G. Kennedy Headmaster
2016 STRATEGIC TASK FORCE CHAIRS ACADEMIC INNOVATION Judy Davis, Director of Curriculum and Instruction REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE Ashley Billman, Upper School WELL-BEING & COMMUNITY Jan Weintraub, Lower School Guidance CULTIVATION OF TALENT Scott Kennedy, Headmaster and Carleton Bryant III, Director of Finance and Operations LEARNING SPACES Matthew Robertson, Upper School, and Catherine Thomson ’94, Lower School DECADES TO COME Joseph Collins, Controller, and Nicole Pellegrino, Director of Development
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2016 STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS Shannon Bartel, Upper School
Kevin Larkin, Board of Trustees
Garrett Booker, Middle School
Charlene Loope, Director, Instructional Technology & Communication Arts, Chair, School Strategic Planning Committee
Dr. Joseph Bouchard, Board of Trustees, Vice President & Chair, Board Strategic Planning Committee
Dr. Chuck McCormick, Head of Middle & Upper School
Carleton Bryant III, Director of Finance & Operations Robert McFarland, Board of Trustees Anne Claywell ’88, Director of Academic Advising & Counseling Jeffrey Creekmore ‘89, Board of Trustees Treasurer
Mary Peccie, Director of Admissions Nicole Pellegrino, Director of Development Dr. Wood Selig ‘79, Board of Trustees
Judy Davis, Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Cleteus Smith, Head of Lower School
Jamisson Fowler, Board of Trustees
Sara Steil, Director of Communications
Taylor Franklin ’00, Chairman, Board of Trustees
Catherine Thomson ’94, Lower School
Scott Kennedy, Headmaster
Shepelle Watkins-White, Board of Trustees 17
LOWER SCHOOL 5429 Tidewater Drive | Norfolk, VA 23509 MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 7336 Granby Street | Norfolk, VA 23505 ADMISSIONS (757) 480-1495 norfolkcollegiate.org