2020-2030 Strategic Plan

an outline for the

2020-2030

strategic plan

Dear Friends and Families, One of the most important things that any institution can do on its continued journey to greatness is to form a comprehensive plan describing how it intends to get there. Once a plan is developed, it must be effectively and clearly communicated to its entire constituency – in our case, our families, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.

As we began to formulate this plan, it was clear that the collective goal for all segments of our school family was to continue The First Academy’s rise as a leader in spiritual formation, institutional stability, and scholastic excellence.

In the following pages, you will find an outline for the 2020-2030 Strategic Plan. Throughout the rest of this school year, our team will be working to fine tune and develop all of the elements of this plan and more detail will be added to the “big ideas” that you will see on the pages that follow. I look forward to sharing the full completed Strategic Plan with you near the conclusion of this school year.

In recent years, God has blessed The First Academy abundantly. In the midst of a global pandemic, our school community has become stronger than ever. The servant leadership of our students, staff, parents, and alumni has shined a light in some times that often seemed dark. Our Varsity Baseball Team brought home the FHSAA Class 3A State Championship for the first time in school history, the Fine Arts department hosted A Night to Remember at the Dr. Phillips

Center, being the first school to host an event of that magnitude at the prominent facility, and the Class of 2021 boasted 44 AP Scholars and 20 thirteen-year seniors. Enrollment is strong and we are at Wait Pool for nearly every grade in the Lower School as well as in rising 6th grade for the 2022-2023 school year. Our alumni are returning to TFA as parents themselves, and we now have 55 (and growing!) second generation students. Since 2010, our graduates have earned more than $100 million in scholarship offers, and 29 students have earned National Merit recognition. In addition, we have completed the Cramer Family Field House, the covered walkways, the Gather space, and the Royal Kitchen & Eatery.

The path is open for The First Academy to accomplish even more.

From cultivating the concept of entrepreneurship within our students to strengthening and enhancing our chapel programming, there is much that we plan to do. I am excited to see what God will do on our campus in the next decade. In every facet of our institution, I believe the best is yet to come for The First Academy.

Steve D. Whitaker, Ph.D. Head of School

the process O

ur objective was to solicit as much input as possible before writing the next Strategic Plan for The First Academy.

As we began our journey, we interviewed nearly 350 TFA community members including students, parents, teachers, pastors, and board members. Following the conversations, focus group sessions, and review of S.W.O.T. analysis results, many objectives for the future began to take form. Several goals and opportunities were identified, and those had

to be narrowed down in order of importance of what could realistically and fairly be accomplished within a ten year period.

The Leadership Team, the School Board, and members of our Parent Association were then asked to rank order all of the identified objectives. As we began to receive those results, the school’s direction for the coming decade began to crystallize and our updated plan for success gained clarity and substance.

goal

chapel program

#1

We want to make sure that TFA is a great place to grow the mind, body and spirit of each student.

(LUKE 2:52)

BUSINESS EDUCATION

PHOTO

STUDENT WELLNESS TRAINING

BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW INTEGRATION STUDENT LEADERSHIP TRAINING

entrepreneurship

MISSION OUTREACH

INTERNSHIPS

PHOTO new student transitions

GOSPEL-CENTERED DIVERSITY

goal

#2

We want to make sure that TFA is a great place for faculty/staff to flourish in their calling.

CURRICULUM REVIEW

PHOTO

academic scorecard

teaching fellows

FACULTY/STAFF CONNECTIONS

SCHOOL CULTURE TEAM

FBO

LIVING CURRICULUM INFLUENCERS

PHOTO

CERTIFICATION/ ENDORSEMENTS

PHOTO

(2 THESS 2:14)

PHOTO

CONNECTIONS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

k-16 model

FINANCIAL STABILITY

$

master plan need

CAMPUS SAFETY

Natalie Thomas Gymnasium remodel

TUITION ASSISTANCE PHOTO technology

plan

MultiCampus Strategy

COVERED LUNCH PLAZA

PHOTO

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS/ REPLACEMENTS Enhance Extended Education Programs

goal

#3

We want to make sure that TFA is a great place for friends and family to invest their God-given resources (2 THESS 2:14)

Conclusion “Day after day, I see clear evidence of God at work in the lives of our students and families. I meet regularly with our Head of School, Steve Whitaker, and I am deeply appreciative of my relationship with him. God has worked through him as a visionary leader for our school and I am excited about the days ahead! Our shared commitment to excellence is seen in our passion to spread the Gospel and in our eagerness to cultivate a strong church/school relationship. I look forward to watching as the initiatives outlined in this next Strategic Plan come to fruition and supporting The First Academy as one of the finest Christian Schools in the country.”

Dr. David Uth Senior Pastor First Baptist Orlando

“It is my joy to serve as School Board Chairman at The First Academy. I am also a proud alumni parent.

I have been blessed to watch as The First Academy has grown and flourished since opening its doors in August of 1987.

Day after day, I see our living curriculum influencers teaching students to build strong academic, athletic, artistic, and spiritual foundations. It is more important than ever that we serve as a robust community of faith for our families and students. This next Strategic Plan is poised to not only build upon our school culture, but will include initiatives to bolster all aspects of our institution. The future is bright for TFA. Throughout my many years of being part of the TFA family, I have never been prouder to call myself a Royal!”

Mr. Clark Keator