TheSusanOdellTaylorSchoolStrategicPlan2016-2019

Mission

Toprovideaneducationofacademicexcellencewithinanurturingenvironment,wherestudentsareempoweredtobecomeknowledgeable,productive,responsible

citizens

StrategicDirection

ToguaranteethefuturesuccessoftheSusanOdellTaylorSchoolbyputting21stcenturyskillsatthecenteroflearning,securingsufficientresourcestosupportthemission,enhancingpracticesin

governanceandbusiness,buildingawarenessofaTaylorSchooleducation,andengaginginmeaningfulpartnershipswiththebroadercommunity.

Vision

Tobeknownforexcellenceineducation,achievedthroughauniqueandinnovativeapproachtoeducatingchildren

Ourstudentswillbuildstronglearningfundamentals,self-confidence,collaborativeskills,andcommunityresponsibilitythrough:

o Anacademicallyrichenvironmentwhichchallengeseachchildasanindividualandinstillsapassionforlearning,

o Arigorouscurriculumthatpreparesstudentstothriveintoday’sinterconnectedworld,

o Respectforeachchildasavaluedperson,andasacontributingmemberoftheschoolandthegreatercommunity.

GOALSANDSTRATEGIES

1.EducationalExcellenceElevatethelearningexperiencetoensurestudentsuccessinaworldwherechangeisconstantandlearningneverstops.

Strategies

• WorldLanguage–ExpandthelanguageprogramtoallowforthedevelopmentofcompetenciesinalanguageotherthanEnglish.

• Curriculum–Preparestudentsforincreasinglycomplexlifeandworkenvironmentsbydevelopinglearningcompetenciesof(1)creativityandinnovation,(2)criticalthinkingandproblemsolving,(3)communication,and(4)collaboration.

• 21stCenturyKnowledge–Integrate21stcenturyinterdisciplinarythemesoffinancial,civic,health,andenvironmentalliteracy,aswellasglobalawareness,intothelearningexperience.

• Leadership–Provideopportunitiesforstudentstouseinterpersonalandproblem-solvingskillstoinfluenceandguideotherstowardoutcomesthathaveapositiveimpactonthelargercommunity.

Ensurethattheschoolcontinuestobeknownforitsexemplaryfacultyandstaff.

Strategies

• SalaryandBenefits–Establishandmaintaincompetitivelevelsofcompensationandbenefits.

• Evaluation-Supportthefaculty’sprofessionalgrowthbyprovidingasystemforevaluation.

• ProfessionalKnowledge-ProvideprofessionaldevelopmentinmediaandICT(Information,Communication,andTechnology)literacytoensureourstudentsdeveloparangeoffunctionalandcriticalthinkingskillsintheseareas.

Buildarobustvibrantcommunityoflearnerswherestudentsbenefitsociallyandpersonallyfromdiverseexperiences,perspectives,andcollaborations.

Strategies

• Environment–Maintaintheschool’sjoyful,nurturingenvironmentastheschoolgrowstoaneventualpopulationof150students.

• Community–FostertherelationshipbetweentheLower/UpperSchools.

• Enrollment–Developa3-5yearstrategicenrollmentplanwithrealisticannualgoals.

• Marketing–Coordinateanannualmarketing/studentrecruitmentplanthatfocusesontheschool’sdistinctivenicheintheCapitalDistrict.

• Resources–Identifyandsecureresourcestomeetenrollmentobjectives.

• Admissions-Usetechnologytomanageinquiriesandtrackrecruitmentdata,andusethedatatoinformdecisions.

2.FinancialStability

Secureadequatefinancialresourcestosupportourmissionandachieveourshortandlongtermstrategicgoals.

Strategies

• Development–Createacomprehensive3-yeardevelopment/branding/marketingplanbasedontherecommendationsfromtheNYSAIS5-YearProgressReport.

• FiveYearFinancialPlan–Developafive-yearfinancialplanconsistentwithourstrategicenrollmentplanandaprocesstoupdateitannually.

• FinancialNeeds-Defineourlongandshortfinancialneedsandintegratethemintothefive-yearfinancialanddevelopmentplans.

• Tuition-Maintaincompetitivetuitionlevels.

• AdditionalResources-Identifyandpursueopportunitiesforadditionalfinancialresourcesthroughgrants,strategicpartnerships,in-kindservicesandotherrevenuestreams.

3.GovernanceandBusinessPractices

Improvegovernancetosupportourmission,achieveourstrategicgoalsandstrengthentheleadershipoftheschool.

Strategies

• FundraisingandDevelopment-Developclearexpectations,activeparticipationandaccountabilityfortrusteesconsistentwiththebrandinganddevelopmentplan.

• TrusteeandBoardDevelopment–Establisheffectiveprocessesfortrusteerecruitment,nomination,orientation,andtraining.Recruittrusteesthatwillensureacommittedboardwithdiversetalents,experiencesandculturalperspectives.

• Evaluation-EstablishprocessesforannualHeadofSchoolandboardevaluations.

• SuccessionPlanning-EstablishacontractfortheHeadofSchoolanddevelopsuccessionplansfortheHeadofSchoolandboardofficers.

• PoliciesandCompliance-Prioritizedevelopmentofneededpoliciesandprocedures.Establishpracticesfortheregularreviewofcurrentpoliciesandproceduresandtheregularreviewofcompliancewithpolicies,proceduresandtheby-laws.

• StrategicResources-LeverageouraffiliationwithNYSAIS,NBOAandotherstrategicpartnerstoachieveourgoalsandstrategies.

Improvebusinessoperationsandpracticestosupportourmission,achieveourstrategicgoalsandstrengthentheleadershipoftheschool.

Strategies

• BestPractices–Prioritizethepracticesthatwillhavethegreatestimpactontheschool’soperationsusingNBOA(NationalBusinessOfficersAssociation)asaresourceforimplementation.

• AdministrativeStructure-Createanoptimumadministrativestructuretoimproveoperationsandstrengthencommunications,developmentandfinancialexpertise.

4.StrategicPartnershipsandCommunityEngagement

Increaseawarenessofourbrand,missionandvaluestostrengthenourpositionintheregionaleducationalcommunity.

Strategies

• BrandingandCommunications–Clearlydefineandpromoteourbrandthroughthe3-yeardevelopment/branding/marketingplan.

• Engagement-Establishaplanforspecificandenhancedcommunityinvolvementofschoolbytheadministrationandthetrustees.

ExploreanddevelopourrelationshipwithRussellSageCollegetooptimizethestrategicpartnershipbetweenthetwoinstitutions.

Strategies

• Communications-EstablishacommunicationsplanwithRussellSageCollegeandtheSageCollegestoensureallfaculty,staffandstudentsareawareofourpartnership.

• Collaboration-DevelopadialoguewiththeRussellSageCollegeadministrationtoidentifycommunityandeducationalopportunitiesforpartnering,allowingforenhancededucationalopportunitiesforbothschools.

Developcommunitypartnershipstoenrichthelearningopportunitiesandfosteraconnectionwiththecommunity.

Strategies

• Collaboration-Identifyanopportunitytoworkincollaborationwithalocalbusinessororganizationonaspecificproject.

• Engagement-Implementaplanfortrusteeandboardinvolvementwithlocalorganizationsandeventswithaviewtowardspreadingawarenessoftheschoolandidentifyingpotentialopportunitiesforcollaborationalignedwithourmissionandstrategicgoals.

• Diversity-Learnfromandworkcollaborativelywithindividualsrepresentingdiversecultures,religionsandlifestylesinaspiritofindividualrespectandopendialogue.