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2008 Strategic Planning Initiatives
One of the charges of the SCDS Board of Trustees is the creation of the
school’s strategic plan. In the fall of 2006 the Board, along with
Head of School Michael Murphy, kicked off the latest strategic planning
process and in February the Board unanimously approved the 2008 Strategic
Plan.
The goal for the planning process was to create a high-level road map
to define priorities for the school over the coming five years. In creating
this road map it was critically important to ensure that the plan was consistent
with SCDS’s mission and culture, high-level, forward thinking and
strategic, as well as reasonable, responsible, and feasible. The following
provides information about the plan and the process.
What was the process for the creation of the plan?
The Board of Trustees created a strategic planning committee to drive the
process. It was essential for the committee to have participation from
all of SCDS’s major constituencies, so they conducted a wide range
of primary research including one-on-one interviews, focus groups and
written surveys. Input was collected from faculty, staff, parents, and
students. This work was supplemented with a wide range of data from secondary
sources (NAIS, Washington state demographics, etc.) and internal data.
What themes emerged from the research?
1. The SCDS community overwhelmingly supports the school’s mission.
With such strong support of the mission and core values, the SCDS board
and administration can ensure the school’s resources are dedicated
to these principles.
2. The SCDS student’s world is one where the
rate of change, as well as the volume and complexity of information coming
at each child, is greater
than at any time in history. This reality provides us with opportunities
and challenges. As we move forward, SCDS is committed to being proactive
in preparing our students to navigate this increasingly complex global
and technological world, and to thrive in it. Our newly-renovated campus
provides us with an excellent springboard to do this.
3. A school’s progress and evolution do not come solely from
following strategic plan after strategic plan.
SCDS is a dynamic organization with many moving parts and influences.
For example, on an ongoing basis, the SCDS faculty and staff review
the school’s
operations, advances in gifted education, and new teaching techniques.
Changes in our local, national, and global environment influence our
perspectives and behavior. Even the process of reaccreditation from
the Pacific Northwest
Association of Independent Schools (begun earlier this year) provides
an opportunity for introspection, self-analysis, and advancement. Nothing
in
the SCDS environment stays still for long. The strategic plan sets
priorities and guides the school’s decision making, but there
are many other important influences that will continue to influence
the refinement
of the school throughout its lifespan. All of these influences will
play
a role as we manage the potential spectrum of evolution for our school.
What are the 2008 Strategic Plan Initiatives?
1. Refine and evolve the SCDS educational experience to prepare students
to thrive in increasingly complex world.
• Take full advantage of the new facility and campus enhancements
•
Reflect SCDS’s mission as a K-8 school for highly capable students
2.
Prepare students socially and emotionally to meet the challenges
of a dynamic world.
• Continue to build skills in leadership and collaboration
• Challenge students to be more accountable, responsible and respectful
as school citizens
3. Retain and attract best faculty.
•
Honor faculty as critical to SCDS’s success
• Attract best faculty, as needed, from local, regional and national pool
4.
Ensure financial stability.
•
Successfully meet SCDS’s financial needs
• Prepare for financial sustainability and flexibility for long term
5.
Communicate SCDS’s value and impact clearly and
consistently, both within and outside the school community.
•
Clarify SCDS’s messages about who we are
• Promote SCDS as an asset to the greater community
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