Strategic Plan 2011-14

Introduction

This 10 year vision and three year Strategic Plan present a roadmap for The Gillispie School consistent with the School’s Mission and Philosophy. During the 2010-11 school year, the Board of Trustees and Administration undertook a comprehensive and inclusive planning process that resulted in this document. The process began with a board retreat that examined the outcomes of the 2008-11 plan and sought a vision for the next 10 years. Input from faculty and parents was included in the visioning process leading to the new “2020 Vision Statement” below. Based on this 10 year vision the new three year strategic plan was developed. Five key strategic areas were agreed upon as a framework for the new strategic plan: Educational Program, Facilities, Finance and Development, Governance and Leadership, and Communications. The plan sets a goal for each key strategic area and strategies that outline the major approaches that will be used to attain the goal. Specific initiatives for each strategy will be implemented or revised on an annual basis and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees will evaluate outcomes.

2020 Vision

We love Gillispie! It’s a school where children can’t wait to arrive, never want to leave, and are eager to share their day’s adventures with families and friends.  The synergy of forward thinking teachers, administrators, families and mentors provides the nurturing support that allows children to take risks, be creative, and think independently. Encouraged by exemplary and passionate teachers to express their knowledge and opinions, children become lifelong learners and critical thinkers. We use time, financial resources and physical space to create an environment that develops confident, competent children of character.

Mission Statement

The Gillispie School community is devoted to educational excellence for children in preschool through sixth grade. Our program serves as a springboard for children’s love of learning, creativity, and readiness for the future. We value a nurturing environment that fosters kindness, respect, and individual commitment to the larger world.

Philosophy Statement

We believe that learning is a journey. Our early childhood and elementary programs are designed to guide our students’ academic, creative, and social growth. We strive to develop resiliency in our students so that they are prepared for whatever paths they may choose. We believe that students, if they are to become positive contributors to society, must become articulate communicators and critical and creative thinkers. We are committed to a balanced approach of child-centered and teacher-directed activities to aid our children in their understanding of the world. Our teachers and administrators keep informed of best practices and recognize that good teaching is neither a science nor an art, but a skillful blending of both. We believe in the dignity of each child. As children mature from preschool into early adolescence, we expect that even as they develop their own gifts, they will learn to appreciate the gifts of others. They will also come to recognize that their independence is bound by interdependence on one another and that they are more alike than different. In this way, children develop empathy, a sense of justice, and the realization that their collaborative efforts can solve problems and move mountains. We believe the adults in our community—teachers, staff, and parents—should model a love of learning, strength of character, and kindness toward others. Thus, the School values a partnership between our faculty and families to promote our educational philosophy and goals.

Educational Program

Goal: The Gillispie School is committed to fulfilling its mission of educational excellence for all students. We meet this strategic goal because our excellent teachers deliver a cohesive program within a supportive community. Excellent Teachers We employ teachers who commit to the School’s philosophy and meet the Traits Necessary for Excellence in Teaching.

Strategies:

• Implement a best-practice process to hire the best teachers and induct them.
• Continue progress on compensation packages, including use the Gillispie Endowment for Excellence in Teaching that permits teachers to focus on their profession.
• Implement a thorough and reflective faculty evaluation process that emphasizes professional growth and includes self-identified goal setting as well as peer and administrator reviews.
• Foster a community of adult learners where knowledge is socialized, including professional growth as fueled by the Gillispie Endowment for Excellence in Teaching.

Cohesive Program We offer a program where teachers and students collaborate within a comprehensive, cohesive curriculum.

Strategies:

• Academic: Respond to the individual gifts and challenges of each child through smart assessment, longitudinal progress tracking, and varied resources/approaches for differentiation.
• Academic: Offer opportunities to address challenges unique to 21st century life, including sustainability, community service, and technology.
• Social: Establish ways to better meet the social and emotional needs of all children by augmenting Second Step (defining “The Gillispie Way”) and partnering with local experts and consultants.

Supportive Community We partner with Gillispie families and our broader community to nurture learning.

Strategies:

• Partner with parents on the academic and social growth of their children by enabling consistent, two-way communication and offering formal programs on education and parenting.
• Engage with our broader community in ways that enrich the education of our students, including community service, field trips, and special visitors to campus.

Facilities

Goal: The Buildings and Grounds Committee will oversee the development and completion of a campus master plan that will 1) maximize flexible and creative use of space that supports the Early Childhood and the Elementary school programs; 2) provide a safe and secure environment; and 3) promote an environmentally sensitive setting.

Strategies:

• Initiate plan on a re-imagined campus that will successfully create new educational and operational spaces, unify old and new facilities, expand recreational and outdoor space, and support all programs.
• Maintain existing and new facilities at a high standard of excellence.
• Ensure “green” and sustainable landscape, construction, and operations standards.
• Explore opportunities to use the facilities as a means to generate additional revenue for the school.

Finance and Development

Goal: To support the mission and vision of the School by operating from a position of fiscal responsibility and strength, while creating and maintaining endowment and capital campaign funds as needed

Strategies:

• Evaluate and develop alternative revenue streams to supplement tuition, annual giving and gala revenues without distracting our administration, or negatively affecting our educational resources or student experience (in conjunction with Development).
• Be a key participant in any future campus development initiatives, assisting in planning, budgeting, financing, etc. (in conjunction with Building & Grounds and Development).
• Increase the Financial Aid budget as a percentage of revenue in order to broaden its availability to better serve the community.
• Continue to closely monitor and benchmark the School’s compensation and employee benefit programs to remain adaptable in the face of future enrollment volatility.
• Consistent with programs for faculty, pursue appropriate Professional Development opportunities and programs for the School’s Business Office to stay abreast of key business and operating trends for independent schools.
• Educate new families on the purpose and importance of development programs at Gillispie.

Governance and Leadership

Goal: The Governance Committee will continue to develop and retain analytical, strategic, innovative thinking Trustees who will 1) adopt policies to achieve the mission and vision of the School, 2) oversee the fiscal integrity of the School, 3) engage in long range planning sessions at least annually, 4) nurture the board/administration partnership for strong school governance, 5) support the administration in the implementation of policy, 6) provide philanthropic leadership, and 7) recognize that Board support for the students and employees is vital to the School’s success.

Strategies:

• Recruit trustee candidates based on needs as demonstrated by trustee leadership succession planning.
• Cultivate a pool of highly qualified candidates for trusteeship using different venues to expose The Gillispie School to these individuals.
• Continue to integrate non-Trustees into existing and new committee as a means to cultivate candidates.
• Involve administration in process of developing candidates.
• Revise Head of School evaluation in 2011-2012 academic year.
• Conduct annual Board self-evaluation.
• Provide regular opportunities for education on Trusteeship to members.
• Review bylaws and board policies in 2012-2013 academic year.
• Garner support for an endowment/capital campaign through Trustee leadership gifts.

Communications

Goal: Create top-of-the mind awareness of The Gillispie School with the goal to attract the “best fit” new families and retain existing families.

Strategies:

• Create and communicate a consistent branding message that emphasizes Gillispie’s key differentiators.
• Develop and maintain a creative and functional website.
• Expand and maintain a presence in appropriate social media outlets.
• Increase community awareness of The Gillispie School by maintaining a public relations presence in appropriate media and appearing at appropriate La Jolla community events.
• Communicate often and thoroughly with existing Gillispie families.
• Develop and maintain an alumni relations program.
• Be a good neighbor within the La Jolla Community and communicate our plans, triumphs and goals to our fellow citizens.
• Develop public relations and marketing campaigns that support other committee’s goals or initiatives.
• Expand outreach to potential feeder pre-schools.