Strategic Plan

Village School Strategic Planning Committee 2004-2005
Major Goals (9/08/05)

1. Faculty/Staff Retention

Goal: Recruit and retain a high-caliber faculty, administration and staff.

Background and Rationale: Village School recognizes that the faculty, administration and staff play a vital role in defining and determining the quality of the educational program. Village School is committed to devoting the necessary breadth and depth of resources to support its faculty and to provide an environment that encourages professional growth and long-term commitment to the school. The school climate must be one where employee ideas and creativity are valued, where faculty expertise is fully utilized and where educational and advancement opportunities are encouraged and expected.

Implementation Steps:

  • Ensure competitive compensation packages through regular evaluation and adjustment.
  • Support the professional growth of faculty, staff and administration through an individualized evaluation program.
  • Evaluate the Teaching Assistant Program to ensure that it supports teachers, teaching assistants and students.
  • Assess the need for additional specialists.

2. Educational Program

Goal: Evaluate and modify the educational program to promote a balance between academics and social development.

Background and Rationale: Village School is committed to maintaining high academic standards while focusing attention on developmental principles and individual learning styles. Concurrently, Village School recognizes the importance of providing an environment that fosters mutual respect and social responsibility. The opening of the Center for the Arts and Athletic campus, with its state-of-the-art facilities, also provides opportunities to expand and enhance existing programs in performing and fine arts, as well as in physical education and inter-school athletics.

Implementation Steps:

  • Actively emphasize character education, service learning and life skills.
  • Enhance the performing and fine arts programs.
  • Ensure that programs in physical education and inter-school athletics achieve a balance between the improvement of skills and the promotion of positive competition.
  • Expand the health and human development curriculum.

3. Diversity

Goal: Support increased diversity throughout the Village School community.

Background and Rationale: Village School believes the richness of a community results from creating a learning environment that includes people who have myriad backgrounds and perspectives. The school will strive to recruit families, faculty, staff and administrators who together reflect its values and the multiculturalism found in Los Angeles. Village School is committed to facilitating a smooth transition for new members of our community through comprehensive programs for inclusion.

Implementation Steps:

  • Encourage families’ support for an inclusive community that embraces Village School’s commitment to diversity.
  • Provide programs to acclimate families entering the Village School community.
  • Foster cultural awareness in the educational program.
  • Expand the endowment for financial assistance.
  • Increase outreach and recruitment efforts for all constituencies.
  • Identify means to eliminate geographical barriers to attendance.

4. Facilities

Goal: Optimize the space planning and function of both campuses to ensure that the facilities support Village School’s goals.

Background and Rationale: Village School’s new Center for the Arts and Athletics was designed to complement the school’s original building. The combined campuses enable the school to expand the breadth of its educational program. As the school looks to the future, it must be vigilant in ensuring that the facilities fully accommodate its changing needs.

Implementation Steps:

  • Complete the master plan to create one cohesive and secure campus.
  • Determine the most prudent means of funding facility renovation and expansion.
  • Develop a financial plan to facilitate the acquisition of neighboring properties should opportunities arise.

5. Finance and Development

Goal: Establish and implement financial and development plans that ensure the school’s fiscal well-being.

Background and Rationale: Village School has worked hard to build a strong and sustainable financial position that supports the school’s goals and prioritizes the use of its resources. The strength of the school’s annual fundraising efforts has enabled the school to avoid an operating deficit and to fund critical program initiatives. Two years ago, based on the school’s strong financial condition, the Board initiated the ‘Center for the Arts and Athletics’ project. Funding was obtained, in part, through a $9.5 million tax-exempt financing. In addition, the school embarked on an $8.5 million capital campaign and is in the nascent stages of developing an endowment program.

Implementation Steps:

  • Communicate to the Village School community the financial realities of running an independent school.
  • Achieve capital campaign goals.
  • Reduce the debt undertaken to fund the expansion project.
  • Generate additional revenue through auxiliary programs.
  • Create endowment funds supporting faculty growth, financial assistance and general school programs.
  • Evaluate and provide appropriate development staffing to maximize fundraising.

6. Technology and Communication

Goal: Use technology to improve the learning environment, enhance communication in the school and make efficient use of administrative resources.

Background and Rationale: Village School embraces the use of technology to enhance communication throughout the school community. The school recognizes that the seamless integration of technology within the educational program is critical to promoting academic achievement across all disciplines. Village School is committed to exploring and implementing changes in technology that will advance the school’s mission.

Implementation Steps:

  • Evaluate the technology program for educational program integration, flexibility and teaching efficiency.
  • Assess ongoing developments in technology for potential acquisition and implementation in the educational program and for other uses.
  • Create an intranet to facilitate access to and interaction within the school community.
  • Upgrade administrative technology.

7. Image and Visibility

Goal: Effectively communicate Village School’s values and distinct educational program.

Background and Rationale: Village School acknowledges the importance of increasing its outreach efforts. The school also recognizes the value of publicizing and promoting to the wider community its commitment to offering programs that challenge students academically, support their growth socially and instill core values that enhance their ability to become responsible adults.

Implementation Steps:

  • Develop a comprehensive, integrated marketing plan for Village School.
  • Nurture relationships with preschools and secondary schools.