Approved by vote of the Board of Trustees, September 2009

“St. Andrew’s Vision for Educational Excellence in 2015”

Our students deserve an educational experience that supports, challenges, and prepares them for the
opportunities and expectations of an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. This education
depends on a highly-trained faculty that understands each student as a person and learner and on
programs that unlock each child’s potential. Therefore, St. Andrew’s will:

I. Become a recognized leader in innovative, individualized teaching and learning

a. Use the faculty's understanding of the childhood and adolescent learning process to nurture
students' confidence, creativity, and understanding
i. Make research-based teaching and learning a central focus of faculty professional
development, curriculum, and assessment throughout the school
1. Deepen each student's understanding of his or her learning strengths and
challenges
ii. Expand interdisciplinary teaching and learning to foster deeper understanding and
encourage the creative application of knowledge to current issues
1. Increase the opportunities for immersion-learning experiences such as trips,
internships, and independent study options

b. Intensify the multicultural and global emphasis within school curriculum and culture
i. Ensure that the school's multicultural, global curriculum is reflected across all grade
levels and disciplines
ii. Expand opportunities for international travel and study, including service learning
opportunities

c. Ensure that school programs reflect and convey the school's inclusive Episcopal identity
i. Develop a carefully sequenced, musically vibrant preschool-grade 12 chapel program
ii. Clarify the interconnection among educational excellence, Episcopal values, and
character formation
1. Fully develop and articulate the preschool-grade 12 service learning
curriculum
2. Expand local, national, and international projects and partnerships, including
connections with Episcopal schools and other peer institutions
3. Expand the leadership for the service learning program

d. Deepen the commitment to integrating technology into teaching and learning at each grade
level
i. Create on-line curriculum maps that encourage continual curricular review and
improvement by the faculty and increase understanding of programs among school
families, alumni, and the wider community
ii. Ensure age-appropriate integration and proper use of current educational technology at
each division of the school
iii. Ensure adequate expertise, professional development, and funding for academic
technology to support this plan
 e. Explore the creation of a Center for Teaching and Learning
i. Identify the mission, framework, initial goals, and potential leadership for a Center for
Teaching and Learning
ii. Determine funding needs and sources, along with revenue-generating possibilities, for
a Center for Teaching and Learning
iii. Establish a partnership with a research-based university and, potentially, other
institutions or foundations

f. Develop a learning community that inspires and conveys institutional spirit, pride, and values
i. Develop traditions and other points of pride at each grade level and division
ii. Strengthen student leadership opportunities at each grade level and division

g. Ensure that current and future Board, administrative, and faculty leaders continually strengthen
and communicate the school's supportive culture and dynamic educational vision

A broadly diverse community promotes educational excellence and reflects St. Andrew’s Episcopal
identity. Therefore St. Andrew’s will :
II. Ensure that diversity is strongly and broadly integrated into our faculty and staff, student body,
curriculum, and school culture
a. Increase and retain faculty and administrators of color and international background

b. Foster a student and faculty culture of understanding and valuing difference

c. Integrate multicultural and anti-bias education into the curriculum at each grade level

d. Intensify multicultural professional development efforts for faculty and staff

e. Increase financial aid resources to support a broadly talented, diverse student body

f. Review current financial aid policies for co-curricular programs, academic support, and access
to technology to ensure educational equity and access for all students

g. Engage and educate the wider school community on issues of equity and inclusion

St. Andrew’s new preschool-grade 12 scope offers extraordinary teaching and learning opportunities
and a unique opportunity to strengthen the school as a community and an institution. Therefore, St.
Andrew’s will :
III. Ensure a strong Lower School and Intermediate School as the foundation for our preschool-grade
12 program
a. Use professional development time and funds to support innovative curriculum development
and innovative teaching methods for early-childhood and elementary students

b. Foster programmatic, faculty, and cultural connections between campuses

c. Focus on internal communication and community-building efforts

 d. Focus on strong retention of students between and within Lower School and Intermediate
School

St. Andrew’s public reputation and communication of its distinctive strengths must be as deep and
clear as the quality of its educational programs. Therefore, St. Andrew’s will:
IV. Develop and communicate internal and external messages that are clear, bold, and compelling
a. Create a concise mission statement

b. Emphasize the vision for, and understanding of, 21st century educational excellence
i. Define and convey excellence in pedagogy, programs, and student growth and
achievement
ii. Clarify the interconnection among educational excellence, Episcopal values, and
character formation
iii. Identify and promote St. Andrew’s “signature programs”

c. Enhance and increase marketing efforts

i. Develop a short-term and long-range messaging plan, including “talking points” for
each division and for the preschool-grade 12 program
ii. Expand/support word-of-mouth promotion
iii. Expand interactive web-based processes to enhance the admission process, parent
communication, and school profile
iv. Ensure that the school has the necessary professional expertise and financial resources
for these marketing efforts

Current and future programs require improved facilities. Therefore, St. Andrew’s will :
V. Develop facilities related to athletics, the arts, chapel programs, and the Lower School campus
a. Review and update the current master plan during 2010 to reflect the addition of Lower and
Intermediate Schools as well as current needs and opportunities in athletics, the arts, worship
space, and teaching and learning initiatives

b. Move forward with planning, funding, and implementation of campus improvements,

including new construction

Continual improvement of the school’s programs and community life requires strong and stable
financial management and resource development. Therefore, St. Andrew’s will :
VI. Ensure financial sustainability and support for strategic initiatives
a. Successfully complete the Touchstone Endowment Campaign during 2010

b. Increase enrollment through expanded applicant pools, increased admission yields, and strong
student retention at each grade level

c. Establish sustainable, effective, equitable preschool-grade 12 tuition schedules and

compensation systems

d. Increase non-tuition revenue streams

 i. Assess and expand the school’s fundraising capacity
ii. Increase year-round campus usage possibilities
iii. Ensure that plans for the Center for Teaching and Learning include ways to increase
net revenue
iv. Increase endowments and other non-tuition funding for financial aid

e. Continue cost containment as a key financial strategy