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A Preview of NCS’ New Strategic Plan
In her annual “State of the School” speech on Feb. 15, 2012, Head of School Kathleen O’Neill Jamieson reported to parents about the work to date on NCS’ next strategic plan. Describing it still as “very much a draft”—final Governing Board approval won’t happen until April—Mrs. Jamieson described the plan’s process, major themes, and next steps.
The Process
A Steering Committee, headed by Governing Board members Amanda Delk and Ted Hester, has overseen the strategic planning process; other committee members include Board Chair Michael Kellogg, Vice-Chair Elizabeth Hayes, former board members Christopher Gladstone, Steven Weiswasser, and Christine Grady, and from the school’s administrative team, Head of School Kathleen O’Neill Jamieson, Associate Head of School Elinor Scully, Assistant Head for Advancement Jenny Chiang, and Director of Finance and Operations Faye Ferguson. The committee also worked closely with other members of the school’s administrative team, including Upper, Middle, and Lower School Directors Sarah Pelmas, Jody Soja, and Tawana Purnell; Athletics Director Heather Dent; Interim Admission Director Maureen Miller; and Communications Director Mary Jane McKinven.
Working with consultants from ISM (Independent School Management), the committee planned the constituent research. Customized surveys were conducted of parents, alumnae, faculty and staff, and the board of trustees. In addition, 10 focus groups were held with alumnae, parents, Upper School and Middle School students, and faculty/staff. There were also two retreats, in November 2011 and in January 2012, involving some 55-65 representatives from all constituencies.
The Major Themes
On the basis of this very extensive feedback, the Steering Committee identified five key areas the school should on focus upon over the next five years:
1. Student Experience and Engagement
2. Faculty and Staff
3. Multiculturalism and Diversity
4. Community and Culture
5. Sustainability
The proposed title for the plan itself, On Behalf of Our Students: the 2012-2017 Strategic Plan, speaks to the plan’s overarching emphasis on the first area, that of “Student Experience and Engagement.” “We believe that our academic and co-curricular programs must be matched by equally excellent initiatives to lend joy to the educational enterprise and to embrace and support a range of learners,” said Mrs. Jamieson. To that end, the plan emphasizes the importance of attention to each student and their individual strengths and needs.
“Student Experience and Engagement” also recommends further development of the curriculum, including a review of current academic requirements, expanding course choice through online technology or consortia, and aligning the breadth of co-curricular offerings with NCS’ resources and responsibility to help each student find balance. Finally, the plan calls for the creation of a new daily schedule that includes opportunities for rotation, community time, resource periods, professional development, and innovation. Mrs. Jamieson acknowledged that “it’s challenging when you’re a coordinate school to change your schedule,” but said that St. Albans and NCS are committed to working together to become schools that are not just single-sex schools, but schools that are expert at how gender impacts learning for both girls and boys.
The proposed title for the plan itself, On Behalf of Our Students: the 2012-2017 Strategic Plan, speaks to the plan’s overarching emphasis on the first area, that of “Student Experience and Engagement.” “We believe that our academic and co-curricular programs must be matched by equally excellent initiatives to lend joy to the educational enterprise and to embrace and support a range of learners,” said Mrs. Jamieson. To that end, the plan emphasizes the importance of attention to each student and their individual strengths and needs.
“Student Experience and Engagement” also recommends further development of the curriculum, including a review of current academic requirements, expanding course choice through online technology or consortia, and aligning the breadth of co-curricular offerings with NCS’ resources and responsibility to help each student find balance. Finally, the plan calls for the creation of a new daily schedule that includes opportunities for rotation, community time, resource periods, professional development, and innovation. Mrs. Jamieson acknowledged that “it’s challenging when you’re a coordinate school to change your schedule,” but said that St. Albans and NCS are committed to working together to become schools that are not just single-sex schools, but schools that are expert at how gender impacts learning for both girls and boys.
Speaking about the theme of “Faculty and Staff,” Mrs. Jamieson stated, “we intend to provide the best professional development that we can for our faculty,” and that professional development will be tied more closely to pedagogical needs. She said the school would work to remain competitive in salaries and is looking at more creative compensation models, such as a “cafeteria” benefits plan.
“Multiculturalism and Diversity” were so frequently part of the strategic plan deliberations that they were identified as an their own area for action. “Our promise to educate women for the world requires that we include and honor a diverse community,” said Mrs. Jamieson. “We want the school to feel like home for each girl and each family.” The plan’s goal is to create an increasingly multicultural learning environment, and to that end, Mrs. Jamieson said that NCS will “vigorously and strategically recruit students, faculty, staff, and administrators from underrepresented populations” and make diversity a priority in filling the school’s volunteer positions. Faculty will also receive the support they need for multiculturalism and diversity training.
“The strength of the community is a big part of improving the girls’ experience,” said Mrs. Jamieson, who explained that the “Community and Culture” section of the plan proposes aligning community activities and events with the school’s core values, resulting in more targeted efforts and fewer demands upon parents’ time. There was also agreement that the school needs to more assertively communicate NCS’ history and story, both within and without the institution, to build a sense of community.
Finally, the “Sustainability” section of the plan is about aligning the school’s fiscal management with its strategic priorities. “We are going to be very realistic about the things we care most about, and we’ll have to make some very challenging decisions,” said Mrs. Jamieson, who stated that the Governing Board, the Parents Association, and faculty and staff would all be part of determining what is needed to move NCS forward.
Next Steps
In concluding, Mrs. Jamieson said that “we will now begin putting dollar figures to some of this, and then determine annual goals. I promise you that our number one goal will be the quality of the experience of the girls.” Details about action steps and implementation are pending board approval.
Turf Fields Project
During the introduction to her talk, Mrs. Jamieson also announced a near-term project, the creation of artificial turf fields for both the Lower and Upper Fields at the Athletic Center. “A handful of parents came forward with the desire to make this happen,” she said. “Our goal is to raise the remaining funds to complete both fields in time for pre-season practices in August.” NCS is still seeking some $400,000 to complete the project in full.
