Gardner School Strategic Plan

At Gardner, we value reflection as part of our ongoing commitment to growth and improvement. As part of this work, our Board of Trustees and Head of School collaborated in 2023 to create our Strategic Plan that will guide us over the next 3-5 years. We welcome you to learn about it here.

Initiative #1: Institutional Identity

Goal:

To articulate, affirm, and ensure alignment across the Gardner School’s mission, vision, values, and the School’s program and practices to support the School’s sustainability and growth.

Rationale:

Gardner School has demonstrated resilience and adaptability throughout its existence as a School; now it is time for the School to grow into its next iteration.

A strong institutional identity:

  • Draws families in

  • Maintains strong relationships with community members

  • Strengthens teaching and learning

  • Attracts more mission-aligned families to the School

  • Provides a pathway for future generations of community members to thrive

Strategies:

Educational Philosophy

  • Clarify the Gardner School’s educational philosophy, and how it is aligned and implemented through the School’s program and practices.

Curriculum & Instruction

  • Analyze and revise curriculum and instruction to ensure they are mission- and values-aligned.

  • Adopt and implement systems for ongoing revision.

Communication & Community Engagement

  • Explore, develop, and implement effective ways to communicate and engage with students, families, and alumni about our program that align with and support the School’s mission and values.

Initiative #2: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Goal:

Create and sustain a strong community committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) where the School’s beliefs and actions reflect a shared understanding of DEI and its alignment with Gardner’s mission and values.

Rationale:

A diverse and inclusive community is a stronger community. Gardner School will thrive when students, families, staff, and community members are:

  • Welcomed

  • Included

  • Have equitable access and participation

  • Feel a sense of belonging to the School

A sense of belonging inspires community members to be more active contributors to the School, allows for students and staff to feel more connected to teaching and learning, and supports a thriving School culture. These outcomes underscore and advance the School’s mission and vision.

Strategies:

Defining

  • Define what diversity, equity, and inclusion means at the Gardner School and build a shared understanding among all community members.

  • Align the School’s definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion with the School’s mission, vision, values, and program through developing a set of commitments that guide the direction of the School’s efforts.

Integration of Commitments

Integrate the diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments into the policies and practices of the School in regard to:

  • Hiring

  • Admissions

  • Governance

  • Finances & resources

  • Curriculum & pedagogy

  • Program offerings

Connection & Communication

Use the commitments to:

  • Educate community members about diversity, equity and inclusion topics

  • Develop a shared understanding of the School’s commitments

  • Encourage participation from the Gardner community

Initiative #3: Financial Sustainability

Goal:

Steward the Gardner School’s finances, resources, and community so that the School continues to thrive, is prepared to adapt, and is poised for future opportunities.

Rationale:

A strong and stable financial position allows Gardner School to be adaptive and resilient so we can continue to make courageous, creative, and innovative decisions that best serve the students and the School community. Our intentional, holistic approach to finance, resources, and community allows the School to:

  • Recruit, retain, and support students and staff

  • Create the best possible learning experience for students

  • Seek future opportunities that allow the School to uphold its mission and values

Strategies:

Financial plan

Create a 3-5 year financial strategic plan to balance and prioritize tuition/enrollment, salaries/benefits, financial aid, facilities, and investments to best meet the long-term needs of the School.

Development

Develop a culture of engagement and giving that supports and sustains the School, current students and families, staff, alumni, board, and community members in the region.

Facilities

Develop a campus plan that will be supportive of the short- and long-term needs of the School, including exploring future opportunities that best serve our current and future community.

Next steps…

Want to see this work in action? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, or reach out to our Board Chair or Interim Head of School to learn more.