Strategic Framework 2020
S
trategy is a word with many definitions. One classical definition is that it is the process of identifying objectives, the resources and methods possible for meeting such objectives, and the balancing of ends, ways and means. What guides our school in its planning is our mission statement and core values: St. Martin’s Episcopal School is dedicated to providing a quality education of the whole person in a loving, Christian atmosphere, which fosters lifelong learning.
Dr. Luis A. Ottley Head of School
St. Martin’s is the preschool, beginning at eight weeks, through 8th grade experience dedicated to graduating well-rounded individuals ready to wholeheartedly embrace life. As such, St. Martin’s continues to build upon its strong foundation of purpose and accomplishment as it prepares for the challenges and opportunities of the future. We remain committed to the crafting and strengthening of a learning environment of excellence and opportunity, which upholds the unique value of each student entrusted to our care. Strategic planning is an ongoing process and this document helps to provide the framework for the work of our school and the embodiment of its mission in the years to come.
Dr. Luis A. Ottley Head of School
WHOLE
HEART
ED
Episcopal Identity What are the principal qualities that distinguish a school as Episcopal? St. Martin’s Episcopal School is a ministry of St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church. Like all Episcopal schools, St. Martin’s is characterized by academic and spiritual wisdom that comes through tradition, reason and scripture. This “three-legged stool” grounds our students and enables them to be educated in a way that informs them as a whole person. Excerpt from the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) regarding Episcopal Identity: Episcopal Schools are Christian communities whose missions integrate spiritual formation into all aspects of the educational experience. Episcopal schools are most distinctive when they are true to this mission and when they do so in the graceful and inclusive manner which is the hallmark of the Anglican approach to education over the centuries. Episcopal schools have been established, however, not solely as communities for Christians, like a parish church, but as ecumenical and diverse ministries of educational and human formation for people of all faiths and backgrounds. Episcopal schools are populated by a rich variety of human beings, from increasingly diverse religious, cultural and economic backgrounds. Above all, Episcopal schools exist not merely to educate, but to demonstrate and proclaim the unique worth and beauty of all human beings as creations of a loving, empowering God. In practice, Episcopal School principles and ideals are expressed through:
School Worship that is creative, inclusive, draws fully upon the liturgical resources of The Episcopal Church, and is a regular part of school life for all faculty and students.
Community Life, in which reflection, prayer and matters of the spirit are honored and cultivated and the physical, mental and emotional health of all are supported and nurtured.
Religious Formation and Study that is meaningful, academically substantive and ageappropriate; and in teaching the Christian tradition, fosters dialogue with other faith traditions.
Social Justice, which is the integration of the ideals and concepts of equity, justice and a just society throughout the life of the school; the embracing and honoring of diversity; and the inclusion of community service and service-learning as an integral part of the life of the school.
By weaving these principles into the very fabric of the school’s overall life, Episcopal schools ensure that their missions are built on the sure foundation of a Christian love that guides and challenges all who attend our schools to build lives of genuine meaning, purpose and service in the world they will inherit.
OUR MISSION
St. Martin’s Episcopal School is dedicated to providing a quality education of the whole person in a loving, Christian atmosphere, which fosters lifelong learning. ABOUT ST. MARTIN’S St. Martin’s Episcopal School is a coeducational day school serving approximately 630 preschool, beginning at eight weeks, through 8th grade students. The school strives to accommodate children with varying backgrounds and is open to all qualified children without regard to race, ethnicity, nationality, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, or culture. The cornerstone of St. Martin’s philosophy is expressed in the school motto, “Wholehearted Dedication to a Child’s Education.”
PHILOSOPHY At St. Martin’s we believe in... OFFERING students the opportunity to reach their highest potential of intellectual achievement, exposure to the arts and physical development; DEVELOPING within each student spiritual growth based in the Christian tradition, moral standards, sound judgment in ethical decisionmaking and self-discipline; ENCOURAGING responsible stewardship, citizenship and community service; PROVIDING each student with experienced, dedicated teachers and administrators working together in an atmosphere of affection, trust and security; WELCOMING all students of diverse backgrounds.
STRENGTHS Fosters spiritual development Promotes diversity and inclusion Campus safety plan for the entire St. Martin’s community Strong market demand Low student attrition Strong fundraising initiatives and culture of philanthropy Market-appropriate tuition Supportive tuition grant program Financially impactful endowment Recruits, develops and retains high-quality teachers Competitive faculty professional development program Balanced commitment to technology Robust offerings for athletics, arts, clubs, service learning, and extracurricular activities Opportunities for students that reflect the school’s added-value High school placement process Responsive to student needs Partnership with parent-teacher organization
CORE VALUES At St. Martin’s we celebrate...
Faith Kindness Friendships Uniqueness Possibilities Milestones Growing Up
St. Martin’s Episcopal Scho
Wholehearted Dedication t
OBJECTIVES
GOALS
• Nurture and eff the fine strengt time m
EDUCATING
Provide students with a holistic learning experience offering the unique benefits of a preschool, beginning at eight weeks, through 8th grade environment
• Ingrain studen by suc solve a
• Prepare knowle politica
• Cultiva service
• Challen world t
• Offer n advanc about
RECRUITING DEVELOPING & RETAINING
• Recruit
Be a great place to work
• Develo
• Retain innova
• Provide
STEWARDING
Manage resources for greatest impact and to ensure a sustainable future
• Practic
• Maintai
• Explore
• Honor
GOVERNING
Be a trusted and accountable organization by all stakeholders
• Practic Associ Episco
• Provide
• Activel
COMMUNITY BUILDING
Be a welcoming and personal community for all, in the Episcopal tradition
• Be a we stakeh
• Workin outrea life of e
STAKEHOLDERS: Students, Parents, Alumni, Alumni Parents, Facult
ool’s Strategic Framework
to a Child’s Education.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
e every student’s core educational development of the ability to communicate clearly fectively, orally and in writing; mathematical and scientific literacy; familiarity with history; e and performing arts; and essential critical thinking skills. Essential lifetime character ths reinforced and assessed include teamwork, creativity, ethics, resilience, curiosity and management.
n a STEAM-based education for students to focus on experiential learning that allows nts to engage in real-world problems and solutions and give them the opportunity to learn cceeding, often building resiliency as they continually look for different and better ways to a problem.
e students for today and tomorrow including enhanced technological literacy; a deeper edge and empathetic understanding of other cultures, religions and social-economic al systems in an increasingly globalized environment.
ate unique leadership opportunities for all students across academic, athletic, artistic and e-learning activities.
nge and guide students to “build lives of genuine meaning, purpose and service in the they will inherit,” all in the Episcopal tradition.
non-traditional learning opportunities through a variety of methods and mediums including ced online classes and classes for those with learning differences and opportunities to learn the world through inbound and outbound exchange programs.
t best-in-class teachers and administrators.
op teachers and administrators through ongoing professional development.
teachers and administrators by providing opportunities to foster learning, encourage ation, impart spiritual values and be rewarded through competitive compensation.
e a strong value proposition relative to tuition.
ce disciplined fiscal management with operating and investment funds.
in assets and invest appropriately in our campus, facilities and environment.
e and implement strategic offerings to provide additional revenue.
the word and spirit of the St. Martin’s Episcopal School Bylaws.
ce integrity, transparency and accountability in all matters, guided by the National iation of Independent Schools’ Principles of Good Practice and the National Association of opal Schools’ Principles of Good Practice for Governance in Episcopal Parish Schools.
e a safe, secure environment for our students, faculty, staff and administrators.
ly engage all stakeholders as partners for the common good.
elcoming and inclusive independent school community, embracing the diversity of all holders and engaging the broader public and faith communities.
ng in partnership with St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church, fulfill the community ach ministry to provide a Christian education that values both the intellectual and spiritual each child.
ty, Administration, Parish/Church, Neighborhood, Trustees, Patrons
Why Preschool – 8th? RESEARCH Research is increasingly demonstrating that investing in early childhood development, particularly high-quality pre-kindergarten, provides a wide array of significant benefits to children, families and society as a whole. Findings indicate the optimal setting for a high-quality middle school education is a school that encompasses preschool through 8th grade. In these schools, and at St. Martin’s, there is a balanced emphasis on intellectual maturation and social-emotional growth. Creating a nurturing environment facilitates the ability to provide a challenging, rigorous education. St. Martin’s prepares students with a solid foundation of learning skills and a strong knowledge base, ensuring a smooth and successful transition to high school. BELONGING In addition, there is a sense of belonging that intensifies over the fourteen years that children grow from infants to fourteen, both for children and their families. Parents at a preschool, beginning at eight weeks, through 8th grade school are more inclined to stay connected and involved beyond the elementary school years, a factor which correlates highly with student success. The school becomes a virtual neighborhood in which families raise their children together,
creating a web of enduring bonds among one another and with the faculty and administration. ROLE MODEL At St. Martin’s, contact with younger students has a positive influence on Middle School students’ behavior. Our Buddy Program, which teams older and younger children in a variety of projects and activities for the purpose of community building, endows Middle School students with a sense of responsibility as role models and leaders for their buddies while providing the younger buddies with an opportunity to learn and grow from older students. SAFE AND NURTURING Finally, the culture of a preschool, beginning at eight weeks, through 8th grade school is free from the impact of high school. No matter how much younger students are shielded from older students, they are still influenced by the proximity and the appeal of the freedoms of older adolescents. Middle School students need a safe space where they can be themselves, far away from the appraising eyes of older students. St. Martin’s offers that safe, nurturing space, where students mature and leave our campus ready to take on high school and beyond.
PRESCHOOL THROUGH 8TH GRADE 3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Rd. | Brookhaven, GA 30319 | 404.237.4260 stmartinschool.org