Strategic Plan:   2009-2012

Mission Statement

Marywood-Palm Valley School is an independent, college-preparatory, coeducational, non-denominational Preschool and K-12 providing a challenging educational program and preparation for a successful life.

An MWPV education is built on four cornerstones:

Objectives:

Enrollment

• Recruit a student body composed of 320 students in grades PS-5 (2 classes at each grade), 120 students in grades 9-12 (2 classes at each grade), and 120 students in grades 9-12 (2 classes at each grade), for a total student population of 560. we prefer class sizes to be 20 or less at all grade levels.
• Plan to maintain returning student enrollment in all grades, paying special attention to the entry grade levels in PS, K, 6 and 9.
• Develop methods to publicize effectively a need-based financial aid program. Explore ways to offer specific scholarship opportunities in the area of academics, sports, extra-curricular and in the performing arts.

Program

• Annually review the continuity of the curriculum in providing a sequential development of skills leading to preparation for college and a lifetime of learning.
• Develop a specific curriculum to expand our students understanding of a global awareness.
• Expand the foreign exchange program to help with enrollment and global awareness.
• Continue to develop the scope and sequence in our sports program providing access and engagement to all students.
• Expand the offerings in the enrichment program at the Middle School and Upper School levels.
• Design and implement an age appropriate program for teaching ethics to all students.

Faculty and Staff Retention/Attraction

• Ensure that Marywood-Palm Valley students receive the best possible instruction from highly qualified faculty.
• Create a competitive compensation and benefit package to ensure the school is able to attract and retain outstanding teachers in the face of an impending teacher shortage.
• Facilitate academic autonomy and instructional innovation while ensuring high quality academic fundamentals.
• When faculty openings occur, focus on highly qualified academic teachers who can also work with students outside the classroom setting.

Finances/Fundraising

• Work toward a balanced operating budget. Maintain an operating reserve fund.
• Develop a contingent plan in case of an enrollment shortfall.
• Increase the endowment fund to a point where the investment revenue offsets some of the costs with faculty/staff compensation and/or tuition assistance.
• Expand the existing donor base (i.e., parents, alumnae, grandparents, community) to help with fundraising goals and activities.
• Execute the operational plan for recurring fundraising events such as the Annual Fund and the Marywood-Palm Valley School Gala.

Facilities/Technology

• Develop a three-year technology plan for all divisions, with special emphasis at the Upper School division.
• Develop a phasing program to tie facility development to available and future capital funds.
• Investigate ways to move our school to being an environmentally safe and green campus.
• Execute the sale of the MON property.

Finances/Fundraising

• Work toward a balanced operating budget. Maintain an operating reserve fund.
• Develop a contingent plan in case of an enrollment shortfall.
• Increase the endowment fund to a point where the investment revenue offsets some of the costs with faculty/staff compensation and/or tuition assistance.
• Expand the existing donor base (i.e., parents, alumnae, grandparents, community) to help with fundraising goals and activities.
• Execute the operational plan for recurring fundraising events such as the Annual Fund and the Marywood-Palm Valley School Gala.

Governance

• Clarify an effective means to recruit new committee members and board members to our school.
• Establish and publish clear expectations for the board in relation to the head, and for the head in relation to the board, leading to the establishment of an effective board/head partnership.
• Develop a program and process to train board members on an on-going basis.