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ST. THOMAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Established in 1972 |
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About Us
Information
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STRATEGIC PLAN
Saint Thomas Christian Academy
Three Year Strategic Plan
(June 2007 through August 2010)
Financial Stability
· Goal – To obtain and maintain financial stability for STCA that fosters an environment of continued quality improvement and ongoing growth.
Marketing and Public Relations
· Goal – To have a well-established marketing and public relations program that keeps the STCA name positively integrated into the local community.
Communication
· Goal – To ensure ongoing communication between STCA and all stakeholders that keeps all groups abreast of upcoming and recent events, happenings, news and achievements. Such communication will foster an active and open exchange of information in a variety of formats.
Program Development
· Goal –To ensure an environment of positive change and growth that is responsive to feedback received from stakeholders.
Technology
· Goal – STCA to be seen as a “model school” by demonstrating full integration of the use of technology within the academic program. This technology will enhance the curriculum, encourage parental involvement and showcase STCA positively within the community as a leader in the education arena.
OBJECTIVES & ACTION STEPS
Financial Stability
Goal – To obtain and maintain financial stability for STCA that fosters an environment of continued quality improvement and ongoing growth.
Objectives:
#1. Increase enrollment to 110 students for 07-08 school year.
#2. Achieve a 10% increase in student enrollment each year until ideal enrollment size is obtained for each class.
#3. Establish a foundation/grants program that yields consistent income each year.
#4. Develop and operationalize a fundraising program that yields targeted surplus.
#5. Establish expectations for parental involvement in activities and fundraisers.
Action Steps For:
Financial Objective #1 – Increase enrollment to 110 students for 07-08 school year.
Task
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Develop mechanisms for task force to monitor new enrollment on a weekly basis. |
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Develop a flyer to be sent home to all current families reminding them of the referral incentive. |
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Identify all potential media outlets located within 10 miles of STCA. |
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Market STCA utilizing newspapers, radio, billboards, magazines and direct mailing. |
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Identify all nursery and pre-schools located within 5 miles of STCA |
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Develop marketing letter to offer nursery and pre-schools significant placement fees for each student who enrolls in STCA. |
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Develop flyers to be distributed along with the letters to all nursery and pre-schools identified. |
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Mail letters and flyers to all identified nursery and pre-schools. |
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Conduct follow-up phone calls to answer any questions and to offer assistance / garner support. |
Action
Steps for:
Financial Objective #2 – Achieve a 10% increase in student enrollment each year until ideal enrollment size is obtained for each class.
Task
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Develop ongoing relationships with identified nursery and pre-schools. Begin marketing for potential students for 08-09 school year. |
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Identify an Academic Profile for class of 05, 06, and 07. |
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Promote academic excellence and Christian values utilizing the academic profiles of graduating classes of 05, 06, and 07. |
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Give tours of STCA 1X weekly @ specified days/times (i.e., each Tuesday at 10 AM). Promote this in all marketing messages. |
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Conduct monthly open houses from 1/08 through 6/08. Advertise open houses repeatedly utilizing marketing plan. |
Action
Steps for:
Financial Objective #3 – Establish a foundation/grants program that yields consistent income each year.
Task
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Along with Executive Principal, identify a champion to assist in writing grants and foundations for STCA. |
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Identify potential foundations to be completed by 12/07. |
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Develop a submission schedule for identified foundations. |
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Submit applications in accordance with schedule. |
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Obtain resource of on-line Foundation Directory membership. |
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Research potential foundations until a minimum of 20 potential foundations are identified above and beyond those previously identified. |
Action
Steps for:
Financial Objective #4 – Develop and operationalize a fundraising program that yields targeted surplus.
Task
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Identify fundraising champion to work in conjunction with Executive Principal. |
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Identify fundraising events for 07-08 academic year and implement. |
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Identify and implement fundraising efforts to be conducted during summer of 07. |
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Identify and approach businesses within 5 miles of STCA to support the academy be collaborating on fundraising events or monetary donations. |
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Develop and implement a direct mail campaign. Develop and implement a planned giving campaign. |
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Research potential of including a mechanism to accept donations on STCA web site. |
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Develop and implement an active Alumni Committee to assist with fundraising efforts. |
Action
Steps for:
Financial Objective #5 – Establish expectations for parental involvement in activities and fundraising events.
Task
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Research other private schools programs in relation to parental expectations. |
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Identify requirements for parental involvement for STCA. |
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Modify current handbook with an addendum to be incorporated for 07-08 school year. |
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Distribute and obtain signatures from all enrolled parents acknowledging change in requirements. |
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Post revisions to the web site. |
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Develop a mechanism to monitor parental involvement. |
Marketing and Public Relations
Goal – To have a well-established marketing and public relations program that keeps the STCA name positively integrated into the local community.
Objectives:
#1. To have a state-of-the-art web site that is responsive to inquiring families need for information, is reflective of the accomplishments of our students and highlights the positive aspects of the academy.
#2. To have an established Alumni Committee that is an integral component of the academy.
#3. To ensure full media utilization to showcase the academic achievements of our students.
#4. To have an established public relations program that promotes all significant activities and events occurring at STCA.
Action
Steps for:
Marketing Objective #1 – To have a state-of-the-art web site that is responsive to inquiring families need for information, is reflective of the accomplishments of our students, and highlights the positive aspects of the academy.
Task
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Research websites of other private schools and identify elements that would be advantageous for STCA. |
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Clearly identify all elements to be included in STCA website. Obtain necessary information and update site. |
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Design website survey and send out 2X per year to all stakeholders requesting feedback on usefulness and completeness of site. Make necessary adjustments based on feedback received. |
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Identify individual to be responsible to regularly provide maintenance and post updates to the website in a timely manner. |
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Identify and implement a mechanism to ensure all relevant information, notices and updates are communicated to the website Champion for inclusion on the web. |
Action
Steps for:
Marketing Objective #2 – To have an established Alumni Committee that is an integral component of the academy.
Task
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In conjunction with the Executive Principal, identify a champion to work with on the development of an Alumni Committee. |
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Solicit families to include in the Alumni Committee |
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Identify goals of the committee with associated timeline. |
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Committee to provide updates to the Executive Principal on status of goals. |
Action
Steps for:
Marketing Objective #3 – Ensure full media utilization to showcase the academic achievements of our students.
Task
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Identify all media resources within 5 miles of STCA that will be regularly utilized to promote the school. |
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Develop an advertising/marketing schedule for each resource identified that ensures regular and repetitive promotion of STCA within the community. |
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Review STCA marketing message to ensure the most effective communication for the school. Determine the need for a marketing firm to assist. |
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Develop a mechanism to track families who contact STCA based on marketing message. |
Action
Steps for:
Marketing Objective #4 – To have an established public relations program that promotes all significant activities and events occurring at STCA.
Task
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Identify a public relations champion to provide media releases to local newspapers for all significant activities and events occurring at STCA. |
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Ensure all media releases are posted to the STCA website. |
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Identify a list of the types of items that would be potential media releases. |
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Ensure that there is at least 1 media release sent to local newspapers each month. |
Communication
Goal – To ensure ongoing communication between STCA and all stakeholders that keeps all groups abreast of upcoming and recent events, happenings, news and achievements. Such communication will foster an active and open exchange of information in a variety of formats.
Objectives:
#1. All administrative positions will maintain a philosophy of ‘open door’ communication between all stakeholders.
#2. Administration will regularly utilize a variety of mechanisms (letters, phone calls, website postings, mailings, flyers…etc.) to ensure information is available to all stakeholders.
#3. Stakeholder feedback will be sought at regular intervals throughout the academic year on all program elements.
Action
Steps for:
Communication Objective #1 – All administrative positions will maintain a philosophy of ‘open door’ communication between all stakeholders.
Task
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Administrative positions will inform parents of office hours during which time they can be contacted for any/all reasons. |
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Whenever possible, all phone calls will be returned within the same business day. |
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Questions regarding administrator availability and communication style will be incorporated into the stakeholder survey that is distributed 2X per year. |
Action
Steps for:
Communication Objective #2 – Administration will regularly utilize a variety of mechanisms (letters, phone calls, website postings, mailings, flyers…etc.) to ensure information is available to all stakeholders.
Task
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Administration will utilize monthly news letters that clearly outline all occurrences/happenings @ the school. News letters will be posted to the website. |
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Significant, unplanned or unusual occurrences will be addressed clearly with parents. Communication vehicles such as letters, phone calls, postings and flyers will be utilized to ensure clear lines of communication and understanding. |
Action
Steps for:
Communication Objective #3 –Stakeholder feedback will be sought at regular intervals throughout the academic year and on all program elements.
Task
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A suggestion box will be available for all to contribute feedback. Box will be checked weekly and responses will be included on the website and in the monthly news letter. |
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Survey will be developed that includes questions regarding all key elements of the school (including administrative communication, academic curriculum, student activities…etc.) |
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Surveys will be distributed 2X per year (1st marking period and 3rd marking period) to solicit feedback. |
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Survey results will be posted to the website and appropriate action plans developed as needed. |
Program Development
Goal –To ensure an environment of positive change and growth that is responsive to feedback received from stakeholders.
Objectives:
#1. Establish a summer program that yields surplus income for the academy.
#2. Expand current sports program and after school clubs to include lower grades (2nd through 5th).
#3. Expand educational opportunities through the use of ‘hands on’ experiences and improved technology.
#4. Develop and implement an active collaboration between the academy and church youth group.
Action
Steps for:
Program Development Objective #1 – Establish a summer program that yields surplus income for the academy.
Task
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Establish a summer program committee to brainstorm potential ideas for summer programs at STCA. |
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Develop a comprehensive summer plan to include regular day camp and summer enrichment programs. Plan to include staffing, budget, hours of operation, etc. |
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Develop and implement a marketing plan specific to promoting summer programs at STCA. |
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Establish a ‘summer programs’ link on STCA website. |
Action
Steps for:
Program Development Objective #2 – Expand current sports program and after school clubs to include lower grades (2nd through 5th).
Task
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Identify potential opportunities for expansion of sports program for upper grades (basketball, baseball, soccer). |
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Develop opportunities to create sports program for lower grades (2nd through 5th). |
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Survey parents and students on their interest in identified and unidentified clubs. Create opportunities based on interest. |
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Review other area private schools to identify sports programs and after school clubs to determine appropriateness for STCA. |
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Create cost structure for as appropriate. |
Action
Steps for:
Program Development Objective #3 – Expand educational opportunities through the use of ‘hands on’ experiences and improved technology.
Task
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Research and review best practices within the academic community and determine appropriateness for implementation at STCA. |
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Identify potential ‘overnight trips’ for the 5th grade class. Develop plan and implement. |
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Begin to differentiate the Academy by ‘Primary School’ and ‘Middle School’ in order to attract a clearer academic focus within the community. |
Action
Steps for:
Program Development Objective #4 – Develop and implement an active collaboration between the academy and church youth group.
Task
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In conjunction with the church youth group, identify potential collaborations in which STCA and church youth group can work together. |
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Determine child and parent interest in potential collaboration. |
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Identify plan to implement as deemed appropriate |
Technology
Goal – STCA to be seen as a “model school” by demonstrating full integration of the use of technology within the academic program. This technology will enhance the curriculum, encourage parental involvement and showcase STCA positively within the community as a leader in the education arena.
Objectives:
#1. Obtain computers for each teacher to be utilized in every classroom along with LCD projectors and screens in order to enhance the teaching and learning environment.
#2. Provide every student entering grade 6 and new students entering grade 7 or 8 with a lap top computer to be utilized for research and other academic assignments.
#3. Obtain am on-line grading software system that allows for ongoing parental view of all assignments and associated grades.
Action Steps for:
Technology Objective #1 – Obtain computers for each teacher to be utilized in every classroom along with LCD projectors and screens in order to enhance the teaching and learning environment.
Task
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Identify potential foundations that will support the purchase of computers to enhance the teaching/learning environment. |
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Apply to a minimum of 5 technology grants. |
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Obtain a list of computer requirements, software and equipment needed. Apply costs to determine total monies needed to achieve goal. |
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Once obtained, train faculty on the use of computers/LCD in classroom setting. |
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Develop policies and procedures to ensure appropriate use and regular integration with curriculum. |
Action
Steps for:
Technology Objective #2 – provide every student entering grade 6 and new students entering grades 7 and 8 with a lap top computer to be utilized for research and other academic assignments.
Task
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Determine the number of computers and wireless connection needed. List out requirements for equipment and software. Determine project cost. |
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Identify and apply to appropriate foundations to support education and technology. |
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Develop policies and procedures on use of laptop computers assigned. |
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Research other schools with similar program. Determine if policies and procedures are appropriate for STCA. |
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Identify and ensure mechanism is available to provide technical assistance and regular maintenance to all STCA computers as expansion occurs. |
Action Steps for:
Technology Objective #3 – Obtain an
on-line grading software system that allows for ongoing parent view of all
assignments and associated grades.
Task
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Research on-line grading software available and determine potential for use at STCA. |
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Identify potential cost of software. |
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Design communication message to train teachers how to utilize and parents how to access. |
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Identify potential funding for program (tuition, grants, loan…etc). |
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Once implemented, obtain feedback from parents on ease of use, effectiveness of system and overall satisfaction with program. |
"Train up a child
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