Strategic Planning Process

Strategic planning is a process of discovery, reflection, discussion, community building, and priority setting through which an organization, like MCDS, defines its overarching direction and strategy, sets goals, and develops objectives and implementation steps necessary to achieve those goals. 

A good strategic planning process generates goals that are aspirational, but also practical and obtainable, through a broad-based process that depends upon the participation of parents, faculty and staff, students, and alumni. The best strategic planning process results in a plan that reflects the unique characteristics and goals of an institution. MCDS’s new strategic plan will guide our school for the next several years.
 

This is an important opportunity for our community to come together to reflect on the school’s future and help set a direction for MCDS that continues to nurture an “inclusive community of learning that inspires curiosity, empathy and action.”

Our last plan was published in 2012, so the time is now to set our course for the future.

Strategic planning is an opportunity for a school to align its goals with the needs of an ever changing world.   For example creating a sense of belonging as school communities become more diverse to mirror the outside world; managing the unprecedented pace of technological change; discovering and implementing imaginative, new ways of teaching and learning from emerging research; and the need to build upon our work to improve upon our environmental stewardship and impact.  

It's also an opportunity for us to define and assess our school’s strategic direction: For example, the desire to define and realize MCDS’s aspirations for the future in teaching and learning while ensuring our campus supports our program in the most sustainable way possible, the next CAIS/WASC accreditation process, communication outreach and messaging and the funding to support our priorities. Our process begins from a position of strength and its purpose is not to challenge the direction of our mission or vision; rather, it will build upon our strong foundation.

The strategic planning process will provide multiple opportunities for every member of the MCDS community to share their observations, opinions, ideas, and recommendations. The process of discovery (information gathering) will include retreats with our Board and school administrative team; individual interviews; and surveys of parents, faculty and staff, students, and alums.

The Steering Committee is a group appointed by the Head of School to help guide the strategic planning process. It is comprised of individuals representing the diverse constituencies in the MCDS community. 

Members of the Steering Committee will participate in regular planning meetings, and they will play an active and critical role in creating the plan's goals and objectives. Steering Committee members will also have liaison roles with MCDS constituencies.
 

To help us in this endeavor, we have retained Mission Minded; a firm with deep experience helping independent schools shape their futures. Their role will be to act as an objective third party, concerned only with the need to create an ambitious yet practical plan that responds to the needs and concerns of the MCDS community and allows every part of the school to flourish while advancing the mission and values of the school. Their impartiality and focus on the project will allow the planning to progress without reducing the working capacity of school staff.

Throughout the process, the community will receive regular updates on the progress of the planning effort through periodic emails, and announcements in faculty/staff, and parent meetings and this Strategic Planning webpage. Additionally, questions can be directed to the Steering Committee at strategicplan@mcds.org.

All members of the community will have a chance to have their voices heard. Options for engaging in the process include interviews, group forums, surveys, and idea walls, and every voice is important. The more opinions we hear during the process, the better the plan will be, so please volunteer when contacted, and make sure you check your email and the strategic planning webpage often.

The strategic plan is intended to inform decision making and resource allocation for the coming years.

In May 2022 the Steering Committee will present a recommended plan to the Board of Trustees for approval and in the fall of 2022 we will begin implementation of our new strategic plan.

Head of School Katherine Dinh and the Board of Trustees will spend time communicating and educating the larger community about the plan and how it will inform future decisions.