Strategic Planning

Looking Toward The Future - Part II

The Strategic Plan - Introduction by J. Michael Sloneker, Chair of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee

This Strategic Plan presents a forward-looking vision for St. Paul’s School for Girls while it affirms the fundamental principles, assumptions, and values that serve as the foundation of the school. Building upon the successes of preceding plans, this new strategic plan provides the framework for enhancing the excellence that has characterized the academic, athletic and fines arts and performing arts program at SPSG.

Having completed the goals of the 1996 strategic plan, in the early part of 2003 the Board of Trustees established the Strategic Planning Steering Committee to begin work on a new plan. The committee, comprised of school trustees, faculty and administrators, researched social, cultural and demographic forces that will influence education in the coming decade and interviewed key business, educational, governmental, and spiritual leaders in the Baltimore region to learn their views on a range of issues confronting the broader community outside the school campus and their insights on how those issues may affect independent schools, including SPSG.

Throughout the fall of 2003, the committee conducted focus group meetings with parents, faculty, students, and alumnae to learn what they value about the school and to hear their aspirations for and concerns about a SPSG education. The committee then conducted a two-day workshop in November 2003 with approximately 60 participants - parents, faculty, administrators, trustees, community leaders, and friends of the school - who engaged in an energetic and thoughtful dialogue about the school’s mission and the critical issues that will confront the school in the coming years. The strategic plan is the product of the information derived from the research, interviews, focus groups and workshop.

The 2004 Strategic Plan contains six essential goals addressing all areas of school life - faculty, program, the coordinate relationship with St. Paul’s School, image and community, finances and philanthropy, and technology. Accompanying each main goal is the rationale for that goal and strategies intended to achieve that goal.

Board of Trustees »

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Goal One: Faculty

If we are going to continue to offer an outstanding academic program, it is vital that the school continue to attract and retain excellent and creative faculty. Competition for the best teachers will increase in the years ahead due to lower numbers of graduates from teaching programs and greater demand for teachers in the public schools as they implement reductions in class size. SPSG must offer an attractive teaching environment and competitive compensation package to maintain an excellent and committed faculty.

Goal Two: Program

The new academic facilities and larger student body create opportunities to expand and enhance program offerings. This plan continues the school’s commitment to offering a challenging and rigorous academic program individually suited to students across a range of academic abilities and learning styles. The plan provides for increased opportunities for girls to gain global perspectives in this changing world, continuation of SPSG’s unique advisory system and renewed commitment to the Episcopal tradition and spiritual growth. It also calls for enhancing SPSG’s already innovative middle school program to further differentiate SPSG’s Middle School from other independent middle school programs.

Goal Three: Coordination with SP

Both schools derive significant programmatic benefit from the coordinate relationship since students are able to select from an expanded list of course offerings that would not be possible otherwise. In addition to academic coordination in the Upper Schools, there are opportunities for the schools to collaborate across a range of activities, including faculty development, the purchase of services and supplies, land use, and technology. The plan calls for assessment of admissions, program and transitions from St. Paul’s Plus to the SPS Lower School, and from the Lower School to Middle School. It also recommends joint Board-level interaction to clarify and strengthen the commitment to the coordinate relationship.

Goal Four: Image & Community

In the highly competitive Baltimore independent school community, SPSG needs to develop and implement a marketing plan that informs the entire community of the value of a St. Paul’s School for Girls education characterized by rigorous academics, nurturing environment, Episcopal tradition, championship athletic teams and award-winning arts programs. The state-of-the-art facilities offer additional opportunities for expanded public exposure, including summer camps and community outreach.

Goal Five: Finance & Philanthropy

A strong financial foundation is essential to carrying out the school’s mission. By increasing non-tuition revenue sources, building the endowment through direct gifts and expanded planned giving and continuing growth in annual giving, SPSG can minimize future tuition increases and continue strengthen program, enhance faculty compensation and expand financial aid. In addition to creating a major gifts program, the school can generate new revenue sources by adding programs that take advantage of the new facilities.

Goal Six: Technology

SPSG must be proactive in incorporating technology into the academic program and internal operations in a cost-effective and efficient manner and for assuring that all students and faculty have access to state-of-the-art technology resources.