What is your school's strategic plan for the next five years?
If your schedule is like mine, you are busy with the daily requests of teachers, staff, parents, and students. These are important interactions, yet Christian school leaders cannot take our eyes off the long-term plan for our school.
When we developed our strategic plan, we took time to consider the strengths and weaknesses of our school. I gathered feedback from teachers, staff, alumni, parents, and the School Board, and I began the process of identifying key areas for growth in the next five years.
In the end, we identified seven areas:
1. Spiritual Health
2. Financial Strength
3. Academics
4. Faculty
5. School Board
6. Extra Curricular Activities
7. Facility
We set specific goals and measures of success. It has been exciting to watch as some of these strategic plans have been accomplished. We have also revised our strategic plan to better set our target for the years ahead.
If you do not have a strategic plan for your school, I encourage you to work on one right away. We have a public version on our school's website, and we have an internal version with many more details and measures of success.
I found the process of forming our strategic plan exciting and very helpful. Since the document has been in place, I have found it very helpful for setting my priorities and guiding strategic discussions of the School Board.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Working with Your School Board -- An Introduction
The School Board members are trustees of their school. They are responsible to make sure the school remains faithful to its mission, is strong financially, and make sure the Head of School leads well.
It is vital that the Head of School and School Board have a strong relationship. The Head of School is the only employee of the board and is responsible to administer the policies established by the board.
School Boards need to think long-term. They should make decisions that will serve their grandchildren. They have to faithfully look ahead to the future and building a strong, faithful, excellent school. It is easy to get caught up in the tyranny of the urgent and the events of today, but the board has to think and plan strategically for the long-term health of the school.
The chair of the board is responsible to lead the board well and keep the board focused. The Head of School can be a great asset for the board and identify consultants who can help with board development. The Head of School can also make sure the board remains informed on current trends in education.
It is vital that the Head of School and School Board have a strong relationship. The Head of School is the only employee of the board and is responsible to administer the policies established by the board.
School Boards need to think long-term. They should make decisions that will serve their grandchildren. They have to faithfully look ahead to the future and building a strong, faithful, excellent school. It is easy to get caught up in the tyranny of the urgent and the events of today, but the board has to think and plan strategically for the long-term health of the school.
The chair of the board is responsible to lead the board well and keep the board focused. The Head of School can be a great asset for the board and identify consultants who can help with board development. The Head of School can also make sure the board remains informed on current trends in education.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
A Leader's Roles & Goals
It is the end of the first quarter at my school. This a good time to review my roles and prayerfully consider what God would like me to prioritize in the next few months.
My roles:
1. Son of God
2. Husband
3. Father
4. Member of my church
5. Leader of my Christian school
I try to take time to pray through each of these roles, asking God to help me be faithful to Him, enable me to be fruitful for Him, and show me specific priorities for the coming months. I tend to err by walking in my own strength, and I long to yield to God's will and His ways. I want to lean not on my own understanding of these roles and the many tasks required in each, but instead acknowledge Christ and let Him direct my paths.
What are your roles? What are the goals God has for you over the next few months in each of these areas?
My roles:
1. Son of God
2. Husband
3. Father
4. Member of my church
5. Leader of my Christian school
I try to take time to pray through each of these roles, asking God to help me be faithful to Him, enable me to be fruitful for Him, and show me specific priorities for the coming months. I tend to err by walking in my own strength, and I long to yield to God's will and His ways. I want to lean not on my own understanding of these roles and the many tasks required in each, but instead acknowledge Christ and let Him direct my paths.
What are your roles? What are the goals God has for you over the next few months in each of these areas?
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
A School's Vision Statement
A missions statement explain why a school exists, and a vision statement describes what the finished product will look like if we are successful as a Christian school in fulfilling our mission.
My school's vision statement is, "Every graduate is equipped academically and spiritually to make a difference for Christ."
We also provide a portrait of our graduates with our Expected Student Outcomes Statement.
These two statements keep our eyes on the finish line and what success looks like in the lives of our students. This is our aim as we work hard and depend on the Holy Spirit to help us. They help all faculty and staff members remember what is most important.
What will your students look like if you are successful in accomplishing your mission?
My school's vision statement is, "Every graduate is equipped academically and spiritually to make a difference for Christ."
We also provide a portrait of our graduates with our Expected Student Outcomes Statement.
It is a joy to partner with parents to shape the minds and hearts of our students. We realize that it is impossible for each of our graduates to fully attain all of the outcomes listed below. We view these outcomes as targets at which we aim. Each student is a work in progress, and we count it a privilege to be part of that work.
If we attain our school’s vision, each of our graduates will…1. Have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ2. Thoroughly know the Bible and a desire to live according to the truths God has given in the Bible3. Be faithfully involved in a local Christian church4. Possess a biblical worldview and view all of life from a distinctively Christian perspective5. Have a heart to accomplish the Great Commission – go and make disciples of Christ6. Love learning7. Have a thorough education in all subjects: Bible, language arts, history, science, foreign language, math, art, computer, and physical education8. Appreciate the fine arts: music, drama, art9. Be fully equipped for the next level of learning10. Communicate clearly – both oral and written communication11. Think critically and solve complex problems12. Possess essential computer skills13. Faithfully steward the gifts God has given them, in areas such as leadership, athletics, art, music, drama
These two statements keep our eyes on the finish line and what success looks like in the lives of our students. This is our aim as we work hard and depend on the Holy Spirit to help us. They help all faculty and staff members remember what is most important.
What will your students look like if you are successful in accomplishing your mission?
Monday, December 21, 2009
A Christian School's Mission Statement
What is your school's mission? Why does your Christian school exist?
The mission of my school is to provide an excellent, Christ centered education for the families of the Glynn County.
We are a school providing educational services to families in our region, but we are much more than that. We offer an excellent, rigorous, top notch education. But all of this would be for not if it wasn't centered on Jesus Christ and thoroughly Christian in every subject and at every grade level.
We are a Christian school with a unique mission that is different than the mission of a church, Christian publisher, counseling practice, or international missions organization.
Yet it easy to lose focus as life at a school gets extremely busy. Discipline situations, fund raising events, marketing strategies, athletic competitions, faculty meetings, e-mail requests, and so much more demand our attention. If we do not remain focused, we can easily lose track of our foundational values and fundamental goals.
That is why every Christian school needs a mission statement that reminds us of our purpose and helps shape every employee, initiative, and program at our school.
A mission statement helps us keep Christ central, calls us to pursue excellence, and keeps us focused on the families we are called to serve.
What is your school's mission statement? How does it shape your school?
The mission of my school is to provide an excellent, Christ centered education for the families of the Glynn County.
We are a school providing educational services to families in our region, but we are much more than that. We offer an excellent, rigorous, top notch education. But all of this would be for not if it wasn't centered on Jesus Christ and thoroughly Christian in every subject and at every grade level.
We are a Christian school with a unique mission that is different than the mission of a church, Christian publisher, counseling practice, or international missions organization.
Yet it easy to lose focus as life at a school gets extremely busy. Discipline situations, fund raising events, marketing strategies, athletic competitions, faculty meetings, e-mail requests, and so much more demand our attention. If we do not remain focused, we can easily lose track of our foundational values and fundamental goals.
That is why every Christian school needs a mission statement that reminds us of our purpose and helps shape every employee, initiative, and program at our school.
A mission statement helps us keep Christ central, calls us to pursue excellence, and keeps us focused on the families we are called to serve.
What is your school's mission statement? How does it shape your school?
Saturday, December 12, 2009
A Christian School's Foundational Values
In the normal course of a day at any Christian school, it is easy to lose focus on what is most important. A couple unexpectedly drops by for a tour, time cards need to be approved, independent contractor documents need to be reviewed, special assemblies come up, and the e-mails and phone calls seem to pour in. There are countless, urgent needs.
How do we stay focused on what is most important?
This is the purpose of foundational documents that record in succinct, written form the foundational values of a Christian school. Foundational documents often include:
1. Mission Statement - Why does your school exist?
2. Vision Statement - If your school is successful in its mission, what will your graduates look like?
3. Philosophy of Education - What does your school believe about the educational process -- the student, the teacher, the curriculum, and the school's relationship with parents?
4. Core Values - What are the key values that drive every part of the school?
5. Expected Student Outcomes - Similar to the vision statement, but in more detail what will a graduate look like if you are successful as a Christian school?
These statements record your foundational values, and they serve as a compass to direct every person at a school in the direction God has called you. Among all the busyness of the day and the distractions of the moment, they can point you in the right direction. As the School Board plans for the coming decade, these foundational values should guide their prayers and help shape their strategic initiatives.
Does your school have foundational documents? Are they functional -- shaping every board member, every teacher, every staff member, and every family at your Christian school?
In the coming days, I talk more about each of these foundational documents.
How do we stay focused on what is most important?
This is the purpose of foundational documents that record in succinct, written form the foundational values of a Christian school. Foundational documents often include:
1. Mission Statement - Why does your school exist?
2. Vision Statement - If your school is successful in its mission, what will your graduates look like?
3. Philosophy of Education - What does your school believe about the educational process -- the student, the teacher, the curriculum, and the school's relationship with parents?
4. Core Values - What are the key values that drive every part of the school?
5. Expected Student Outcomes - Similar to the vision statement, but in more detail what will a graduate look like if you are successful as a Christian school?
These statements record your foundational values, and they serve as a compass to direct every person at a school in the direction God has called you. Among all the busyness of the day and the distractions of the moment, they can point you in the right direction. As the School Board plans for the coming decade, these foundational values should guide their prayers and help shape their strategic initiatives.
Does your school have foundational documents? Are they functional -- shaping every board member, every teacher, every staff member, and every family at your Christian school?
In the coming days, I talk more about each of these foundational documents.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Running a Christian School
What is it like to run a Christian school? This is what this blog is all about...running a Christian school.
It is hard to believe that this is my 17th year working at a Christian school. In many ways I am still learning, but that is part of the fun. I have had my share of successes and failures, with the failures providing some of the best learning experiences as a leader.
In this blog I aim to describe the projects, planning, and challenges involved in running a Christian school. I hope you are inspired as you lead your Christian school or as you aspire to serve the Lord in this role some day in the future.
A little about me, as I start...
After graduating from Laconia Christian School in Laconia, NH (Class of 1989), I attended and graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL (Class of 1993). I then returned to LCS to teach high school math and Bible and coach soccer, basketball, and baseball. During these four years, I completed a masters degree in Educational Leadership at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA (Class of 1997).
In the summer of 1997, I moved to the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC and worked for 11 years at Covenant Life School in Gaithersburg, MD. I served in a variety of roles, including math and Bible teacher, Athletic Director, Elementary School Principal, Middle School Principal, High School Principal, and Head of School.
In the summer of 2008, I moved to Saint Simons Island, GA to become Headmaster of Saint Simons Christian School.
Have you ever done anything that is very hard, yet extremely satisfying? That is how I would describe leading a Christian school. It is a joy to be in the center of God's will laboring for His glory in full-time ministry, but it is very hard work too. It is satisfying to look back at all that God has done over these 17 years, and I look forward to all He will accomplish in me and through me in the years ahead.
Enjoy this look into running a Christian school, add your comments, and ask your questions. To God be the glory.
It is hard to believe that this is my 17th year working at a Christian school. In many ways I am still learning, but that is part of the fun. I have had my share of successes and failures, with the failures providing some of the best learning experiences as a leader.
In this blog I aim to describe the projects, planning, and challenges involved in running a Christian school. I hope you are inspired as you lead your Christian school or as you aspire to serve the Lord in this role some day in the future.
A little about me, as I start...
After graduating from Laconia Christian School in Laconia, NH (Class of 1989), I attended and graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL (Class of 1993). I then returned to LCS to teach high school math and Bible and coach soccer, basketball, and baseball. During these four years, I completed a masters degree in Educational Leadership at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA (Class of 1997).
In the summer of 1997, I moved to the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC and worked for 11 years at Covenant Life School in Gaithersburg, MD. I served in a variety of roles, including math and Bible teacher, Athletic Director, Elementary School Principal, Middle School Principal, High School Principal, and Head of School.
In the summer of 2008, I moved to Saint Simons Island, GA to become Headmaster of Saint Simons Christian School.
Have you ever done anything that is very hard, yet extremely satisfying? That is how I would describe leading a Christian school. It is a joy to be in the center of God's will laboring for His glory in full-time ministry, but it is very hard work too. It is satisfying to look back at all that God has done over these 17 years, and I look forward to all He will accomplish in me and through me in the years ahead.
Enjoy this look into running a Christian school, add your comments, and ask your questions. To God be the glory.
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