 | Strategic Plan Progress Report
Since the adoption of the 2009-2014 Strategic Plan, the work that we do at MICDS has been informed by a vaulting vision dedicated to realizing three primary objectives: Great Teaching and Learning; Leadership and Community Engagement; and Sustainability (Financial and Environmental). Bolstered by a reallocation of existing resources and an increased focus on our priorities, we are making huge strides toward accomplishing these objectives.
Great Teaching & Learning
Coordinate curriculum, schedule and transitions among all divisions of the School to create a more seamless learning environment.
- MICDS has implemented a new approach to Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences. Conferences for students in Middle School and Upper School are now held in McDonnell Athletic Center so that families can easily move between teachers and between divisions to meet with their children’s teachers. Parents signed up for their appointments online and nearly 4,000 conferences took place over two days.
- The Upper School has transitioned to trimesters and adopted the six-day rotating schedule followed in the Lower and Middle Schools
Strengthen and deepen curriculum through careful vertical and horizontal alignment
- Four JK-12 department chairs are in place (science, mathematics, world languages, and physical education)
- The Academic Leadership Group meets regularly to discuss vertical alignment, gradation of skills and competencies, and content coherency.
Enhance every child’s learning by ensuring that we are a community in which diverse perspectives, viewpoints and life experiences are understood, valued, and embraced, and acknowledged for their potential to foster a better learning environment for all.
- Embraced “Responsive Classroom” philosophies and techniques in grades SK-4 which foster the sharing and validation of independent thoughts and perspectives by all children.
- The Pathfinders Summer Institute for African American students has established a solid foundation for sustained mentoring between Upper School and Middle School students.
Maximize use of technology to deepen and extend student learning and carefully articulate a curriculum that fosters competencies JK-12, while ensuring our students perform competitively against national and international benchmarks
- All students in grades 5-12 have a thorough assessment of technology skills through the SimpleK-12 website; this process will continue to provide important benchmarking data.
Leadership and Community Engagement for the 21st Century
Implement developmentally appropriate programming that will increase cultural awareness and foster inclusivity throughout all curricular and co-curricular programs (academics, activities, arts, athletics, and service)
- Encourage students to learn about others as well as go deeper into their own beliefs and understanding through involvement in various diversity leadership efforts. Groups include the Asian Cultures Club, the Black Student Union, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Gay Straight Alliance, and the Jewish Student Association.
- JK-12 faculty participated in a professional development day built around viewing and discussing the “RACE: Are We So Different?” exhibit at the Missouri History Museum.
Ensure that MICDS is a place where students develop the courage to be their own best selves and to share themselves with the world in ways that are confident and honest
- Implemented many programs with the objective of nurturing self-esteem, fostering effective communication skills and kindness, including Girl Talk (4th grade girls), Girls on the Run (5th and 6th grade), and “Just Us Boys” and “Just Us Girls” (Middle School)
Establish international programs and cross-cultural learning experiences through exchange programs, study/travel programs, local and regional interactions with international communities, and virtual international programs
- World language programs offered in Mandarin, German, French, Spanish and Latin. Committed to developing ongoing partnerships with sister schools where each of the modern languages we teach is spoken. MICDS has formalized plans to establish exchange programs with the Shanghai Foreign Language School (for 2010-2011) and the Institution Sainte Marie Caen in Caen, France. In addition, the School is exploring the possibility of establishing an exchange program with San Patricio de Lujan in Buenos Aires, Argentina for 2011-2012.
- Exploring opportunities available to us through Eliot Summer Academy to provide international travel and study experiences for MICDS students outside of the language immersion realm such as archaeological digs in Greece and/or Rome; scientific study tours to the Amazon or American National Parks.
Sustainability
Implement a robust, ongoing data-driven marketing plan that focuses on more effective communication of the distinct competencies of MICDS and the value they bring to our students and their families.
- MICDS embarked on a multi-phase marketing research study in the fall of 2009. The Education and Youth Research division of Harris Interactive (best known for the Harris Poll) was selected for the project. Harris has completed the first two phases of the study that included in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and qualitative focus groups with parents in the St. Louis community.
Integrate sustainability activities into the curriculum grades JK through 12
- The Order of the Biogeosphere is a group of Middle School students who are helping MICDS become more sustainable by making choices that will have a positive or neutral impact on the environment. Their goals include improving the recycling program, providing plants to classrooms to improve air quality, finding ways to conserve energy and resources, cultivating a vegetable and herb garden, and composting food.
- In April 2010, students, parents, faculty and staff participated in the 1st Annual Honeysuckle Abatement project on campus, removing non-native honeysuckles from the creek bank near the head of school’s residence. Removal of the honeysuckles will allow plants native to Missouri to flourish in the area and restore balance to the ecosystem.
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| | Great Teaching and Learning | Leadership and Community Engagement | |
The Path to the Plan
3/12/2009
The Strategic Plan document is the end result of a comprehensive and inclusive planning process that, over a period of several months, offered all members of the MICDS community, past and present, the opportunity to learn about emerging priorities and share ideas and opinions.
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