STRATEGIC THINKING FOR AN INSPIRED FUTURE 2016 TO 2021
ARMBRAE ACADEMY STRATEGIC PLAN 2 Our History Armbrae Academy is an independent, co-educational, university preparatory day school located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Originally founded in 1887, we were established on the basis of an unparalleled tradition of commitment to our students and the surrounding community. Since that time the world around us may have changed, but we remain a school focused on nurturing the unique potential and talents of each student in our care. OUR MISSION To inspire our students to excel in academics and life, Armbrae Academy will provide a well-rounded and supportive learning environment for students in Preschool to Grade 12. Through our enriched academic, athletic, arts, community service and extra-curricular programs we will encourage our students to excel while demonstrating trust, integrity, fairness and compassion in everything they do. In collaboration with students, parents and our faculty we will provide the guidance needed for each individual child to gain the vision, courage and skills to assume a meaningful role in their communities, both locally and in the world at large.
ARMBRAE ACADEMY STRATEGIC PLAN 3 Our Core Strengths From our rich educational heritage we have proudly cultivated a clear and distinct identity as defined by our core strengths. We maintain class sizes conducive to providing an individualized learning environment. Armbrae Academy provides Preschool to Grade 12 students with class sizes ranging from a maximum of 18 students in the Junior School to 22 in the Senior School. This makes us a very close-knit community and allows our faculty to form supportive relationships with our students in order to identify each child s unique needs and capabilities. Collaboration and communication between students and their faculty, and amongst the faculty themselves is maximized so academic momentum is maintained not lost as students progress from one grade to the next. We offer an exemplary academic program that is multi-faceted, adaptive and well-rounded Armbrae students are provided with an impressive array of learning activities delivered by highly qualified and engaged faculty employing leading edge classroom technology and techniques. Our academic program provides students with the opportunity for collaboration, creative and intellectual exploration and risk-taking, and, most importantly, to enjoy time spent learning. Our Senior School students are also provided with the opportunity to enrich their studies through participation in Advanced Placement (AP) courses. While an excellent academic program is at the core of our student experience, we recognize that developing thoughtful and active lifelong learners requires more. To that end: Our art, music and drama programs are designed to promote self-expression and creativity. Our athletic programs are inclusive and emphasize the inter-relationship of physical activity and development. Our community service program promotes the growth of social and civil awareness and responsibility. Our vast selection of extra-curricular activities enable our students to discover and excel in numerous areas of special interest.
ARMBRAE ACADEMY STRATEGIC PLAN 4 We cultivate a distinctive school culture which emphasizes inclusiveness and a strong community spirit Armbrae s culture can best be described as student-centred, family-oriented and faculty-supported. We first and foremost view ourselves as a community and it is as a community that we begin each day at morning assembly. It is here that we communicate, celebrate and support each other as one entity with this sentiment carrying forward with each of us throughout our daily activities. Each student is considered an essential part of the whole and we embrace diversity, acceptance and tolerance. Our students know they are surrounded by caring faculty and regular interactions between younger and more senior students allow all of our students to have and be valuable role-models. Parents too are considered vital to the health of our community and are able to become involved in their child s academic experience in numerous ways. By cultivating our strong community spirit we create an environment where as they work toward their academic goals, our students are also met with the opportunity to have fun, make time for reflection and to celebrate their strengths and successes. Effective and efficient governance Armbrae Academy is accredited by Canadian Accredited Independent School (CAIS) which makes us part of a community of independent schools committed to the pursuit of exemplary leadership, training, research and international standards of educational excellence. In addition, the operation of the school is overseen by our Board of Governors which includes current and former parents, alumni and faculty. These individuals bring with them a diverse set of skills and experiences from backgrounds such as education, business and finance ensuring our school is managed in an effective, efficient and accountable manner.
ARMBRAE ACADEMY STRATEGIC PLAN 5 Our Principles With our core strengths as our foundation, Armbrae Academy provides an enriching environment where students find purpose and pursue it with passion in order to achieve their full potential. Students, staff, parents and alumni work together in collaboration to create an inspiring, well-rounded and supportive learning environment. To encourage the participation and involvement of all community members, we continually refer to the following set of driving principles to guide the development of our operations and programs. Armbrae s Community We recognize that students, staff, parents and alumni each have a vital contribution to make towards the growth and development of our students and our school. We will promote and foster trust, integrity, fairness and compassion. We will limit class sizes and the size of the school to promote a caring and mutually supportive environment for students, staff and parents, and to foster awareness of and respect for the individual needs of students. We will help students achieve progress in all areas of growth and development, while recognizing that parents have ultimate responsibility for the social, emotional and moral development of their children. Armbrae s Students Students will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning. Students will be encouraged to strive for excellence, to the best of their ability, in academic and extra-curricular pursuits at Armbrae.
ARMBRAE ACADEMY STRATEGIC PLAN 6 Students will be encouraged to be curious, to value knowledge and to see its pursuit as a lifelong endeavour. Students will be encouraged to develop their critical faculties with respect to all aspects of their education. Students will be encouraged to become adept at problem-solving through critical and creative thought, and responsible risk-taking, viewing mistakes as another opportunity for learning. Students will be encouraged to develop the good work habits, self-discipline and learning skills necessary to achieve their goals. Students will be encouraged to develop interests beyond the academic program that promote physical and mental health. Students will be encouraged to foster self-esteem, mutual respect and tolerance toward individual differences. Students will be encouraged to understand, respect and develop a sense of responsibility towards other people, nations and the world at large. Students will be encouraged to oppose discrimination and to develop an awareness of the harms caused by discrimination based on differences such as gender, race, religion, culture, disability and sexual orientation. Armbrae s Curriculum The curriculum will be designed to prepare students to excel in university studies and priority should be given to this goal. The curriculum will develop strong reading and writing skills in all subject areas, including mathematics and the sciences. Armbrae supports the development of its academic programs through co-operative efforts and continuing research in curriculum design, evaluation and teaching methods. Armbrae s Staff Armbrae respects and will promote recognition of the staff for their commitment and service to the students and school. Armbrae values and will support the intellectual and professional growth of the staff. Armbrae and the Environment: Local and Natural Armbrae will, where possible, work in collaboration with its neighbours, other schools and related organizations. Armbrae will foster a spirit of environmental awareness through respectful use of resources and by reducing, reusing and recycling waste in its overall operations. Armbrae s Board of Governors The Board of Governors will provide appropriate support and leadership to ensure that these principles can be achieved by students, staff, parents and alumni.
ARMBRAE ACADEMY STRATEGIC PLAN 7 Our Future The turn of the 21st century brought with it significant technological changes at a pace which was unlike anything we had ever experienced before. These advances and those to come, heavily influence the society around us making it increasingly complex, diverse and global. As our world changes, so do the needs of our students as they prepare to be met with new challenges and to grasp new opportunities. Where do we see ourselves in that future? What is our vision? Unwaveringly we see ourselves as a school that will address the needs and potential of the whole person. We will prepare students not only for work and life but also for thoughtful and responsible citizenship in the world. We will inspire them to use their curiosity and imagination to access and analyze the wealth of knowledge that exists in the world, and to be critical-thinkers and thoughtful problem-solvers. We will encourage them to use their agility and adaptability in their pursuits, to reach across boundaries, to lead when called upon and collaborate effectively. Our graduates will be prepared to succeed and thrive in the 21st century. Our vision is that Armbrae Academy will be recognized as the independent school of choice in the broader community. We will: Prepare students for success in the 21st century by delivering an enriched and balanced learning program that promotes intellectual, physical, creative and emotional growth in an innovative manner. Embrace a sense of school community, where individuals collective actions ensure the well-being of our students, create a sense of belonging, encourage participation, cultivate compassion and respect, possess integrity, celebrate successes, and value the broader community and environment in which we live. Maintain our long-term financial sustainability and accountability of our school by providing a compelling value proposition and ensuring responsible and efficient management.
ARMBRAE ACADEMY STRATEGIC PLAN 8 Our Path The choices we make today in setting our path for the future will shape Armbrae Academy for decades to come. Our challenge is to sustain the rare and exceptional educational experience Armbrae provides to our students while adapting it to ensure we prepare them for a future filled with rapid and often unpredictable changes. To do this, we must continue to build upon our core strengths and remain diligent in our commitment to our driving principles while making critical investments in our future. As we map Armbrae s path for the future the essential question remains How can we embrace strong tradition while meeting the changing needs and demands of a 21st century education? To ensure we set upon the right path we must consider the following: 1. How do we continually optimize Armbrae s high quality learning environment and program excellence? 2. How do we continue to attract, retain and develop high calibre faculty and staff? 3. How do we sustain and build strong student enrollment? 4. How do we prioritize and efficiently implement infrastructure upgrades? 5. How do we protect our operational stability and continue to develop financial support for infrastructure and endowment? 6. How do we preserve Armbrae s unique spirit and community culture?
ARMBRAE ACADEMY STRATEGIC PLAN 9 These are large and tough questions. How we answer them today and in the years to come will define the path we take. To build upon the success of our past and achieve our future vision we recognize we must focus our strategic direction upon a very specific path. Our destination and the road we must take is clear to us. To ensure we reach that destination we commit to the following: AN ENHANCED LEARNING PROGRAM Understand the requirements of a 21 st century learner and constantly adapt our program to support program them. 1. Offer new academic courses or enhance existing ones. 2. Assess the quality and quantity of team sports in the athletic extra-curricular program, including the all-inclusive participation policy. 3. Assess the quality and quantity of non-athletic extra-curricular offerings in the context of a small school. 4. Keep pace with advances in technological resources (availability and enhanced use). 5. Enhance Advanced Placement (AP) to include the AP Capstone Program. FILLING EXISTING CAPACITY AND INCREASE MARKET DEMAND To attract a greater number of qualified student applicants than can be accommodated for all grades. 1. Maintain high retention rates for existing students. 2. Develop an effective marketing program to attract new families. 3. Expand recruiting channels to search out new families. 4. Increase the number of international students. INVESTING IN OUR FACULTY AND EMPLOYEES Attract, retain and develop the highest calibre individuals. 1. Maintain salaries and benefits at a competitive level. 2. Develop succession planning for faculty and staff. 3. Enhance professional development for faculty and staff.
ARMBRAE ACADEMY STRATEGIC PLAN 10 NURTURING AND EXPANDING OUR COMMUNITY Continue to strengthen the current Armbrae community and increase awareness of Armbrae in the broader community. 1. Encourage/generate greater participation in the Armbrae community. 2. Celebrate things that make Armbrae unique. 3. Strengthen the Armbrae brand in the broader community. 4. Strengthen alumni involvement. 5. Establish a protocol for recognition of financial and other contributions to Armbrae. PROTECTING OUR CONTINUED FINANCIAL STABILITY Ensure tuition fees and other revenue adequately fund operating and infrastructure requirements. 1. Maintain a long-range financial plan. 2. Maintain efficient operation of the school. 3. Provide realistic/affordable tuition and other fees. 4. Improve financial ability to upgrade/improve Armbrae s infrastructure. 5. Expand the number and level of other revenue sources. UPGRADING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE Renovate and update the school as required. 1. Improve/renovate existing space (physical and environmental). 2. Create additional space. 3. Improve curb appeal.