DUNN SCHOOL STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:

I.   We are a model of excellence for student learning and leadership in the 21st century. ($2M Endowment/ $1M Capital Funding)

A.   Create and implement a model for learning that is inclusive of a defined range of learning potential/styles/ differences which inspires students and teachers while advancing the mission and core values of the school.

1.      Establish a range for all learning potential/styles/differences that are or could be accommodated in the current learning model.

2.      Establish a measure for all current 6th through 12th grade learning outcomes in the curriculum.

3.      Develop a benchmark measure for all 6th through 12th grade learning outcomes necessary and desired in the future curriculum.

4.      Create and implement a learning model to support the established range of learning potential/styles/differences while achieving the desired 6th through 12th grade learning outcomes and skills.

5.      Investigate the use of alternative learning and assessment methods including scheduling methods, web based learning, integrated project based initiatives, senior year real world capstone experience (i.e. professional internships, entrepreneur development, etc.) and local/state/national/international partnerships.

6.      Investigate the development of a rhetoric center that is both virtual and face to face to improve communication skills.

7.      Investigate the further development of learning strategies and a learning lab that support other skills needed by students.

8.      Review the requirements for graduation and adjust if necessary/appropriate.

9.      Investigate the use and value of a summer semester (i.e. ESL, remedial, advanced, international travel, outdoor education).

B.   Create and implement a model leadership process that fully integrates leadership into the curriculum and prepares each student for their role as responsible citizens in the 21st century.

1.      Define Dunn School’s Leadership Model to advance the mission and aligned to the core values of the school.

2.      Define and align the desired outcomes of athletics; outdoor education; physical, emotional and spiritual wellness; service and residential life components of the curriculum with the Leadership Model.

3.      Consult with the Dean of Curriculum to integrate the leadership model into the middle and upper school’s academic curriculum.

4.      Create an honor code that promotes personal responsibility and accountability.

5.      Imbed current character development components in the leadership curriculum.

6.      Plan and implement a democratic model for student government that has a direct connection to the operation of the school.

7.      Improve the integration of necessary and practical life skills in the curriculum.

8.      Plan and improve the integration of daily chores and service (from local to global level) in the curriculum.

9.      Plan and improve the integration of health/nutrition/drug and alcohol awareness/counseling services in the curriculum. 

10. Plan and improve the integration of the outdoor education

program in the curriculum.

            C.   Create and implement a model information technology plan.

 1.      Establish an Information Technology Committee chartered to develop a 5 year Dunn School Information Technology Plan that answers the essential question of how information technology will be used to enhance learning by 6th though 12th grade students and teachers in the year 2020.

2.      Develop an information technology training program.

3.      Investigate creating a paperless community.

4.      Investigate creating a student technology team.

5.      Investigate the cost/benefit of web based servers.

 II.    We are a model for student recruitment and placement in the 21^st century. ($5M Endowment Funding)

 A.   Create and implement a model marketing plan that advances the mission, vision and core values of the school.

1.      Develop and implement new website opportunities that engage the viewer/reader, are easily adaptable to change, and integrate the 6th through 12th grades.

2.      Create a customer survey/feedback process that provides data which translate into process improvement changes that will advance the mission of the school and build Dunn School’s identity.

3.      Establish the Dunn School identity/brand in the marketplace.

4.      Investigate the value of an 8th grade boarding program to better prepare both US and international boarding students for the rigors of an independent school education.

5.      Plan and market Dunn Learning Strategies and Leadership Program to a wider community.

 B.   Create and implement a model financial aid program that contributes to the mission of the school by increasing global awareness.

1.      Determine the desired student representation from different backgrounds attending the school.

2.      Determine the amount of financial aid needed to attain the desired student representation.

3.      Create partnerships with those who help identify and prepare students from the desired representation.

4.      Create partnerships and philanthropic opportunities with those who could/will fund students from desired representation.

 C.   Create a model college placement program that places each student into the best, right college.

1.      Plan and implement the Personal Education Program (PEP).

2.      Plan and implement the EARPORT system (electronic portfolio) to allow student/parent management of PEP.

3.      Plan and implement a college placement process that develops strong partnerships and alliances with universities and colleges both nationally and internationally.  

4.      Create a plan to visit the homes of new parents and students after admission to discuss and initiate PEP.

 III.  We are a model for faculty and staff development in the 21st century. ($8M Endowment Funding)

 A.   Create and implement a model professional development program that establishes a professional learning community and advances the mission of the school.

1.      Establish a best practices benchmark for professional development.

2.      Establish a new faculty/staff mentoring program.

3.      Prioritize funding to support those areas of professional development that add the highest value to advancing the mission and core values of the school.

4.      Measure the effectiveness of professional development process.

5.      Establish and implement an ongoing advisor training process linked to the PEP.

6.      Develop an ongoing plan to instruct the faculty in the various processes of learning and developments in learning strategies.

7.      Establish and implement an ongoing residential life training plan for those assigned dormitory duties.

8.      Establish and implement an athletic coaching development plan.

9.      Investigate peer learning and observation models.

10. Investigate collaborative lesson planning.

11. Investigate ePortfolios (Microsoft School).

 B.   Create and implement a model evaluation system which is linked to the professional development process and helps each individual achieve their fullest potential.

1.      Establish a best practices benchmark for an evaluation system.

2.      Implement on a small scale, test, adjust and broaden application.

3.      Measure the effectiveness of the evaluation process.

 C.   Create and implement a compensation system that permits the school to retain and attract those who are deserving.

1.      Establish a best practices benchmark for compensation system tied to evaluation, professional development and market place demand.

2.      Design and implement a new compensation process in alignment to professional development, evaluation and fundraising processes.

3.      Investigate the development of a fair and flexible faculty/staff benefit plan.

4.      Investigate the value and cost of a sabbatical program.

5.      Investigate the value and cost of an unbiased financial advisor for the faculty and staff.  

   IV.   We are a model for community advancement in the 21st century.

 A.   Create and implement a model annual fund process that supports the operating budget.

1.      Hire a Director of the Annual Fund.

2.      Enlarge the base of annual fund support to cover the gap between operating costs and expenses.

3.      Integrate the DMS into the Annual Fund process. 

 B.   Create and implement model parent and alumni structures that advance the mission, vision and core values of the school.

1.      Hire a Director of Alumni Affairs.

2.      Plan and establish an Alumni Council.

3.      Plan and establish a Parent Action Committee.

 C.   Create and implement a model governance process that advances the mission, vision and core values of the school.

1.      Develop a plan to align the Board of Trustees to accomplish the goals of the strategic plan.

2.      Develop a training and professional development plan to support the Board in the future.

3.      Develop a plan to select future Board members in alignment with the priorities identified in the strategic plan. 

 D.   Develop a plan to increase community connections within and outside of the campus.

1.      Enhance the sense of community between boarding and day students.

2.      Develop and implement a plan to build stronger ties in the Santa Barbara county community.

3.      Investigate making Dunn a Learning Center for the Santa Ynez Valley.

4.      Investigate the cost/benefit of the use of Dunn facilities by outside organizations (i.e. summer, after school).

 V.   We are a model of institutional sustainability for the 21st century. ($9M Capital Funding)

 A.   Create and implement a sustainable financial and fundraising model that supports strategic plan implementation.

1.      Benchmark and implement model budget control processes that include resource sharing and life cycle costs that result in producing positive cash flow in support of the advancement of the mission of the school.

2.      Implement a feasibility study to verify the capacity and desire of the Dunn community to support the $25M strategic fundraising plan.

3.      Benchmark and implement model endowment/capital fundraising processes that support accomplishment of the strategic plan.

4.      Examine all plans and projects using small scale tests to project the success, suitability, sustainability before full scale implementation.

5.      Investigate establishing a Dunn School bank/credit union/insurance company.

 B.   Create and implement a plan to become totally self-sustaining by 2020.

1.      Plan and implement a Sustainability Committee that is linked to the 6th through 12th grade curriculum.

2.      Create and prioritize a list of campus wide sustainability initiatives and fund in the operating budget.

3.      Plan and implement a program to increase environmental awareness relative to all purchases (i.e. paint, supplies, food, etc).

4.      Plan and create a totally organic and sustainable food operation.

5.      Plan and implement a plan to achieve energy independence.

             C.   Prioritize and implement the master facility plan.

1.      Develop a plan and prioritize improvements for renewal/reuse of all existing buildings/spaces on the Dunn campus ranging from the dormitories to the classrooms.

2.      Develop and implement a plan for Phase II of the water project and the sewer system.

3.      Prioritize the construction of new facilities aligned to the Master Plan.

4.      Plan, prioritize and fully fund deferred maintenance.