Strategic Plan 2008–2013

Planting Seedsfor TomorrowPlanting Seedsfor Tomorrow

Fredericksburg Academy’s MissionTo provide an excellent college-preparatory liberal arts education to able, motivated students.

Fredericksburg Academy’s GoalsTo provide a nurturing environment where each student is guided toward his or her maximum intellectual, personal, extra-curricular, and athletic development.

To symbolize the very best in independent education in the Commonwealth of Virginia through the academic accomplishments and personal examples of our students.

Fredericksburg Academy’s BeliefsWe believe that academic excellence results from outstanding teachers, high standards, small classes, an imaginative curriculum, and students and parents who value achievement.

In addition to academics, we place a priority on developing the qualities of self-esteem, self-discipline, integrity, compassion, and respect for others.

Strategic Planning WorkShoP ParticiPantS

Board of truSteeS

Douglas G. StewartMark A. ButterworthCatherine M. Wack

Ben JonesThomas J. Buono

D. Franklin Daniels Jr.Steven M. HooverTimothy J. HughesKelly M. Johnson

Bernard W. Mahon Jr.John F. McManusGregory T. NedellStephen G. Norair

Anita R. RibletCedric Bernard Rucker

Leonard R. SachsPatricia L. StanitskiShaun M. SullivanAndrew J. Topps IV

Donna S. Torrey

faculty and Staff

Camille AtkinsKatie BlashfordDebra Garcia

Debbie GrabfelderLaura Minniear

Susan Carter MorganSusanne Nobles

Jeffrey PierceMichele Redding

Christine Vellenga

Parent-faculty aSSociation executive committee

Liza WorkmanKaren O’DonnellMary ShuffletonGinny Storage

Parent

Richard Harrison

adminiStration

Robert E. GravesHeadmaSter

J. Matthew Dawsondirector of facilitieS and oPerationS

Debra S. Lee-Rizzidirector of finance

Elizabeth M. Hansendirector of develoPment

Jeffrey E. Eckersondirector of admiSSion

Anthony J. DursoHead of uPPer ScHool

Karen A. MoschettoHead of middle ScHool

Patricia B. EstesHead of lower ScHool

Robert J. IannucciatHletic directorElizabeth W. Hunley

director of communicationS

StudentS

Cara Simpson, Class of 2009Tyler Lubore, Class of 2010

Susan c. Stone, Facilitator

February 5–6, 2008

EST.

1992

Planting Seeds for Tomorrow • 1

Planting Seeds for TomorrowFredericksburg Academy Strategic Plan

2008-2013

“An educator should think of a child as a gardener thinks of a plant, as something to be made to grow by having the right soil and the right amount of water.”

-Bertrand Russell

frederickSBurg academy HiStoryIn September 1992, after two years of thoughtful planning, the Academy opened its doors to 60 students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. This first year, soon to be known as the “Pioneer Year,” stands as a memorial and tribute to the vision of those individuals determined to create an institution dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, values, and a sense of community.

During the 1993-1994 school year, the student body increased to 120, a ninth grade was added, and the school moved to its present campus on Falcon Drive, which includes the newly named Gladys T. Quarles Academy Building. Over the next several years, enrollment increased dramatically and the campus expanded to its present 50 acres, including two academic buildings, the John and Virginia Hazel Sports Center with a 25-meter indoor pool and a regulation NCAA basketball court, five playing fields, four tennis courts, a cross country course, and two playgrounds. The Hazel Family Arts and Sciences Building, including the 413-seat Donald and Susan Reed Theater, opened in June 2004. During the 2007-2008 school year, Fredericksburg Academy enrolled more than 550 students in prekindergarten through grade 12. The Academy graduated its twelfth senior class in June 2008.

tHe Strategic Planning ProceSSTo follow up on the successful 2002 Strategic Plan, the Fredericksburg Academy Board of Trustees began its work on this Strategic Plan in early 2007, during the school’s celebration of its 15th year. In December 2007 and January 2008, Board members led listening groups with 60 faculty members and 75 FA parents. The listening group participants’ answers to the following questions provided the foundation for this document:

What external factors will likely have a significant effect on FA’s future?

What internal factors do we need to consider during this Strategic Planning cycle?

What aspects of FA do you value the most?

3 • frederickSBurg academy Strategic Plan 2008–20132 • Fredericksburg Academy Strategic Plan 2008–2013

In February 2008, 47 members of the FA community, representing the Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and staff, Parent-Faculty Association Board, parents, and students, gathered for a two-day Strategic Planning Workshop. Using the priorities identified in the listening groups, the workshop participants collaborated in small groups to identify goals and action steps for the Academy’s next five years. These goals and action steps are outlined in the following four areas of focus:

I. Nurturing Our Community of Learning (Faculty, Staff, Students, and Families)

II. Growing Opportunities for Our Students (Program and Facilities)

III. Sustaining Our Mission (Finance and Institutional Advancement)

IV. Sharing Our Vision (Communications and Community Relationships)

i. nurturing our community of learning

Faculty and Staff:Fredericksburg Academy will attract, develop, support, and retain an exceptional and diverse faculty and staff who are committed to the school’s mission. An exceptional faculty is essential to inspiring and nurturing passionate learners. An exceptional staff nurtures the entire learning community.

Action Steps:Improve compensation for faculty and staff with the ultimate goal of ranking in the top 15 percent among peer schools in our region. Expand professional development opportunities by establishing a professional development requirement and structure, developing structured mentoring and internship programs, and instituting meaningful faculty and staff evaluations. Assemble and support a diverse faculty through expanding the work of the Diversity Committee and establishing a diversity coordinator position. Appoint faculty members who are able to serve multiple roles, including coaches of athletic teams and sponsors of extracurricular activities.

Students and Families: Fredericksburg Academy will build a welcoming, diverse community that promotes active involvement by students, families, and alumni. Cultivating partnerships among these groups creates a sense of community and provides our students with a rich educational experience.

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Planting tHe SeedS of tomorrow • 4Planting Seeds for Tomorrow • 3

Action Steps:Recruit and retain a qualified, motivated student body from diverse backgrounds, with the focus on growing enrollment to 800 and improving Upper School recruitment and retention.Increase availability of financial aid equivalent to 10 percent of total tuition income in order to provide more families with access to a Fredericksburg Academy education. Provide opportunities for more interaction of students and faculty across divisions (Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools). Increase alumni involvement in the school community by improving the quality and frequency of communication, holding more alumni events, and creating opportunities for alumni to interact with current students and faculty. Consider establishing an Alumni Council and inviting alumni to serve the school in other capacities. Provide opportunities for greater family involvement through campus events such as a parent education series and additional volunteer opportunities. Actively recruit parent involvement and input through personal contact and improved communication through the school website.

ii. growing oPPortunitieS for our StudentS

Program: Fredericksburg Academy will provide a challenging and engaging education in a student-centered environment. The school will provide a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, including opportunities in the arts and athletics for all students. A Fredericksburg Academy education will emphasize the following areas to prepare students for success and satisfaction in college and in life:

high academic standardscritical thinking and creativitycollaboration and communicationleadershipglobal citizenship.

Action Steps:Maintain small class sizes. Historically, class sizes have been capped at 18 in the Lower School and 20 in the Middle and Upper Schools.Coordinate a sequential college-preparatory curriculum from prekindergarten through grade 12. Appoint a school-wide curriculum coordinator, and establish and empower department heads to achieve this goal. Increase and strengthen core and elective academic offerings, with a focus on providing more college-level courses (Advanced Placement, dual enrollment with local colleges and universities, etc.) in the Upper School. Continue to strengthen course offerings in the arts, especially for advanced study in the visual, musical, and dramatic arts. Expand the athletic program in the Middle and Upper Schools to accommodate different levels of ability, ensure appropriate team size, and offer additional sports.

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4 • Fredericksburg Academy Strategic Plan 2008–2013

Develop a plan for the strategic use of technology at all grade levels. Increase leadership opportunities to empower students to make significant contributions to the school’s present and future. Focus on global awareness and diversity across the curriculum in all three divisions. Define FA’s “signature” programs and provide the resources necessary for these programs to thrive and expand. Expand the role of the college counselor and commit resources and staffing to the college counseling office to meet the needs of current and future enrollment. Integrate community service into the curriculum, identifying key needs in the community and partnering with organizations that will benefit most from FA’s involvement.

Facilities: Fredericksburg Academy will foster a learning environment that supports the school’s mission and students’ educational needs while respecting our planet and providing a safe, attractive campus. Maintaining, enhancing, and growing campus facilities are necessary to retain and attract the best students and faculty, fulfill the Academy’s mission, maintain small class sizes, and strengthen academic, athletic, and arts programs.

Action Step: Develop a master plan for the campus emphasizing our educational mission, community uses,integrated technology, and green building techniques. This plan should include:

Expanding the Upper School and adding a media centerRenovating and remodeling the Lower and Middle SchoolsImproving athletic facilities by adding an additional gym, weight room, and increased storage and office spaceAdding permanent restroom and concession stand facilities at the athletic fieldsProviding bus transportation to campus from outlying areasIncreasing campus parking and securityAdding a food-service facilityExpanding the campus ‘footprint’ by acquiring appropriate adjoining properties.

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Planting Seeds for Tomorrow • 5

iii. SuStaining our miSSion

Finance and Institutional Advancement: To ensure the sustainability of its mission, FA must build an endowment, strategically grow the student body, raise resources for capital improvements, and expand the Annual Fund.

Action Steps:Establish and grow FA’s endowment to support scholarships, faculty, and facility maintenance. Maintain reasonable, market-sensitive tuition increases.Create and refine a multi-year strategic financial plan that is aligned with the school’s staffing, facility, and program goals. Maximize auxiliary income opportunities that are appropriate to the school’s mission. Investigate the feasibility of tax-exempt financing in support of growth plans. Establish a facility repair and replacement fund. Increase Annual Fund to a minimum of 6 percent of the annual budget. Establish planned giving program.

iv. SHaring our viSion

Communications and Community Relationships: Fredericksburg Academy will define and communicate a clear image and vision of the school’s essential qualities and establish itself as the center of educational excellence for the greater Fredericksburg area. Communicating our vision is critical to recruiting and retaining the best students and faculty and providing the external community with an accurate understanding of the school’s mission and goals.

Action Steps:Revise and clarify the school’s Mission Statement. Develop a comprehensive communications and marketing plan to include: • local media coverage • continued expansion of the website • publications • word-of-mouth • alumni involvement. Expand presence in the community through outreach, partnerships, and community service.Sponsor events on campus for the greater community, including a parent education series, speakers, artistic performances, and other educational activities. Improve campus signage and add directional signs on roads both on and off campus.

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frederickSBurg academy Board of truSteeS 2007–2008

Douglas G. StewartPreSident

Cynthia M. TaylorfirSt vice PreSident

Mark A. ButterworthSecond vice PreSident

Catherine M. WacktreaSurer

Ben JonesSecretary

Thomas J. Buono

D. Franklin Daniels Jr.

Lewis W. Graves, Trustee Emeritus

Robert E. Graves, ex officio

Steven M. Hoover

Timothy J. Hughes

Kelly M. Johnson

Bernard W. Mahon Jr.

John F. McManus

Gregory T. Nedell

Stephen G. Norair

Elizabeth M. Quarles, Trustee Emerita

Anita R. Riblet

Cedric Bernard Rucker

Leonard R. Sachs

Patricia L. Stanitski

Shaun M. Sullivan

Andrew J. Topps IV

Donna S. Torrey

Elizabeth F. Workman, ex officio

10800 academy drivefredericksburg, virginia 22408

Phone: 540.898.0020fax: 540.898.8951

www.fredericksburgacademy.org

there shall be no discrimination by the School in the selection of the Board of trustees, in the employment of personnel, in the admission of students, or in the administration of the School programming because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or handicapped status in violation of existing state or federal law or regulations.