Shaping our future

a strategic framework for
springside chestnut hill academy

SCH campus fields athletic turf at sunset

Preparing students to lead lives characterized by thoughtfulness, integrity, and a quest to effect positive change is core to our mission at SCH Academy. Modeling our mission, we leaned into our curiosity and asked big questions to discover what truly matters to our community. We then set to work on a strategic framework for our future, building upon over 300 combined years of continuous learning, to help us effect positive change for—and with—the school and its students. 

The strategy development process, which included constituent surveys, a town hall/world cafe experience for faculty and staff, market research, and a series of small group conversations we referred to as SCHarrettes, demanded that we look inward, outward, and forward. These efforts, begun in 2023, had spectacular response rates, further energized the school community and produced important insights to help us pave a surer path for SCH. Careful listening and thorough analysis led us to produce the strategic framework documented here, which reflects thoughtful choices and identifies five core priorities — the cornerstones of our future success. Within those priorities, we’ve outlined commitments and initiatives that will build upon our strengths and drive us toward a unique vision.

This framework is a call to action, a shared voice, and a promise to the future of SCH and its strong and committed community.

This framework, a compass that will guide our investments and decision-making over several years, focuses on:

  • Vigorous academics, teaching, and learning

  • Intentional and embedded innovation

  • Engaged community committed to belonging

  • Unique SCH story

  • Expanded investment in our future

These priorities aren’t simply aspirations; they represent a commitment to action. Here at SCH, we will track measurable progress and open communication among divisions, departments, leadership, and families will be paramount. We also recognize that our priorities may shift over the years; this is not a static document, but a living embodiment of our mission. It’s a testament to thousands of successful alumni and a commitment to remaining nimble in the face of change. Not just a “why,” but our “how,” this framework is a call to action, a shared voice, and a promise to the future of SCH and its strong and committed community.

Strategic Framework

Vision

SCH Academy aims to be at the forefront of independent school education through excellent teaching, learning, creativity, and innovation. We see a future where SCH graduates become catalysts for positive change, their impact echoing not just within our walls, but throughout the world.

MISSION

We are an inclusive community on a mission to inspire unbounded curiosity and independent thought in every one of our students. In a unique educational environment that extends well beyond campus, we nurture students’ knowledge of themselves and the world, expanding their full academic and personal potential while preparing them to lead lives characterized by thoughtfulness, integrity, and a quest to effect positive change.

Core Values

Courage | Diversity | Thoughtfulness | Integrity | Resilience

Our Journey

Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, we underwent a strategy development process to help our school envision its aspirations and press its advantages, with the goal of strengthening our ability to deliver our mission and positioning it for success in the long run.

The Voices of SCH

Involving over 1,800 voices, the process produced important insights that will help us pave a surer path for our school.

The process included:
Constituent survey of students, parents, and employees | In-person town hall for faculty and staff | In-person SCHarrettes with stakeholders | Market research | Individual meetings

Coalescing the Data

In March 2024, the senior leadership team worked to analyze and synthesize the data aggregated.

Defining Our Priorities

In April 2024, the senior leadership team and members of the Board of Trustees convened to clearly define the priorities that emerged from the data and are both anchored to our mission and values.

Leaning In

Unlike a plan, which mimics a to-do list, our framework is a tool to align critical decisions about our future with the institution’s mission and values, strategic priorities, commitments, and initiatives.

Read the Strategic Plan Booklet