Mary Immaculate Catholic School
Strategic Plan
Mission
Mary Immaculate Catholic School provides a Christ-centered learning environment that fosters wonder and excitement, enkindling the desire in each student to be a lifelong learner.
Catholic Identity
1. Steep children in the rich tradition of the Catholic faith.
1.1. Offer a unique spiritual formation opportunity in every grade level.
1.2. Encourage a deep affection for the Eucharist, Mary, and the Church.
1.2.1. Continue the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd as a means of immersing students in the Liturgy and Scripture.
1.2.2. Elevate the beauty of the weekly Mass, positioning it as the center of spiritual engagement for faculty, parents, and students.
1.2.3. Institute a Eucharistic Procession as an annual tradition.
1.2.4. Establish times for each grade to have Eucharistic Adoration each quarter.
1.2.5. Continue established traditions to honor Mary such as the Salve Regina, the Solemn Rosary, and the celebration of Mary’s Birthday.
2. Equip students to engage the modern world with a Catholic mindset.
2.1. Emphasize the universal call (vocation) to holiness and the dignity of the human person.
2.2. Emphasize the significance of religious orders in the Church through dedicated educational sessions.
2.3. Promote exposure to Catholic art and music within the educational environment.
2.4. Enrich the Mary Immaculate Library with a high-quality collection of spiritual reading for all ages.
2.5. Offer formation for the Domestic Church with family retreats and parent enrichment.
Academic Excellence
1. Support every child in reaching his or her God-given potential through student-focused services.
1.1. Use data from benchmarking, standardized testing, and assessments to support academic decisions.
1.2. Offer appropriate academic interventions to support all learners.
1.2.1. Continue to invest in a robust Content Mastery program to support students who require academic intervention or enrichment.
1.3. Form student character by cultivating grit and a growth mindset, as well as fostering empathy.
1.4. Foster critical skills that compliment and encourage success, such as speaking confidently and articulately to an audience, listening attentively, cultivating an intellectual curiosity, and rejoicing in each other’s gifts.
2. Integrate specialized academic programs to deepen the students’ overall learning.
2.1. Promote interdisciplinary learning and diversify instruction through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the Business Program, and the Greenhouse initiative.
2.2. Launch targeted campaigns and participate in academic competitions in various academic forums.
2.2.1. Continue participation and encourage interest in the Spelling Bee, PSIA and other opportunities.
Facilities
1. Maintain a modern plant at the service of education.
1.1. Implement a comprehensive maintenance schedule with attention to minimal disruption to classroom learning.
1.1.1. Address needs and costs for facilities projects on an annual basis, with increased collaboration between the MIC Facilities Manager and the MISAC Facilities Committee.
1.2. Write a 1, 3, and 5-year facility plan for upgrades with a special focus on beauty and simplicity that will embody the educational philosophy of MIS, “where wonder leads to knowing.”
1.2.1. Develop and implement a strategic schedule for the replacement of HVAC units and other capital-intensive upgrades.
1.2.2. Consider factors such as the lifespan of existing units, seasonal demands, and budget constraints to ensure timely and efficient upgrades while minimizing disruptions.
1.2.3. Implement a phased plan to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the campus, with a particular focus on classrooms.
1.2.4. Incorporate elements that foster wonder and excitement, creating an environment conducive to optimal learning experiences.
2. Protect students and staff with a commitment to safety.
2.1. Undertake a comprehensive risk assessment.
2.2. Invest in security systems to address vulnerabilities, increase safety, and fortify the overall safety infrastructure.
2.3. Develop a detailed safety and security plan tailored to the MIS school campus.
2.4. Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and implement measures to address them.
2.5. Foster a culture of awareness and vigilance within the school and parish community.
Finances
1. Leverage tuition, fundraising, and parish support to sustain operations.
1.1. Evaluate tuition to maintain a competitive rate that reflects the value proposition of the school.
1.2. Develop a detailed plan to ensure tuition covers 85-90% of operating expenses, focusing on financial sustainability.
1.3. Maintain a break-even operations budget with reserve of 2 months to sustain the current operations.
1.4. Evaluate budgetary and funding needs annually to reallocate funds as necessary for short-term needs or to address capital improvements.
2. Create a 3-year strategy for development, articulating a concrete timeline for projects funded by grants, major gifts, and campaigns.
2.1. Monitor and proactively manage endowment so as to promote growth and address both the short and long-term capital needs of the school.
2.2. Set annual goals and timelines for development campaigns, including annual giving, major gifts, grants, and events.
2.3. Leverage extensive community contacts within the parish, school, and diocese to set and achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
2.4. Leverage the pastor in fundraising activities to enhance community support.
2.5. Implement the chosen Customer Relationship Management software to streamline communication, donor management, and operational processes.
Operational Vitality
1. Solidify relationships among stake-holders to promote unity and community.
1.1. Create effective streams of communication for Mary Immaculate School families, the school, and the parish community.
1.2. Enhance regular communication to strengthen the bond between the parish and the school community.
1.3. Foster an effective partnership between Parish and School offices, particularly with regard to communications, finances, and facilities.
2. Recruit and retain teachers with appropriate academic formation, training, and education to deliver high-quality education to Mary Immaculate School students.
2.1. Develop a plan to address and improve teacher salaries and prioritize fair and competitive compensation packages.
2.2. Establish and maintain a system for teacher aids or support staff to expand the educator’s capacity to serve the students and to enhance the overall learning experience.
2.3. Ensure that teachers have the necessary resources and assistance to focus on delivering high-quality education.
Community Engagement
1. Strengthen internal community engagement by intentionally stewarding relationships with Mary Immaculate School alumni and families.
1.1. Capture alumni and family information in a robust database and use data effectively to engage friends of the school.
1.2. Foster loyalty to the school among alumni with targeted events.
1.3. Lead families in discerning their annual commitments of time, talent, and treasure to the school.
2. Strengthen external community engagement by strategically partnering with parishes and neighboring institutions.
2.1. Deepen community partnerships with nearby Catholic parishes, schools, and the Diocese at large.
2.2. Amplify community-facing events through well-funded, targeted social media campaigns.
2.3. Seek engagement opportunities for Dominican Sisters and the MIC parish priests within the diocese for events and guest lectures.
2.4. Foster a strong connection between the religious community and parish to attract attention and respect for the school.
2.5. Demonstrate a multi-faceted integration of parish and school life, including mission, staffing, events, and branding.
2.6. Leverage the Business Program Speaker Series to connect the school with local business leaders and provide additional networking opportunities for the school community.