Download Strategic Plan: Year Two: Reflection

Strategic Plan: Year Two: Reflection
The reflective, self-evaluative, and generative processes, and success metrics of the School’s Multi-Year
Strategic Plan provide guidance for the School’s trustees and leaders to assess the School’s performance
and “value added” experience for existing and prospective parents and consumers. The “value added” is
measured through quantitative and qualitative data (skills assessments, benchmarking, testing,
matriculation, development and longitudinal alumni surveys,--all included within the Strategic Plan,
which although initially curated for three years, is undergoing a constant re-evaluation, with provision
for succession planning and “ever greening”).
Year Two saw the expansion of existing initiatives, the introduction of new endeavors, and the reevaluation of goals and objectives.
The Plan in Evolution: a Strategic Plan is an evolving document, and as such the members of the
Strategic Plan Committee devoted time to researching, revising, and updating the plan for Year Two, the
collective vision to deliver the best independent school education in Rhode Island, where high academic
standards and the ability to respond to students’ individual interests and intellectual passions combine to
create a rich learning experience. Year Two focused on the continuation of major goals and flagship
initiatives set in Year One, as well as a major new goal, proposed by new Head of School, Peter Branch,
and four new key initiatives, each of which remain vital to the school’s evolution as a progressive
educational institution, integral to the promise and commitment made by all constituencies in the
community, and crucial in the collective, collaborative endeavors to increase enrollment while
expanding and enhancing the learning community.
Small School, Big Opportunities: the new tagline, two seeming opposites in juxtaposition, speaks loudly
and clearly to the distinctive character that is Rocky Hill School—small, nurturing, and embracing—yet,
bold, innovative, and resolute. The School’s offerings have been enhanced by new leadership, an
expanded maritime and waterfront program (Outdoors is Better), a school-wide diversity initiative,
greatly enriched visual and performing arts programs, and an increased focus on athletic programming.
Educational Excellence and Passion Based Learning: Year Two continued the work begun in Year
One, with an increased focus on academic excellence in all areas of the curriculum. To that end,
educational and informational sources were reviewed, evaluated, and refined to update the School’s
Educational Principles and Practices, along with the Course of Study--with the express purpose of
allowing all members of the community, past, present, and future, an in-depth look at the School’s core
philosophies, practices, and programs that set Rocky Hill apart from other independent schools in the
state: stewardship of the environment and waterfront, community service, continued inclusion of the
Responsive Classroom, Developmental Designs, the 1-1 iPad program, robotics, independent studies,
the Senior Seminar, and the Senior Project/Internship. The Curriculum Content: Standards and
Benchmarks, published in Year One, provided the standards in all academic content areas, and
highlighted the integration of 21st century skills that are developmentally and subject appropriate. The
2014 College Counseling Report revealed a greater breadth in college acceptance, which reflects a
positive outcome of one of the major goals of the Strategic Plan. College counseling at RHS has
provided and ensured a good experience for all students, especially the seniors, and the contact with
colleges exceeded all previous years.
In Year Two, the plan introduced Polaris, a name chosen to represent the new flexible academic
groupings and program offerings in the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. The name, Polaris,
complements the school's Mariner theme and speaks to an increased focus on the waterfront and the
environment. Through increased opportunities for advancement, interdivisional linking, mixed literacy
classes, math, robotics, as well as differentiation and remediation, and independent learning experiences
as part of passion-based learning, the students honed their skills and talents.
New flagship initiatives in Year Two also saw the expansion of maritime, waterfront, and environmental
programs. A new 3-year plan for the Visual and Performing Arts included the AP programming begun
in Year One, and a partnership with the Trinity Repertory Company (Providence), providing for three
collaborative projects in all three divisions.
Technology throughout the Curriculum and Community: Rocky Hill School boasts a fully infused
technology program, placing the institution at the forefront of mid-21st century education. Led by the
Director of Technology, Tom Adams, the school purchased new hardware, created model classrooms
throughout the Lower School, updated the current network infrastructure, and integrated curriculum in
all disciplines. The Professional Learning Community, created in Year One was expanded with an
increased focus on peer mentoring and individual initiative. Professional Development, both in-house
and out, equipped Lower and Middle School faculty to continue building the 1-1 iPad program in the
Middle School. A newly created Mariners Faculty Hub includes a section for the sharing of technologyinfused curricula in all divisions. Faculty share and display projects and assignments, provide guides,
rubrics, and tips in using specific tools and applications, and learn from each other’s ideas and expertise.
Students contribute to blog posts, produce podcasts, and make documentaries in the Upper School,
create dynamic multimedia presentations in Middle School, and use iPad apps and cameras to augment
reality in the Lower School.
Partnerships: educational excellence was achieved through various means, yet one of the major goals
of the Strategic Plan: the ongoing acquisition, development, and expansion of Partnerships served to
greatly enhance the student experience, raise awareness of Rocky Hill School (within the local
community), and increase the institution’s presence and participation in the state.
Year Two saw increased cross-divisional and interdisciplinary opportunities for students to advance
beyond their grades and division: examples included the math and language arts programs in the Lower
School, advanced math in the Middle School, and the aligned math, and classical and world languages
between the Middle and Upper Schools.
Partnerships between faculty and staff strengthened ties between the divisions, provided support and
mentorships for inspired Project-Based Learning in the Lower School (assimilated into the Lower
School Curriculum with one-to-one mentorships between LS faculty), the technology program in the
Middle School, and the independent and online-learning studies in the Upper School. Partnerships in
Professional Development continued to include the Middle School faculty workshops with
Developmental Designs, as well as collaboration with and training from EdTechTeacher. Teachers in all
divisions benefitted from technology development, which drives and supports the school’s pedagogical
philosophy and best practices.
In the Upper School mentors who served as facilitators of independent courses, worked in conjunction
with online providers. 19% of the 2013-2014 Upper School student population was engaged in some
form of independent study. Also, partnerships with various individuals, institutions, organizations, and
businesses served to provide sponsors for the Senior Project/Internship program. (Some of these
included community partnerships between parents, alums, and friends of the School). Long-standing
partners (in the state of Rhode Island) included Save The Bay, DEM, North Kingstown Animal Hospital,
Hasbro, RDW (Marketing, Advertising and PRO), RISD, Rhode Island Magazine, the Pawsox, Vibco,
Waterfire, the Warwick Beacon, and East Greenwich Patch, to name a few.
Yet another valuable partnership was that with the parents within the Rocky Hill family: an outreach and
educational program, Behind the Scenes presented curriculum and program informational sessions.
Presentations included the Science Curriculum (progression from Preschool through Grade 12);
understanding Harkness—in theory and practice; introduction to the Visual Arts program; the English
curriculum continuum (with an emphasis on writing); technology innovation and development; the
Garden Classroom; and the role and evolution of the School’s Strategic Plan.
The theme for Year Two, “Building and Connecting our Community,” explored through workshops, a
focus on Diversity, Counseling and Wellness, and Academic and Community Partnerships; and the
technology integration process in education at RHS. Goal 3 of the Strategic Plan focused on the infused
technology program specifically: presentations and classroom visits showcased and demonstrated how
the curriculum is delivered using technology and how the two (technology and curriculum) ultimately
become enmeshed in appropriate ways.
To promote and preserve Rocky Hill School’s natural asset, the waterfront, Green River, and
Narragansett Bay, faculty and students collaborated with Save the Bay, the USDA Natural Resources,
and URI. A URI associate professor and her Restoration Ecology class worked on the Rocky Hill
campus, as they evaluated the restoration potential at Potowomut marsh by considering the plan
developed by Save the Bay to dig out the old channel in the marsh and other potential restoration
approaches.
Year Two also saw the establishment of a wonderful partnership with the Trinity Repertory Company,
expanding and enriching the experience of the students in the theatre program at Rocky Hill School.
Year Two of the plan welcomed Rocky Hill School’s Diversity initiative spearheaded by the newly
appointed Director of Diversity, with the first year’s theme, “Eyes and Arms Wide Open”: centered
around an active mindfulness of what makes people different, and how members of the community can
grow closer to one another by seeking insights into the experiences of others, and by embracing the
challenges that they face together. During fall, the Upper School community was greatly enriched by the
establishment of a Diversity Club, hearing from guest speakers like New York’s GLSEN Chapter Chair,
sharing experiences and life-changing stories from several of their peers during bi-weekly Community
Talks, and participating in parent diversity forums.
Beyond the campus and the peninsular, students, alums, parents, and faculty partnered with local
colleges and schools, creating opportunities for student exchange in the classroom and on the sports
field; for example, Rocky Hill School partners with Juanita Sanchez, in Providence, and fields a
collaborative softball team.
In response to the Plan’s call to place a greater focus on international outreach and global exchange, the
School began exploring a partnership with a new school in China, which may provide extended
opportunities for students, families, and faculty.
Enhanced Revenue and Facility Upgrades: Year Two of the Strategic Plan also saw the creation of a
new Enhanced Revenue Committee to focus on objectives identified to meet the goal to develop
alternative revenue streams for the school. New endeavors included sharing the Rocky Hill campus with
neighbors and organizations in the immediate local community, expanding and enhancing the existing
after school, Rocky Hill Enrichment Academy (RHEA) and summer, Summer Enrichment Academy
(SEA) programs, to further exploit the School’s greatest asset, the waterfront. Following the spirit of the
Strategic Plan, the School identified as its priorities, sustainability, security, and stewardship.
As we reflect on Year Two of the Plan, we have much to celebrate, yet united in our commitment and
dedication to our students, families, and the members of our entire community, we know that Year
Three will challenge us to reach the goals we have set for Rocky Hill School, tomorrow and beyond.
Ms. Belinda Snyman
Director of Strategic Planning