The 2012Strategic Plan

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November 2012

Board of TrusteesBarbra Frank Andrisani, Chair,

Academic Affairs Committee

Matthew J. Bastian ’83

Richard M. Beck ’82, Chair, Strategic Planning Committee

James F. Bonner, M.D.

Linda M. Branco

Charles J. Ciarrocchi, Jr.

Rev. Andrew D. Ciferni, O.Praem., Ph.D.

John S. Gerard, Chair, Finance & Facilities Committee

William F. Githens ’64, Chair, Mission & Heritage Committee

Michael J. Hare ’79, Chair, Advancement Committee

Francis J. McKee ’68

Debra Whitby-Norman

Douglas R. Quaintance

Elaine C. Reilly Esq. ’83

John W. Rollins, III ’88

Rev. Joseph A. Serano, O.Praem., Ph.D.

Robert E. Shields ’60, Board Chair

Mary Ann E. Slowik ’79

Barbara A. Wasik, Ph.D.

Kathleen E. Wunner, Ph.D.

Legal Counsel

Anthony G. Flynn, Esq. ’69

Executive Of!cer

Michael A. Marinelli, Ed.D. ’76, Headmaster

On the cover: The estate of John J. and Helena Raskob was given the name Archmere, “from the arch to the sea” because of the view through the arch of trees, and later the stone arches of The Patio, of the river and the community beyond. Today, Archmere Academy continues to look through the arches of its founding home to the outside world: to renew its commitment to academic excellence, to promote the advancement of its mission, and to ensure that Archmere Academy remains a premier academic institution.

Reverence Zeal Wisdom Community Respect

Dear Friends:

We are pleased to share with you The 2012 Strategic Plan for Archmere Academy. This blueprint for Archmere builds upon its strong 80-year foundation and charts a vision for the school’s future. Ultimately, Archmere will realize this vision because of you – because of your faithful devotion to the Archmere legacy and your commitment to the achievement of Archmere’s future.

We could not have crafted this plan without the participation of hundreds of people representing the key constituencies of the Archmere community: alumni, parents, students, faculty, administrators, trustees, community supporters and benefactors. Information from focus groups, interviews and surveys, combined with market trend and data analysis, provided content for intensive deliberations by five Board-led committees over nine months.

The Plan underscores Archmere’s fundamental commitment to its founding mission, vision and history and allows Archmere to expand upon that mission and to advance in an ever-changing world. We invite you to embrace the five key themes of The Strategic Plan and help Archmere achieve the related goals identi!ed for each theme. We hope that you will join us in this ambitious undertaking and help Archmere realize the vision of The 2012 Strategic Plan.

Thank You for Your Continued Support,

The Board of Trustees of Archmere Academy

Reverence Zeal Wisdom Community Respect

Strategic Planning Task ForceBarbra Frank Andrisani, Board Member, Past Parent

Rebecca W. Baeurle, CFRE, Institutional Advancement Director, Current Parent

Richard M. Beck ’82, Board Member, Alumnus

Linda M. Branco, Board Member, Past Parent

Carl S. Campion ’76, Director of Information Technology, Past Parent, Alumnus

John F. Cirillo III, Director of Finance, Current Parent

Timothy Dougherty, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Carolyn T. Doyle, Director of College Counseling and Guidance, Past Parent

William J. Doyle, Ed.D., Faculty Member, Former Principal, Past Parent

John V. Flynn, Jr, Ph.D., Past Board Member, Past Parent, Alumnus

John S. Gerard, Board Member, Past and Current Parent

William F. Githens ’64, Board Member, Past Parent, Alumnus

Michael J. Hare ’79, Board Member, Alumnus

Carl E. Hertrich, Past Board Member, Past Parent

Michael C. Johnson, Jr., Campus Minister, Faculty Member

John J. Jordan III ’80, Principal, Former Admissions Director, Past and Current Parent, Alumnus

Michael A. Marinelli, Ed.D. ’76, Headmaster, Alumnus

Rev. Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem. Director of Mission and Heritage, Chaplain, Headmaster Emeritus

Debra Whitby-Norman, Board Member, Past Parent

Robert C. Nowaczyk, Director of Student Life

David Oswinkle, Director of Athletics

Douglas R. Quaintance, Board Member, Past Parent

Rev. Joseph A. Serano, O.Praem.,Ph.D., Board Member

Robert E. Shields ’60, Board Chair, Past Parent, Alumnus

Mary Ann Slowik ’79, Board Member, Past Parent, Alumna

James P. Tosi, Director of Facilities, Past Parent

Kathleen E. Wunner, Ph.D., Board Member

Five Key !emes of !e 2012 Strategic Plan

1. Archmere will articulate, promote and live its unique mission

2. Archmere will enhance its exceptional academic tradition with 21st century best practices for learning to attract and advance motivated

and talented students

3. Archmere will attract, retain and develop excellent teachers and staff to preserve the Archmere experience for its students

4. Archmere will engage its alumni to become more involved in the Archmere community

5. Archmere will ensure !nancial sustainability by assessing and articulating the Academy’s needs and priorities

1: ARCHMERE !"## $%&"'(#$&), *%+,+&) $-. #"/) "&0 (-"1() ,"00"+-The answers to the questions “Who are we?” and “What is our mission?” are

found in the rich history and tradition of Archmere:

In 1120, Saint Norbert founded the Order of Premontre, whose

members eight centuries later established Archmere Academy as a

community of faith inspired by the deep Norbertine devotion to the

Eucharist and to serving others through education and good works.

In 1910, John and Helena Raskob purchased the Archmere estate.

From 1916 to 1918, they constructed a magnificent Neoclassical

Italian Renaissance mansion and garages, a home that reflected their

Catholic family life.

In 1932, Rt. Rev. Bernard H. Pennings, O.Praem., Abbot of Saint

Norbert Abbey in DePere, Wisconsin, envisioned Raskob’s home

as a perfect site for a school and purchased the estate. Archmere

Academy was founded to grow the educational ministry and priestly

vocations of the Norbertines in the United States.

Archmere is committed to sustaining a vision of academic rigor and excellence,

faith and values that was formed by an eighty-year American tradition born

out of a nine-century European tradition of being a Catholic, Norbertine

community, grounded in the ideals and faith of its founders and located on an

historic campus. The following mission statement for Archmere embraces the

values that are at the heart of the Archmere experience:

Archmere Academy is a Catholic, Norbertine college preparatory school, valuing

community, respect, zeal, reverence and wisdom. Nurturing body and soul, mind

and heart, Archmere focuses on the whole person through academic excellence,

faith reflection, social development and service to others. Inspired by its heritage,

Archmere cultivates empathetic leaders – young men and women prepared for

every good work.

Reverence

everence Goals

To remain faithful to articulating, living and promoting its mission, Archmere will:

1. Ensure that Archmere’s mission is reflected in the design of academic and

extracurricular programs

2. Nurture and expand faculty and staff members’ understanding and value of

the mission and heritage through the evaluation and creation of mission-

infused practices, supported by Archmere’s sponsoring community,

Daylesford Abbey, a Catholic community of Nobertine priests and brothers

3. Attract and retain students of all faiths who will contribute to the strength

and growth of the Archmere community

4. Ensure that Archmere’s internal and external communications reflect the

school’s unique mission, creating a virtual community that fosters dialogue

5. Enhance the campus with visual reminders and inspirational artwork and

spaces that speak to Archmere’s mission

2: ARCHMERE !"## $%&'%($ ")* $+($,)"-%'# '('.$/"( )0'.")"-% !")& 12*) ($%)304 5$*) ,0'()"($* 6-0 #$'0%"%7 )- '))0'() '%. '.8'%($ /-)"8')$. '%. )'#$%)$. *)3.$%)*Archmere has a strong academic tradition that values a consistent work

ethic; cultivates an appreciation for excellence; values mathematics and

science equally with the humanities and the fine arts; and supports students’

self-discovery of their unique skills, talents and avocations.

Archmere’s academic leadership will build upon the school’s tradition of

excellence by studying, evaluating and applying the most effective pedagogical

best practices for learning in the 21st century. These approaches will guide

Archmere in improving existing and adopting new curricula, crafting

professional development opportunities for staff and implementing tools

for student learning and assessment that will be centered on developing the

following student competencies:

Analytical and creative thinking and problem solving

Complex communication through oral and written methods, plus

digital and quantitative literacy

Collaboration skills fostered through learning to work in teams, both

as leaders and team members

A global perspective of learning and living

Integrity and ethical decision making

Archmere graduates will become the empathetic leaders of their time,

prepared to manage the challenges of the 21st century and to sustain the

traditions of the exemplary alumni who preceded them.

Zeal

ZealGoals

To attract and advance motivated and talented students, Archmere will:

1. Develop and employ both traditional and innovative methods to best

educate the Archmere student in a broad range of disciplines and interests

2. Enhance the curriculum to strengthen student core competencies

of analytical and creative thinking and problem solving, complex

communication, collaborative teamwork, global perspective and ethical

decision making

3. Broaden the aspects of curriculum designed to foster creativity through

teaching the visual and performing arts, further integrating them through

interdisciplinary programming

4. Broaden faculty professional development to increase creative,

interdisciplinary and team project course work for students, strengthen

faculty leadership and technology skills and provide personal experiences

that enhance the communication of Archmere’s mission

5. Prepare students to succeed in college with a mastery of skills that include

the ability to: work collaboratively as both a leader and a team member;

excel in communicating and problem solving; demonstrate a command of

technology and media; make wise decisions grounded in informed ethics

and demonstrate knowledge about traditional and emerging topics across

all disciplines

3: ARCHMERE !"## $%%&$'%, &(%$") $)* *(+(#,- (.'(##()% %($'/(&0 $)* 0%$11 %, -&(0(&+( %/( $&'/2(&( (.-(&"()'( 1,& "%0 0%3*()%0The positive interaction among students, teachers and staff is a notably unique

and significant benefit of the Archmere experience. These relationships form a

key component of Archmere’s distinctive learning environment that supports

students in all aspects of their education and transition to college life. Because

the faculty and staff are a key asset of its community, Archmere will strengthen

its focus on attracting, retaining and developing excellent teachers and staff

members. Wisdom

WisdomGoals

To accomplish these objectives, Archmere will:

1. Foster and support professional development of its faculty to sustain

an academic learning community culture and to promote excellence in

Archmere’s academic programs

2. Expand teacher and staff member evaluation processes to ensure

professional growth, as well as enhanced performance

3. Review faculty and staff compensation policies and procedures to ensure

that they are consistent with Archmere’s mission, competitive in the

marketplace and successful in attracting and retaining excellent people

4: ARCHMERE !"## $%&'&$ "() '#*+%" (, -$.,+$ +,/$ "%0,#0$1 "% (2$ A/.2+$/$ .,++*%"(3Archmere’s alumni represent its past, present and future. They are its living

history, carrying with them the traditions and heritage that make Archmere

unique. The energy that many alumni devote to Archmere provides invaluable

support for the school. Alumni empower the community and embody the spirit – the intangible essence – of Archmere. They are valuable ambassadors for the

school. The strategic vision for Archmere’s future rests on a base of continual

engagement with alumni across the Archmere community. Community

ommunityGoals

To deepen its engagement with its alumni, Archmere will:

1. Engage a broader base of alumni by offering greater opportunities for

participation through the Alumni Association and school-sponsored

initiatives and by connecting with them through a virtual community

2. Refine communications to meet the individual expectations and

preferences of its alumni

3. Enhance, broaden and diversify on-campus and off-campus activities and

events for alumni

5: ARCHMERE !"## $%&'($ )"%*%+"*# &'&,*"%*-"#",. -. *&&$&&"%/ *%0 *(,"+'#*,"%/ ,1$ A+*0$2.’& %$$0& *%0 3("4(","$&As an independent school, solely responsible for its own finances, Archmere

is committed to a sustainable financial model. Archmere will increase

endowment and annual financial support, decrease dependence on tuition

and carefully evaluate ongoing programs and new initiatives. This strategy

will ensure that financial resources will be used in the most effective manner

possible to meet the objectives of the school’s mission and to preserve the value

of an Archmere education. Respect

Respect Goals

To accomplish these objectives, Archmere will:

1. Maintain a balanced budget based on revenues from tuition and

non-tuition sources and prioritization of expenditures

2. Maintain a school size that responds to the needs of the community and

sustains the high program standards of the Academy

3. Focus its efforts on feasible capital projects that enhance programs and

the utility of the campus, while preserving its unique character as part of

Archmere’s history

4. Develop a culture of philanthropy among the key constituencies of the

Archmere community to enhance annual giving support; to raise funds for

capital needs; and to offer a variety of giving strategies, including planned

gifts

5. Grow the endowment to support scholarship and financial assistance,

faculty and staff professional development and campus maintenance

projects

6. Pursue opportunities to generate revenues from sources other than tuition

to reduce reliance on annual tuition increases

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You can view the online version of

The 2012 Strategic Plan for Archmere Academy at

www.archmereacademy.com/plan2012