1. education
2. school

ST RATE GI C PL AN
2015-2019
OUR
Position
God’s blessings permeate our campus in so many ways. Our heritage is 88 years strong, starting as a
boarding school for missionaries’ children. Our predecessors were progressive in Christian education
and, since 2009, Monte Vista Christian’s upward trajectory has been steady.
Enrollment has increased from 766 students to a high of 1052 students. Our campus has been modernized with active learning spaces, 1:1 iPads, science center addition, Middle School complete transformation, High School renovations, and a new athletic center. Curriculum and programs have grown in
scope and quality. The school’s visibility and position in the community have grown strong, due in part
to our distinctive branding.
1. Collaboration and relationships
2. Christ-centered
3. Technology assimilation
4. Relevant academics
5. Active learning spaces
This is our position of strength - our constant drive for continued improvement and recognizing that
needs are always evolving from which the strategic planning committee sought to further raise the bar.
The world is very complex, technology is accelerating change and global connections are a necessity
in the world our students will inherent. Educational approaches that have been effective now will need
to adjust for the future. Stability is a necessity to maintain finances and facilities to fortify institutional sustainability. To prepare our students for these new demands, we must be flexible, responsive and
adaptable.
The vision to be a premiere college preparatory school, for students to acheive their highest potential,
and recognition that the school’s culture and environment are valued, we inaugurated our Strategic Plan
2015-2019. The process will allow us to express clearly who we are and who we serve, and will catapult
us as we approach our first century.
OUR
Committees
Stephen Sharp, Headmaster Monte Vista Christian School
Mike Tunink, Chair, Board of Trustees, Alumni
Co-Chair, Steven Woods, Dean of Administration
Co-Chair, Thomas White, iPad Integration Coordinator
*Ross Hjelseth, Associate Consultant, PAIDEIA
EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Steven Woods, Administration
Ray Blute, Administration
Josh Davis, Administration, Faculty
Jeannie Ward, Parent
Dawn Hoy, Faculty
Bronson Kirchick, Student
Julie Dunn, Parent
CHRIST-LIKE CULTURE
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Thomas White, Faculty
Patty Gillig, Administration, Parent of Alumni
Delaney Moore, Student
Belinda Bell, Parent
Carissa Medina, Faculty, Parent
FINANCIAL ADVANCEMENT
FINANCES AND FACILITIES
Steve Sharp, Headmaster
Mark Venable, Parent
Devin Kleffer, Faculty
Mike Tunink, Board
VISION, MISSION AND VALUES
Collaboration from all the committee members.
*Monte Vista Christian Consultant for the Strategic Plan- Founded in 1984, PAIDEIA, Inc. is a comprehensive consulting firm
dedicated to a biblical worldview that seeks excellence to the glory of God in all areas of leadership and development in education, from elementary and secondary schools to colleges, universities and seminaries, as well as other not-for-profit agencies,
associations and institutions. They offer clients practical solutions to help them fulfill their mission and make possible the
excellence they aspire to achieve.
THE Process
For the last 10 years, the Continual Improvement Plan from WASC and ASCI accreditation have guided our
work and the direction of our school. This year we have set forward-thinking, attainable goals to support our
students and faculty; we have inspired innovative teaching and learning; we have improved facilities; and we
have laid a course for the future that reflects our vision, mission and values. The Strategic Plan is Monte Vista
Christian School’s map for the next four years.
The 2015-2019 strategic-planning process began in April 2014 when the Headmaster and the Board of Directors identified several areas of focus. The first is to revisit the school vision, mission and values statements to
rearticulate our enduring principles considering new realities and opportunities in education. Three additional areas focused on the essential elements of our school: students and their experiences titled Christ-like
Culture; faculty and teaching methods titled Educational Excellence ; and finances and facilities titled Financial Advancement . Committees for each initiative included a board representative, students, parents, faculty,
alumni and administration from our school community.
Several principles guided our work. First, the strategic-planning process had to be inclusive. The 2015-2019
Strategic Plan reflects input from trustees, faculty, alumni, parents, students and outside experts. In fact, 90
individuals contributed to this plan. Second, the plan had to be driven by and reflective of the school’s vision,
mission and values. Third, it had to be research-based and incorporate best practices for 6-12 education. Last,
our plan had to be ambitious and measurable, driven by an objective assessment of the School’s strengths and
opportunities for improvement.
The results of our collaboration is the 2015-2019 Strategic Plan. This plan reflects the input and expertise
of many. It is a balanced mix of aspirational ideals and attainable goals that support the School’s enduring
vision, mission and values, and will guide our work over the next four years.
Steve Sharp, Headmaster
Mike Tunink, Chair, Board of Directors
Monte Vista Christian School
OUR
Verse
Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. (Hebrews 12:2,
New Living Translation)
OUR
Vision
We are dedicated to being a premier college preparatory Christian school, empowering
students to impact their world.
OUR
Mission
We empower students to achieve their highest potential through Christ-centered educational
excellence.
OUR
Values
We exemplify Christ-centered character, understanding, and relationships
CHARACTER
UNDERSTANDING
RELATIONSHIPS
We are committed to both introducing people to Christ (initiating
faith), and disciplining people for
Christ (perfecting faith), to cultivate a culture that honors God.
We are committed to acheiving
academic excellence through traditional and innovative subjects
of study, distinction in extracurricular activities, and Biblical
truth.
We are committed to developing
meaningful relationships among
students, staff, faculty, parents,
our community, and the world
through learning (academic
activities), loving (spiritual
activities), and serving (outreach
activities).
THE Plan
IMPLEMENT
EDUCATIONAL
EXCELLENCE FOR RELEVANCY, QUALITY AND
BALANCE
We will improve our college
preparatory curriculum, we will
develop standardized practices while
increasing our diversity of
curriculum offerings, and we will
support students and staff with
necessary resources through quality
training, innovative physical learning
environments, and increased time
allocation.
Align Curriculum to Prepare Students
for the New World
Invest Strategically in Faculty
Professional Development
Create New, More Balanced Academic
Schedules
OPTIMIZE THE
FINANCIAL
ADVANCEMENT TO
FORTIFY
INSTITUTIONAL
SUSTAINABILITY
IMPLEMENT
CHRIST-LIKE
CULTURE TO
TRANSFORM THE
CAMPUS
We will build on our strong
foundation with effective financial
and investment leadership by both the
Board of Directors and
Administration. Going forward, we
need to prepare for limited growth in
enrollment and non-tuition sources of
income, seeking new revenue streams,
including full facility utilization,
targeted fundraising and prudent
budget Management.
We will mature our culture by
appealing to and directing the minds,
hearts, and actions of our students to
foster personal growth, interpersonal
growth, and community outreach.
Strengthen Financial Aid and Merit
Scholarship Program
Invest in Faculty, Academics, and
Learning Environemnt
Create the Office of Director of
Advancement
Develop a Collaborative,
Exploratory-Based Culture
Integrate the Middle and High School
and Resident Program
Create the Position - Director of
Spiritual Life
Develop a Local and Global
Citizenship Scope and Sequence
THE Details
Implement educational excellence for relevancy, quality
and balance
We have the honor and responsibility of preparing a diverse student body for success in an
increasingly complex world. Our college preparatory curriculum equips students with the tools
they need to thrive in school and in their communities. We will build on that foundation by enhancing our curriculum, our support environment, and our prioritized allocation of time.
Excellence in Curriculum
Excellence in Time Allocation
• Map the curriculum for grades 6-12 so all courses are
specifically coordinated, articulated, and connected;
prepare a “Scope and Sequence” that outlines content and
skill development and delineates the differences between
regular, honors, and AP courses
• Prioritize opportunities for students to realize their potential in and out of the classroom, and for faculty members to enhance their professional excellence
• Offer additional courses that widen student opportunities for exploration
• Coordinate access to educational technology training for
all MVCS parents and students
• Expand cross-subject Biblical integration purposefully
and systematically
• Complete a philosophy of homework (amount, purpose,
regular vs. honors/AP, etc.) and a matrix that shows homework expectations per class; implement a testing policy
and calendar
• Assess our progress rigorously, aligned with state and
national standards
• Consider different bell schedule options that address
work overload
• Increase the number of teachers each year who receive
an extra planning period for the purpose of collaboration
and/or course demands.
Excellence in Educational Support
• Provide continuous professional develop-ment activities aligned with our Mission Statement and Core Values;
implement a standardized method of tracking professional
development
• Insure all faculty members are proficient in educational
technology and required apps before the first day of school
• Develop a two year plan that gives an overview of innovative learning-space design projects that will enrich the
campus environment
THE Details
Optimize the financial advancement to fortify
institutional sustainability
Since 1926, we have been in the gratifying position of expanding our program and funding
operations through an increased revenue stream triggered by significant enrollment growth and
successful savings. Going forward, we are preparing for stabilized growth in tuition income, and
will seek new revenue sources. With ongoing financial and investment leadership by both the
Board of Directors and the Administration, our strategy will include full campus facility
utilization, targeted fundraising, and prudent budget management.
EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENT
EXCELLENCE IN STAFFING
• Expand student aid and the scholarship program by
increasing the financial aid budget by 10% each year
for 2015-2018; assess our current application form for
financial aid and scholarships to ensure clear policies and
procedures
• Create a job description for the Director of Advancement
that incorporates Alumni Relations, and conduct a search
to fill the position
• Prepare a marketing plan for our communities regarding
available financial aid and merit-based scholarships
• Engage alumni involvement through social media, including creating a Facebook page for Monte Vista
Christian School Alumni, inserting new web page links to
mvcs.org, and setting up an Instagram account
• Evaluate facilities needs and plan for their funding according to priority
• Establish an Alumni Office and Alumni Association
with its own appointed board; their initiatives may include
projects such as the creation of an Alumni Hall of Fame
• Encourage Monte Vista Alumni active participation by
providing funds for catering and set-up for events such as
Homecoming, Graduation, and Student Award ceremonies
EXCELLENCE IN INVESTMENT
• Initiate an Annual Giving campaign that highlights
the importance of support at every financial level, with
emphases on the Performing Arts Building, Financial Aid,
and surfacing the track. Provide methods of giving that
include online transactions
• Explore the interests of current and former international
students and their families to identify areas of involvement
for future giving
• Develop a Major Gifts program that pro-motes
endowments, designated gifts, and generational giving
THE Details
Implement a Christ-like culture to transform the
campus
As we follow our vision of being a premier college preparatory Christian school, empowering
students to impact their world, we are reinforcing our commitment to personal growth,
interpersonal growth, and community outreach. Our scope is both local and global. The faculty,
administration, and staff are working together to appeal to and direct the minds, hearts, and
actions of our students. We believe this is central to fulfilling our mission.
EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING
EXCELLENCE IN LOVING
• Equip faculty to cultivate a healthy and appropriate spirit
of inquiry, challenge, and innovation that begins in the
classroom and extends far beyond
• Establish the position of Director of Spiritual Life,
designed to foster a loving relational environment that
offers discipleship and stability, while honoring diversity
• Implement engaging teacher training tools that nourish
exceptional skills in collaboration, creative thinking,
critical thinking, and communication
• Develop student character through multiple avenues,
including digital citizenship, social and emotional literacy,
and accountability for behavior
• Support teacher growth with suitable financial and
calendar resources
• Strengthen relationships across grade levels as well as
between day and resident students
• Build wholesome relationships among students and staff
EXCELLENCE IN SERVING
• Review the outreach activities that we currently provide,
and creatively search out new ones
• Promote volunteer community service and school service
opportunities close to home and across the world
• Connect student families within neighboring cities to
facilitate friendships and the coordination of resources
• Encourage parental involvement in school activities
• Continue to support other educators via training and
equipment, based on God’s ongoing blessings to our faculty and staff
• Start each school year with a full-day orientation that
deepens student under-standing of our vibrant campus
culture