The Strategic Design for Mayfield Junior School

Every great institution needs guidance in order to succeed. A constant focus on our school Mission and the Goals for Schools of the Holy Child keeps us faithful to the direction set for us by Cornelia Connelly. We also know that moving Mayfield Junior School forward, to better serve our children, is a shared responsibility that calls for thoughtful planning, collaborative work and careful oversight. During the 2012-2013 school year a dedicated and involved group of community members, in collaboration with me and the Board of Trustees, have worked to craft “A Strategic Design for Mayfield Junior School.”

Our goal was to create a guiding document that is carefully coordinated, adaptable and true to the fundamental elements of our Mission. We intentionally opted for a less static “design” format that will allow us to incorporate our ongoing progress into subsequent institutional initiatives. A traditional framework, controlled by a prescribed time period, would not allow us to adjust our sights accordingly.

The five elements included are intertwined with each other, and intended to lead us toward broad and diverse growth. We understand that every area of need or opportunity is not listed, yet feel that most goals of tomorrow will align with at least one Element, giving it strategic relevance. Within the Design we have created an expectation for review and consideration that will effectively monitor our work.

Mayfield Junior School continues to improve and we are excited about the possibilities the future holds for us.
 
 
 
The Five Elements

Element 1: Community of Faith


Mayfield Junior School is a community where the Catholic faith and our Holy Child heritage are cherished, celebrated and shared with others. We embrace families desiring an education that inspires its students academically and spiritually. Rooted in the Divine presence, the Holy Child philosophy provides students with a human and respectful educational experience through the integration of our faith and values in all aspects of our programs. Our community educates the whole child, providing a rich learning environment for each student to recognize and develop his or her unique gifts and experience the joy of learning.

Goal: Create clear and comprehensive steps to strengthen Mayfield Junior School according to the Catholic faith, Gospel teachings and Goals of the Holy Child Network of Schools.

Strategies:
  • Expand and sustain a program to educate and strengthen our entire community in the traditions of Catholic education through the vision of Cornelia Connelly and the Society of the Holy Child Jesus.
  • Create a managed system to continually support Mission Effectiveness and Network Goals.
  • Directly integrate, across the community, the essential elements of Catholic social teachings.
  • Strategically promote the Catholic nature of Mayfield Junior School while accentuating the uniqueness of the Holy Child identity and traditions of our school community.

Element 2: Establishing Leadership

The Mayfield Junior School community is comprised of current and future leaders in their communities, professions and faith groups. Our goal is to ensure that all Mayfield Junior School students have the competence and confidence to continue to uphold the Holy Child philosophy while becoming visionary, compassionate and ethical leaders today and into the future. To do so, it is vital that our community provides for the continued health and viability of Mayfield Junior School into the future by focusing on the fiduciary leadership (oversight and assessment of mission and finance “Doing things right”), strategic leadership (foresight and “Doing the right things”) and generative leadership (shared visioning, investment for the future and “Leaving a legacy”).

Goal: Create and support initiatives that will ensure that Leadership is the “hallmark” of the continued health and success of Mayfield Junior School.

Strategies:
  • Develop and pursue institutional leadership opportunities that reflect a visionary and innovative approach building upon the School’s position as one of the leading independent Catholic elementary schools in the country.
  • Establish new leadership development initiatives for the Board of Trustees, Faculty and Administration, Alumni and Parents of Alumni.

Element 3: Students


Mayfield Junior School students are connected to their local, global and spiritual communities. Through the Holy Child philosophy, they become citizens who value the unique differences in other cultures, religious faiths and community struggles. They are inspired to give back to, serve, and eventually lead their communities. Their confidence in their individuality allows them to be adaptable, independent thinkers. Successful and prepared Mayfield Junior School students will be able to collaborate, create and think critically when they move on into high school. Meeting the “Wants of the Age” remains a driving principle of our school.

Goal: Incorporate diverse opportunities for Mayfield Junior School students to become spiritually, socially, emotionally and physically connected with the world and educationally prepared as confident independent thinkers.

Strategies:
  • Continue to prepare our students, as they mature in a global society, with the values, morals and ethics consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
  • Reinforce the uniqueness and value of each child by emphasizing his or her individual character and strengths while building self-esteem, confidence and a joyful spirit.
  • Strive to maintain and support a student population that reflects the diverse nature of the community in which we live.
  • Promote systems that contribute to a successful educational journey for each Mayfield Junior School student.

Element 4: Teaching and Learning

Mayfield was founded on Cornelia Connelly’s belief that every child is capable of learning and is deserving of an education. As a Catholic independent school associated with the Holy Child Network of Schools, we are responsible for providing an education that meets the “wants of the age” and adheres to the teachings of the Catholic faith. It is essential that we recognize and subsequently develop an innovative and balanced program.


Goal: Support an effective teaching and learning environment that is aligned with the Holy Child goals and suits the needs of each student.

Strategies:
  • Advance teaching effectiveness in order to better serve the students in every aspect of their education.
  • Establish Mayfield Junior School as a place where innovation and collaboration are standards we value in the educational process.
  • Monitor the balance of our educational program through the lens of our Mission, the contemporary needs of the students and capacity of the School.
  • Clarify the significance, capacity and benefits of the student support services and clearly define the scope of the program for the entire community.

Element 5: Institutional Resources

As a Mayfield Junior School community, we cherish the 80 years of Holy Child education and the foundation this school has provided to many generations of students. In order to be vigilant in protecting the heritage, while supporting the growth for the students of today and generations to follow, it is critical to focus on the sustainability of all resources that contribute to our effectiveness. It is our responsibility to provide the best and most appropriate learning environment and ultimately support our institutional Mission and program. It is essential that we include in this work, but not limit it to, human assets, facilities and financial capital. Additionally, it is imperative to continually review how each of those elements influences the school.

Goal: Develop and implement ways to grow institutional resources in order to best serve our students and families, and enhance our Mission and traditions.

Strategies:
  • Strengthen the financial position of the School to address the future needs of the institution.
  • Form and maintain a sustainable financial model of operation to provide the best possible program.
  • Prioritize the actions necessary to enhance both the effectiveness and contributions of all active constituents.
  • Create a long-range resources/facilities enhancement, growth and maintenance plan.

Strategic Design Committee

Allyson Simpson, Chair
Samantha Bane Bainter ’97
Chantal Berger Bennett ’85
Geoff Bland
Anne-Marie Bulawka
Amion Burton
Chuck Carroll
Walter Conn ’81
Alison Jones Gamble ’83
Bridget Kelley-Lossada
Britt McConnell
Linda Mennis
Jeff Moore
David Parry
Jim Sadd
Mike Smith ’76
Karen Sweeney
Frances White, SHCJ

Joseph J. Gill, Former Headmaster

Mark Attwood, Ex-Officio
Tim McIntire, Consultant,
Santa Fe Leadership Center
Carla Silva, Consultant,
Santa Fe Leadership Center