Westside School Strategic Plan

At Westside School, our strategic plan is a roadmap for nurturing the next generation of confident, compassionate learners.

Rooted in our mission to help students think critically and act with compassion, this plan embodies our commitment to fostering a joyful, supportive community where every student can thrive. Guided by our values of joyful learning, high academic standards, and a caring community, we strive to create an inclusive environment where students discover their unique strengths, embrace challenges, and develop a passion for lifelong learning. Through collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for the future, we are shaping an educational experience that empowers students to contribute positively to the world.

Strategic Plan Pillars

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

Goal #1

Create a comprehensive long-term tuition, revenue, and investment strategy that ensures financial stability for the school. This strategy will prioritize maintaining the strengths of the program, support a diverse school community, and retain quality faculty and staff.

Goal #2

Enhance the culture of philanthropy at Westside by clearly defining the roles fundraising and endowments will play in ensuring financial sustainability.

Goal #3

Create a facilities master plan for Westside to support the program and curricular goals over the long term.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING

Goal #1

Cultivate and sustain a vibrant, diverse community of dynamic and talented students.

Goal #2

Attract and retain diverse faculty and staff, especially educators of color and educators from other underrepresented populations.

Goal #3

Support the growth of DEIB knowledge and cultural competence of our constituents: trustees, administrators, teachers, students, and families.

Goal #4

Continue to prioritize a culture of belonging that includes fostering an inclusive and diverse school community.

CURRICULUM & PROGRAM

Goal #1

Develop and document a clear, mission-focused curriculum, a formal curricular review process, and systems of assessment to support that curriculum.

Goal #2

Tell the story of learning at Westside and ensure that our programs honor the school’s mission.

Goal #3

Create a clear understanding of the school’s learning outcomes: the portrait of a graduate.

Goal #4

Strengthen the school’s curriculum and programs to be more inclusive and culturally responsive.

Goal #5

Consider adaptations to the curriculum to foster critical thinking and cultivate a deep sense of curiosity and lifelong learning.

Goal #6

Define and support teacher excellence at Westside.

ATTRACTING AND RETAINING TEACHERS & STAFF

Westside teachers around a world language display

Goal #1

Cultivate a healthy, desirable, and sustainable environment that attracts and retains excellent, mission-appropriate educators.

Goal #2

Attract and retain diverse faculty and staff, specifically educators of color and from other underrepresented populations.

Goal #3

Explore what additional benefits and incentives Westside can offer to attract and retain quality teachers and staff, given rising costs of living.

EXPANDING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Download the Strategic Plan

Our Mission

Westside students learn to think critically and act with compassion in a joyful, supportive community.

Our Vision

Westside is committed to being a collaborative, inclusive school where learners discover their unique strengths, embrace challenges, and develop a passion for learning, in order to contribute positively to their world.

Our Values

Joyful Learning

We believe children experience the excitement of learning through academic achievement, creative expression, and cooperation with others.

High Academic Standards

We believe the cultivation of problem-solving, innovative analytical thinking, and complex communication skills provides a strong foundation for lifelong success.

Confident Learners

We believe children gain confidence through positive support and clear behavioral guidelines within a safe learning environment.

Caring Community

We believe students become caring members of a global community by treating each other honestly, with respect and generosity of spirit.