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STRATEGIC PLAN

Planning for Our Future

In 2021, the Board of Trustees established a Strategic Planning Committee to engage in research and data gathering to inform the development of a strategic plan. The resulting 5-year plan (2023-2028) builds upon past accomplishments and positions the School to meet current and future challenges.

How Are We Doing?

Benchmarking progress towards our strategic goals is essential. Follow this page to stay informed of our accomplishments as we pave the way to realizing our strategic vision for Congressional School.

Click the + buttons to view our accomplishments to date.

Academic Excellence

Objective:
Continue to enhance the School’s curriculum and develop innovative programs in STEM and the Fine Arts that challenge each student to realize their fullest potential.

2023-2024 Achievements:

- Expansion of Middle School Visual Arts Electives to include 6th Grade Ceramics and Handbuilding, 7th grade 2D Design and 8th grade 3D Design.

- Launched an annual Primary School musical in 2023.

- Partnerships with Walnut Hill School for the Arts, and Kennedy Center Education.

- Hired STEM Integrator for Preschool-Grade 8.

- New Learning Specialist hired for 2023-2024 School Year with a concentration in Orton-Gillingham approach to literacy instruction, Preschool-Grade 2.

- Engaged Artists-in-Residence to work with Arts faculty on curriculum development and programming.

Picture of teacher and students at Congressional School

Faculty Development

Objective:
Provide a work environment that is rewarding financially and professionally.

2023-2024 Achievements:

- Implemented compensation increases for select faculty below market rate.

- Continued Market, Equity, and Retention initiative for faculty retention.

- Launched Stay Interviews and utilizing results for compensation and professional development opportunities.

- Rolled out Faculty Innovation Grants for Spring 2024; awarded grants to faculty in April 2024.

- Establish a George Mason University School of Education Partnership for Teaching Interns (In Progress).

- Review faculty and staff benefits (In Progress).

- Engaged Director of Human Resources and Strategic Initiatives to work with HBCUs and MSIs for 2024-2025 faculty/staff recruitment.

Picture of the main entrance of Congressional School

Institution Building

Picture of students playing at Congressional School

Enrollment, Access, and Affordability

Objective:
Evaluate and strengthen our admission practices to attract, enroll, and retain the most qualified students.

2023-2024 Achievements:

- Building new partnerships with early childhood programs in Arlington and Fairfax County (In Progress)

- Paused standardized testing for 2024-2025 applicants; made testing optional for 2023-2024 applicants.

- Saw an increase in applicant diversity across race, ethnicity, and geographic location during 2023-2024 Admission season.

- Review of Financial Aid Pool (In Progress)

Picture of front entrance construction at Congressional School

Campus Development

Objective:
Reinvigorate our physical campus and its condition so that it serves the needs of all programs.

2023-2024 Achievements:

- Engaged DLR Group as campus master plan consultants.

- Established Campus Master Plan Steering Committee and Advisory Committee.

- Distributed questionnaires to major stakeholder groups.

- Explore feasibility study to support a comprehensive campaign (In Progress)

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