Hammond School Strategic Plan

fu•ture nan expectation of advancement or progressive development

Defining the future

Defining the Future ... A Plan for

Dear Hammond Community,

O ver the course of our 45-year existence, Hammond has faced a myriad of changes and challenges as it has grown to become the premiere in-

dependent school in South Carolina. We have graduated over 2700 of the best and brightest students in the area, many of whom have excelled in their chosen field of endeavor--be it medicine, law, education, business, the sciences, or the arts. The growth of our academic program and campus has been relatively quick for a school of our age, and quite expansive. Hammond has become an impressive addition to Columbia, but more importantly, we have developed a reputation for unique and creative ways of educating young people, a strong sense of community, a spirit found nowhere else, and an appreciation for the world around us. The following strategic plan, unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees, will serve as a blueprint to help build Hammond in new ways, while continuing to improve upon that which we do so well: educating young people.

Our Strategic Planning Committee consisted of a committed group of faculty members, parents, Board Members, and administrators who were charged with the task of helping develop the school’s direction. Following thoughtful discussions and a collaborative effort, the goals of the strategic plan include focusing on the following areas: community, curriculum, faculty and staff, technology, and financial support. As we work toward these goals, and as we define the future of Hammond, our objective is to strive for improve-ments where needed, while capitalizing on the successes of yesterday. We are thankful to everyone involved in the process. Please join us in helping make this plan a reality.

Jay Courie Bill Smith Chris AngelChair, Board of Trustees Committee Chair Head of School

Vice-Chair, Board of Trustees

How paramount the future is to the present when one is surrounded by children. - Anonymous

How paramount the future is to the present when one is surrounded by children. - Anonymous

Chris AngelJeff BarnesMary BestRene’ BickleyMichael BordenJulie BrooksJay CourieBob DavisJill DavisKaren Dukes

Andy EdgrenPeter FawcettAnne Fowler (‘90)Lee HarvinKatherine HopkinsJim LewisBlair LowryJody Lumpkin (‘96)Bill McElveen (‘76)Jodie McLean

Grace Moore (‘99)Rebecca Penland (‘82)Matt RadtkeLaura RileyJeff SeligBill SmithJason TompkinsKelley WoodyDavid Zalesne

Strategic Planning Committee

Contents

I. GoalOneCommunity

II. GoalTwoCurriculum

III.GoalThreeFaculty and Staff

IV.GoalFourFacilities

V. GoalFiveTechnology

VI.GoalSixFinancial Support


com•mun•ity nany group with a shared interest or goal

CommunityHammond School will develop and maintain a unified atmosphere that is inclusive, welcoming, accepting, and affirming of the humanity of every individual.

RationaleHammond recognizes that the value of a unified community lies in be-ing a part of something larger than the individual. Additionally, Ham-mond recognizes the value of inclusivity in a school community as a way to support student achievement and preparation for college and life be-yond Hammond.

Sub-goals1. Hammond will demonstrate unconditional support and re-

gard for the individual differences of those in the Hammond and global communities.

2. Hammond will identify and clarify the core values of the in-stitution..

3. Hammond will foster a culture where honor is valued from PK-12.

4. Hammond will foster a culture where service is valued from PK–12.

5. Hammond will strengthen relationships with alumni, expand database, and educate our constituents on the value of net-work.


As a PK-12 school, Hammond will develop, articulate, and implement a research-based, continual, integrated curriculum that incorporates best practices of instruction to prepare students for continued educa-tion in college and beyond.

RationaleHammond realizes that a purposefully designed curriculum is the foundation that defines a school.

Sub-goals1. Hammond will develop a dynamic curriculum that balanc-

es cognitive, social, emotional, and physical wellness and is based on educational research from around the world.

2. Hammond will recognize the potential of the individual and strive to present material using differentiated instruc-tion and by providing academic enrichment centers to promote learning for all students.

3. Hammond will further develop a college counseling pro-gram that fosters an understanding of the college process, encourages students to explore a variety of opportunities, and provides advocacy for individual students.

4. Hammond will foster a culture where experiential educa-tion opportunities are valued and accessible from PK-12. These opportunities include, but are not limited to: arts, athletics, wilderness experiences, international and na-tional travel.

5. Hammond will prepare students to thrive as citizens of the world by identifying and fostering key strategic alli-ances and exchanges with other academic institutions and businesses around the world, including both student and faculty exchanges.

Curriculum

cur•ric•u•lum n

a set of courses constituting an area of specialization


fac•ul•ty nthe teaching and administrative staff and those members of the administration having academic rank in an educational institution

faculty & staff Hammond will recruit, retain, and develop diverse faculty and staff that implement the Hammond School mission by delivering academic excel-lence, enhancing the school community through collaboration among divisions and creating an environment where every student can develop to their full individual potential. Hammond will seek faculty and staff members who are enthusiastic life-long learners, experts in their subject areas, role models of high character, and genuinely excited about work-ing with students.

Rationale Hammond recognizes that the success of students greatly depends on the quality of our faculty and staff. Professional development will keep our teachers and other members of the community current with best prac-tices as well as continuously provide an infectious energy and enthusiasm that will model and inspire a love of learning that never ends. The school must provide and support the faculty with the right tools to ensure that our students will be well rounded and successful in a global, competitive environment.

Sub-goals1. Hammond will have a competitive pay structure and recruit-

ment strategy to attract and retain a quality, diverse faculty.

2. Hammond will further develop and implement a structured, transparent faculty, staff, and administration evaluation policy.

3. Hammond will further develop and implement a model Pro-fessional Development program to include up-to-date teach-ing techniques, curriculum, and technology for all faculty and staff.

4. Hammond will have faculty who are engaged with students outside of the traditional classroom.


In order to foster a community of learners and interactive collaboration, the school will design facilities that teach, where every space is purposefully uti-lized and becomes an active part of the educational experience. Our physi-cal space will set an expectation of excellence.

RationaleAs a premier college preparatory institution that prepares students to enter college with the skills necessary to compete with the best and brightest around the world, we must create an environment that maximizes optimal learning. Hammond recognizes that campus facilities must be designed to support the active and collaborative learning of all members of the school community as leaders and learners in a competitive 21st century school.

Sub-goals1. Hammond will develop and implement a campus master plan, uti-

lizing our entire campus to meet all the needs of our constituents

2. Safety/Security/Access – We will design, develop, and maintain se-curity, and age-appropriate access for all campus visitors and resi-dents.

3. Public Image/Marketing/Community – In all of our facilities de-velop ment and maintenance, we will be mindful of our public im-age, marketing, and community outreach objectives by creating a clean, aesthetically pleasing and welcoming environment which promotes collaboration and unity among all three divisions.

4. Hammond will develop a maintenance plan that is cost effective and energy efficient. We will endeavor to incorporate sustainable building and maintenance practices for all facilities and grounds.

futurefacilities

fa•cil•i•ty nSomething that is built, installed, or established to serve a particular purpose


e

tech•nol•o•gy nthe usage and knowledge of tools, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization

technologyHammond will become a model among independent schools in the use of educational technology.

RationaleProper use of technology will add immeasurably to the learning experi-ence of each student, improve achievement, facilitate teaching and learn-ing, and reinforce the school’s commitment to the environment. We believe that the appropriate use of technology can enhance the interdisciplinary curriculum, provide ways for our students to stimulate creative inquiry, in-tellectual achievement, and independent thinking.

Sub-goals1. Hammond will maintain and support a technology com-

mittee that will evaluate the current and future uses of technology in all educational environments around the world and recommend strategies to the school.

2. Hammond will further develop a comprehensive vision and plan for technology.

3. Hammond will host an educational technology conference and have faculty and staff present at local, regional, and national conferences, demonstrating our effective use of technology.

4. Hammond will incorporate technology to improve the integration of information across administrative areas and connect all Hammond constituents.


Hammond School will fully fund the operation, maintenance, and growth of the institution.

RationaleThe Board has a fiduciary responsibility to the Hammond Community to ensure the school remains a viable and sustainable institution.

Sub-goals1. Enrollment: Hammond will increase enrollment by improving

market awareness, measured by applications per opening, and will make every reasonable effort to retain students who are eligible to return, decreasing attrition.

2. Voluntary Giving: To promote institutional advancement, Hammond will emphasize and cultivate the School’s volun-tary giving programs, making the growth of the endowment a priority and increasing the Annual Fund each year.

3. Debt: When necessary, Hammond will maintain a level of debt appropriate for an institution of its size, benchmarking against comparable independent schools, and will use surplus funds, when feasible, to reduce outstanding debt.

4. Operations: Hammond will price tuition and fees at market level to the fund operation, debt service and strategic initia-tives of the School and to support and grow the Plant Replace-ment, Renewal and Special Maintenance fund.

financial support

fi•nance vthe obtaining of funds or capital

Documents

Hammond School Strategic Plan