When we set out to develop our #IHPromise strategic plan, our guiding light was clear: students at the center. What we promised was a living document that would evolve over the five years of the plan to make space for adjustments. As we complete the one-year celebration of our #IHPromise, we look back at how the plan was established and look forward to defining how the plan will evolve for the upcoming school year.
The HistoryIn 2022, the Indian Hill School District launched our 5-year strategic plan. By the numbers: 2,200 stakeholders developed our plan – including students, community members, staff, and alumni. The District hosted six community engagement events. We welcomed 160 students who participated in focus groups. A total of 22 steering team members met for 10-plus planning and design sessions.
We began this school year with 10 initiatives defined by this robust, inclusive process, centered on three focus areas: Learners as Doers, Learners as Individuals, and Learners as the Whole Child.
The FeedbackWe appreciate the feedback we have received from faculty and our community to simplify our strategic plan. After hearing voice from 80+ faculty and staff taking part in initiative teams who have invested 1,200+ hours dedicated to this work, coupled with input from more than 40 participants, including parents and community members, we are ready to create necessary updates to the original plan, as we prepare for the 2023-2024 school year. This includes a
merging of work to streamline our process.
Two of the original 10 initiatives are now complete: Streamline Communications and Create New Spaces.
The remaining eight initiatives will shift to five: Student Agency; STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math – to include design thinking); Career Pathways; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Wellness.
We work on each initiative in three phases: Research, Discovery, and Implementation. Each of the initiatives will be considered in the following stages for the 2023-2024 school year:
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Research: Career Pathways; Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
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Discovery: Student Agency (now incorporating Culminating Experiences); Wellness (now incorporating Practical Life Skills and School/Life Integration); STEM
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Implementation (complete): Streamline Communications; Create New Spaces
Finally, we will restructure our internal process moving forward; separate Initiative Teams will shift to a single Strategic Plan Leadership Team made up of our administrators and outstanding world-class teachers and innovation coaches across all grade levels.
The FutureAs we continue to receive feedback on progress within each of our focus areas, our plan will continue to evolve. We will continue to refine practice. We will continue to make space for the right growth.
One thing will always remain the same, the original guiding light that helped us to define our work: students at the center.
At the Indian Hill School District, that is simply how we do business.
In service to our children,
Kirk Koennecke
CEO/Superintendent
Indian Hill School District
Photo caption: Indian Hill School District CEO/Superintendent Kirk Koennecke