Duke School's 2017-2022 Strategic Plan

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Since its inception, Duke School has been a leader in progressive education and has excelled
in preparing the next generation of problem solvers while inspiring learners to boldly and
creatively shape their future. As the world around us changes at increasingly faster rates,
our strategies to prepare students to thrive in this environment must evolve just as quickly.
While the future our students will inherit is impossible to predict, we do know:
• The complexity of challenges facing the world are outpacing current knowledge and
strategies thus the world needs innovative people and solutions to address them.
• In order to be inspired problem solvers, students need the skills and habits of mind to be
engaged and make an impact in the knowledge economy.
• Students are most likely to succeed in an increasingly global cultural and economic
landscape if they enjoy an equitable and just environment.
• In order for Duke School to continue to be successful it needs a future orientation.
• The world needs engaged active citizens who are upstanders.
As a result, Duke School’s strategic plan (“FIRE”) has four pillars. The plan:
1) Boldly looks to students’, teachers’ and the institution’s future, rather than being tethered
to the past.
2) Fosters innovative students equipped to thrive in a volatile, uncertain, complex and
ambiguous (VUCA) world.
3) Challenges and prepares students and the institution to strive for impactful results.
4) Strives to create and maintain an equitable and just culture.
The four pillars of the plan create synergies that will lead to both Duke School and
its students to be upstanders.