Hillside_Strategic GoalsWEB

STRATEGIC GOALS | 2019
Reigniting the Joy of Learning

OUR Mission
Hillside School provides specialized instruction enabling students
with dyslexia and other learning differences to reach their academic
potential and become capable and confident lifelong learners.
OUR Vision
Hillside School is a leader in the development of innovative teaching
strategies for students with learning differences and serves as a
community resource about the education and the well-being of children.
2

OUR
Guiding Beliefs
All children can learn
The joy of learning is every child’s right
Ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of
the academic program is essential
Educating children must include care
for their affective needs
Collaboration with parents and professionals
promotes student success
Learning happens best when
children are engaged in a supportive
environment that is free of judgment
Serving as a resource about learning and
the well-being of children supports the whole
community
3

OUR
History
Hillside School was founded in 2005 by Suzanne Neuman and Kathy Sherman to address
a need in the community for an educational facility designed for students with learning
disabilities such as dyslexia.
Many parents were finding that their children
with dyslexia were not being provided the
intensive, daily, individual instruction that
they needed. Students reported
frustration, depression, anger,
and loss of confidence.
When Hillside opened its doors
in 2005, it modeled its original
program on the successful Hill
School in Durham, NC. Through
the years, the Hillside program was
refined, building its own model based on
research and the collective experience of its
highly-trained faculty. The unique program
at Hillside involves one teacher working
with four students in three-hour
intensive daily sessions. On
average, students transition
back to their traditional schools
within two years. Students make
tremendous academic gains
during this time and grow into
confident learners.
4

A NOTE
FROM OUR
Leaders
Dear Hillside Community,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, it gives us great pleasure to share
with you the strategic plan recently completed for our school. Hillside
is maturing quickly, and this plan helps us chart a path forward with
both confidence and excitement.
The plan is the result of a concerted effort of many hours of study
involving all stakeholders in our school community led by consultants
who are knowledgeable in the field of education as well as strategic
planning. Parent and teacher input was an important piece of this
planning. We all know that Hillside is poised for growth to further
expand our reach in helping children and families. Having a strong
plan with clear goals supports our continued success.
It is truly a privilege to be a part of Hillside School and the positive
impact it continues to manifest in our community.
Sincerely,
Kathy Sherman
Kathy Sherman, Head of School
Sue Ryan
Sue Ryan, Board Chair
5

OUR Process
Hillside School launched its comprehensive strategic planning
process in July 2018. The strategic plan is the result of a collaborative
process that benefited from broad community input and that
envisions a bright future for Hillside School. The resulting plan takes
a medium-range view, setting our sights on the advances we plan
to make in the next three years.
To facilitate the process, the school partnered with
SparkED: An Education Consulting Collective. SparkED
used their expertise working with small, independent
schools to craft a process that was customized to
Hillside School’s culture and goals. As a part of the
process, they reviewed a broad range of data from
multiple sources, including financials, past parent and teacher
surveys, fundraising targets and initiatives, and staffing and salary
information. SparkED then spent a day at Hillside School, meeting
with teachers, administrators, and parents, and observing the
magic that happens in our classrooms.
GOALS ARE MET IN A
THOUGHTFUL,
RESPONSIBLE &
SUSTAINABLE WAY
Following SparkED’s visit, we created and administered a series
of surveys to school stakeholders, including teachers, parents,
alumni parents,and board members. These surveys and frequent
conversations with board and school leadership reflected consistent
themes around Hillside School’s opportunities for growth and a
clear vision for the future. The strategic planning
process culminated in a full-day strategic planning
retreat where members of the Hillside board
reviewed community input and finalized the goals
and actionable initiatives that will guide our focus
for the next three years.
After final board approval of the strategic plan,
our administrative team began working closely with the board to
develop an implementation plan that will ensure that these goals
are met in a thoughtful, responsible, and sustainable way. Bringing
this plan to life depends upon the involvement of everyone in our
community. Please join us in generously supporting these initiatives
and working with us to ensure a bright future for our school!
6

OUR STRATEGIC GOALS
Expanding Impact
Strong Leadership
Inspiring Facilities
Excellence in Teaching
7

OUR STRATEGIC GOALS
Strong Leadership
STRATEGIC GOAL 1:
Work intentionally to nurture strong and sustainable school leadership that promotes and
maintains Hillside School’s distinctive culture and program.
RATIONALE:
Hillside School has benefited tremendously from the strong and consistent leadership of a visionary founding Head of School. As Hillside faces
a leadership transition, it is essential that the school focus on intentional and careful planning that honors our history while preparing for our
bright future. Promoting and nurturing a dedicated leadership team and developing a strong Board that reflects best practices in governance
will ensure the school’s sustainability and support future leadership. Positive and collaborative relationships between Board and Head of School
and a focus on maintaining school culture will be paramount.
ACTIONABLE INITIATIVE 1.1
Facilitate a thoughtful
Head of School transition
that honors Hillside
School’s history while
enthusiastically planning
for our vibrant future.
ACTIONABLE INITIATIVE 1.2
Create a sustainable
and collaborative
administrative structure
that supports efficient
school operations and
promotes the work of our
teachers.
ACTIONABLE INITIATIVE 1.3
Form a strong foundation for Hillside
School’s leadership by advancing
the role of the Board from advisory
to governing and by prioritizing
a positive and collaborative
relationship between the Board and
Head of School.
8

OUR STRATEGIC GOALS
Excellence in Teaching
STRATEGIC GOAL 2:
Maintain a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, self-reflection, and excellence.
RATIONALE:
Teachers are Hillside School’s greatest asset. Our program offers a unique academic model that produces transformative results. The
curriculum is focused, purposeful and individualized, to meet each student’s learning needs while simultaneously instilling self-confidence and
perseverance. The success of Hillside’s program relies on the expertise of our teachers, as well as the individual relationships they form with
their students.
Our teachers and staff place a high value on continued professional development and maintaining flexibility and autonomy within the
classroom so that teachers can utilize their expertise to best meet the needs of their students. As a result, we have created a culture of
authentic collaboration and growth that is shared by all members of our community. Maintaining this environment will result in continued
transformational impact for families and students.
ACTIONABLE INITIATIVE 2.1
Recruit and retain high
quality teachers and staff
who share a passion for
our mission.
ACTIONABLE INITIATIVE 2.2
Continue to provide
ongoing teacher
professional
development and to
recognize individual
faculty expertise.
ACTIONABLE INITIATIVE 2.3
Preserve and foster our authentic
culture of excellence, focusing on
a highly collaborative and studentoriented
climate in which all
members share a growth mindset
and respect for every individual
including both staff and students.
9

OUR STRATEGIC GOALS
Inspiring Facilities
STRATEGIC GOAL 31:
Create a learning environment that reflects and supports Hillside School’s unique program
and opportunities for expanding our impact.
RATIONALE:
Hillside School’s unique program is based on using innovative teaching strategies and specialized instruction to enable students with dyslexia to
meet their academic potential. Individualized instruction, low student-teacher ratios, and an environment focused on collaboration and support
for student needs are all crucial to the strength and success of the program.
Hillside School’s recent purchase of the property on Lookout Road provides a permanent and sustainable home for our school. This is a rare
opportunity to create a learning environment that is as unique and student-centered as our program, supports future growth, preserves our
culture and reputation as a community resource.
ACTIONABLE INITIATIVE 3.1
Create a long-term
financial plan that
prioritizes fiscal
sustainability and
responsibly supports
development of our
campus.
ACTIONABLE INITIATIVE 3.2
Plan and execute a
capital campaign
focused on achieving
broad community
support for our
future facility needs.
ACTIONABLE INITIATIVE 3.3
Craft a facilities master plan
that envisions innovative and
inspiring classroom spaces,
advances the highest use of the
property, promotes the strength
of our community, and supports
opportunities for future growth.
ACTIONABLE INITIATIVE 3.4
Design and execute
a building and
renovation plan that
minimizes disruption
to students and
teachers.
10

OUR STRATEGIC GOALS
Expanding Impact
STRATEGIC GOAL 4:
Expand Hillside School’s impact while maintaining the integrity of our current program.
RATIONALE:
As demonstrated by student learning outcomes as well as faculty and family feedback, Hillside School transforms the lives of our students.
This transformation takes the form of significant and measurable academic progress and also improved self-confidence, both in and out of the
classroom. By expanding our impact, Hillside School can gift the world with more self-assured and capable minds.
Hillside School believes that all children have the right to experience the joy of learning and can do amazing things when given the right
foundation. We are committing to expanding our impact by exploring opportunities to share our unique expertise with other schools and
educators, identifying learning challenges more effectively, and reaching more students who learn differently. We are dedicated to maintaining
the integrity of our current program as it expands.
ACTIONABLE INITIATIVE 4.1
Create an assessment center offering
screening that provides useful
information to families and leads
to appropriate intervention and
teaching strategies.
ACTIONABLE INITIATIVE 4.2
Expand professional
development and teacher
training opportunities
to benefit the broader
community beyond
Hillside.
ACTIONABLE INITIATIVE 4.3
Grow our program by
increasing the number
of students and grades
served.
11

Thank you!
Hillside School wishes to thank our founders, administrators,
teachers, students, parents, alumni, and board for their
support and assistance in the completion of this strategic
plan and for making the Hillside magic happen each day.
Cheers to our future!
303.494.1468 | 7415 Lookout Road, Longmont, CO 80503 | info@hillsidelearning.org | www.hillsidelearning.org