Overbrook Strategic Plan 2020

OVERBROOK SCHOOL

STRATEGIC GROWTH PLAN 2021-2026

THE DOMINICAN DIFFERENCE: GROWING IN WONDER AND WISDOM

2 OVERBROOK SCHOOL STRATEGIC GROWTH PLAN 2021-2026

OVERBROOK SCHOOL

WONDER LEADS TO KNOWING

Dear Overbrook Community,

With excitement and great hope, we share Overbrook School’s Strategic Growth Plan, The

Dominican Difference: Growing in Wonder and Wisdom, which will guide the school’s work for the

next five years.

The planning process, led by the Institute for School and Parish Development, spanned the last 12

months and involved hundreds of people along the way. The voices of parents, faculty and staff,

alumni, friends, and supporters were heard as they completed surveys, participated in interviews,

served on committees, volunteered on planning teamsand joined the convocation gathering.

Especially important to note, participants pressed forward despite the challenges 2020 presented.

To everyone involved, and on behalf of the children of Overbrook – our current students and those

of the future – who will benefit from your good thinking, thank you.

The following pages share the Dominican Difference – the unique way in which our school serves the

children entrusted to our care. It is what sets Overbrook apart in the education of young men and

women. The strategic initiatives are contained on these pages – a lofty blueprint for Overbrook’s

continued growth and vitality – aimed at renewing and deepening the Dominican Difference centered on:

• Faith, Freedom, and Virtue

• Organizational Structure and School Collaboration

• Facilities

• Advancement

Finally, you will see the names of the significant number of people involved in this planning

process. It is a testament to their love for Overbrook with many dedicating themselves for the

entire year and all contributing their wisdom.

God has great things in store for Overbrook – His school. For decades, Overbrook has given

children an idyllic childhood, prepared them for success in high school and life, and provided a

foundation of faith centered on the teachings of the Catholic Church. This Strategic Growth

Plan provides the groundwork to ensure Overbrook’s strength and vitality for generations to

come. We look forward to providing regular progress reports to you.

Sincerely in Christ,

Sister Julia Marie, O.P.

Principal

STRATEGIC GROWTH PLAN 2021-2026 OVERBROOK SCHOOL 3

BUILDING ON A FIRM FOUNDATION

Overbrook School is a private, coeducational Catholic school

serving students in preschool through eighth grades. Founded in

1936, Overbrook is owned and operated by the Dominican

Sisters of St. Cecilia. The school extends to students of all faiths

the principles of Christian life in the Roman Catholic faith, and

pledges to teach the fullness of the Catholic faith as articulated

by the magisterium (teaching office) of the Roman Catholic

Church.

Overbrook School exists to provide an environment of

academic excellence where students are invited into a

lifelong friendship with Jesus Christ, to grow in holiness as

stewards of God’s creation, and to share the Good News of

Christ’s love with others.

Since 1216, the Order of Preachers has been called to preach

and teach the Word of God. St. Dominic embodied the

teaching mission of the Church by sending his followers out

into the world to proclaim the Gospel to all people. Since

1936, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation has

continued this mission of St. Dominic at Overbrook School,

offering students an intellectual foundation in the liberal arts

that encourages them to love knowledge for its own sake and

to excel in scholastic and extracurricular pursuits within the

context of a joyful, Christ-centered community.


THE DOMINICAN DIFFERENCE

The Dominican Difference is an expression of the charism of

the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, whose legacy lives in the

daily life of Overbrook School and St. Cecilia Academy. This

difference flows from the person of St. Dominic, who founded

the Dominican Order in the heart of the Church for preaching

and the salvation of souls.

• It is an academically rigorous approach to educating

students in truth and charity within a nurturing community

marked by grace, friendship, freedom, and confidence.

• It elucidates the rich harmony of faith and reason, encouraging

students to contemplation of the simple splendor of reality

through the pursuit of truth wherever it may be found.

• It emphasizes that true learning leads to wisdom and that

a life of virtue grounded in friendship with Jesus Christ, who

is Truth, leads to happiness, fulfillment, and joy.

Friendship with God in turn invites us into friendship and

communion with our neighbor, inspiring us to communicate

His goodness and love to the world as we become more of one

mind and heart in our journey toward heaven.



STRATEGIC INITIATIVE:

FAITH, FREEDOM AND VIRTUE

At Overbrook School, the Dominican Difference fosters the development of

the child’s capacity for God. Children discover the love of God in faith, freedom

and virtue. The top priorities of Overbrook School’s Strategic Growth Plan are

aimed at renewing and deepening the Dominican Difference.

1. Firmly establish the Overbrook School experience within a

vision of the child and of education according to the

Dominican Difference.

2. Revise the Overbrook mission statement to incorporate the

various facets of the Dominican Difference, integrating its

principles in the recruitment and formation of faculty and

staff, as well as student and family formation.

• Deepen and communicate the difference of the

Dominican Tradition in an educational program directed to

human flourishing, in the freedom and joy that flow from

knowledge of the Truth, who is God Himself.

• Recruit, form and retain teachers who are, both

professionally and spiritually, authentic witnesses to God’s

Truth and Love.

3. Create a culture that witnesses the Dominican Difference

through a balanced program of challenging academics and

varied opportunities for growth in virtue and self-giving

(through community programs, rigorous academics, STEM

and More, junior high leadership, service, athletics, and the

arts).

• Through school traditions, make Catholic faith formation

engaging, intentional and consistent.

• Provide meaningful service opportunities that encourage

involvement of the entire school community.

• Make the junior high an exceptional experience for the 6th

– 8th grade students.



ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

AND SCHOOL COLLABORATION

1. Formally study with St. Cecilia Academy the 7th and 8th

grades to create a thriving junior high program on the

Dominican Campus.

2. Explore an administrative model that unlocks the potential

for the Overbrook School and St. Cecilia Academy

communities to thrive and ensures continuity of mission,

long-range planning, and programming when administrators

change.

3. Leverage our campus and facilities to enhance the student

experience and to promote the schools to the greater

Nashville community.



FACILITIES

1. Revise the Campus Master Plan to prioritize new facility needs

and renovations, including a shared chapel, an atrium, outdoor

learning, athletic facilities, renovation of spaces, and facility

endowments.

2. Create a long-term plan to meet consistently the maintenance

and infrastructure needs of Overbrook School in an organized

and cost-efficient way.




ADVANCEMENT

1. Develop a comprehensive, long-term, strategic approach to

development efforts to reach financial and relationship-building

goals for operations, endowment, and capital needs.

2. Clearly define, communicate, and market the value

proposition of Overbrook School in its mission, academic

program, and extracurricular programming.

3. Fully engage prospective and current families to attract and

retain students and families who desire the mission of

Overbrook School and who, through their positive

educational experience, grow in loyalty and appreciation

of the school and the Dominican Campus.

4. Develop and integrate the unique features of different

student age groups within Overbrook School to enhance

community, strengthen retention, and increase enrollment.


EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Sr. Anna Laura, O.P.

Sr. John Mary, O.P.

Sr. Julia Marie, O.P.

Sr. Mary Thomas, O.P.

Sharon Huber

Elizabeth Carden Phillips ’82

Byron Smith

STEERING COMMITTEE

Allen Arender

Michael Augustine ’95

Nikki Crosslin

Brent Fruin

Stephanie Greenfield

Ashley Elizabeth Johnson

Catherine Lee

Teresa Leon

David McMillen

Roman Perri

Lynn Provident

Christopher Rand

Melinda Sava

Kimberly Baker Songy ’96

Marc Stengel ’70

Kesha Wall

Sr. Ann Hyacinth, O.P.

Sr. Immaculata, O.P.

PLANNING AREA TEAM MEMBERS

Billy Alexander ’77

Andrew Atwood

Marie Bellet

Lily Ayala Berlyn

Rick Bobos

Neily Boyd

Wil Caldwell

Sam Cavett

Kiran Chamberlain

Laurie Cian

Jean-Marie Bibb Clark ‘00

John Crosslin

Shawn Curley

Vincent Dixie

Jada Nave Edmondson ‘81

Rebecca Finley

Kimberly Forrest

Kathy Galloway

Jon Gaston

Mary Belle Grande

Meghan Guilfoil

Joe Hall

Jamie Hare

Danielle Kroger

Mike Leon

Jennifer McCormick

Drennon McMurray

Hannah Metzger

Roberta Muldoon

Emily Murphy

Michelle Murray

Dana Nappi

Aimee Perri

Molly Petroni

Jim Phillips

Victoria Regens

Georgina Noble Saxon ‘76

Theresa Sberna

Allison Sheehan

Anthony Simpson

Laura Stankewicz

Lindsy Stempel

Whitney Stovall

Cathy Strickland

Russell Taber

Reigen Tuggle

Cherryl Tumanda

John Wall ‘67

Patrick Wall ‘95

Sr. Anne Catherine, O.P.

Sr. Catherine Marie, O.P.

Sr. John Peter, O.P.



CONVOCATION PARTICIPANTS

Ghina Absi

Maria Acevedo

Robert Ammarell ’93

Yana Ancell

Carolyn Baker

J.P. Bernatavitz

Krissie Betbeze

Randy Bibb

Blaine Bonadies

Lauren Caldwell

Natalie Carr

Toni Carter

Greg Celio

Lucy Cesnik

Marion Cianciolo

Alexza Clark

Marcina Clark

Julie Claverie

Rachel Formosa Coleman ’89

Brian Cote

Lymari Cromwell

Megan Crosswy

Caroline Crouch

Matt Curley

Paul Davis

Ericka Dixie

Mary Pat Donoghue

Heather Elder

Kim Ely

Barbara Esteves-Moore

Jeremy Finley

Matt Freiberg

Megan Gardner

Anna Beth Godfrey

Jacquie Grytza

Rebecca Hammel

Allison Hassett ’11

Jeannie Jones

Layla Krog

Katie Lennon

Jimmy McLeod

Sarah McLeod

Paul McRedmond

Brian Meehan

Diane Meier

Felicite Mire

Agness Mzumara

Bill O’Bryan

Jonathan Owen

Sarah Petroni ’10

Katie Rand

Cortney Rockhill

Nicole Salloum

David Scharf

Heather Schoch

Chris Sigmund

Stephen Songy

Lisa Spellman

Chloe Wall ’10

Joan Watson

Marci Wayman

Mary Brugh Weber

Rachel White

Sr. Elizabeth Anne, O.P.

Sr. Matthew Marie, O.P.


PRIORESS GENERAL AND GENERAL COUNCIL

Overbrook School is owned and operated by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia.

The Congregation’s General Council, pictured above, serves as the governing board

for Overbrook School and St. Cecilia Academy on the Dominican Campus.

Mother Anna Grace Neenan, O.P., center

Prioress General

Sr. Catherine Marie Hopkins, O.P., left

General Councilor

Sr. Marian Sartain, O.P., second from left

General Councilor

Sr. Anne Catherine Burleigh, O.P., second from right

Vicaress General

Sr. Ann Hyacinth Genow, O.P., right

General Councilor


4210 HARDING PIKE | NASHVILLE, TN 37205 | 615.292.5134 | OVERBROOK.EDU

Overbrook Strategic Plan 2020

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