The National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) is pleased to announce the unveiling of a new strategic plan in 2019. Building on the successes of the prior NAES strategic plan, produced in 2012, this new strategic plan represents the association’s continued and renewed efforts to advance Episcopal education, strengthen Episcopal schools, and promote “excellence through association.”
NAES has established four key goals for the future of the association: to sustain its commitment to effectively serving its membership; to promote Episcopal identity and what it means to be an Episcopal school; to foster strong relationships between the association, schools, and The Episcopal Church; and to further the link between Episcopal identity and being inclusive communities.
The process of creating this strategic plan involved the most extensive preparation undertaken to date by NAES, including an in-depth survey of its membership, in addition to numerous forums and focus groups held throughout the country. “This plan is the result of a truly concerted effort between the NAES board, staff, and our membership, and will serve the association and its membership for years to come” said The Rev. Daniel Heischman, D.D., NAES Executive Director. “It provides a clear and promising vision of the future for Episcopal schools.”
The planning process for this document began in 2017 with the engagement of Katherine Whitney, of Warren Whitney and Company (Richmond VA)—a professional familiar with the Episcopal school and church world. Next, NAES established a strategic planning committee, comprising the current Governance Committee of the NAES Governing Board, with the addition of two other friends of the association. Then followed: two forums of school heads, rectors, and chaplains; an intensive two-day staff planning retreat; a series of regional focus groups; and a comprehensive survey, representative of the entire NAES membership.
Lastly, the NAES Governing Board approved the final draft of the plan at its September 2018 meeting in Los Angeles. The resulting document is as comprehensive and reflective of the concerns and priorities of NAES’ membership as the association has ever produced.
The 2019 NAES Strategic Plan is available to download at www.episcopalschools.org/strategicplan. For more information, contact Jonathan F. Cooper, Communications Manager for NAES at (212) 716-6182 or jfc@episcopalschools.org.
The National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) is an independent 501(c)(3), voluntary membership organization that supports, serves, and advocates for the vital work and ministry of those who serve nearly 1,200 Episcopal schools, early childhood education programs, and school establishment efforts throughout The Episcopal Church. Chartered in 1965, with historic roots dating to the 1930s, NAES is the only pre-collegiate educational association that is both national in scope and Episcopal in character. The association advances Episcopal education and strengthens Episcopal schools through essential services, resources, conferences, and networking opportunities on Episcopal school identity, leadership, and governance, and on the spiritual and professional development of school leaders.