A Shared Vision
for the Future

VCS is proudly a PreK–8 school with a pedagogy that is intentionally designed for motivated and capable learners and is grounded in research that supports cognitive development, academic achievement, social-emotional well-being, and independence.

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Through this Strategic Plan, we aim to:

  • Strengthen and expand our Academic Program—including the thoughtful integration of a Pre-Kindergarten program.
  • Invest in Faculty and Staff Development.
  • Foster greater Community Engagement and partnership.
  • Support sustainable Admissions and Enrollment growth and retention.
  • And uphold strong Governance and financial stewardship.

While each component of our plan focuses on different elements of school life, they are united by one overarching goal: to enhance the educational experience of every VCS student.

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01.

Academics

“We are committed to a rigorous academic program—one that nurtures students as critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, intellectual risk takers, empathic community members, and confident self-advocates.”— The VCS Strategic Plan

Over the past five years, we have implemented several initiatives that have expanded the scope of VCS’s academic program and strengthened its leadership at both the divisional and school-wide levels. We reintroduced divisional leadership, positioning school leaders to provide more focused oversight and support within each division; established a Department Coordinators Group, creating formal leadership roles for teachers to help advance school-wide academic program goals; and, beginning in the 2027–2028 school year, will introduce a PreK program for four-year-olds, extending the VCS educational journey to ten years and providing a strong foundation for lifelong learning at the earliest stages of formal education.

Ultimately, our rigorous academic program nurtures students as they become creative problem solvers, empathetic community members, and confident in their abilities to take intellectual risks.

To strengthen our academic program in support of our mission, we aim to:

Open Pre-Kindergarten in 2027–2028

To strengthen our academic program in support of our mission, we aim to:

Continue to be adaptive to the evolving needs of the school by refining the current model to sustain programmatic excellence.

To strengthen our academic program in support of our mission, we aim to:

Finalize the audit of all subject areas to maintain academic rigor, developmental relevance, and continuity across grade levels.

To strengthen our academic program in support of our mission, we aim to:

Sustain the Beyond the Classroom program’s day trips, overnight experiences, and global excursions with a focus on cultural exploration, service, and interdisciplinary connections.

02.

Faculty & Staff

“The strength of Village Community School lies in the people who teach, support, and lead our students each day.”— The VCS Strategic Plan

At every level, we model the words in our mission: “Ours is a community where people care for and respect one another.” This commitment is reflected in how we hire, how we lead, how we support one another—and in the thriving, purposeful professional culture that defines VCS.

One of our school’s greatest strengths is our staff, who bring both expertise and kindness to their work each day. We are committed to attracting and retaining exceptional teaching and non-teaching staff, investing in their growth, and fostering a healthy, collaborative workplace where they feel valued, supported, and empowered. In doing so, we model the care and respect at the heart of our mission and strengthen our ability to serve our students and school community.

To support all teaching and nonteaching staff, we will:

Strengthen the collaborative hiring process and continue to prioritize competitive compensation.

To support all teaching and nonteaching staff, we will:

Continue to hone our processes of effective onboarding, and leadership and professional development for all faculty and staff that maintains alignment with the VCS Mission and Diversity statements.

To support all teaching and nonteaching staff, we will:

Conduct annual Employee Satisfaction surveys, maintain open communication between staff and administration, and be responsive to their articulated needs.

To support all teaching and nonteaching staff, we will:

Revise and strengthen feedback and evaluation processes for non-teaching staff.

03.

Community

“Community is more than just our middle name—it is the foundation of everything we do. We believe that building a strong community begins with knowing each student deeply and nurturing the relationships that connect us all.”— The VCS Strategic Plan

Community is at the heart of the VCS experience. It is reflected in the relationships we build, the joy we share, and the many ways students, families, staff, and alumni come together to learn, celebrate, contribute, and connect.

Building a strong community begins with knowing each student and family. The relationships we form with one another create a school where people feel connected, supported, and genuinely glad to be together. Every member of our community contributes to the warmth, school spirit, and sense of belonging at VCS.

Our community is grounded in partnership. We are accessible, supportive, and committed to walking alongside families throughout their journey at VCS, not only as educators, but as partners in the full development of every child.

And there is joy in how we come together. Our traditions, gatherings, school spirit, service, and celebrations create shared experiences that connect students across grades, bring families together, and keep alumni connected to a community that remains theirs long after graduation.

To continue building a strong, connected, and joyful community, we will:

Nurture our vibrant student community by promoting kindness, connection, leadership, and belonging across grades.

To continue building a strong, connected, and joyful community, we will:

Continue to strengthen communication, partnership, and trust by regularly seeking feedback through surveys and conversations and creating meaningful opportunities for families to engage in school life.

To continue building a strong, connected, and joyful community, we will:

Broaden community service efforts by developing age-appropriate, mission-aligned service learning opportunities that encourage empathy, responsibility, and cultural competency.

To continue building a strong, connected, and joyful community, we will:

Expand alumni programming by building on the work of the Alumni Council, increasing outreach, and creating more opportunities for connection among alumni, current students, families, and the school.

04.

Admissions & Enrollment

“We approach enrollment and retention with the same values that define our classrooms: intentionality, inclusion, and a deep understanding of child development.”— The VCS Strategic Plan

Our Admissions work is grounded in both tested and new strategies that help us attract mission-aligned prospective families while supporting the retention of current families and students who thrive in our PreK–8 environment.

The strength of the VCS program has been reflected not only in the growth of our community, but in the confident, capable students who graduate from VCS equipped to live out the school’s mission. Their growth and accomplishments give prospective families a meaningful glimpse into who we are, what we value, and what is possible when students are known, challenged, and supported throughout their VCS education.

While we have seen a positive trajectory in our admissions metrics, we are continually focused on further sharpening our brand, message, and outreach to strengthen our abilities to attract a deep, talented group of applicants who are eager to grow within the VCS community.

To grow both applications and enrollment, we will:

Continue to refine admissions practices to promote clarity, equity, and alignment with our mission while preserving the warmth and care that define the VCS experience for every applicant family.

To grow both applications and enrollment, we will:

In alignment with our mission and diversity statements, continue efforts to attract and retain families from varied backgrounds.

To grow both applications and enrollment, we will:

Strengthen retention efforts by upholding a rigorous and engaging academic program, offering innovative community events that foster connection and belonging, maintaining strong and transparent communication, and staying responsive to the evolving needs of our families.

To grow both applications and enrollment, we will:

Elevate the VCS story through strategic communications that grow our visibility and word-of-mouth reputation.

To grow both applications and enrollment, we will:

Launch a Pre-Kindergarten program in 2027–2028 that reflects VCS’s developmental expertise and educational values.

05.

Governance

“Composed of dedicated volunteers—including current and alumni parents, staff representatives, and members of the school’s Administrative Council—the Board has focused its efforts on strategic planning, policy oversight, and ensuring VCS’s continued financial strength.”— The VCS Strategic Plan

Over the past five years, VCS’s Board of Trustees has guided the school through a period of significant growth and change, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a major campus expansion, leadership transitions, and important advancements in the school’s governance and financial sustainability.

Recent governance work has laid a strong foundation for VCS’s next chapter. Following a comprehensive review, the Board revised the school’s bylaws and, through a community-wide vote, transitioned VCS out of its longstanding membership structure to better align with current independent school governance practices. The Board also clarified trustee roles and responsibilities and strengthened practices that support accountability, reflection, and effective stewardship.

With responsibility for strategic planning, policy oversight, financial stewardship, and the long-term health of the school, the Board remains focused on advancing VCS’s mission today while building a strong and sustainable foundation for the future.

To advance our Governance goals, we will:

Lay the groundwork for a capital campaign to support VCS’s next phase of growth, including the Pre-Kindergarten program, investments in faculty and programs, enhancements to learning spaces, and growth of the school’s endowment.

To advance our Governance goals, we will:

Establish annual Board self-evaluation as a regular governance practice to support accountability and continuous improvement.

To advance our Governance goals, we will:

Establish an annual Board retreat focused on trustee development, strategic priorities, and long-term planning.