Strategic Plan

Our strategic plan, which is updated every three to five years, is a critical tool in guiding our district’s mission, vision, and strategic direction, unifying efforts across our organization.

We launched a comprehensive strategic planning process in fall 2017 with an end goal to establish our 2018-2021 strategic plan. View the plan goals and initiatives by clicking on the left navigation elements, or by downloading the printable PDF.

How was the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan developed?

How was the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan developed?

As part of the plan development process, we engaged parents, students, alumni, employees, community members, business and organization leaders and government officials. We asked stakeholder groups to share their input via a survey, or participate in one of several focus groups. A community convening provided an opportunity for a diverse group of over 70 individuals to discuss the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors that present potential current and future impacts on the district, its students and employees.

A district strategic team, comprised of district and school administrators, employees, parents, community members and business and organization leaders, was tasked with synthesizing key inputs into strategic goal areas. The team reviewed the data accumulated and identified five themes as the focus of our 2018-2021 strategic plan.

The board of education provided critical feedback and direction throughout the strategic planning process, ultimately approving the Mequon-Thiensville School District’s new mission, vision, strategic goals and objectives in March.

Following the board’s approval, district administrators began the process of developing initiatives and key performance indicators aligned to the community’s five themes.

The 2018-2021 strategic plan is the result of community-wide collaboration, and it represents the observations and wisdom of stakeholders across our community. The community’s contributions, thoughtful engagement and valuable insight has influenced the strategic direction of the Mequon-Thiensville School District for the next three years.

Strategic Plan 2018-2021 Printable PDF

Year One Progress Report

We invite community members to note the progress made in the implementation of our 2018-2021 Strategic Plan.

Goal 1: Academic Achievement and Growth for Each Student

Ensure student growth through academic achievement measures that make progress more visible and therefore more actionable.

Initiatives

Refine academic assessment practices to engage students in learning and to inform instruction.
Accelerate learning through the personalization of instruction to include a focus on motivation, goal-setting, self-regulation, and feedback.
Develop growth mindsets, systems, and structures that eliminate barriers and expand opportunities for all students.

Key Accomplishments

Implemented tool to gauge each student’s individual growth.
Established standards-based kindergarten report card.
Identified next steps in the development an elementary standards-based report card.
Adopted a collaborative teacher lesson planning model to enhance instruction for all students.
Developed growth mindset training for staff and students.

Goal 2: Students' Future Success

Provide each student with the opportunities and skills they need to access pathways toward their desired future.

Initiatives

Identify and develop career pathways that lead to the skills for post-secondary success.
Develop students’ universal work readiness skills for career success.
Develop post-secondary community and industry partnerships in support of students’ career aspirations.
Facilitate students’ exploration of diverse post-secondary opportunities in grades 6-12.
Intentionally co-plan between school, families, and students to provide exploration of opportunities in and out of school.

Key Accomplishments

Identified universal skills for student work readiness; formed committee to review curricular connections.
Revised freshman introduction program to enhance transitions.
Informed high school students of apprenticeship opportunities and early college credit programs.
Conducted College and Career Week at secondary levels.

Goal 3: Social-Emotional Well-Being

Support and enhance the social and emotional well-being of students, staff, and families.

Initiatives

Implement instruction and formalized support in interpersonal and peer relationships, physical health and lifestyle, and safety.
Intentionally co-plan between school, families, students, and community to enhance prevention and intervention services.

Key Accomplishments

Conducted robust safety training with all staff members to ensure consistency in understanding and practice.
Researched best practices in school start times, school nutrition, and physical activity.
Engaged staff members in bullying prevention and intervention programs.
Conducted trauma-sensitive care training with staff members to enhance practices among those who have experienced trauma.

Goal 4: Workforce Environment

Cultivate a workplace environment where educational professionals realize their impact and fulfill their purpose.

Initiatives

Advance a cultural environment reflective of a workplace of choice.
Promote a technological environment where access is universal and technology meets employees’ needs.
Design a physical environment for employees where organizational values are reflected and learning environments are flexible.

Key Accomplishments

Improved reliability of substitute teacher fills rates through the implementation of Teachers on Call.
Opened employee health and wellness center for staff access to health care.
Assessed facility capacity and classroom utilization needs.
Worked with staff to develop employee priorities in health insurance benefits.

Goal 5: Stakeholder Relationships

Establish strong relationships through consistent communication and engagement of all stakeholders.

Initiatives

Foster accessible, consistent, and reliable communication with all stakeholders.
Engage stakeholders in systematic, two-way communication.
Expand community and business partnerships to broaden support for student learning.
Ensure fiscal stability and appropriate resources for programming and facilities through stakeholder engagement in long-term planning.

Key Accomplishments

Created an online employee portal for improved staff access to resources and information.
Launched alumni engagement initiative.
Collected parent/guardian feedback through climate and culture survey.
Engaged community members in long-range planning through community workshops.

Strategic Plan 2018-2021 Year One Progress Report Printable PDF