Learn More About the Plan

TLS Mission

The Little School cultivates authentic learning in community and nature, amplifying curiosity and expanding sense of self, belonging and possibility.

TLS Vision

To foster vibrant understanding and promote action that advances sustainability, justice and joy.  

TLS Values in Action

Members of TLS’ community: 

• Demonstrate a deep respect for childhood.  
• Wonder, learn and reflect for continuous growth.  
• Celebrate creativity, innovation, kindness and curiosity.  
• Honor identity, foster belonging and promote justice.  
• Steward the environment and engage nature.  
• Cultivate and embrace joy. 

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About This Plan

This strategic plan was developed by the Strategic Thinking Committee of The Little School in partnership with the entire TLS community. Throughout the fall of 2021, over 200 voices in TLS’ community contributed to this strategic planning process through surveys, focus groups, planning sessions, and interviews.  

As TLS has evolved, so has our approach to strategic planning. This strategic plan launches ongoing strategic thinking in place of the static, infrequent planning done in the past. This new approach allows us to connect our strategic work and our mission. We will innovate in the context of a continuously changing landscape and progress toward an aspirational vision for our community, our program, and our role in education. 

Strategic Priorities 

When the Strategic Thinking Committee analyzed and synthesized information gathered through this planning process, four strategic priorities emerged, each deeply aligned with our mission. The priorities reflect the interconnection between TLS kids, their families, faculty, the school and the larger community: 

• Learning & Curiosity – We will deepen and enhance authentic learning. 
• Belonging & Possibility – We will expand belonging and possibility for our community and the broader community. 
• Place & Sustainability – We will achieve environmental sustainability and centralize stewardship in our program and relationship to place. 
• Capacity Building – We will grow organizational capacity to establish and bolster a robust foundation in support of all strategic layers and our mission.  

This plan spans three organizational horizons in succession. Horizons articulate a cohesive view of and intention for institutional growth achieved via the strategic initiatives of each priority at a particular stage. When the initiatives are complete and the objectives of the nearest horizon are achieved, the organization will be prepared to grow toward the next horizon and a new third horizon representing the longest term, most aspirational version of the school will emerge. 

1. Living Our Commitments (through 2024): Live our commitments through our program, organization and community 
2. Adapting and Deepening (1-3+ years out): Adapt to sustain and deepen our lived commitments 
3. Self-Reinforcing Growth & Vibrancy (3-5+ years): Achieve self-reinforcing growth and vibrancy 

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Strategic Priorities 

Program - Learning & Curiosity 

We will deepen and enhance authentic learning 

Purpose Statement

The Little School will create and advance authentic, purposeful learning for students, families, faculty/staff and the community. 

Background

If we center our deep respect for childhood while embracing and creating joy and curiosity, then our program aligns with our values. TLS has an opportunity to activate its global community to bring authentic learning to global languages, traditions and cultures. The school can broaden the horizons of our students through field trips, community partnerships and travel programs. TLS’ philosophical history is anchored in promoting justice and action. Our program can and will broaden the school’s impact and connection.  

At TLS, authentic learning is: personally meaningful, integrated, hands-on, theme/project based, responsive, place-based, relational and collaborative, understands context(s) and is differentiated. Authentic learning empowers activated citizens. Everyone learns; everyone plays. 

Desired Outcomes:   

• Students leave TLS with foundational literacies: academic, social and emotional learning, physical, global and communal 

• TLS community demonstrates global awareness and understanding of culture and language 

• TLS is known as the center for modern, innovative progressive education and authentic learning 

Horizon Progression 

Horizon One:   Living Our Commitments	TLS communicates the depth of student learning and growth  A professional development plan and an empowered Student Support Team strengthen all teachers and learners  Our culture and language program reflects and achieves program excellence, values in action, and belonging objectives.
Horizon Two:  Adapting and Deepening	Intentional curriculum connects our program across levels and content areas.   Programmatic learning connects to the wider community.  TLS students exhibit strong foundational literacies.  Community partnerships deepen learning.  Associate teacher program develops excellent educators and sustains TLS program.
Horizon Three:   Self-Reinforcing Growth and Vibrancy	TLS leads a network of progressive educators.  TLS can assess and communicate its program impact over time.  TLS has a national reputation and opportunities to influence education and educators.

 

People - Belonging & Possibility 

We will expand belonging and possibility for our community and the broader community 

Purpose Statement

We will work together to build an intentional, vibrant and engaged community committed to equity by focusing on children and classroom community and then expanding to the larger community outside of TLS. 

Background

Children were the start of every conversation we had. There is a lot of passion for continuing to deepen our commitment to grow and empower each child’s authentic self. There was also agreement that investing in outstanding educators is critical to the school’s success. We want to see the school double down on its commitment to building community and connection. Nearly every participant cited the increased diversity of the school as one of its greatest strengths. Sustaining this diversity means expanding our commitments to belonging and access with specific investments in program, faculty and administration, school culture and student support. 

Desired Outcomes  

• Increase retention and sense of belonging of financial aid families 
• Faculty, students, and family community represent our DEIJ commitments  
• Attract and retain faculty and family from underrepresented groups 
• TLS is a model for DEIJ commitments in progressive education 

Horizon Progression 

Horizon One:  Living Our Commitments	Faculty retention and recruitment is high.  We have achieved stability and predictability in admissions and development.  We attract and retain diverse families.  Leadership and faculty represent diversity of our region and families.  Social justice & social studies standards are defined and understood.
Horizon Two:   Adapting and Deepening	Resilience, nimbleness and risk-taking are resourced and encouraged.  Our community of belonging equips faculty, students, and families to build belonging in other communities  We can assess and address access and belonging requirements with a data-informed plan.  We have partnerships with underrepresented, underserved, and historically marginalized communities.
Horizon Three:  Self-Reinforcing Growth and Vibrancy	We have defined and achieved DEIJ targets.  Access and belonging are sustained through a fully funded and implemented plan.

 

Place - Sustainability 

We will achieve environmental sustainability and centralize stewardship in our program and relationship to place 

Purpose Statement

The Little School will sustain and steward connection to place and its campus, maximizing educational potential and ensuring a long-term, ethical responsibility and relationship to the natural world that honors the ongoing legacy of the Indigenous stewards of this land. 

Background

Whether you are a parent of a current preschooler or an alum from the 80s, we heard consensus that deep connection to place is essential to our program. People lit up imagining TLS expanding its approach to sustainability – on our campus and in partnership with others. As our program further embraces outdoor learning and environmental education, respondents put forth a vision of TLS living and breathing our commitment to environmental stewardship, offsetting our footprint and making sure that our wild, natural spaces thrive while bringing an environmental lens to our school community as whole. The community asked us to “walk our talk” with respect to environmental stewardship and sustainability in energy and resource use. Engaging the outdoors as a classroom provides opportunities for deep learning and connection. 

Desired Outcomes

• Students leave TLS with skills, knowledge and dispositions to be stewards of the environment 
•  Campus needs for our growing community are addressed and balanced with environmental impact 
• The TLS community understands our aspirations towards sustainability and agrees that we are living our values 

Horizon Progression 

Horizon One:  Living Our Commitments	Active stewardship engages the entire community  Sustainability plan is completed.  TLS students demonstrate skills and knowledge of environmental stewards.
Horizon Two:  Adapting and Deepening	Sustainability plan guides decisions, investments and activities  Programmatic learning connects to the wider community.  TLS students exhibit strong foundational literacies.  TLS has partnerships that sustain and multiply environmental impact.
Horizon Three:  Self-Reinforcing Growth and Vibrancy	TLS has a green, carbon-neutral campus.  Program and operations are integrated with environmental responsibility.  Commitment to place and sustainability augments and sustains our program and campus.

 

Foundation - Organizational Capacity 

We will grow organizational capacity to establish and bolster a robust foundation in support of all strategic layers and our mission 

Purpose Statement

The Little School will be resourced, prepared, and resilient to deliver its mission out loud in changing circumstances. The Little School provides community scaffolding to nourish our program, people, and place. 

Background

Like the soil that nourishes a tree and provides nutrients and stability, TLS’s capacity to support its programmatic priorities is foundational to this strategic plan. 

Desired Outcomes

• Fully support our goals for Place & Sustainability, Authentic Learning & Curiosity and Belonging & Possibility 

• TLS thrives through adversity and uncertainty 

• Enrollment is self-reinforcing 

•  Financial aid is self-sustaining through wildly funded endowments 

Horizon Progression 

Horizon One:  Living Our Commitments	A campus plan integrates and addresses space and place for our program, community, and environment.  Compensation structure and philosophy nourishes our people and program and supports our strategic goals.  Fundraising and resourcing are diversified and resilient and a financial sustainability plan is in place.  Communications, policies, and practices are values-aligned and promote strategic objectives.
Horizon Two:  Adapting and Deepening	Transportation options are considered and resourced to address access constraints and program needs.   We understand inclusive tuition models and development practices and can pilot and test them.  Financial resiliency can be maintained alongside pricing and fundraising models that achieve DEIJ goals.
Horizon Three:  Self-Reinforcing Growth and Vibrancy	Access, belonging, sustainability and authentic learning are fully resourced reliably and resiliently.   Culture, policies, practices, community and partnerships attract, develop, and retain experts in authentic learning.  TLS is sought by diverse families as the preferred partner in early childhood.   Our program, place, and people thrive through uncertainty and possibility.

 

 

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