Pathways to Purpose: Our Strategic Direction
For the past year, Head-Royce has embarked on a strategic design process to help us understand what our community values about the Head-Royce experience—how well we fulfill our mission and what assets we should focus on strengthening and evolving. We undertake this important process every five to seven years to inform the school’s near term priorities and ensure that our vision continues to be in alignment with our past while also reflecting the innovations of today and the promise of tomorrow.
Our new strategic direction is a chance to create the conditions that enable us to fulfill our rearticulated mission: Head-Royce School develops students of character, intellect, and creativity.
At Head-Royce, excellence is our guiding principle, rooted in the conviction that education has the power to shape minds and transform futures. Our vision extends beyond traditional learning; by nurturing the whole person, we’re cultivating a generation of thoughtful, capable, and compassionate students ready to make their mark on the world.
Rearticulated Mission, Vision, and Values
Mission: Head-Royce School develops students of character, intellect, and creativity.
Vision: We envision a future where education unlocks the promise and purpose of every student to better the world.
Values:
- Students First: We prioritize student learning, development, and well-being.
- Academic Excellence: We pursue knowledge and assess our learning to better ourselves and our community.
- Diversity: We embrace our different perspectives, backgrounds, experiences and identities to expand and enrich what we can learn and do together.
- Belonging: We create the conditions in which everyone thrives and brings their authentic selves.
- Civic Engagement: We connect students to the local community and beyond to enhance their academic experiences and foster genuine engagement.
Strategic Priorities and Initiatives
Timeline to Date
Strategic Direction: Survey and Findings
The strategic direction process began with a powerful learning survey—administered by GLP—to the current community of parents, Middle and Upper School students, professional community, alumni, and current and past Board members. The surveys captured feedback on the:
- Overall experience at Head-Royce
- Effectiveness and experience with our mission and Philosophy on Teaching and Learning
- Evidence of powerful learning experiences
Our response rates met or exceeded expectations based on GLP experience. Initial findings suggest that the community is aligned in reporting positive perceptions of the "diverse" demographic makeup of students and families at Head-Royce, particularly in comparison to other area schools (both independent and public).
1571
survey respondents
85%
of students
in grades 6–12
70%
of current households
87%
of professional community
7%
of alumni
100%
of current trustees
About Greenwich Leadership Partners
Since 2010, Greenwich Leadership Partners (GLP) has supported leadership and governance projects for over 100 independent schools, public school districts, higher educational organizations, and education‑based not‑for‑profits. Their proprietary process helps schools develop and execute strategy that is dynamic and adaptive, and that actualizes a compellingly clear and unique value proposition.
Explore the ideas, people, and initiatives shaping the future of our school in Headway, the new Head-Royce podcast.