Strategic Plan

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Mission Statement

Life Christian provides a Christ-centered environment of academic excellence,
where staff work in partnership with families, to develop students who will know
and serve the Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart, mind, and strength.

2008 Life Christian School Board Members
Pastor Dean Curry
Pastor Emeritus Fulton Buntain
Steve Anderson
Cindy Gier
Mike McCaffree
Don Huber
Gary Nordlund
Leanne Noran
Scot Savary
Ted Shropshire
John Williamson

2008 Life Christian Education Foundation Board
Don Andersen
Don Gustafson
Ken Hultgren
Dr. Glenn Jordan
Paul Putnam
Marty Stair

Life Christian School/Academy is affiliated with the following organizations:
Association of Christian Teachers and Schools (ACTS)
Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
Washington Federation of Independent Schools (WFIS)
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA)
Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
PAIDEIA Inc.

Life Christian School/Academy is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools and Teachers (ACTS).

Christian Greetings,

Every person is important to God's ministry called Life Christian School/Academy. As a part of Life Center's ministry, our school exists for the purpose of providing quality Christian education to the Greater South Puget Sound community. Successful organizations in the 21st century are successful, at least in part, due to their effective planning. The future of Life Christian School/Academy is contained within our Strategic Plan, which includes seven focus areas, and is outlined in this document. You will find the goals and objectives have been carefully prayed about, thought out, and written.
I want to thank each and every person who contributed many volunteer hours, and committed so much to updating this Strategic Plan. I want to thank students, staff, parents, and members of our community who gave of their time and input in order for us to gain God's wisdom in the variety of focus areas.
With its adoption, the Life Christian Board of Education, along with the Life Christian School/Academy Administration, will prayerfully work towards the successful achievement of the objectives outlined in each of the emphasis areas.
We know not yet all the students that will be impacted, but we do know this plan will prayerfully and most effectively provide the quality Christian learning experience God would want for our students. Our Strategic Plan will serve as a "roadmap and guide" to our decision making for our future, and to God's provision for the school ministry. We know God is a God of order and plan and we provide this Strategic Plan as evidence thereof.
God's very best,

Ross Hjelseth
Headmaster

SPIRITUAL/MINISTRY EMPHASIS:

Goal: To evangelize the lost and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Objective 1: Curriculum and Program
Develop a PreK-12 age appropriate and 7-12 grade relative maturity appropriate Bible Curriculum that offers students the opportunity to know and serve Jesus.
1.1 Choose and develop age and maturity appropriate programs and materials that meet our spiritual belief and philosophy.
1.2 Integrate Jesus' ministry/God's truth/relationship into every academic area and subject/grade.
1.3 Train all staff in the implementation, design, and use of 1.1 and 1.2.
1.4 Develop, train, and assist student Christian leaders.

Objective 2: Christian Character
Provide students with the tools to develop Christian character based on biblical principles in their faith and in their daily lives.
2.1 Foster the spiritual life of ever student beyond graduation requirements.
2.2 Integrate a ministry service project as a graduation requirement.
2.3 Encourage students to experience, recognize, and develop their spiritual gifts.
2.4 Develop specific Christian leadership programs for students.
2.5 Train students to battle forces of evil, i.e. world, flesh, devil through the spiritual disciplines of God's word, prayer, worship, and fellowship.

Objective 3: Service and Missions
Establish age appropriate opportunities for K-12 to serve in ministry/missions to the community and the world.
3.1 Establish spiritual retreats for all grade levels and for staff
3.2 Communicate the value of loving God and loving others through missions.
3.3 Focus grade levels on participating or assisting in one of the following areas:
Class Projects
Church Projects
Citywide Projects
Statewide Projects
National Projects
World Projects
Mission Trips

Objective 4: Building and Developing Connections for students and families.
4.1 Reaching all students regardless of differences and or diversity.
4.2 Building strong church/school connections.
4.3 Develop church/school intercessory prayer and discipleship programs utilizing college age and young married couples to disciple youth.
4.4 Partner with area churches to evangelize and meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of families.

ACADEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY EMPHASIS:

Goal: To develop a research-driven model which includes the core subjects of Bible, mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies, as well as electives in fine arts, physical/health education, and foreign language that will prepare our students for both post secondary education and the world of work.

Objective 1: Build a unified educational system through curriculum and across all grade levels.
1.1 Create specific objectives and course content for grades K-12.
1.2 Purchase a curriculum mapper to create curriculum continuity for grades K-12.
1.3 Provide necessary funds to continuously review and evaluate current curriculum.
1.4 Create a system to communicate curriculum information across grades K-12.

Objective 2: Offer technology to students and staff for research, communication, independent study, and curriculum development.
2.1 Provide equal access to technology for all students.
2.2 Provide enough computer equipment to have one computer lab per school (K-5, MS, and HS).
2.3 Continue to provide adequate technology training for staff for use in curriculum development and classroom application.

Objective 3: Implement an assessment program that will assess a student's progress and define the degree of mastery of grade level and course learning objectives.
3.1 Provide faculty training for continued effective assessment.
3.2 Evaluate current assessment practices at each school level and implement new practices as warranted.

Objective 4: Train faculty and staff to understand the diversity of our student population and make modifications to curriculum, instruction, and assessment that meet individual needs of each student.
4.1 Provide quality faculty in-service and professional development opportunities.
4.2 Assess student achievement by school level and academic department.
4.3 Provide opportunities for faculty to learn about student learning styles.

FACULTY/STAFF RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND DEVELOPMENT:

Goal: Retain and recruit quality Christian staff to their specialty.

Objective 1: Ensure a stable, well-trained, diverse staff to provide a high quality education.
1.1 Define qualities for effective staff.
1.2 Develop a well-planned, competitive recruitment plan.
1.3 Research staff retention issues and develop a retention plan.
1.4 Recruit exemplary teacher candidates from Assembly of God colleges.
1.5 Create a system to better evaluate teacher improvement and needs.

Objective 2: Provide a competitive salary and benefits structure to attract and retain highly qualified teachers and other support staff.
2.1 Develop and fund a competitive salary schedule for teachers.
2.2 Review support staff salary schedule to remain competitive.

Objective 3: Empower staff by providing a voice in school policy that affects their job assignment/area and encourage open dialogue among teachers regarding effective instruction.
3.1 Establish a network of communication to facilitate input from all faculty.
3.2 Create a systematic calendar for meetings.

Objective 4: Assist staff in reaching their potential.
4.1 Expand the faculty mentoring program at all school levels.
4.2 Identify needs for staff development and develop a long-range plan.
4.3 Train teachers to integrate technology into all areas of instruction.
4.4 Offer on-going training in conflict resolution, communication with parents, and classroom management.
4.5 Provide state-of-the-art classroom tools.
4.6 Provide opportunities for continuing education credits.

Objective 5: Provide opportunities for spiritual growth, fellowship, and family support.
5.1 Define an on-going plan that will allow staff to share personal needs.
5.2 Provide positive role modeling of Christian support among and between staff.
5.3 Offer staff assistance in emergency situations.

Objective 6: Implement a comprehensive faculty evaluation system which provides opportunities for incentive based compensation benchmarks.
6.1 Provide quality and comprehensive evaluation system.
6.2 Monitor faculty improvement in all aspects of effective teaching.
6.3 Create a culture of quality teaching and learning assessment.

FACILITY AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT:

Goal: To develop and maintain high quality facilities that can adapt to the changing needs of Life Center ministries.

Objective 1: Actively seek to purchase or lease available schools or property.
1.1 Have a sound financial plan in place before purchase or lease.
1.2 Support infrastructure.

Objective 2: Improve entrance/drop-off and pick-up areas.
2.1 Make entrances/drop offs safer for all cars and buses.
2.2 Reroute bussing and family drop-off areas.
2.3 Senior citizens and handicap access should be considered.

Objective 3: A 3-year technology refresh cycle.
3.1 One-third of current computers replaced each year (network infrastructure).
3.2 On going training for all faculty and staff.
3.3 Budget for these items every year.

Objective 4: Update current facilities including:
4.1 Commons
4.2 Science Labs
4.3 Library
4.4 Performing Arts
i. Art
ii. Band
iii. Drama
4.5 Computer Lab
4.6 Standardize classroom sizes.
4.7 Discontinue use of cottages.
4.8 Improve furnishings in classrooms.
4.9 Replace carpets in classrooms on a rotational basis.
5.0 Provide space for specialists.
5.1 Before and after school care facilities.
5.2 Separate playgrounds for preschool and lower school.

FINANCES AND DEVELOPMENT/FUNDRAISING:

Goal: To provide resources that allow Life Christian to offer an outstanding ministry and academic program for all students.

Objective 1: Develop a 5-year Strategic Operating Financial Plan

Short Term: Cost vs. Benefit Analysis.
1.1 Determine cost of operating the school (fixed cost) with and without tuition assistance. (variable cost)
1.2 Determine a maximum number for student enrollment; and the cost to educate each student.
1.3 List the benefits that Life Christian offers for the tuition cost by school level; i.e. Preschool, Lower School, Middle School, High School.
1.4 Analyze other private schools to compare costs and benefits.
1.5 Project future costs and tuition basis.
1.6 Analyze tuition assistance impact.

Long Term: Strategic Plan - How to run the school and pay off debt.
1.7 Use short-term data and create a 5-year Operating Financial Plan.
1.8 Use the complete 5-year Strategic Plan as a guideline in budget resources and expenditures.
- Discern budget priorities from the strategic plan.
- Appropriate budget dollars as a means of achieving the strategic plan goals.

Objective 2: The Life Christian Development Team, in partnership with
the Life Center Stewardship Director, will create and coordinate campus
fund raising and development.

Short Term:
2.1 Continue Annual Fund - Dreams Auction - Golf Tournament (annual events)
2.2 Develop a Donor Database.

Long Term:
2.3 Increase Endowment Funds.
2.4 Work on donor database maintenance and relationship building.
2.5 Continue to build positive relationships with donors.
2.6 Create a faculty/staff training endowment to offer graduate school and continued education opportunities to faculty. Develop and find corporate sponsors for said educational plans.
2.7 Alumni association development - including 8th grade graduates.

Objective 3: Effectively market strong ministry and academic programs that will attract and retain quality students. (Increased enrollment and retention.)
3.1 Emphasize the benefit of our Life Christian campus and parent church, Life Center.
3.2 Increase percentage of Life Center families attending Life Christian from 25% to at least 35-40%. This will give a more solid, committed, foundation.
3.3 Get more Life Christian families actively engaged, connected, and committed to Life Center Church.

Objective 4: Build a reserve of cash resources to be able to acquire additional property and make capital improvements.
4.1 Establish a property acquisition fund.
4.2 Lay out costs of short-term and long-term capital improvement goals.

BOARD, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND STUDENT DEVELOPMENT

Goal: To provide, teach, and prepare Biblical leadership for our ministry and our world.

Objective 1: Develop a four year "Leadership Academy" program within Life Christian Academy that provides qualified students with focused leadership education and diverse leadership experiences.
1.1 Select a program administrator with the responsibility to start and manage the Leadership Academy.
1.2 Establish a support committee with diverse/strategic membership to assist the program administrator.
1.3 Develop a Leadership Academy charter document that addresses the following:
(a) Defines the program administrator's and committee's responsibilities.
(b) Identifies detailed goals/objectives.
(c) Defines the student nomination and selection process.
(d) Establishes program boundaries.
(e) Outlines general rules and procedures.
(f) Develops program timing for both start-up and ongoing/cyclical program events.
(g) Defines the initial Leadership Academy curriculum.
(h) Identifies discrete resource requirements.
1.4 Present Leadership Academy charter to Administrative Staff/School Board prior to or concurrent with program inception.
1.5 Evaluate program after first year and adjust charter if/as required and establish new strategic objectives.

Objective 2: Develop a "Leadership Experience" program to provide leadership opportunities for LCS/LCA students (K-12).
2.1 Select a program administrator with the responsibility to start and manage a K-12 Leadership Experience program.
2.2 Establish a support committee with diverse/strategic membership to assist program administrator.
2.3 Develop a Leadership Experience charter document that addresses the following:
(a) Defines the program administrators and support committee's responsibilities.
(b) Identifies detailed goals/objectives.
(c) Defines the student nomination and selection process.
(d) Establishes program boundaries.
(e) Outlines general rules and procedures.
(f) Develops program timing for both start-up and ongoing/cyclical program events.
(g) Defines the initial Leadership Experience curriculum.
(h) Identifies discrete resource requirements.
2.4 Present Leadership Experience charter to Administrative Staff/School Board prior to or concurrent with program inception.
2.5 Evaluate program after first year and adjust charter if/as required and establish new strategic objectives.

Objective 3: Develop a Board and Administrative Leadership Development Program.
3.1 Select a Program Administrator with the responsibility to start and manage the program.
3.2 Establish a support committee with diverse/strategic membership to assist the Program Administrator.
3.3 Develop a Board and Administrative Development charter document that addresses the following:
(a) Defines the program administrator and support committee responsibilities.
(b) Identifies detailed goals/objectives.
(c) Defines the initial development requirements/opportunities.
(d) Defines the criteria used to nominate and select individuals for development opportunities.
(e) Establishes program boundaries.
(f) Outlines general rules and procedures.
(g) Develops program timing for both start-up and ongoing/cyclical program events.
(h) Identifies discrete resource requirements.
3.4 Present Board and Administrative Development charter to Administrative Staff/School Board prior to or concurrent with program inception.
3.5 Evaluate program after first year and adjust charter if/as required and establish new strategic objectives.

STUDENT PROGRAMS/PARTICIPATION

Goal: To provide student programs and clubs (during school and after school) for every student that will develop lifelong interests, passions, and spiritual gifts.

Objective 1: Provide K-12 age-appropriate opportunities for:
1.1 Spiritual outreach
1.2 Competitive and non-competitive sports (intramural-type of activities)
1.3 Clubs and activities
1.4 Fine arts (including music, drama, and visual arts)

Objective 2: Assure that each club or activity contains a spiritual outreach component.

Objective 3: Foster a cohesive school and church environment.
3.1 Encourage mentoring between older students and younger students.
3.2 Encourage mentoring between adults and students.
3.3 Develop a survey for all grade levels to determine future focus areas.