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Strategic Plan Approved January 2022

For more than 200 years, Kimball Union Academy (KUA) has provided an exceptional educational experience for students. But while we are an institution that is rooted in history, we are unbound by tradition. As the world evolves, so too does KUA. Now, drawing from this rich history and galvanized by the energy and commitment of our community, KUA launches a strategic plan that will continue to guide the Academy into the future.

In 2021, we created a new mission that authentically resonates throughout our community and is foundational to this plan. While our mission articulates who we are, our plan sets the course for where we are going. Our five strategic priorities reflect a commitment to our purpose, our program, our people, and our place – all of which will follow a sustainable and mission-driven path forward. Intentional and ongoing work surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging (DEIJB) is critical to the success of every priority. Consideration for DEIJB will guide expectations, practices, and processes at every step forward.

This plan is the culmination of significant contributions from those who experience the depth of life at KUA. Thoughtful input and insight came from all corners of our community to create a dynamic and living plan that is flexible in its scope and nimble in its approach. As we launch this plan, we are mindful of our responsibility to be good stewards of the Academy, so that future generations may enjoy the KUA experience for years to come.

Our Approach

KUA pioneered a new approach in the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation process, combining our 10-year accreditation with the development of a strategic plan. A new mission helped guide both endeavors. This plan is the outcome of extensive surveys with students, faculty, parents, and alumni and draws extensively from our NEASC self-study, the visiting committee report’s commendations, and recommendations. Workshops for students and in-service days for faculty, administrators, and board members offered time for discussion and reflection.

Our Mission

Our mission is to create a deep sense of belonging for every member of our community. Through intentionally designed experiences and challenges, our students develop the knowledge, voice, and character to live with purpose and integrity.

Our Statement of Inclusion

Kimball Union Academy is dedicated to providing a welcoming and safe environment in which all community members value and respect each other’s unique qualities and contributions. We are committed to nurturing a learning environment where the principles of dignity, equity, and justice are an essential part of our culture and daily life. We encourage the exploration of independence and interdependence as we affirm our promise to honor individuality, celebrate our differences, and embrace our connections with each other and the global community.

Strategic Priorities

Purpose

We will foster an environment where everyone feels known, welcome, safe, and treated equitably.

1. Commit to living our mission by creating a deep sense of belonging for every member of the community.

2. Reimagine the scope and focus of the Gosselin Teaching & Learning Center as a thought leader on educational practices to support both a diverse range of learners and educators.

3. Strengthen the student life program to create an equitable, inclusive community where students feel supported in their social, emotional, and mental well-being.

Program

We will strengthen a vibrant academic and co-curricular program that prioritizes student growth and experience.

1. Implement KUA Design as the guiding philosophy of our programming built upon relationships, the science of learning, and intentional challenges.

2. Enhance interdisciplinary and experiential learning opportunities so that students engage meaningfully in the world.

3. Utilize the mission as a benchmark to continuously evaluate programmatic decisions.

People

We will cultivate a positive working environment where professionals from all corners of campus feel prepared and supported in delivering an exceptional program for all students.

1. Recruit and retain a diverse team of faculty and staff in an environment grounded in inclusion, equity, and innovation.

2. Strengthen our workforce through the investment of professional development and comprehensive assessment that speaks to the growth of the Academy and the individual.

3. Create a culture and build practices and policies that support the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of community members.

Place

We will leverage our unique location to strengthen community ties, enhance academic engagement, and promote sustainability.

1. Launch a campus master plan that envisions the ideal environment for living and learning for all members of our community.

2. Update and maintain our physical infrastructure in an ongoing and environmentally responsible manner.

3. Recommit ourselves to our community and natural surroundings through place-based experiences.

Path

We will forge a fiscal path that directly supports a mission-driven program and secures the Academy’s long-term financial strength.

1. Create a fiscally responsible model that aligns financial decisions and the allocation of resources with our mission.

2. Focus on access to and affordability of the full KUA experience to create equity among future generations of students.

3. Increase the Academy’s endowment to support long-term financial sustainability.