The Moorestown Friends School Strategic Plan was officially approved by the School Committee in May 2022, following over three years of input from and planning by diverse stakeholders – and the obvious interruption of progress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Development of the plan was facilitated by Leadership + Design, a firm that uses human-centered design to help schools and communities think creatively about future opportunities and challenges.
“We are at a crossroads in our school’s history as we emerge from a global pandemic,” said Head of School Julia de la Torre. “I am energized by where this plan will take us while also feeling very grateful for the hours of insightful discussion, debate, input, and thought devoted to this process by so many members of our school community. We will build on our foundational Quaker identity and history of excellence to chart a path to meet the needs of our students as they prepare for a rapidly changing future.”
Moorestown Friends School envisions itself as a place where young people are active agents of change, addressing global challenges, stewarding shared resources, and building a community rooted in Quaker values that welcomes and honors a diversity of people and perspectives. Through innovative programming that extends beyond classroom walls, students will engage with peers and experts around the region and the world to nurture their curiosity and lead lives of courage and consequence. MFS will redefine the meaning of success in school to better reflect the needs of its students at all developmental stages, while prioritizing a sense of balance and well-being. As students navigate a changing future, their learning will be guided by meaningful questions, rooted in the real-world, and tied to Quaker values. The school will embrace a culture of innovation, understanding that educators must model the learning process for students and should be comfortable testing new ideas, evaluating teaching methods, and providing a meaningful learning journey for students from preschool through college, and well beyond.
The four strategic priorities of the plan – Inclusive Community, Global Engagement, Teaching & Learning, and Environmental Stewardship – are described in the following pages along with stories of recent initiatives that support this strategic direction.
Why a compass?
Strategic plans have historically been maps for institutions to chart their futures. As much as maps can be helpful, they typically presume the most direct way to a destination and aren’t able to predict roadblocks, detours, or alternative destinations of value. As a school navigating uncertain times, a compass helps MFS establish a clear direction, while leaving space to chart new pathways in response to a dynamic and changing world. As a Quaker institution, MFS’ mission and values also serve as a compass to ground its work and guide the school forward. As MFS prepares students to do well and do good, the Strategic Plan and Quaker foundations will provide important direction for the school’s future.
Strategic Priorities
