Five-Year Strategic Plan

2026-27 Strategic Plan Progress Report

Strengthening Our School. Expanding Our Possibilities. Preparing for the Future.

As Millwood School looks toward the future, our strategic priorities continue to provide a clear framework for strengthening the student experience, investing in our people, stewarding our campus, and building a connected and engaged community. Over the past year, we have translated strategic vision into meaningful action across four interconnected priorities: Program, People, Place, and Participation. The progress below reflects both what we have accomplished and the foundation we are establishing for Millwood’s next chapter.

PROGRAM

Elevating Teaching, Learning & the Student Experience
Our academic program continues to evolve around a central commitment: providing every student with a challenging, engaging, and meaningful educational experience.

Progress to Date

**A look inside one of our science classrooms.**

Strengthened vertical alignment across divisions for greater continuity in teaching and learning.
Expanded experiential, project-based, and authentic learning opportunities.
Continued integration of the Round Square IDEALS across academic and co-curricular experiences.
Now a fully accredited International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program School (IBMYP).
Increased opportunities for student agency, meaningful choice, and authentic assessment.
Expanded global education, arts, athletics, STEAM, and distinctive signature programs.
Strengthened advisory, counseling, learning support, and social-emotional resources.

LOOKING FORWARD: Ensure that Millwood’s academic experience remains distinctive, coherent, and responsive to the changing needs of students and families.

PEOPLE

Investing in Faculty, Staff & Community
The strength of Millwood ultimately rests with its people. We are committed to attracting, developing, supporting, and retaining talented faculty and staff while building a culture of collaboration and shared purpose.

Progress to Date

**Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to the Millwood mission.**

Expanded professional learning, mentorship, and leadership development.
Strengthened onboarding and collaboration across divisions.
Improved communication and opportunities for cross-divisional partnership.
Initiated cross‑divisional working groups to deepen collaboration, align practices, and strengthen Millwood’s cohesive faculty culture.
Enhanced recruitment and hiring practices.
Continued work on compensation benchmarking, recognition, and retention.
Increased opportunities for parent engagement and community participation.

LOOKING FORWARD: Prioritize faculty excellence, professional growth, competitive compensation, strong leadership, and a culture in which talented people can thrive.

PLACE

Building a Campus That Supports Our Mission
Our physical environment should reflect and support the quality of the educational experience we seek to provide.

Progress to Date

**Cornerstone Gym, home to our bobcats, had its floor recently resurfaced.**

Continued implementation of Phase I campus improvements.
Enhanced safety and security infrastructure.
Improved classroom technology and learning environments.
Advanced long-term campus and master-planning conversations.
Strengthened alignment between facilities planning and educational priorities.
Increased attention to sustainability, stewardship, and responsible campus investment.

LOOKING FORWARD: Establish a clear, sustainable long-term campus vision aligned with Millwood’s mission, enrollment needs, and financial capacity.

PARTICIPATION

Strengthening Enrollment, Advancement & Engagement
A strong and sustainable school depends on a community that believes in its mission and actively participates in its future.

Progress to Date

**Fifth grade students march into Middle School.**

Strengthened student retention strategies and recruitment pipelines.
Increased use of data to inform enrollment planning.
Expanded donor engagement and annual fund participation.
Continued progress toward Phase I fundraising objectives.
Improved consistency of the Millwood brand and digital presence.
Strengthened storytelling around student experiences, achievements, and outcomes.
Established Millwood School Alumni Association.

LOOKING FORWARD: Deepen the community’s understanding of Millwood’s mission and create meaningful opportunities for families, alumni, donors, and friends to invest in the school’s future.

OUR 2026-27 FOCUS

**Drake Park - one of many parts of our beautiful campus.**

The progress across Program, People, Place, and Participation provides an important foundation for Millwood’s next phase.

01 — Strengthen the Student Experience
Develop distinctive academic, co-curricular, experiential, and support programs.
02 — Invest in Our People
Recruit, retain, develop, and recognize exceptional faculty and staff.
03 — Advance Our Campus Vision
Continue Phase I improvements while developing a sustainable long-term campus plan.
04 — Strengthen Enrollment & Retention
Build stronger recruitment pipelines, improve retention, and use data effectively.
05 — Expand Advancement
Deepen donor and community engagement while advancing fundraising priorities.
06 — Tell the Millwood Story
Clearly communicate the value, distinctiveness, and impact of a Millwood education.

Phase I Focus - New Athletic Field

**We look to the future as we push for future growth of our beautiful campus.**

OUR COMMITMENT

Strategic planning is ultimately about people. It is about creating the conditions in which students can thrive, faculty can excel, families can feel connected, and the entire community can take pride in the school we are building together. Millwood’s progress is the result of partnership—between students and teachers, families and faculty, trustees and school leadership, alumni and friends.

Together, we are building the future of Millwood School.