Five-Year Strategic Plan
What follows this introduction are the Vision Statements and the Objectives from the Strategic Plan for Bishop O’Connell High School, ratified by the Board of Governors on December 1, 2005. Our Vision speaks of the kind of school that we intend to become. Our Visions lay out the broad roadmap for attaining those visions. These foundation blocks that will direct our school for the next five years were adopted after an eight-month effort by a committee of twelve, comprised of Bishop O’Connell Board members, administrators, teachers, parents, past parents and past students. The Planning Committee examined data, evaluated school strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges, tested their observations with representative groups of parents, teachers and students and, with the input of the Board, formulated the bedrock words that you are about to read.
The Vision Statements and Objectives are accompanied by detailed Action Plans that were reviewed by the Board in June 2005. These action plans, totaling almost 60 in number, were devised by a much larger group and were directed by those administrators responsible for their implementation. They are fluid plans, meant to be administrative guides, and, as such, will not be published. But they do deal with the specifics of cost, responsibility and benchmarks, bringing the objectives to a tangible reality.
Please read the plan carefully. The success of its implementation depends upon the vigilance of our Board, the skill of our administrators, the buy-in of our teachers and students, and the support of our financial donors. As we begin the jubilee celebration of our 50th year of service, that success will not only push us forward but also pull us back — back to our founding mission which is “to provide students a Catholic education rooted in the life of Christ and to foster the pursuit of excellence in the whole person.” That is why we were founded and that is why we will continue on.
Barry Edward Breen, President
January 2007
The Bishop O'Connell High School
Five-Year Strategic Plan
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide students a Catholic education rooted in the life of Christ and to foster the pursuit of excellence in the whole person.
Overall Vision Statement
Through the application of its mission and stewardship of its resources, Bishop O'Connell will be prized as a faith-filled, diverse and nurturing learning environment where its students are empowered to achieve academic excellence, develop as moral persons of integrity and self esteem, become solid citizens, and live out Catholic values of compassion, service and respect for others.
Academics Vision Statement
Bishop O’Connell High School will be a learning community that challenges each student to achieve his or her full academic potential by providing a curriculum that will enhance students’ development in the Catholic faith, foster critical thinking, prepare them for higher educational opportunities and equip them with necessary life skills.
Academics Objectives
- Provide a challenging curriculum and appropriate support for all students that enables them to pursue excellence in all academic areas.
- Encourage curriculum integration across subject areas.
- Integrate technology across the curriculum.
- Promote active learning to encourage critical thinking.
- Support students to become life-long learners through an educational curriculum that fosters personal success by expanding their global knowledge.
- Prepare students to compete successfully for placement in the college programs of their choice.
- Cultivate a strong relationship with all sending parishes.
Enrollment Vision Statement
Recognizing its primary responsibility to serve the college-bound Catholic population of the Arlington Diocese, Bishop O’Connell High School will enroll and support a full population of students who are eager to embrace our values and educational opportunities and who reflect the academic, racial, cultural and economic diversity of the community it serves.
Enrollment Objectives
- Work toward full enrollment of qualified students.
- Market and promote the school in public venues, especially in our Catholic constituent communities.
Extra-Curricular Vision Statement
Bishop O’Connell High School will provide extra-curricular opportunities for all students that teach mental, physical and social skills while promoting enduring friendships, spirit and pride in the O’Connell Community, past and present.
Extra-Curricular Objectives
- Promote financial, personnel and community support for extra-curricular programs.
- Maintain comprehensive and competitive sports and arts programs as well as academic and service clubs that promote integrity and sportsmanship.
- Maximize student participation in extra-curricular programs.
- Build, strengthen and enhance school activities to promote spirit and pride throughout the school’s community.
Facilities Vision Statement
Bishop O’Connell High School will provide resources and a physical plant that create a safe, attractive, secure and evolving learning environment.
Facilities Objectives
- Maintain the physical plant and grounds in good operating condition.
- Improve safety, functionality, energy efficiency and security of the physical plant.
- Upgrade buildings and grounds to enhance the School’s image and physical appeal.
- Enhance information technology and communications systems.
Finance Vision Statement
Bishop O’Connell High School will employ sound financial management to responsibly maintain and enhance a quality, affordable college preparatory program.
Finance Objectives
- Improve cost controls and financial accountability for all departments.
- Develop models for short term and long term financial planning.
- Maintain a financial plan for the long term repair or replacement of buildings and infrastructure.
- Continue to reduce the reliance on deferred income.
Personnel Vision Statement
Bishop O’Connell High School will recruit, develop and retain highly qualified, caring, and spiritual faculty and support personnel committed to Catholic education.
Personnel Objectives
- Increase faculty salaries and stipends towards a goal of 85 percentof Fairfax County’s faculty salaries, and develop programs that enhance faculty benefits.
- Recruit and retain a diverse and well qualified faculty/staff who bear witness to Catholic values.
- Advance faculty and staff professional development.
Spirituality Vision Statement
By placing Jesus Christ and the virtues of faith, hope and charity at the center of all it does, Bishop O’Connell High School will foster love for God, self, and neighbor, promote service to others and strengthen the faith and Catholic values of its community.
Spirituality Objectives
- Provide a rich sacramental experience for the student body based on Catholic theology.
- Develop the Chaplain’s Office to further engage the School Community in faith development activities.
- Promote and support a culture of Christian service throughout the school.
- Enhance the physical environment to promote Catholic identity.
Support Services Vision Statement
Bishop O’Connell High School will offer support services that enhance the social, physical, emotional, and spiritual growth and well-being of students and the O’Connell community.
Support Services Objectives
- Develop a student services structure that provides each student with an adult advocate.
- Coordinate information and support for students dealing with special situations.
- Increase educational and spiritual programs for parents and increase the parental participation in them.
- Improve the opportunities for personal, academic and college counseling.
- Maintain a healthy living education and environment for students to carry forward in life.
Advancement Vision Statement
Bishop O’Connell High School will expand resources by promoting opportunities that advance its mission, and by building partnerships to secure human and financial investment from constituents, alumni and other friends.
Advancement Objectives
- Increase financial support from alumni and all constituent groups.
- Build closer association between the school and its alumni.
- Work toward covering $500,000 (after advancement expenses) of the annual operating budget through advancement operations.
- Fund major facilities projects identified in the Strategic Plan.
- Build an endowment for tuition assistance and faculty professional development.
- Provide proper stewardship and coordination within the school community of all gifting and fundraising.
- Engage key stakeholders in school activities.
