WE BELIEVE: Our Plan for the Future of St. James
We are thrilled to share our new Strategic Plan, entitled WE BELIEVE. It’s a bold roadmap that outlines how we will build upon our strong foundation and step faithfully into our next chapter. Grounded in our mission, vision, and values, the plan centers on three powerful goals: Agency, Deep Connections, and Shared Stewardship.
At its heart is something we’ve dreamed about for years: expanding our academic program to include Kindergarten through Grade 3. Reaching students earlier means transforming lives more deeply and more lastingly.
We named this plan WE BELIEVE because it reflects everything St. James stands for:
- Total care approach to education rooted in faith and love
- Strong, enduring relationships
- A campus that welcomes, empowers, and preserves
- A commitment to justice over charity
- A belief that everyone—students, graduates, families, neighbors, staff, and supporters—has something sacred to give and to receive.
This next chapter is worthy of your investment, time, and prayers. We hope you will read the plan, reflect on its mission, and consider how you can walk with us into this exciting future.
GOAL
A goal is a desired outcome.
OBJECTIVE
An objective is a statement of intent that can be measured in numbers or quality to assess progress toward a goal.
INITIATIVE
An initiative is an action step that launches a new program, project or activity, or improves an existing one.
Goal #1: Agency
WHAT IS AGENCY?
A St. James goal is to develop and support “agency” in students, graduates, and neighbors. A person who has agency has the power and ability to make their own choices and decisions, act independently, control themselves, impact situations, and shape their own lives.
Objectives
Initiatives
Foster Academic and Social Readiness
Expanding our student body to welcome Kindergarten-3rd grade
Focusing on readiness for ninth grade
Creating a robust system for coordinated academic and socio-emotional interventions & supports
Improve Economic and Social Mobility
Facilitating life skills and career development experiences
Equipping students and families with knowledge and tools to navigate college and post-secondary preparation successfully
Implementing community actions that create disruptive change
Contribute to Flourishing
Providing access to essential health resources, education, and support that may have previously been unavailable
Enhancing social emotional learning
Establishing St. James as a social and information resource hub
Goal #2: Deep Connections
WHAT ARE DEEP CONNECTIONS?
A St. James goal is to develop and support “deep connections” among community members. A deep connection is a relationship in which people feel strong emotional bonds, trust, and intimacy.
Objectives
Initiatives
Cultivate Loving and Trusting Relationships with a Diversity of People
Encouraging exploration of identity
Developing authentic and meaningful communications strategies and tools
Designing interactions to be about engagement not observation
Develop Campus as a Third Place
Expanding awareness and access to programming opportunities
Creating a welcoming campus that balances safety with accessible and comfortable shared spaces
Reconciling the preservation needs of our historic campus with the opportunity for creative use of new and existing spaces
Serve in Faith
Discerning the needs of the world, assessing our resources, and listening for where God is calling us to act
Fostering cross-faith connections and religious literacy
Promoting lifelong spiritual health and growth
Goal #3: Shared Stewardship
WHAT IS SHARED STEWARDSHIP?
A St. James goal is to develop and support shared stewardship of resources that are essential to continued operation and excellence. Shared stewardship is a collaborative approach in which people work together to manage and protect resources and achieve common goals.
Objectives
Initiatives
Build Organizational Health and Financial Sustainability
Strengthen systems for multi-year planning
Broaden the active ownership in St. James’s present and future
Using campus to attract new sources of revenue that are organic to our programs, relational in nature and aligned with our values
Advance Justice Over Charity
Shifting decision making to emphasize outcomes
Facilitating greater civic engagement
Engaging vendors that are local, small and minority owned
Invest In People
Enhancing the total employee experience
Ensuring compensation remains equitable across all departments and competitive across industries
Prioritizing professional and personal well-being, growth, and a balanced life
