In July 2022, we launched our long-term strategic planning process, Reimagine Alliance, to answer this call. Using Alliance’s core tenets of valuing and elevating the voices of our scholars, families, and school communities to help shape the future, it was clear that our strategic plan had to be different; it had to be more inclusive than ever before.
Over 250 stakeholders participated in interviews, focus groups, and all-day shadows, contributing their insights, investing their time, and sharing their aspirations for a next-generation Alliance. We put our words into action by genuinely “community sourcing” the brilliance of our neighborhoods.
So, in addition to engaging hundreds of Alliance staff, educators, scholars, and families, we reached out far beyond our school walls. We also asked local residents, business owners, and community organizers an important question: What is your definition of a thriving community, and how can a school help bring this vision to life?
We listened with true intent, and it turns out this was a question most had never been asked. The ideas were as diverse and inspiring as the people we talked to – from complex ideas like building campuses with open green spaces for the entire community to use, to simple but equally powerful ideas like having scholars adopt a local park to keep it clean and beautiful as part of the curriculum.
Whatever the source of the experience, insight, or idea, several important values rose to the surface: Our communities believe in high expectations, the joy of learning, the need to become a more equitable society, and making sure we are in it for the long haul, always keeping our eyes on future generations.
We’re excited about our new, long-term strategic vision – one that is inspired by the aspirations of our entire community. As we embark on our next 20 years, we can’t wait to start this bold, new journey.
I hope you’ll join in on the excitement because we know we can’t do this without you. Onward and upward as OneAlliance.
Sincerely,
Jass Stewart
