Post #19: Strategic Vision #2: Securing Stellar Students
In my last post, I focused on the growth, development, retention of our fabulous faculty--the first priority in our new strategic growth plan. In this post I will focus on vision statement number two:
APDS will serve as a center of excellence for student development, attracting students interested in developing their talents in academics, arts, and athletics.
Augusta Prep exists to develop intellect, talents, and character--that is the first part of our mission. In education, we call this a whole-child approach. In the fall of 2019, when we surveyed all students with the Southern Association of Independent Schools Value Narrative Survey, they all rated faculty as the area of the school which has the highest value and for which we perform at the highest level AND they ranked extracurricular activities in arts and athletics a close second and third. Augusta Prep attracts students and families who value the academic experience above all other factors. But if we ignore the interests of students in developing all their talents and/or the benefits of such activities then we effectively reduce the pool of talented children who might attend Prep. We have students who want to be a scholar and an athlete, an actor and a coder, a singer and a scientist. Each of the objectives below are meant to increase the pool of talented students who might attend Prep in the coming years:
- Establish multiple feeder schools in the area. Augusta Prep has enjoyed a long relationship with Episcopal Day School as a feeder for our ninth grade, and we wish to continue that relationship as well as cultivate others, like Heritage Academy. This year we welcome three Heritage students, including the first W. Rodger Giles Merit Scholarship recipient (read the announcement here). We will continue to build relationships with other schools in the area to grow our Upper School.
- Increase and improve endowed scholarship marketing. Due to cost, some families never consider Augusta Prep as an option. We will refocus our efforts to encourage eligible families who want the high-quality Prep experience for their children to consider applying for the Georgia GOAL program, our endowed merit scholarships, or financial aid (information on eligibility found here).
- Enroll well-rounded and diverse classes (grades), not just talented individuals. School is a social learning setting, and our mission statement calls us to create diverse environments for students to learn from each other as well as our talented faculty. To achieve this vision, we want classes to be a healthy mix of students who excel in athletics, arts, and academics to create that rich experience.
- Increase arts and athletics staffing. Augusta Prep has incredible opportunities for students to participate in arts and athletics. As the popularity of those offerings continues to grow and we grow, we will need to add additional staffing in the performing arts faculty and coaching staff.
Since our founding 60 years ago, Augusta Prep has provided an excellent education designed to inspire students and equip them for college and career success. We remain passionate about teaching kids how to think, not what to think. This second vision statement and its objectives are meant to increase opportunities for even more talented students to consider and commit to Augusta Prep.
Augusta Preparatory Day School
Augusta Preparatory Day School is an independent, college preparatory school serving children ages 2 through Grade 12 from the greater Augusta-Aiken area. Augusta Prep seeks to enroll a group of diverse students. We follow an open admission policy, whereby qualified candidates are admitted without regard to religion, race, nationality, economic background, or ethnic origin.
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