SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN: PART A 1
School Improvement Plan: Part A
Troy Guerra
School of Education, Liberty University
“This is my original and authentic plagiarism-free work. AI tools such as ChatGPT or Grammarly did not generate or
rewrite any part. My (Turnitin) AI score is 0%. Additionally, I reviewed all link attachments in the weekly email
announcement before completing this assignment. Furthermore, before completing this assignment, I reviewed all
related module materials. Troy Guerra.”
School Improvement Plan: Part A
Vision Statement – Matoaca High School
“Welcome Warrior Families! We look forward to helping each student grow and enjoy
the many worthwhile experiences Matoaca has to offer. Matoaca is a school known for its spirit,
and we know everyone who walks through our doors quickly feels the Warrior Pride. Our goal is
to help each student find academic and personal success by providing students with a safe,
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN: PART A 2
nurturing environment, where teachers engage students in learning experiences which are
relevant to each of their lives. We are better as ONE. One School, One Community, One
Matoaca” (Matoaca High School, 2023, para. 1).
Evaluation
Matoaca High School’s vision is clear and understandable. At 89 words, the message that
is delivered in the vision reflects the school’s commitment to each student. “A properly written
vision statement should assist the reader in imagining what the school would look like, what its
halls would sound like, and how teachers and students would interact” (Claxton, 2024, p.10).
This is exactly the type of vision statement that is allows for flexibility while at same time
maintaining focus.
There are several strengths identified in this vision. The vision identifies the what as
“finding academic and personal success” and the who as “students” (Matoaca High School,
2023, para. 1). Additionally the how in the vision is “provding students with a safe, nurturing
environment” and the why is to “engage students in learning experiences which are relevant to
each of their lives” (Matoaca High School, 2023, para. 1). This engagement of students also
reflects the school’s commitment to diversity as it is a purpose to address “each of their lives”
(Matoaca High School, 2023, para. 1). As a public high school, the distinct competence of the
organization is fundamentally a learning institution and the school’s vision expresses that fact as
teachers will engage students in the school environment. Another strength of this vision is the
final two sentences, which serve as a motto, slogan, or rallying cry for the school and
community. “We are better as ONE. One School, One Community, One Matoaca” (Matoaca
High School, 2023, para. 1). More than just an energy source or rallying point, these words allow
everyone involved to share in the successes of the organization and celebrate the
accomplishments together.
One identifiable weakness in the school’s vision is the absence of decision-making.
Though “community” is mentioned, in addition to the teacher’s responsibility of engaging every
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN: PART A 3
student, there isn’t any template or foundation for decision-making. The inclusion of words such
as cooperation or collaboration would provide stakeholders with assurances of decisions from
the vision. Another potential weakness is the lack of a future state for goals. “In the context of
leadership, a vision is a mental model of an ideal future state” (Northouse, 2023, p. 157).
Though
Matoaca High School’s vision depicts an ideal state, it does model an ideal future state.
Revised Vision Proposal
I would propose the following as the revision of Matoaca High School’s vision. “At
Matoaca High School, we take pride in helping each student grow while enjoying the many
experiences Matoaca has to offer. Through cooperation and collaboration, our goal is to help
each student find academic and personal success by providing students with a safe, nurturing
environment, where teachers engage students in learning experiences which are relevant to
each of their lives. We strive to provide all of our students with solid foundations for them to
pursue their highest potentials of their futures. We are better as ONE. One School, One
Community,
One Matoaca!”
Review and Revision Plan
As an educational leader, just having a vision is not enough. Visions, along with missions,
should be periodically reviewed and revised based on changes with the community, learning
environment, and as goals are adjusted to meet the needs of the schools. All stakeholders,
including faculty, staff, students, parents, families, and the community should contribute to the
development, and subsequent updates and reviews, of a shared vision. “Administrators should
begin by deepening their understanding of the school organization and by establishing positive
interpersonal relationships with stakeholders” (Claxton, 2024, p. 11). Administrators should
establish routines for reviews and revisions by first establishing communication lines with
stakeholders. This may be accomplished through a community newsletter, as is the case with
the principal of Matoaca High School, who produces the Warrior Weekly, which is a weekly
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN: PART A 4
newsletter sent out to all students, parents, and faculty and has feedback loops built into the
imformation. Other forms of communication include attending Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)
meetings, conducting town hall style meetings, pep rallies with students, and monthly faculty
meetings with faculty. Frequent reviews of the vision, perhaps quarterly through a standard
school year, in addition to annual revisions based on feedback from all forums of
communication, contribute to the plan for reviewing and revising the shared vision for the
school.
References
Claxton, R. L. (2024). Public and Private School Administration: An Overview in Christian
Perspective (2nd ed.). Kendall Hunt Publishing - Custom Wholesale.
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9798385150830
Matoaca High School. (2023). Oneccps.org. https://matoacahs.oneccps.org/
Northouse, P. G. (2023). Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice (6th ed.). SAGE
Publications, Inc. (US). https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781071884959
