5 Year Strategic Plan For Timothy Christian Schools

STRATEGIC PLAN 

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Why a Strategic Plan 

Organizations do not achieve sustainable greatness without planning and strategy…and I mean intentional 

strategy, not an artificial adherence to cookie-cutter or trendy initiatives and catch-phrases. Once an 

organization has strategically established and defined their goals, then a stubborn conviction to achieve 

them must follow. Timothy Christian Schools has been great for 100 years. As we have officially hit this 

significant century milestone, it is important that we continue to plan for success. Most importantly, we 

desire to align our plans with biblical principles and to give God the glory in all things. 

We have no intention of hitting the cruise control button with this organization, and we are not content 

with status quo. Rather we are committed to growth, innovation and inspired transformation. This 

strategic plan will provide the school with a rudder for the next five years. It will provide general 

direction, visionary challenge and fierce accountability. This strategic plan is unique because it has been 

built with the input of every stakeholder. Many fingerprints are on this plan. It has been designed with 

the information received from various all-school surveys, Board and administrative input, faculty input, 

recommendations from our recent accreditation visit, student involvement, networking with other winning 

Christian schools, and ideas from my own experiences and beliefs. 

This document is a comprehensive summary of what our community expects from TCS—both areas 

where we are presently strong and also areas where we need to improve. Moreover, this document is 

deliberately basic. The intent of this plan is to establish goals for major areas of our school, while still 

allowing for an openness and flexibility in the processes and strategies that are used along the way to 

achieve these goals. The outcomes of some of these goals will be measurable…and they will all be 

amazingly observable. Over the next five years, we will refer to this plan in our decision-making. We 

will consider future plans as they relate to our mission and to this plan. 

Are these the only goals that TCS will pursue over the next five years Of course not…we know that this 

document is not exhaustive. Other important matters come up commonly, and we will continue to reach 

for successful outcomes in all that we do. This plan is derived from the raw data we have gathered from 

YOU, and we are committed to succeeding in our plans over the next five years. What happens when five 

years have come and gone We will embark on another adventure in planning to meet new challenges 

with a bold confidence and a dynamic intentionality. In the meantime, let’s make the most of our current 

journey together…and expect great things from TCS! 

Very Truly Yours for Christian Education, 

Matt Davidson 

Superintendent 

“A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. 

Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, 

let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” 

Matthew 5:13-16 

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MISSION 

Timothy Christian Schools has displayed a robust commitment to the mission of providing a distinctively 

Christian education for 100 years. It is the conviction and the goal of the school to maintain and even 

increase our commitment in this area. Rather than compartmentalizing the mission to chapels and Bible 

classes, the mission should be unashamedly visible in literally every program of the Christian school. 

1. We will provide our faculty with opportunities for both professional and spiritual development, 

thus having a faculty that represents a living curriculum for our students. This aligns well with 

the “3 Loves” here at TCS—love for Jesus Christ, love for students, and love for teaching in a 

Christian school. 

2. Relational leadership and relational teaching will be a goal moving forward. We recognize that 

building relationships with our students is vital in Christian education. 

3. It will be a goal to increase the visibility of our mission throughout the school buildings. We 

want to physically display our Christ-centered mission as a constant challenge and reminder. 

4. Community service is a powerful way to share the life and love of Jesus with our neighbors. 

Service is also an accelerant to spiritual development and growth. We will commit to a more 

intentional effort to increase our community service opportunities for our students. Moreover, we 

will strive to create more leadership opportunities for our students and expect great things from 

them. We will appropriately challenge our student body and create accountability. 

5. We aim to increase our reputation for excellence in all that we offer. A goal moving forward will 

be to exploit our success as a school with the intent to attract more families to Timothy. The 

motivation behind this will be to increase the enrollment so that we can train, equip and inspire 

even more students to make a difference for Jesus Christ. 

Mission Statement 

Serving God and His people, Timothy Christian Schools develops academically prepared 

Christian disciples who embrace Christ’s call to transform the world. 

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ACADEMICS 

Timothy Christian Schools fully recognizes the prominent role of a rigorous program of education. We 

are not an overgrown youth group—we are a school. It is our desire to hold fast to proven conventional 

methods of instruction while also implementing new and innovative best practices. We desire to be a 

professional learning community that is capable of real transformation in the lives of our students. As a 

Christian school, we also believe that Jesus was the greatest teacher who ever lived. In our study of the 

New Testament, we can learn proven methods and strategies from the Master Teacher. 

1. We will make a strong commitment to current and relevant professional development for our 

faculty. We will work toward a common language among the faculty and greater collaboration in 

identifying and executing best practice in the profession. Moreover, we will pursue funding 

resources for professional development and new and pioneering initiatives. 

2. Accountability and evaluation will become expected and even eagerly anticipated at TCS. We 

will develop a stronger evaluation process for all staff and create a culture of continual 

improvement and growth. Moreover, we will improve our evaluation of student progress by 

appropriately collecting and using data. Our commitment to evaluation at TCS will be greatly 

increased. 

3. TCS will strategically investigate the possible hire of a Pre K – 12 Director of Curriculum and 

Instruction. Modern education requires the full attention of an expert in the field. We will 

carefully consider the consequences of having this position at TCS. 

4. In our instruction, we will focus closely on four very basic questions to narrow our goals and new 

initiatives: 

a. What do we want our students to know (curriculum, instruction) 

b. How will we know when they know it How will we measure it (assessment) 

c. What will we do if they don’t know it (remediation) 

d. What will we do if they already know it (challenge, extensions, advancement) 

5. We will increase our approach to blended learning as it relates to technology. Online courses, 

virtual classrooms, and the general use of technology in the conventional classroom are all part of 

the future of education. We will strategically pursue these avenues and more. Our experts on 

campus will be utilized in professional development for the staff so that we can all work toward 

the focused target where technology and learning most closely intersect. 

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EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS 

Timothy Christian Schools recognizes the grand importance of athletics and other extra-curricular 

programs. We believe that a student’s overall educational experience is greatly enhanced when they 

participate in an extra-curricular program. Our students have many opportunities to get plugged-in here at 

TCS, and it is our desire that our extra-curricular programs would be committed to excellence. 

1. We will work toward a “system” approach to our extra-curricular programs with a fine thread 

connecting corresponding programs throughout the school. The purpose is to have philosophical 

and practical goals throughout any particular program with the intent to improve communication, 

better outline expectations, and increase our overall commitment to success. This directly aligns 

with our mission. The world notices success, not mediocrity or poor performance. Consequently, 

we desire to be excellent in all that we do so that we will have a greater platform from which to 

proclaim the life and love of Jesus Christ to our community. 

2. It will be a goal to maximize student involvement in our existing extra-curricular programs, and 

we are committed to exploring new programs moving forward. We will also work toward 

developing a stronger sense of support and school spirit among the student body for these various 

programs. 

3. Along with our dedication to improved evaluation processes in our academic program, we will 

apply similar evaluation tools to our extra-curricular programs and their directors/coaches. 

4. TCS will focus more intently on using our various extra-curricular programs to teach biblical life 

lessons. Our extra-curricular programs offer perhaps the greatest opportunities to apply biblical 

truths to real life situations, and our programs should be distinctively Christian. In that regard, 

we must be radically different from similar experiences in the public school. 

5. We will aggressively pursue the improvement of our physical facilities for our extra-curricular 

programs, specifically our athletic program. A state-of-the-art weight room would benefit a wide 

range of students. Other specific programs would greatly benefit from improvements and 

upgrades. Ultimately, we will begin the conversations of the addition of a Field House. 

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FINANCE 

Timothy Christian Schools recognizes that we cannot ignore the business side of operating an 

organization. We desire to keep tuition at affordable levels, and yet we also desire to hire and retain the 

best teachers while providing the best programs to our students as well. We apply biblical stewardship 

principles to our money management, and we are presently in a very enviable position to other Christian 

schools. Our Foundation assets are in the vicinity of $4MM, and we do not carry any debt. This is not 

the norm in private schools today; however, we desire to remain fiscally strong through the creation of 

sustainable budgets from year-to-year. 

1. TCS is working toward producing annually audited financial statements. We are actively 

aligning our financial statements with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). Since 

hiring a Business Manager, we have already made great strides and more is still to come. 

Additionally, we desire to be extremely transparent with our financials. We intend to consistently 

communicate financial information with our community. Furthermore, it is our desire to be the 

premier Christian school in the management and the execution of our budget. We intend to 

continually improve the budgeting process through collaboration across the administrative team 

and board committees. Timothy plans to build and protect a sustainable financial structure for the 

next 100 years. 

2. We will increase the assets of the Timothy Foundation. We realize that tuition monies alone 

cannot sustain our future. Consequently, our Foundation must grow. We are committed to 

creating a greater awareness of our Foundation with the intent to inspire others to contribute to its 

vitality and growth. Lastly, we will more clearly define the role of the Foundation at TCS. 

3. The Timothy Fund is vitally essential for a strong budget at our school. This is our annual fund 

and serves as a line item in the revenue side of the budget, thus keeping our tuition lower than 

what would be otherwise necessary. It is our goal to generate more exposure for the Timothy 

Fund and to challenge those with discretionary income to routinely contribute to this important 

annual fund. Ultimately, we will increase our donor base at TCS. 

4. To suggest that our teachers are important to our school would be a gross understatement. We 

will work to make certain that our teachers are fairly compensated and receiving a justifiable 

wage based on local and national research and comparison studies. We will also strive to budget 

more intentionally for professional development opportunities for our faculty. 

5. Tuition assistance is a part of who we are as a Christian school. Historically we have depended 

largely on the Foundation and the resale shop (New to You) for our tuition assistance funding. 

Ultimately, we aim to budget for some tuition assistance while still fully utilizing our other 

funding sources. Moreover, we intend to responsibly enforce collection of our tuition 

receivables. 

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Timothy Christian Schools has been very blessed by the vision, direction and wisdom of the Board. Our 

Board is comprised of twenty one (21) members, per the requirement of our Constitution. Moreover, our 

Board each year consists of two-thirds membership from our supporting churches. This is also per the 

requirement of our Constitution. Each Board member serves on two or three different committees…and 

they work hard. The Board is an important part of our school, and we are committed to safeguarding an 

effective and enduring model based on what is commonly accepted as best practice. 

1. We will engage in Board training and explore other Board governance models. Specifically we 

will consider mission-directed Board governance, which is presently being investigated and 

implemented in other Christian schools across the country. 

2. We will maintain transparency as we consider other Board governance models, and we recognize 

that the Society must ultimately vote on any changes or reform of this nature. 

3. TCS Administration will increase their efforts to openly communicate with the Board and 

collaborate on any major agendas or initiatives. 

4. The Board will evaluate the frequency of the meetings of the full Board, while maintaining a 

monthly commitment to committee meetings. The Board will work to guarantee the efficiency 

and the productivity of all meetings. The Board will also oversee the overall performance of the 

goals that have been outlined in this plan. 

5. TCS Administration and Board will work more diligently to listen to our parents and keep a 

finger on the pulse of our school community. We will host occasional opportunities for parents to 

informally visit with various members of the Board and the Superintendent. 

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ADMISSIONS, MARKETING, RETENTION 

Timothy Christian Schools has long held a reputation for being a great school. We have transformed in 

many ways since the early years when the school was primarily for Dutch immigrants of the Christian 

Reformed Church. Although we proudly hold fast to our heritage and foundation, we are also committed 

to being a relevant Christian school for a larger community and partnering with Christian homes from a 

variety of backgrounds and churches. If we believe that we have something special to offer, then why 

wouldn’t we want to spread the word For those who are affiliated with TCS in any capacity, we are all 

in the business of marketing the school. 

1. We will grow our commitment to targeted admission efforts that will increase the number of 

qualified applicants who support the TCS mission. This will be accomplished through stronger 

networking with potential “feeder” schools and our churches. We will also continue to explore 

incentive programs for current families that introduce new families to TCS—“word-of-mouth.” 

We will explore and better define the answer to the question—“who is our school for” 

2. We are intensely committed to cultivating a school culture where all members work to increase 

enrollment and retain current students. Everyone who is a part of TCS carries a responsibility to 

market our school. We will take decisive action in connecting the grade school to our high school 

to best guarantee a strong retention from 8 th to 9 th grade each year. Several strategic initiatives 

will come into play to build these bridges between the two buildings. 

3. TCS will work to determine our best capacity for enrollment. We are confident we have much 

room to grow in the high school specifically. As we grow, we desire to grow with intentionality 

and hit our targeted marks for enrollment campus-wide. As it relates to this goal, we will 

strategically investigate possible options for an elementary satellite campus. Additionally we will 

seek to expand and enhance our Worldview Program and commitment to international students. 

4. We will closely examine our “first impressions” at TCS. We will review our process from startto-finish, 

all the way from the introduction to TCS to our practices for orientation of new families 

and students. 

5. Our school has much to “show-off.” We will seek to determine the best ways to get the word out 

on our achievements as an organization and to make certain that others know who we are and 

what we have to offer. We have no desire to be “the best kept secret,” but rather we want our 

school to be visible and known. 

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ADVANCEMENT 

Timothy Christian Schools has a great opportunity to reengage our constituency in terms of 

financial planning and systematic giving to TCS. Many are not engaged and do not have TCS at 

or toward the top of their giving list. Many have not been asked directly to give. Our donor base 

needs to be expanded. Many of our families do not feel “connected” to our advancement efforts, 

especially new families. We need to devote more time, energy, and resources to advancement 

efforts at TCS. Advancement needs to be systematic and an integral part of our overall 

administrative structure and planning. 

1. We have an opportunity to change and improve how we do fundraising. We need to better use 

current technology in our advancement effort by using the internet, social & business networks, e- 

mail, and other tools available to us. The best software will be explored for this as well. While 

we explore pioneering technological opportunities and tactics, we will not lose sight of the 

importance of personal, face-to-face interaction in our donor relations. 

2. TCS will work to raise monies for the Timothy Fund, which is vital to the annual budget. In 

addition to working directly with potential donors, we will sharpen our efforts with certain 

fundraisers that will involve and engage the entire school community. 

3. Presently TCS is involved in a capital campaign. We will more aggressively pursue contributions 

from the greater community in a grass-roots movement for future campaigns. Rather than solely 

receiving a few large gifts, we desire to collect many small/medium gifts as well. 

4. We will continue to work to grow our Foundation Assets. Utilizing the resources and expertise of 

the Barnabas Foundation, we will seek to increase awareness and participation in planned giving 

to TCS. Specifically in the following areas: Cash, Stock and other securities, Real estate, 

Business interest, Life insurance, Tangible personal property, Commodities, IRA or other 

retirement assets, Bequest from a Will or Trust. These gifts will serve to benefit TCS directly and 

will benefit the Timothy Foundation for years to come. 

5. We will continually look for ways to engage our Alumni in giving and staying involved in the 

TCS community. This will include social networking and other available tools that help to keep 

us connected with out-of-town Alums. 

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WE ARE TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN 

Timothy Christian Schools possesses some unique defining elements. At some organic level, Christian 

schools have much in common. However, the best Christian schools set themselves apart with an 

uncompromising devotion to distinction. The best Christian schools sometimes have to painfully endure 

changes in order to remain successful; however, most of the time they are simply inclined to adopt 

necessary and proven change. In this section, we have identified some additional core values where we 

desire to be at the forefront of definable and distinguished greatness. We are Timothy Christian! 

1. We will be a community of faith. “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31) We 

do not apologize for being a Christian school. We have no intentions to dilute the mission of our 

school or to exclusively talk about our faith only in Bible classes and chapels. Rather we desire 

to give Jesus Christ the highest place—a place of preeminence—in every single program of our 

school. We wholeheartedly believe that all truth is God’s truth, and we believe that education is 

empty without Jesus Christ. 

2. We will be a community of vision. Every core aspect of our school must have vision behind it. 

Specifically we will cast vision for our program of education, for new and improved facilities and 

building additions, and for the spiritual development of our students. 

3. We will be a community of cooperation. In most instances, educational institutions have 

gradually eroded the importance of parental input. Sadly, many parents have subsequently 

relinquished this important role in the development of their children. At TCS we desire to 

increase our commitment to working with the home. We believe that we cannot achieve optimal 

outcomes without the valuable input of the home. Furthermore, we desire to work together 

within the school. We will work to create a culture where all employees are working together 

toward a common mission and goals. We will accomplish more together as the body of Christ. 

4. We will be a community of life-preparation. Too often schools are so intensely focused on the 

latest trends that we lose sight of important life skills that have historically been a foundation of 

our educational beliefs. We desire to maintain a strong commitment to reading and writing and 

other forms of expression such as students giving presentations. We will also strive to provide 

team-building exercises as part of our curriculum, including methods to help students resolve 

conflict and articulate their thoughts. We desire to emphasize even the most simple of 

interpersonal skills, such as teaching our students to say “please” and “thank you.” A strong 

education, without these life skills, is still lacking. We want our students to be winners. 

5. We will be a community of excellence. We will strive for excellence in all that we do, and we 

will do so to the glory of God. We will not take half-steps or seek short-cuts. We recognize that 

success is accomplished through hard work. Most importantly, it is our conviction that earthly 

success must point others to Jesus or it is insignificant. We desire to WIN others to Jesus. 

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5 Year Strategic Plan For Timothy Christian Schools

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