Strategic Plan

List of 7 items.

• Strategic Plan Update 5-3-25 - Sunday Newsletter

  Dear Monte Cassino Community,

   

  Happy Sunday! As I shared last week, we are proud to unveil the Onward Saints Strategic Plan, a mission-driven vision for Monte Cassino’s future. Rooted in our Catholic Benedictine values and informed by an extensive self-study, this plan reflects our community's voices, hopes, and insights.

   

  The process began in March 2024 as preparation for our SAIS accreditation visit and as a commitment to Monte Cassino’s long-term growth and sustainability. We formed a Strategic Planning Committee that included faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and board members, working in partnership with the Center for Strategic Planning. Together, we engaged in a thoughtful and inclusive process to ensure that each step, from reflection to action, was guided by our mission and responsive to our community’s needs.

   

  Over the past 14 months, the Monte Cassino has:

  • Conducted in-depth institutional and environmental assessments
  • Developed Core Values statements rooted in our Benedictine tradition
  • Hosted a Community Visioning Day
  • Identified key strategic drivers, goals, and planning priorities
  • Gathered input to guide future growth and sustainability

   

  In December 2024, the Board of Directors ratified and the Monastic Council approved the plan's vision and goals.

   

  In January 2025, our MC faculty and staff drafted initiatives aligned with each strategy. From February through April, the leadership team carefully vetted these initiatives to ensure they were mission-aligned, achievable, and reflective of our school’s aspirations. This process transformed our strategic vision into a clear, operational roadmap for the future.

   

  As we enter the five-year implementation phase, we will establish teams and structures to monitor progress, measure outcomes, and adapt as needed, keeping the plan dynamic, focused, and forward-looking.

   

  We invite you to view the Onward Saints Strategic Plan and see how Monte Cassino is preparing to meet the needs of our students today and in the years to come.

   

  View the 2025–2030 Onward Saints Strategic Plan

   

  Thank you for your continued support, partnership, and prayers.

   

  Faithfully in Mission,
  
  

  Chris Burke, Head of School

   

• Strategic Plan Update 4-30-25 - Self Study Process Narrative

  Monte Cassino School: The Self-Study Process

  In preparation for our Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) accreditation visit and in pursuit of long-term institutional growth and sustainability, Monte Cassino School launched a comprehensive self-study process during the 2024-2025 academic year. Partnering with the Center for Strategic Planning, under the leadership of Christina Drouin, Monte Cassino engaged in a mission- and vision-driven strategic planning initiative rooted in our Catholic Benedictine values. This intentional and collaborative process culminated in a clear, actionable roadmap that aligned the school’s strategic priorities with accreditation standards and the evolving needs of our community.

  Planning the Process

  The strategic planning journey began in March 2024 with a "Plan to Plan" meeting, where the Core Planning Group — composed of the Head of School, Board Chair, Strategic Planning Committee Chairs, and facilitator — established the project's scope, timeline, and expectations. Shortly after, the Strategic Planning Committee was formed, bringing together diverse representatives of the school community. A Kick-Off Meeting oriented committee members to their roles and assigned them to specialized workgroups focused on research, communications, and the organization of a Community Visioning Day.

  Research and Analysis

  Between March and August 2024, the school community engaged in a thorough research and analysis phase. Core values statements were developed, firmly rooted in Benedictine principles, to ensure cultural and mission alignment. Simultaneously, an environmental and institutional assessment was conducted, gathering input through constituent surveys targeting current parents, faculty, staff, alumni, alum parents, young alumni, students in grades 6-8, and members of the board of directors. The research workgroup further analyzed external opportunities and threats using STEEP (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, and Political) factors. This extensive research identified key strategic drivers, forming the foundation for the planning that would follow.

  Visioning and Goal Setting

  A significant milestone occurred in November 2024 with the planning and hosting of Monte Cassino’s Community Visioning Day. This day provided an opportunity for broad stakeholder engagement, as participants worked collaboratively to shape a shared vision for the school’s future. Out of these discussions, the Strategic Planning Committee refined a strategic plan framework, articulating a unified vision, establishing overarching goals, and identifying targeted strategies to achieve them.

  Action Planning and Plan Approval

  Following the Community Visioning Day, Monte Cassino finalized the strategic plan framework and secured official endorsement from the Board of Directors and approval from the Monastic Council in December 2024. From December through April 2025, detailed action planning took place. During this phase, specific initiatives, short-term and long-term actions, and projects were carefully developed, vetted, and prioritized, ensuring that the plan would not remain theoretical but would move swiftly into implementation.

  Implementation Planning

  As of spring and summer 2025, the school is finalizing structures for plan implementation, including establishing mechanisms for monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation. An Implementation Team is being trained to oversee the execution of the strategic initiatives, and strategic thinking processes are being embedded into the school's operational culture to ensure the plan remains dynamic and responsive.

  Key Outcomes of the Self-Study Process

  This comprehensive, phased process produced several important outcomes:

  • Benedictine Core Values Statements were developed to clearly articulate how our values shape our culture, relationships, and delivery of mission.
  • A SAIS-Aligned Strategic Plan was created, ensuring full compliance with accreditation expectations.
  • Institutional Priorities were identified, addressing key challenges and opportunities facing Monte Cassino.
  • An Actionable Strategic Plan was written, with defined vision, goals, strategies, and operational initiatives.
  • Stakeholder Engagement was achieved, ensuring a shared ownership of the school's direction.
  • Board and Leadership Commitment was secured to support the plan’s successful execution.
  • An Implementation Plan was completed to guide immediate and long-term actions.
  • Ongoing Strategic Thinking mechanisms were established to maintain momentum and adapt to future needs.
  • Data Collection for a potential fundraising campaign was conducted, supporting future development opportunities.

  Through this disciplined, values-based, and inclusive self-study and strategic planning process, Monte Cassino has reaffirmed its place as a premier independent Benedictine Catholic school. The school stands fully prepared to meet the needs of its students, families, and broader community, both today and into the future.

• Strategic Plan Update 10-23-24

  Dear Monte Cassino School Community,

   

  I write today with an important update on "Onward Saints: Inspired by Tradition, Building Our Tomorrow" - our community-wide strategic planning process through which we are charting our path into the future by reflecting upon and clarifying what we believe, why we exist, where we are headed, and how we will get there.

   

  Last spring, we launched our strategic planning process with our community, using the initial surveys of our constituency groups. Throughout the summer and into this school year, the working groups of the strategic planning committee continued the “good work."

   

  Today, we are thrilled to announce that the Board of Directors has endorsed, and the Monastic Council unanimously approved, our newly revised mission statement and the expansion of our Benedictine core values statements, which expresses why we exist for the Tulsa community.

   

  “The mission of Monte Cassino school continues to be an integral part of Catholic education in Tulsa. The Sisters support and affirm this mission, which is a particular expression of our Benedictine way of life. We are grateful for the work of the strategic planning committee to build on the foundation of the Benedictine values, taking Monte Cassino into the next 100 years.”

  – Sr. Marie Therese Long, O.S.B., Prioress of St. Joseph Monastery and MCS President

   

  "Core values and mission are at the heart of what drives all successful organizations. I want to express my gratitude to the strategic planning committee and everyone involved in the process so far for enhancing our core values to embody the spirit of the Monte Community and for providing a solid foundation for the future."

  – Larry Rooney, MCS Board Chair

   

  The newly revised mission statement and the expansion of our Benedictine core values statements can be viewed by clicking here.

   

  As we approach Visioning Day on Saturday, November 2, the peak of the strategic planning process, I want to express my gratitude for your engagement, support, and partnership as we work together to build upon nearly 100 years of educating children in Tulsa.

   

  Onward Saints,

  Chris Burke, Head of School

• Strategic Plan Update 9-29-24

  Dear Monte Cassino community,
  
  Visioning Day registration is now open! This special event, which will be held on Saturday, November 2nd, in our middle school gym and classrooms, is a crucial part of our Strategic Planning process. It intends to bring together our Monte Cassino community to consider the key strategic drivers that require attention over the next five years.

   

  Your input and participation are valued as we apply overarching growth strategies to address the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for Monte Cassino School. Participants will engage in meaningful discussions and collaborative planning to ensure the advancement of Monte Cassino's mission.

   

  Here is a glance at what Visioning Day will entail:

  8:00-8:30 a.m. – Registration

  8:30-9:00 a.m. – Welcome and plenary session

  9:00-11:00 a.m. – Session 1: Envisioning the Future

  11:00-11:45 a.m. – Group reports and voting

  11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lunch

  12:30-12:45 p.m. – Report on top-scoring vision statements

  12:45-2:00 p.m. – Session 2: Crafting Strategies

  2:00-2:45 p.m. – Group reports and voting

  2:45-3:00 p.m. – Conclusion and next steps for strategic plan

   

  Visioning Day participants in their groups will engage in these three strategic tasks:

   

  First, we will focus on leveraging Monte Cassino’s assets and core competencies and celebrating what we do well. This strategic work will ensure the continuity of the most valued assets of Monte Cassino’s brand.

   

  Second, we will seek to build capacity for change, create growth opportunities, and ensure exceptional mission delivery.

   

  Finally, we will work to find innovative solutions to longer-range strategic factors and create a culture that adapts and innovates to meet future challenges and opportunities, both known and unexpected.

   

  Each of these strategic tasks is essential for thoroughly addressing each strategic driver. During Visioning Day discussions, participants will explore possibilities across all three tasks using guiding questions provided as the basis for group dialogue.

   

  Or in simpler terms…

  One day (six hours), for the next five years.

   

  In conclusion, successful strategic plans for schools should include inclusivity, shared responsibility, accountability, evaluation, and ongoing planning. I believe we have invested in our school community throughout this process, and Visioning Day is the peak. A deep bow of gratitude to all of you for the many ways you contribute to our community; your efforts are genuinely appreciated. I hope you will consider participating in Visioning Day. Click here to register.

   

  Have a wonderful Sunday with your family!

  Onward Saints,

   

  Chris Burke, Head of School

   

  P.S. – Childcare is available through our Monte After Care program for PK3-4th grade students on Visioning Day. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to sign up for childcare on Visioning Day

• Strategic Plan Update 9-1-24

  Happy Labor Day weekend!
  
  I wanted to follow up with you regarding our Strategic Plan. During all three Back-to-School Nights, I shared that Monte Cassino School is in an accreditation year with our accreditor, the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). As part of the accreditation process, we are working on establishing our goals and vision for the next 5 years, known as Onward Saints: Inspired by Tradition, Building our Tomorrow . The linked landing page shows the most up-to-date information regarding the process and progress of our Strategic Plan.
  
  

  In the next two months, the Research, Writing, Communication, and Visioning Day work groups of the Strategic Planning Committee will complete their tasks in preparation for our community Visioning Day. I want to emphasize the importance of your participation in Visioning Day on Saturday, November 2. Registration and more details about Visioning Day will be available soon for all constituency groups: current parents, past parents, alumni, young alumni, faculty/staff, students, and friends of Monte Cassino School.
  
  

  This is a valuable opportunity to come together to contribute ideas and insights to shape the future of our school. Your participation in this event is not just vital; it's empowering. It ensures that your perspective is heard and considered as we work towards common goals and objectives, making you an integral part of our school's future.
  
  

  Please mark your calendars and join us on Saturday, November 2 for Visioning Day. Be on the lookout for more information about our Strategic Plan over the next two months.
  
  Many blessings to you and your families this weekend!
  
  

  Onward Saints,

  Chris Burke, Head of School

• Strategic Plan Update 6-30-24

  Dear Monte Cassino parents,
  
  Happy Fourth of July week! I hope you and your family have a wonderful week filled with red, white, and blue pride, fireworks, and the joy of celebrating our nation's independence. Please note that the Monte Cassino School campus will be closed from July 1st to July 5th for essential maintenance as we prepare to welcome back our Saints for the 2024-25 school year.

   

  As we reach the middle of summer break, I want to give you an update on our strategic planning process. Many thanks to everyone who participated in the strategic plan survey. We received over 340 responses from current parents and nearly 800 responses from all our constituency groups. A bow of gratitude to you for taking the time to share your valuable feedback.

   

  Our Strategic Planning Committee, comprised of four work groups (Writing, Research, Communications, and Visioning Day), is making progress. The Research Work Group is the most active this summer, currently researching the STEEP (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political) factors that impact independent school education. The aim of this research is to identify external factors and develop strategies to address potential threats and opportunities arising from these factors. The internal (constituency surveys) and external research findings will determine the strategic drivers for our Visioning Day on Nov. 2, 2024.

   

  I am excited to share more updates on our progress throughout the summer and the start of the school year as we journey into a promising future for our Saints!

   

  Please save the date - Saturday, November 2, 2024 - for our community Visioning Day. Registration for Visioning Day will open after our Back-to-School Nights in August. If you have any questions or thoughts, please feel free to give me a call or send an email.

   

  Faithfully in Mission,

   

  Chris Burke, Head of School

   

• Strategic Plan Announcement 5-6-2024

  Dear Monte Cassino Parents,

   

  As we approach our centennial school year in 2026-2027 and enter a re-accreditation year in 2024-2025, it is important for us to start thinking about the future. As an independent school, Monte Cassino has the privileged opportunity to create a new shared vision. To achieve this, the Board of Directors approved the hiring of a consultant in February to facilitate a new strategic planning process that will engage the many constituency groups in our community. As a current parent, your thoughts and ideas are highly valued. In the coming months, various opportunities will be established to gather your input, and everyone will be invited to participate in a community Visioning Day on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Your first opportunity to participate in this process is available now. Please complete this Current Parent Survey by Thursday, May 16.

   

  We will track our progress with established milestones throughout the project. A successful plan for schools should be inclusive, share responsibility, ensure accountability, evaluate progress and have ongoing planning. Our planning process will begin by reviewing our core values and mission statement. We will then examine data, including a comprehensive study of external factors, and gather input from as many current and past parents, faculty, staff, board of directors, current students, and graduates as possible. The issues that are identified will provide the framework for our planning as we aim to articulate a vision, create school goals, and develop strategies to achieve them.

   

  Board of Directors member, Missy Embry and ECLC Principal, Marci Jubelirer are Co-Chairs of the Strategic Planning Committee with me. The Strategic Planning Committee has been formed to oversee and complete major portions of the planning process. The Committee comprises members who represent various constituencies. Their work will be presented to the Board of Directors for review, with a final review and approval by the Monastic Council.

   

  To guide us through this process, we have engaged the services of Christina Drouin, a planning consultant, and the founder of the Center for Strategic Planning. Christina has over 35 years of experience in nonprofit planning and marketing. She previously worked as an independent school administrator and is the recipient of several national awards. She is also a frequent speaker at independent school annual conferences, including the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Christina has co-authored NAIS's book on contemporary strategic planning and has helped many schools as a strategic planning consultant. She is known for her talent in designing and leading inclusive and effective processes.

   

  We have started our work, and we need you to take part. Once again, please complete the Current Parent Survey by Thursday, May 16.

   

  Please save the date - Saturday, November 2, 2024 - for our community Visioning Day. If you have any questions or thoughts, please feel free to give me a call or drop me an email.

   

  Faithfully in Mission,

  Chris Burke, Head of School