Overview
NorthStar Education Partners collaborated with E.L. Haynes Public Charter School to develop a new strategic plan that would solidify their identity and guide their initiatives for the next five years. This partnership involved extensive stakeholder engagement and the creation of comprehensive strategies across academics, people, finance, and operations.
Objectives
E.L. Haynes partnered with NorthStar to:
- Strategic Identity: Compose a strategic identity including vision, mission, identity, and core values.
- Model Strategic Priorities: Develop strategic priorities and initiatives with a theory of action for their 2025 goals.
- Signature Experiences Program: Create a program listing experiences that allow K-12 students to apply their learning to real-world problems.
- Inclusive Leadership: Re-define the division of managers to help E.L. Haynes leaders become more inclusive.
- Employee Support: Clarify compensation and investments for employees, adding support programs for employee well-being and mental health.
Partner
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Location: Washington, DC
Enrollment & Schools
Approximately 1,100 students across grades Pre-K through 12
Mission Statement
E.L. Haynes is a learning community where every student—of every race, socioeconomic status, home language, and ability—prepares to thrive in college, career, and life. Together, we create a more just and kind world.
Key Activities & Deliverables
Strategic Identity
- Stakeholder Engagement: Created a diverse group of teachers, students, parents, and board members for continuous interviews over six months.
- Core Values and Mission Statement: Designed core values and a mission statement that truly reflect their community.
- Graduate Profile: Developed a profile listing the ideals students should embody by graduation, including characteristics like social intelligence, curiosity, and historical perspective.
Strategic Priorities and Initiatives
- Theory of Action: Modeled strategic priorities and initiatives for the next five years, aligning them with the 2025 goals.
- Signature Experiences Program: Designed a program for K-12 students to apply their learning to real-world problems.
Inclusive Leadership and Employee Support
- Leadership Development: Re-defined management roles to foster inclusive leadership styles.
- Employee Well-Being: Established clear compensation and investment plans, and introduced support programs for employee well-being and mental health.
Outcomes
NorthStar and E.L. Haynes successfully developed a multi-year, board-approved strategic plan encompassing academics, people, finance, and operations. This plan guides all initiatives at E.L. Haynes and has led to:
- Improved Academic Outcomes: Enhanced instructional practices have resulted in better academic performance.
- Teacher Development: Comprehensive frameworks and coaching models have fostered significant professional growth among teachers.
- Teacher Retention: Focused efforts on teacher support and development have increased teacher retention rates.
- Enhanced Campus Operations: Streamlined processes and development plans have improved the overall efficiency and effectiveness of school operations.
Read more case studies and learn how NorthStar Education Partners is transforming education through strategic partnerships and innovative approaches.