School Board Adopts the Mission, Vision, Core Values and Priorities for the 2024-30 APS Strategic Plan

At its Dec. 14 meeting, the Arlington School Board adopted the Mission, Vision and Core Values of the 2024-30 APS Strategic Plan.

The adopted mission, vision and core values are:

Mission
APS will ensure all students learn and excel in high-quality, safe, and supportive schools.

Vision
APS provides an outstanding education where every student develops the skills and knowledge to become successful, college- or career-ready graduates and responsible global citizens.

Core Values

• Excellence – We believe all students will receive a high-quality education through rigorous, evidence-based, and innovative instruction.
• Equity & Inclusion – We believe in raising achievement for all students, eliminating gaps, providing equitable access to opportunities, and fostering intentional inclusion for our diverse community.
• Integrity – We build trust by acting honestly, openly, ethically, and respectfully.
• Relationships – We believe mutual respect and transparent communication between students, families, school and division staff, and our community builds trusting relationships.
• Stewardship – We believe the fiscally responsible and transparent management of APS resources honors the community’s investment in our schools and provides safe, effective, and environmentally sustainable learning environments.
• Whole Student – We believe that addressing the social, emotional, and physical needs of all students fosters academic excellence and an inclusive community.
• Valuing Staff – We believe the engagement, satisfaction, development, and wellbeing of our staff enables the success of our students and is critical to our community.

Priorities

• Student Academic Growth and Success – APS will ensure each student achieves academic excellence through high-quality instruction and systems of support to eliminate opportunity and achievement gaps.
• Student Well-Being – In partnership with families, staff, and students, APS will create inclusive, safe, and supportive learning environments that foster all students’ intellectual, physical, mental, social emotional growth and well-being.
• Centered Workforce – APS will support and invest in a culture that attracts and retains skilled, talented, and effective staff committed to student success and well-being.
• Operational Excellence – APS will plan and implement efficient, effective, and sustainable system-wide operations to support the success of our students, staff, and community.
• Student, Family and Community Partnerships – APS will strengthen and develop partnerships built on trust with students, families, community members, organizations, and local government to support student learning.

The process to develop the Strategic Plan Foundations included multiple opportunities for all stakeholders to share their input and feedback throughout the process. APS held community forums and conducted over 50 focus groups with parents, staff, students, and community members who represented over 40 Arlington community organizations. In addition, APS received over 5,500 responses on the two surveys that were administered. The feedback received was used throughout the process to help shape and refine the proposed Foundations.

“I want to thank the Strategic Plan Steering Committee, staff, and co-chairs for their diligence and hard work on the Foundations of the new Strategic Plan,” said Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán. “The new Mission, Vision, Core Values and Priorities (Or Foundations) will guide us for the next six years and inform development of the implementation and monitoring elements of the plan that will be developed this Spring”.

“On behalf of the School Board, thank you to everyone who worked on the first phase of the 2024-30 Strategic Plan. It provides a strong foundation for our long-term plan and reflects community and staff feedback,” said School Board Chair, Cristina Diaz-Torres.

The Superintendent will make recommendations on the performance objectives, strategies and key performance indicators to the School Board in June 2024.

For more information on the process to develop the 2024-30 Strategic Plan, visit the Strategic Plan Engage webpage.