Peace with Christian School A Place where Christs

Peace with Christian School A Place where Christ's Children Soar Core Purpose: Partner with parents to provide a quality-based education experience within a safe learning environment that promotes Biblical values.

Vision Peace With Christian School (PWCCS) provides a Christ centered environment that instills the values laid out for us in God’s word by nurturing children’s spiritual, academic, emotional, social, and physical development. Through a challenging curriculum and excellent classroom materials and equipment, Peace With Christian School aids the child to meet the ever increasing demands of living in today’s society. Each child will realize his God given potential to the greatest degree possible. The goal at PWCCS is to lead our students to attain stellar academic achievement with a strong Christian foundation. We seek to provide an environment conducive to optimal learning with effective teaching tools for appropriate age development. Students are prepared to become responsible stewards of their talents in a joy filled Christian life. All teachers are highly skilled, dedicated Christian educators who show God’s love to the children and set a Christian example by really living their faith in Christ. Administrators, teachers, staff and the School Board members manage the resources God has entrusted to our school through responsible fiscal management.

Vision Continued PWCCS partners with parents and families as the child grows, learns, and develops into a responsible Christian young adult. Service becomes a natural part of school life. Children help others, not only in school, but also in the community and the world. Teachers encourage Christ like compassion and love for all people. As opportunity permits, teachers, students and volunteers serve others in their classrooms and the community. PWCCS believes children will behave appropriately and respectfully if the classroom has clearly defined rules and procedures, and boundaries are taught and enforced in a respectful manner in both school and home. Our Lord asks us all to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” and to “Love your neighbor as yourself. “ Luke 10: 27. PWCCS strives to follow this path. We encourage homes and the community at large to promote and model this vision.

Guiding Principles Spiritual Life Academic Life At PWCCS, students learn that God is at their side at every moment. When faced with fear, challenge, temptation or a life changing decision, a PWCCS child knows God is there to help. Our spiritual life goal is to develop a loving relationship with our Heavenly Father and caring relationships with our classmates and all people. Children discover that their teachers have been called by God to teach them and guide them through their early years. This realization helps to build an immediate trust between student and instructor and paves the way for an interest in learning. Our academic life goal and focus at Peace With Christ is to help every student to succeed Core Values Eternal Values: Honor God through daily confession, worship, prayer, fellowship, and study of the Bible. Service: Encouraging a Christ-like compassion and love for all people and devoting ourselves to the needs of others. Respect: Esteem and honor yourself and others, especially those put in a position of authority over us. Thankfulness: Cultivating an attitude of gratefulness. Integrity: Being truthful; protecting and honoring the reputation and character of others. Responsibility: Being accountable to ourselves and others. Self-Discipline: Exhibiting self-control over thoughts and actions. Wisdom: Applying Biblical knowledge to all life’s decisions. Godly Living: Showing acceptance, encouragement, kindness, compassion, generosity and forgiveness. Promoting harmony, peace and an environment of trust.

Areas of Excellence Christian Foundation • Provide Christian Based Doctrine • Nurture Character Development • Develop Life long skills and Discipline for Success • Use our Gifts as a Community to Help Others through Outreach Student Academic Achievement • Exceed National Benchmarks • Excel at Math, Science, and Reading • Offer Curriculum from a Developmental Perspective • Offer a High Quality Spanish Language Program Technology & 21 st Century Classroom • Adopt Best Teaching Practices that Enhance Learning • Invest in Current & Relevant Curriculum • Integrate Experiential or “hands on” Learning Methods • Integrate Technology to Enhance the Learning Experience Learning Environment • Ensure the Safety & Security of All • Provide Individual and Family Support • Foster a Welcoming Environment • Ensure Smaller Class Sizes • Establish and Maintain fluid Communications Between School and Families Financial Stewardship • Foster Excellence in our Biblical Stewardship of the Resources Entrusted to our Care by God • Ensure the Long Term Viability and Funding for Strategic Initiatives • Develop and Maintain a Strong Financial Base

Initiative: Faith Development & Christian Foundation Rationale PWCCS will nurture the personal relationship of their students with Jesus Christ, guiding students in their walk with Christ. Ministry relationships between teachers and students and between students and their peers will be a hallmark of the school. Students will be morally and ethically equipped as servant leaders. Our aim is to provide a Christ centered environment that instills the values laid out for us in God’s word by nurturing children’s spiritual, academic, emotional, social, and physical development. Major goals for maintaining faith development and a Christian Foundation: • Provide Christian based doctrine • Nurture character development • Develop life long skills and discipline for success • Use our gifts to serve others in the community Key Priorities • The child grows, learns, and develops into a responsible Christian young adult through honoring God through daily confession, worship, prayer, fellowship, and study of the Bible. • Helping Christians live a balanced relationship with God, one another and in the world around us. • Children are led to help others, not only in school, but also in the community and world. Key Enablers • Maintain daily Biblical instruction • Fostering each child’s walk with Jesus • Teachers encourage Christ like compassion and love for all people Owner: Mr. Warren Paul Team: Mr. Warren Paul, Pastor & Staff

Initiative: Student Academic Achievement Key Priorities Rationale Continuous Improvement is imperative to our ability to deliver a competitive education for our students. By building on existing efforts to improve student academic achievement and through strategies for improving low performing areas, PWCCS will be ranked among the best of schools in the Rocky Mountain Region in student achievement. Our aim is to be recognized as an institution of academic excellence, where students are challenged to their full potential and fully prepared for their next level of education. We will provide a comprehensive, high quality student preparatory program, with curriculum from a developmental perspective and resources for state of the art technology. PWCCS will champion a culture of continuous improvement. Major goals for improving academic achievement: • Exceed National Benchmarks • Excel at Math, Science, and Reading • Offer Curriculum from a Developmental Perspective • Best Practice Adoption Owner: Mr. Warren Paul Team: Staff • Spanish Curriculum, 2010 11 • Ongoing Staff Development Key Enablers • Budget for Training and Development

Initiative: Technology & the 21 st Century Classroom Rationale 21 st Key Priorities • Interactive white boards Developing skill sets is imperative for our students compete in a global economy that demands innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration and creativity. • Additional Computers Our aim is to improve “technology literacy” of our students by engaging students deeply in technology to develop broader skills, which extend beyond being able to use a computer, to analyzing the content and employing the right tools to tackle specific tasks and problems. • Asset Refresh Cycle Recognizing there is a growing demand for schools to instill critical thinking, analytical, and instructional technology skills, as well as the “soft skills” of creativity, collaboration, and communication, the 21 st Century classroom focus is intended to keep our students competitive. • Safe Internet Access Develop the reputation of PWCCS as an academically excellent Christian school with progressive technology and educational tools. • Adequate Funding Major goals for improving academic achievement: • Well trained instructors in Technology • Integrated Technology • Experiential Learning • Market and Communicate success Owner: Board of Directors Team: Alicia Turner, Dawn Stanley, Kathryn Wilks and others • Integrated Curriculum Key Enablers • Teacher Training and Development • Aligned Instructional Materials • Initiative committee for Best Practices

Initiative: Financial Stability Rationale Achieving financial stability of Peace with Christian School is a key goal to ensure that the vision and mission of this institution is realized. As we embark on our next 15 years as a school, it is imperative to develop a sustainable financial management plan to realize continued growth, to stay current with learning best practices and the integration of technology, to keep our students competitive, and to bring our teachers to the equitable compensation level that they deserve. Our aim is to continuously improve the financial sustainability over the next 5 years Major goals for creating and maintaining financial stability: • Foster excellence in our biblical stewardship of the resources entrusted to our care by God • Ensure the long term viability and funding for strategic initiatives • Develop and Maintain a Strong Financial Base Key Priorities • Maintain a balanced budget • Increase Fundraising & Contributions • Technology Development • Savings Fund • Tuition Assistance Key Enablers • Experienced Fund Raising Committee • Targeted Education and Awareness • Enhanced Budgetary Process • Revised Budgetary Policies Owner: Board of Directors Team: Kristi Williams, Emily Saucerman, Marti Sharp, Mr. Warren Paul and others

Initiative: Marketing & Outreach Rationale In order for PWCCS to achieve our purpose we must inform our key stakeholders to gain their enthusiastic support, communicate our strengths and accomplishments to our school and Church community, and market our academic achievements, our caring Christian educators and our progressive educational technology to potential parents and the community at large. Our aim is to develop the reputation of PWCCS as an academically excellent Christian school with progressive technology and educational tools. Major goals for outreach are: • Effectively communicate our excellence. • Maintain “best in class” retention targets. • Develop meaningful relationships with the congregation. • Positively impact the community. Key Priorities • Increase New Student Enrollment • Retain Existing Students • Key Stakeholder Communications Plan • Expand Web Presence • Technology Awareness e. Newsletter Key Enablers • Functioning Committee • Enrollment Coach • Review Market Survey Analysis • Direct Marketing Efforts Owner: Board of Directors Team: Jill Kukuk, Marti Sharp, Kristi Williams and others • Exit Questionnaire

Appendix A SWOT Analysis

Student Academic Achievement SWOT Analysis Strengths • Excel at Math • Many Quality Educators • Tailored Approach is working well (math and reading) • Overall Test Scores High Weaknesses • Spelling • Lack of Foreign Language • Insufficient Professional Development • Outdated curriculum in social studies, etc. • Lacking educational tools (i. e. computer resources) Opportunities • Pursue Professional Development for Educators • Grow Specialized Instruction (reading and technology) Threats • Retirements • Retention of Key Instructors

Christian Foundation SWOT Analysis Strengths • Religion instruction for every classroom • Lutheran curriculum • Chapel weekly • DCE taught "relationship" class • Lutheran trained teachers • Children lead Christmas Service • Rainbow Support Services • Mission outreach • Lutheran Valley Retreat • Daily devotions in classrooms • Weekly prayer for individual families • Instill values such as honesty, integrity and leadership • Christ centered teachers and staff • Focus on community outreach through service projects. • Synodically trained teachers Community service • Peer ministry • Teachers & Staff lead by example • Students have a firm understanding of the Bible upon graduation • Great Development of organizational / time management skills • Many class / school outreach projects*** Weaknesses Opportunities • Witnessing to others • Better integration with church • To share love and develop leaders and congregation to carry Christ Centered relationships out the joint mission • Partnership with other Lutheran schools for more than just Field Day in the spring and sporting events • • Perceptions there is a lack of Christian based books in the library • Witnessing to others • Share love and develop Christ Centered relationships • This will always be our priority and I don’t think we will allow that to change as long as we have the school • New ones will come up to take advantage Threats • Lack of church support • parents and/or community pushing to move away from Christ centered teaching • Perception that the school is more focused on religion than academic excellence

Financial Stewardship SWOT Analysis Strengths • Competitive tuition • Good financial stewards • Great staff that are currently underpaid yet using their gifts to the glory of God • Resourceful • Willing volunteers • CARE board Commitment Weaknesses • We are in debt • We don't offer our teachers competitive salaries • Can't get enough financial support from the congregation members Opportunities Threats • Better recruitment of additional • The economy students through open houses etc. • Loss of students • Getting a fuller enrollment in the • Unbudgeted expenses Early Learning Center and making it a feeder to our Elementary school • Golf Tournament in the Spring • Sponsors from our congregation and others • Low salaries for teachers • Over budget last year • Lack of funds to improve technology and improve curriculum • Not in debt • Using most of savings in • Enrollment stable and slightly over 2009 projections • Significant budget cuts this • Some financial tools available year • Fund raising workshop shared new • We have poor predictors / ones forecasting tools • Reserves or long term sustainable funding streams • Board dedicated to a balanced budget • Difficulty in predicting • Active CARE board changing enrollment numbers • Lack of donor base • Implement marketing / community • Economy outreach to attract students • Decreased enrollment • Lack of donations/fundraising • Zero-based budget for 2009/2010 • Provide scholarships • Avoid frivolous spending • Determine reasonable indices for meeting budget • Recognize budget bottom line by Feb. and take corrective action • Expand fundraising • Fund new Christian education champions • Modernized fiscal policies • Very few options left to make more cuts that won’t affect classroom education • General economy still shaky • We are landlocked & can’t expand beyond one class per grade • Troubled Economy

21 st Century Classroom SWOT Analysis Strengths • Receptive environment • Modest computer labs • Electronic communications • Projection screens in use • DVD/VCR players in use Weaknesses • Lacking updated technology No smart boards • No real computer lab Opportunities Threats • Solicit parent/congregation members who have knowledge and access to technology • Seek grants available for technology advances • No space for computer labs • No funds for computer/tech teacher • Belief that technology is a class and not a tool • Lack of space • Offer computer classes • Implemented Fast Direct communication system • Increasing use of laptops by students in upper classes (4 8) • Using the internet as an educational tool • Lack of space for computer lab • Lack of computers • Need to improve/update website • Lack of HW & SW • Opportunity through this SP to create a blue print • Ability to garner the necessary resources • Fairly well starting from scratch • Phase plan in using early adopters to blaze trail • Competition with other areas for class time (Spanish, P. E. , Art, etc. ) • Young teachers who are internet / technology savvy*** • Lack of technology assets • Skill set deficiencies • Parent volunteers who work in field • Competition for cash and non profit donations

Learning Environment SWOT Analysis Strengths • Safe/within a church building/has a lock down policy that is practiced/front desk check in/out • Age appropriate desk and chairs • White boards • Clean and well lit • Small teacher to student ratio Weaknesses • We are confined to growing within the church building and sometimes have to accommodate their activities/events Opportunities • More aids to help in the lower grades • Smart boards and other technology to the classroom • Develop family events/programs to ensure a community in the schools that supports and encourages one another Threats • Communication between parents and school • Parent dissatisfaction • Expanding communication with families • Encouraging parent/ staff communication • Insufficient teacher development activities • Teacher/ staff appreciation • Provide emotional support through prayer • Lack of consistent discipline and open communication between faculty (according to survey) and our families. • Individualized attention to students • Supportive Christian community • Front desk host • New family program each fall • Fast direct • Back to school orientation • Caring teachers and staff • Care board • Smaller class sizes • Welcoming environment (students feel safe / accepted) • Discipline style of teachers (from recent survey) • Timely grade input • Reduced reading consultant resources • Some dated curriculum • Insufficient technology • Reduced resources for classroom materials • Communication inconsistencies between instructors and home • Communication between school and congregation • Limited security system

Communications Academic Organizations Community At Large Congregation Church Council Key Stakeholder Pyramid School Families Care Board Teachers & Staff Pastor & Staff PWCCS BOD