Strategic Plan
The Excellence & Innovation 2030 Strategic Plan is a community-driven vision for the future of Upper Arlington Schools for the next five years. It reflects nearly 9,000 touch points — beginning with the 2022 superintendent search that led to the hiring of Robert Hunt, Ph.D. These efforts continued in 2023 with Dr. Hunt’s districtwide UAdventure, the Listen Learn Lead community engagement sessions and a districtwide equity audit.
Throughout 2024, students, staff members, parents/guardians and community members worked together to develop this final strategic plan. More than 75 students, staff members and community volunteers were involved in Strategic Inquiry Teams and the Strategic Coordination Team, and all districtwide staff members had the opportunity to share their thoughts at various points in the process. The Teaching and Learning Team, a group of educators from across the district, was essential to this process, developing action steps for the 10 strategies under the three priority areas. As a final step to gather feedback, all community members were invited to share their thoughts at a town hall meeting in November 2024.
Engaged Learning
To challenge and support every student every step of the way and prepare them for their future, not the past, we will enact these strategies:
1. Strengthen academic excellence in foundational learning while integrating the characteristics within the Profile of an Engaged Learner by prioritizing authentic academic experiences such as service learning, real-life learning opportunities, and personalized pathways.
2. Develop, implement and evaluate a comprehensive professional learning plan (CPLP) with a team of staff that connects district goals to the needs of each school's student population.
3. Evaluate, monitor and facilitate the balanced and safe use of digital landscapes and emerging technologies while supporting staff learning along the way.
Culture & Climate
To ensure our students, staff, and families are safe, valued and heard, and experience belonging, equity and access, we will enact these strategies:
1. Cultivate intentional structures and systems for authentic representation using an inclusive approach.
2. Design and implement consistent, evidence-based onboarding and retention approaches, including entrance and exit feedback, for new residents, students and staff.
3. Refine policies to strategically align resources, curriculum offerings and school participation.
Connections
To engage the community and strategically leverage our resources to accomplish our collective vision of uniquely accomplished students prepared to serve, lead and succeed, we will enact these strategies:
1. Enhance and streamline communication systems and expand opportunities for two-way community engagement with district staff and Board of Education members.
2. Strategically cultivate partnerships to support engaged learning, well-being, family school connections, and the enhancement of resources.
3. Establish a process for reviewing and updating the facility master plan options, cost estimates, community desires and funding strategies.
4. Formalize and prioritize resource allocation that supports our strategic plan.
Excellence and Innovation
Each priority area will be strengthened by a focus on continuous improvement through Excellence and Innovation.
Excellence
In UA, EXCELLENCE is an evolving process of continuous improvement in all areas to ensure the district’s mission and vision are realized.
Innovation
In UA, INNOVATION is an evolving, experimental and creative process that perpetuates growth and understanding, with an impact, at varying degrees, on individuals as well as the community.