Strategic Plan Update: What It Means to Be All In?

What Does It Mean To Be An Independent School?

BT is one of 200 independent schools in the midwest. An independent school is a subset of private schools and are not for profit. Like all independent schools, BT has a self-perpetuating Board that helps plan for the future and set policy, finances, and appoints and evaluates the Head of School. 

Independent schools have independent sources of funding, meaning we do not receive state or federal funding. BT’s funding is generated through tuition and charitable donations. BT invites the BT community to participate in its annual fund, The BT Fund, and our most significant fundraiser, gala, every year in order to help cover the gap between tuition and the cost to educate each child on campus. 

Having independent sources of funding means that our administration is free to define and implement the school’s mission by:

• Designing and articulating the curriculum and programs, without being tied to the state or another outside agency.
• Hiring capable and qualified experts as faculty and staff.
• Admitting students whom the school can best serve and meet our mission.

The Family-School Partnership

I have found it helpful for the school and families to enter into a “partnership” by which we express the reasonable expectations we have between the school, the parents/guardians, and the students. Central to the success of the partnership is the acknowledgement that families have chosen to attend Brownell Talbot because the needs of the student, the family’s expectations, and the philosophy and programs of the school align. This partnership is characterized by:

• A common vision of the goals to be achieved.
• Open lines of communication - the school will be timely in responding to your inquiries and providing feedback about your child. Parents/guardians will start with the teacher when seeking clarity, information, and assistance. Students will feel empowered to advocate for themselves.
• Involvement in the school community - the school will ask for and value your input as we make decisions. Parents/guardians will be active participants in BTPA, Booster Club, school events, conferences, and informational meetings like All In For BT and State of the School. Students will participate in activities, arts, and athletics as well as in the classroom.
• Mutual respect - the school will respect that parents/guardians are experts about their own children. Parents/guardians will respect that teachers know what to teach and how to teach it. Students will trust that both the teachers and parents/guardians have their best interest in mind at all times.
• Commitment to educating students in a safe and secure environment - the school will strive in all aspects to provide a safe environment. Parents/guardians and students will help uphold the school’s safety procedures. 

One area of our safety and security efforts that I want to elaborate on is mental health. BT has had a partnership with Arbor Family Counseling for several years. Through that partnership students, families, faculty, and staff receive five free sessions with their licensed therapists. Now, through the Dream Big Grant from the Shikhar and Kristin Saxena Foundation, Arbor Family Counseling will have a therapist on campus on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Students can make appointments during the school day conveniently during flex and free periods to meet with a counselor. 

Portrait of a BT Graduate

The All In For BT sessions concluded with an in-depth look at what our portrait of a graduate is and a demonstration of how our curriculum and programming builds on itself from Early Years to grade 12 to achieve these outcomes. I know this has already gotten to be a bit long, so instead of reading about it here, I encourage you to watch this video, which demonstrates it quite beautifully.

I look forward to working with your family this year to continue to build a strong family-school partnership and a culture of inclusion and belonging here at BT!