“Together, with the focus and guidance of our dedicated Board of Trustees, The Walker School has mapped out a new, five-year strategic plan.”

– Carl C. Carlson

A NOTE FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL


Greetings!
 
I am excited to share with you our latest steps for creating a vibrant, engaged and steadfastly successful future for our school.
 
Together, with the focus and guidance of our dedicated Board of Trustees, The Walker School has mapped out a new, five-year strategic plan.
 
This plan both honors our history, and maps out a fresh vision for Walker. It brings our Mission into tighter focus, sharpens our values, and sets new goals as we turn our attention to the amazing things that are ahead.
 
I hope you will learn more about our plan, ask questions and help us breathe life into this strategic direction.
 
We look forward to showing you this plan in motion as we see it come alive throughout our campus and community.
 
Warm regards,
Carl C. Carlson
 

A REFRESHED VISION


The Walker School believes in evolving our vision as the world around us evolves for our students and our community.
 
Since its origins as the St. James Kindergarten in 1957, Walker has been identified as a school of academic excellence. Our new strategic plan offers a North Star for embracing and propelling forward this identity.
 
As essential parts of Walker’s vision for academic excellence, we embrace a student-centered approach to learning that promotes engagement, differentiated learning and student agency.
 
We know our students are different because they stand out as leaders and innovators prepared to meet a world we have yet to see.
 
Through the continuous, strategic evolution of our academic, athletic, STEM and extracurricular programs, we continue to excel in providing a unique and dynamic approach to learning that stays true to our history but moves us into a bold and exciting future.
 
We do all this by creating a caring school community that is special – fostering diversity, belonging and kindness. That combination is what we will build on as we become an even greater version of ourselves.
 
We have a powerful foundation. Our new strategic plan sets the course for a dynamic, take-notice future that propels Walker and our students to new heights.
 

OUR PROCESS


 With the help of our Strategic Planning Task Force, we gathered feedback from students, teachers, members of our Board of Trustees, parents, teachers, staff, alumni and community members. We listened, and with the careful guidance of our Board of Trustees, developed a plan that reflects passion, dedication and love for The Walker School, while setting a new direction for the future.
 
Approved by our Board on March 25, 2024, our plan builds a stronger school that sets the bar for academic excellence and student-centered education across metro Atlanta as we continue our aim to become the top independent school selection.

OUR GOALS

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Provide deep, varied, student-centered learning experiences
Strategies:

Embrace a mindset that supports innovative and dynamic experiences

Evaluate how best to integrate innovative, emerging technology

Explore community partnerships to enhance student learning outside the walls of the school

Expand opportunities in arts, extracurriculars and athletics at a level of excellence consistent with our academic program

 
Foster a deep sense of community and belonging
Strategies:

Ensure a welcoming and respectful environment for all

Strengthen belonging and engagement for parents through closer alignment of parent groups with school administration including coordinated efforts toward philanthropic goals

Grow our alumni network and foster a greater sense of engagement

Instill a culture of philanthropy throughout the school community

 
Attract and retain top-tier, mission-aligned students, faculty, trustees, staff, and families
Strategies:

Promote a consistent, compelling brand
Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development
Recruit, hire, and retain outstanding educators who embody academic excellence

 
Transform campus spaces to inspire and support excellence
Strategies:

Prioritize the campus master plan to support academics, arts, athletics and extracurriculars
Launch a capital campaign to fund the master plan

 

WHAT’S
NEXT


This is a five-year plan that will take The Walker School in new directions strategically, while maintaining and nurturing the foundation for academic excellence we have established and grown.
 
During each year of our strategic plan, we will see our goals reflected in our course teachings, in our campus improvements, across our athletic and extracurricular offerings, coursing through our teachers and faculty as they provide the engine for academic innovation and – most importantly – in our students.
 
We will see our plan come to life as our Walker students continue to stand out as community leaders, prepared to shape the future with a kind heart, inclusive spirit and inspired confidence.
 
Our plan calls for the deeper engagement of our families and of our community, so you will see our plan reflected outside of Walker as well.
 
We look forward to keeping you updated as we evolve.

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NEWS AND EVENTS 
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