The Country School is an independent, coeducational, Pre-K through 8 school founded in 1934.
News
Strategic Plan
About a year ago, a group of trustees, parents, faculty, and administrators set out to create a new strategic plan that would provide comprehensive direction for our school over the next five or so years. A draft was developed last winter and went through a number of revisions until receiving final approval from our Board early this fall.
What is at the heart of the plan we are calling “Starting Right Here: The Country School Strategic Plan 2014”? I invite you to follow this link to the plan in its entirety, but here is a summary.
The first section of the plan focuses on Program & Pedagogy. Our overall policy goal is to “further emphasize academic excellence and high expectations for each student through employing powerful teaching strategies, current educational research, up-to-date technology, and a broad spectrum of offerings.” To reach this goal, we plan to expand differentiated instruction at all grade levels for both ends of the ability range. We will evaluate the curriculum looking for opportunities to increase depth of content while balancing breadth. We will strengthen our programs in values, athletics, community service, life skills, and media literacy while seeking to create other non-academic instruction to develop the whole child. In addition, we will increase faculty collaboration on cross-curricular lessons, multi-grade level interactions, and integration of skills.
Related to the section entitled “Students & Family,” we will further pursue improved ways of welcoming all families to our school community and formalize support systems for students entering all grade levels. Additionally, we will explore more frequent opportunities and varied formats for parent feedback. We will seek to educate the parent body on curriculum and social issues, the school’s finances, and the role of the Board of Trustees. We have already begun implementing Lower School clubs and expanding and reorganizing Upper School co-curricular activities.
The section “Faculty & Staff” emphasizes the overall goal of recruiting and retaining “top talent while sustaining a culture of growth and innovation.” We intend to continue to emphasize a positive work environment, expand professional development opportunities, and seek additional ways to have the faculty and administration reflect the diversity of our community. Also, we will regularly assess overall compensation relative to targets set by the Board.
For the section entitled “Enrollment Management & Marketing,” the general goal is to “seek full enrollment across all grades to support the mission, vision, and philosophy of the school.” “Physical Plant & Facility” seeks to “provide a welcoming and secure environment to support and enhance the quality of learning.” The section devoted to “Finance & Development” sets as an overall goal identifying “new sources of capital and prioritizing use of resources while keeping the school operationally sustainable, the budget balanced, and the tuition moderate.”
I urge you to explore the whole document and feel free to contact me with any questions you have. This plan will create The Country School’s next chapter. I look forward to guiding the school’s further development and refinement as we continue to ensure that our children “Start Right Here.”
Recent News
List of 5 news stories.
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Kindergarten Students Serving Others!
Kindergarteners have been participating in a 3 part HOHO (Helping Others; Helping Ourselves) project lead by Ferris and Laura Butler. Students packed boxes to be shipped to veterans and their families. The boxeswere filled with child friendly, donated items. Also in the boxes were handwritten letters from the students along with a handmade American flag craft. The Butlers carefully orchestrated this project, and we are very grateful for their time and efforts. -
Spring Athletic Award Winners
Congratulations to all our spring athletics award winners and to all our Cougar athletes who participated in sports and clubs! This spring, TCS offered Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse, Pickleball Club, Running Club, and Volleyball Club. Providing so many athletic opportunities took a village—thank you to our amazing coaches, volunteers, and parent drivers for making it all possible! And thank you to our students for setting an example of dedication and sportsmanship!Read More -
Summer Trips for Upper School Students in 2025
It is with great excitement that The Country School announces the addition of 2025 summer trips for our Upper School students!Read More -
The Country School Celebrates 90 Years and Installs Jay Parker
Read MoreThe Country School is proud to be celebrating its 90th school year. This milestone year also marks the beginning of a new chapter with the appointment of Jay Parker as the 7th Head of School. -
Conversation & Homecoming - Saturday, February 24, 2024
Read MoreThe Country School, Talbot County Free Library, and the Avalon Foundation, sponsors, join with fourteen other community organizations to present Conversation & Homecoming with Carole Boston Weatherford and her son, Jeffery Boston Weatherford, a program free and open to all.
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