On January 15, Marist School launched a comprehensive strategic planning process to create as roadmap for future success. J. D. Childs, in his second academic year as Marist’s first lay president, is guiding an energetic approach to the process, which will result in a strategic plan that defines a vision for the school’s future and builds upon the spiritual and educational inheritance of the Marists.

Childs is working closely with Scott Kingsfield, a Marist trustee and parent of three alumni who chairs a Strategic Planning Steering Committee made up of a mix of trustees, alumni, parents, and staff. They will have facilitation support from Partners in Mission, a consultancy specializing in advancement and leadership services for Catholic schools.

“This strategic planning process is a great opportunity for us to look forward,” said President J. D. Childs. “It allows us to listen, reflect, and build a future that strengthens our mission and deepens our commitment to forming the whole person in the image of Christ. We are moving forward with confidence and knowledge to craft a clear and compelling vision for Marist School and determine what it will take for us to achieve our bright future together.”

The expansive process will focus on eight domains that encompass every aspect of the school and are key to fulfilling the Marist mission. Each domain has a committee of trustees, alumni, parents, and staff, all led by a trustee. These teams are considering feedback from surveys that were sent to key stakeholders, including students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni. The teams also explored survey insights through a series of roundtable discussions with groups of students, parents, faculty, alumni, and parents of alumni. In the coming months, each domain committee will craft a narrative that identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for their area. These reports will form the foundation for a Strategic Planning Workshop, scheduled for May 1-2, where final priorities will be set.

8 Strategic Planning Domains

• Academics/Technology
• Advancement
• Catholic Identity
• Enrollment/Marketing
• Facilities
• Finance
• Governance
• Student Life

Concurrently, a campus planning committee is studying opportunities to enhance facilities to better serve Marist’s 1,100 students. The committee will craft a new campus master plan that will be approved in June 2025, along with the new strategic plan. Together, these plans will be the basis for the school’s next capital campaign, for which Childs aims to get Board approval in January 2026.

“Our strategic planning process is a collaborative effort that brings together the best thinking from across the Marist community,” said Kingsfield. “By listening to our stakeholders and focusing on key areas of growth, we are ensuring that Marist continues to thrive and fulfill its mission well into the future.”

Watch Marist School President J. D. Childs discuss the strategic planning process.