King School’s Advanced Placement Psychology class featured a Zoom meet-and-greet this week with research psychologist Dr. Barbara Hofer, author of “Science Denial: Why It Happens and What to Do About It.” Students, who read the book in preparation, had an opportunity to ask Hofer questions about her research and career. Hofer, who is an established educational, cultural, and developmental psychologist, spoke about the process of inquiry as a key element to her work.
Strategic Plan 2020-2025
A Framework for our Future
Adopted by the Board of Trustees December 17, 2019
The King School Strategic Plan 2020-2025 is an innovative framework for the future of the school. This plan was informed by the experiences and perspectives of all constituencies – current students, parents, faculty, and staff, as well as alumni and parents of alumni from all of our founding institutions that were the King, Low Heywood, and Thomas schools. The plan was developed through the partnership between the Board of Trustees and the school’s leadership, supported by consultant Ian Symmonds and his team.
This plan articulates a vision for King’s future that leverages our strengths and successes and positions us to make bold and courageous choices to best prepare our students for the world they will inherit.
First and foremost, we reaffirm our goal to provide an unparalleled student experience as our top priority. To achieve our vision, we strive to be the country’s leading research-focused independent school. We commit to an inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning that is anchored in discovery and exploration and develops in our students the mindset and ability to ask questions, seek answers, investigate, and apply knowledge to solve real-world problems.
Through this process, students in PreK through Grade 12 build mastery as they leverage curiosity, engage in experiential learning, and analyze and synthesize information to find meaning and take action. This approach leads to highly engaged students who have a greater sense of purpose, possess advanced critical thinking skills, and are guided by a deep understanding of themselves as learners.
As a research-focused academic institution, King School students engage in research both in the classroom and through partnerships with renowned research institutions. The school is also committed to keeping up with the latest research in the fields of education and child development to ensure that best practices continue to be applied in our academic program as well as in every other area of the school.
The 2020 - 2025 King School Strategic Plan weaves together the imperative of Academic Excellence with:
- Wellness to sustain it;
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to enrich it;
- Athletics and Community Partnerships to enhance it;
- Strategic Enrollment Management to fulfill it;
- Financial Sustainability and Facilities Development to support it;
- Institutional Identity to share our pride in who we are.
View the Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan Pillars
- Academic Excellence
- Wellness
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Community Partnerships
- Athletics
- Strategic Enrollment Management
- Financial Sustainability
- Facilities Development
- Institutional Identity
Academic Excellence
Wellness
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Community Partnerships
Athletics
Strategic Enrollment Management
Financial Sustainability
Facilities Development
Institutional Identity
Each Grade 3 student selected a member of the community who they think helps make the school better. Using the skills they are developing in their Writer’s Workshop class, the students wrote letters of appreciation to their chosen individual to express gratitude for the contributions their recipients make to the King community.
King student John Russell ’22 is conducting research to de-acidify the oceans and remove carbon emissions from the environment during his internship at the Hu Lab in the Department of Engineering and Applied Science at Yale University. His passion for chemistry inspired him to attend the American Chemical Society (ACS) Annual International Research Conference held over the summer from August 22-26, 2021, at the Georgia World Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Enthusiasm coursed through the King community gathered at the Performing Arts Center for the annual State of the School event on September 23. Despite the rain and social distancing, the message was clear: The state of the school is great, and learning at King School is centered around inquiry.
Three King students have been recognized as semifinalists for a National Merit Scholarship, a college fund program that selects individual students for their exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Karina Rao ’22, Ronald Harvey ’22, and Carson Perlman ’22 must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level for a chance to be awarded a National Merit Scholarship and earn the title of Merit Scholar.
Grade 8 students at King School role-played as delegates to a United Nations Committee and debated global issues with one another as part of a Model UN simulation in their History class. Under the guidance of Middle School faculty Kenneth Lewis, the activity marked the end of a yearlong study of American foreign policy and the role that the United States plays in the world today.
Inclement weather did not deter a group of King School's Trustees and Administrators from commemorating the naming of the redesigned outdoor sports complex on campus. The complex is in the heart of the campus on four acres of multi-sport turf fields. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Tuesday, June 8, the fields were formally recognized as the Armstrong and King Family Fields and the Feinberg Field.
Congratulations to the Class of 2021! In addition to their many academic achievements, this talented group of students has demonstrated incredible resilience, nimbleness, and a desire to remain connected with one another during their final weeks at King.
Did you know that there are over 300 species of butterflies in Uganda? First grade students learned about the butterfly as part of their global studies curriculum. In a netted pavilion, the class observed the metamorphosis of butterflies over two weeks, beginning with tiny caterpillars.
As Jackson Rosen '29 jotted down some of his favorite things for his pen pal, Rodrigo, he exclaimed, "I have so many things I want to share, I don't know which ones to pick!" Using a template, Grade 4 students wrote about themselves in Spanish for their pen pals in Malaga, Spain. They shared some of their favorite things, such as their favorite animal, sports, food, color, and celebrations.
The King community was joined by Lisa Damour, Ph.D., for a practical talk on managing stress and anxiety due to the pandemic. Dr. Damour is a New York Times best-selling author who specializes in clinical psychology and child development. She is recognized as a thought leader by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Damour shared her clinical insights with parents in a virtual meeting on April 21, 2021, providing them with information and tips on how to best manage stress and anxiety in themselves and their children during these unprecedented times.
King School is delighted to welcome Dr. Clyde Beverly III as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) starting on July 1, 2021.
Beverly shared his enthusiasm by stating, "I'm excited to join the King community and continue the work started by Dr. Jean-Baptiste. I'm looking forward to working with Carol Maoz, Interim Head of School, the Board of Trustees, the leadership team, and the DEI team to continue to create an environment at King that is safe, inclusive, and affirming for all members of the King community including students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni."
While many in our community use the school's Spring Break to rest and recharge, five of the Advanced Science Program for Independent Research and Engineering (ASPIRE) students excelled in the final rounds of the 2021 Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF), which had over 365 student participants this year.
Members of the Upper School's Young Democrats and Young Republicans clubs interviewed Congressman Jim Himes, who represents Connecticut's fourth district. The meeting took place on March 10, and in the spirit of bipartisanship, the two clubs worked together to develop their questions.
Juniors John Russell '22 and Giovanna Armetta '22 placed 2nd and 4th, respectively, in the 2021 Connecticut State STEM Fair (CT-STEM Fair) last weekend.
The CT-STEM Fair is a statewide science research competition that began in 2001 with a mission of providing students with an opportunity to present their research work to like-minded scientists and professionals who currently work in the field.
Author, speaker, and activist Julie Lythcott-Haims engaged members of the King School community in a thought-provoking virtual conversation about race and identity that revolved around her memoir Real American. The book tells the author's journey of acceptance as a Black and biracial woman living in predominantly white communities.
The presentation, which took place on January 28, was part of the 2021 King Reads Together series sponsored by the Parents' Association, in partnership with the Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion at King.
Congratulations to Anna Boeckman '21, Joz Butler '22, Hannah Cosgrove '21, Peri Ferguson '22, Greta Hoffmeister '21, and Nicole Roer '22 who will be inducted to King's chapter of Quill and Scroll, the international high school journalism honor society. As editor in chief of The Pelican newspaper, Joz feels "It's my mission to truly create a place where the students have a voice, one that is supported by other students."
Paddle tennis, basketball, field hockey, soccer, beach volleyball, creative movement, and more! Grade 7 student Jackson Dooley feels "the differentiation has been the best. There are so many sessions, that our choices and variety allow us to try new things and to still be with our classmates. It's great to still have Athletics during such difficult times."
Affinity groups provide opportunities for students to connect with other community members who share a common identity. Sarah Cepeda '22, Hannah Greene '21, and Staffulty members Dr. Craig Tunks, PhD, and Adam Boaz reflect on the importance of the Students of Color, Jewish Students, and LGBTQIA+ affinity groups in the Upper School.
King School is very proud and excited to recognize the tremendous achievements of five standout student-athletes who were honored with a signing ceremony on campus on Wednesday afternoon, with King Seniors Anna Boeckman (Swimming - UPENN), Olivia Boeckman (Tennis - Lafayette College), Harrison Feinberg (Baseball - University of Southern California), Sydney Fishkin (Crew - Rutgers University) and Sarah Hammoud (Crew - Boston College) announcing their commitments to compete at the NCAA Division I level next year.
The new Balance Blocks program and the Physical Education program support the development and growth of healthy minds and bodies for King Lower School students. Aligned with the Wellness and Academic Excellence pillars of the King School Strategic Plan 2020-2025, these initiatives teach our PreKindergarten-Grade 5 students skills and strategies that foster mindfulness, social and emotional growth, executive functioning, as well as physical strength and stability that undergird learning. Zeba Hart-Syed, Grade 5 student, describes Physical Education as, "it helps me get out my energy. The teachers are fun and the different games are interesting so you can really focus on playing and working hard."
" Through King’s Science Program, I stepped into the shoes of a re-searcher in the real world as an intern at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where I am working to develop a nanoparticle drug delivery system to treat pancreatic cancer. "
- Wafa N
Upper School Student
" I love exploring concepts through hands-on projects. My class figured out how to create the Grade 4 Probability Carnival for the younger students. Don’t tell anyone — even though they were having fun playing games, we were actually teaching them math! "
- Gracie H
Lower School Student
" We celebrate diversity not to classify each other by race, ethnicity, political persuassion, or gender identification, but to benefit from these differences to build a community that truly embraces the King virtues of integrity, kindness, perserverance, and respect. "
- Alex K.
Aumni, University of Pennsylvania
FAQ
- Q: What is King School’s strategic vision?
- Q: How will King students benefit from this strategic vision and this plan?
- Q: Is there data that informs King’s strategic vision?
- Q: How will King School achieve its strategic vision?
- Q: What are the areas of commitment in the plan?
- Q: When will changes start?
- Q: How will King help faculty and staff achieve this strategic vision?
- Q: How bold is this strategic plan?
- Q: How was the strategic plan created? Who was involved?
- Q: How will the success of the Plan be assessed, and how will this be communicated to the King community?
- Q: How will we pay for the programs envisioned in the Plan?
- Q: As a member of the King School community, how can I best help people understand King’s strengths and vision for the future?
- Q: If I have questions about the Plan, who can I speak to?
Q: What is King School’s strategic vision?
Q: How will King students benefit from this strategic vision and this plan?
Q: Is there data that informs King’s strategic vision?
Q: How will King School achieve its strategic vision?
Q: What are the areas of commitment in the plan?
Q: When will changes start?
Q: How will King help faculty and staff achieve this strategic vision?
Q: How bold is this strategic plan?
Q: How was the strategic plan created? Who was involved?
Q: How will the success of the Plan be assessed, and how will this be communicated to the King community?
Q: How will we pay for the programs envisioned in the Plan?
Q: As a member of the King School community, how can I best help people understand King’s strengths and vision for the future?
Q: If I have questions about the Plan, who can I speak to?
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY
Providing a long-range view of future school priorities, the King School Strategic Plan 2020-2025 is the collective, comprehensive effort of the entire King community. We are grateful for the thoughtful input from our community of parents, trustees, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents of alumni who contributed through surveys (1,000+ responses!), focus groups, and working sessions. We are thankful for the leadership and vision of our Strategic Planning Steering Committee members. In partnership with Ian Symmonds & Associates, a leading firm in the field of strategic planning for educational institutions, our Steering Committee reflected on extensive input from our community plus focused on competitive and educational landscape analysis, SWOT analysis, demographic trends, market segmentation, and trends in the independent school and the education sectors.