BASS MEMORIAL ACADEMY

STRATEGIC PLAN 2016-2021

Bass Memorial Academy enrolled its first students 1961 after Christian businessman Mr. I. H. Bass donated more than 300 acres of land. Our school has a rich and impressive history. BMA has always been committed to providing an excellent education that prepares students for a life of service in this world and for eternity. Our mission is to help students grow in their relationship with God, and to develop them for a life of service for Him beyond high school. Bass Memorial Academy encourages spiritual growth and commitment in an environment that fosters academic excellence, physical fitness, sensitive service and social skills.

In 2015, the BMA Board voted to task the Administration and Faculty/Staff with developing a Strategic Plan to ensure the sustainability, growth and future success of Bass Memorial Academy. This plan is the result of much prayer and very careful reflection and discussion regarding how to make Bass Memorial Academy the best place it can be. This strategic plan does not require a major change in our direction or philosophy. It will simply help us identify where we want to be in the future, and how we are going to get there. Eight strategic initiatives have been identified and will provide the framework for ensuring growth and the ability to respond to the challenges that Bass Memorial Academy will face. These strategic initiatives are:

1. Spiritual – To intentionally provide opportunities for students to

develop a relationship with Jesus Christ, to prepare them for His soon return, and to prepare them for a life of service in this world and the world to come.

2. Academic – To ensure the delivery of a consistently high quality

educational product.

Introduction

3. Campus Life – To provide a safe, comfortable and healthy living environment to support the students in their academic and student life. 4. Enrollment – To increase student enrollment in order to sustain the financial operations of the school. 5. Development – To inspire involvement and investment in Bass Memorial Academy by establishing a solid infrastructure to build and nurture relationships, coordinate fundraising activities, and collaborate with our constituents at large. 6. Plant Management – To enhance the school’s physical plant and grounds to provide a safe, attractive, and functional environment in which to learn and live. 7. Administration – To develop a working and learning environment where employees are engaged, supported and inspired to achieve excellence. 8. Finance – To establish a sound financial structure that ensures self- sufficiency and sustainable growth.

I invite you to partner with us as we work hard to achieve all of our goals and dreams for Bass Memorial Academy. Scott Bowes Principal

Bass Memorial Academy was founded on the principle of training young people to work for the Lord. Young people have left our campus and taken up every kind of work imaginable. Our utmost goal for our graduates is for them to use the skills gained here to be of valuable service to God and to man. God has purposed to raise up an army of “Youth, Rightly Trained” to take the message of Jesus and His soon coming to a dying world. It is our desire that each of our students will join that army. There are many opinions today about how this “training” should be done. Our staff are seeking the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy to establish principals of training upon which to form our program. Through prayer and much discussion, we have established seven objectives chosen to be the foundation of our mission. They are as follows: Trust in Jesus Christ Respect for our body Academic Excellence Industrious work ethic Noble character Evangelism and service Dedicated members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church It is our goal to make sure our program is balanced and aligned with these objectives. This is an ongoing process that will end only when Jesus returns. Our hope is that you will be able to see these objectives woven through the fabric of our school.

Mission & Philosophy

1. Spiritual Values: • Provide opportunities for each student to grow in God’s love. • Lead students to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. • Develop a desire in students to serve God and others.

2. Academic Values: • Lead students to master knowledge and develop the skills and attitudes

essential for success in society. • Develop in each student the highest level of critical thinking possible. • Create a learning environment where students can express innovative thinking

and utilize their creative energy. • Maintain accreditation by the North American Division of Seventh-day

Adventists and the Middle States Association.

3. Physical Values: • Provide a wide variety of physical activities that will help students experience

a balanced Christian lifestyle and maintain personal physical fitness. • Develop a respect for the dignity of labor and pride in a job well done. • Develop good work habits such as diligence, initiative, and honesty.

4. Social Values: • Provide a safe learning environment. • Acknowledge diversity and develop respect for the rights of yourself and

others. • Practice effective communication with all members of our learning

community. • Promote integrity of character by developing personal responsibility through

holding ourselves accountable for our actions.

Directional (Core) Values

Bass Memorial Academy's Administrative Committee (ADCOM) will bear the primary responsibility for managing and updating this plan. The following annual timetable will be followed:

1. August: The Principal will send a list of the identified goals for the current year to each department.

2. September: The Principal will provide a report to the BMA Board outlining revisions to the strategic plan and updated goals for the new school year.

3. December: The Principal will provide a progress report to the BMA Board regarding the current year's goals.

4. March: The Principal will provide a second progress report to the BMA Board regarding the current year's goals.

5. March: The Principal will meet with the various committee's/departments to receive input regarding the revision of the strategic plan and the setting of goals for the upcoming year.

6. April: ADCOM will revise the strategic plan and set goals for the upcoming year.

7. May: The Principal will provide a report to the BMA Board regarding the success in meeting the current year's goals.

8. Ongoing: The Principal will provide regular reports to the faculty and staff of Bass Memorial Academy regarding the progress, success and revision of the strategic plan.

Process of Review

Spiritual - To intentionally provide opportunities for students to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ, to prepare them for his soon return, and to prepare them for a life of service in this world and the world to come. Objectives:

1. To support faculty and staff in their role as spiritual mentors. 2. To enhance the student experience through on-campus spiritual activities. 3. To enhance the student experience through outreach opportunities.

Strategic Initiative # 1 – Spiritual

Action Plan (Highlights): Action Plan Objective #1 Expect integration of faith and learning in the classroom.

Provide a worship time at the beginning of each class (i.e. prayer, devotional, video, etc.). Have a daily prayer time for faculty and staff.

Objective #2

Provide three “Weeks of Prayer:” • Fall – guest speaker • Winter – student speakers • Spring – guest speaker

Provide “Power Weekends” once per month (bring in a guest speaker to provide all weekend services). Implement the Encounter Bible curriculum. Create a prayer warrior group on campus. Form praise teams to enhance the music ministry on campus. Provide a “Time With God” scheduled into the school day (consider some planned activities during this time).

Objective #3 Provide students with the opportunity to witness to others through their participation in a BMA touring group (Acro Eagles, AmBASSadors, Band, Celeste, Handbells, String Orchestra). Provide an "out-of-country" mission trip every two years. Provide a variety of outreach opportunities for the students on Sabbath afternoons of Power weekends. Develop an intentional outreach club (H.O.P.E. Taskforce) that will offer every BMA student the chance to participate in a significant service opportunity during their time at BMA.

Academic - To ensure the delivery of a consistently high quality educational product. Objectives:

1. To ensure that programs and pathways are available to meet the learning needs and interests of all students.

2. To establish a plan of supervision and evaluation of faculty that fosters ongoing professional growth.

3. To establish a professional development program that includes both individual professional growth plans and a school-wide professional growth plan that will promote and maintain high standards of professional practice.

4. To ensure that the assessment, evaluation and reporting practices are following best practice guidelines.

5. Use statistical data to determine areas of strength and weakness in the academic program.

6. To develop strong partnerships between the home and school. 7. To use progressive technology to enhance the learning process.

Strategic Initiative #2 – Academic

Action Plan (Highlights):

Action Plan Objective #1 Consider switching to a semester system to provide more programs

that will meet the learning needs and interests of our students. Add a Careers course & an ACT Prep course. Add a Learning Strategies course. Explore adding more Dual Enrollment courses.

Objective #2 Develop a teacher evaluation system that documents how supervision/evaluation of personnel will take place at Bass Memorial Academy. Develop an evaluation schedule that shows a quarterly plan for evaluations.

Objective #3 Develop annual individual professional growth plans through the collaboration of administration and faculty. Formative and summative evaluations along with student perspective surveys will guide the development of these professional growth plans. Provide training in the use of flipped learning.

Objective #4 Develop a “Guidelines/Procedures for Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting (AER)” document. Learning Goals are created in accordance with the expectations of the AER document.

Objective #5 Administer the ACT Aspire to all Grade 9 & 10 students and track results on a yearly basis. Administer the ACT to all Grade 11 & 12 students and track results on a yearly basis.

Objective #6 Hold town-hall meetings between parents and administration to discuss concerns that parents have as well as upcoming strategic initiatives. Parents are engaged and welcomed as respected, valued partners through a parent association.

Objective #7 Improve/expand the wireless internet access so that internet can be accessed anywhere on main campus. Explore purchasing RenWeb as our student information system which will allow improved communication with students and parents.

Campus Life - To provide a safe, comfortable and healthy living environment to support the students in their academic and student life. Objectives:

1. To provide a family environment that will support students in their spiritual, mental and social development.

2. To provide balanced nutritious meals that will support students in their mental and physical growth.

3. To provide a variety of activities that will support students in their social and physical growth.

4. To provide a variety of relevant vocational opportunities that will support students in their mental and physical growth.

5. To develop a campus safety plan that will allow us to provide a safe living environment for students and to ensure timely, appropriate responses when emergencies do occur.

Strategic Initiative #3 – Campus Life

Action Plan (Highlights):

Action Plan Objective #1 Develop a new student integration program.

Create a yearly survey that encompasses spiritual, dormitory, cafeteria and extracurricular activities. Provide a dedicated study hall time.

Objective #2 Post the cafeteria menu on a weekly basis (either on the website or through email). Consider developing a three week rotating menu to ensure a balanced variety of nutritious meals. Explore having a salad bar at lunch and supper.

Objective #3 Provide a variety of tournaments on campus (ping pong, air hockey, tennis, 3 on 3 basketball, Frisbee golf, etc.). Explore developing a guitar club.

Objective #4 Continue to provide a variety of employment opportunities for the students – on campus, nursing home, Assist, blueberries, Flower Bed and Pine Straw.

Objective #5 Create a Shelter in Place, Hold and Secure, and Lockdown policies. Create inclement weather policies. Place a surveillance system in each of the dormitories. Conduct and document regular emergency preparedness drills (lockdown, fire, inclement weather) across campus. Conduct annual health and safety inspections to verify that facilities are aligned with appropriate state and local standards for student/staff safety.

Enrollment - To increase student enrollment in order to sustain the financial operations of the school. Objectives:

1. To increase student enrollment by the recruitment of new students. 2. To increase student enrollment by increasing student retention. 3. To improve and streamline the admissions process. 4. To establish innovative marketing strategies to help promote Bass Memorial

Academy.

Strategic Initiative #4 – Enrollment

Action Plan (Highlights):

Action Plan Objective #1 Coordinate visits to all elementary schools in the GSC in the spring

and at graduation, with an extra visit in the fall to schools with an enrolment of 30+ students. Develop a rotation plan for visiting churches within the GSC, New Orleans & Texas by the Music Groups, Gymnastics, AmBASSadors, and Principal/Enrollment Director. Develop the Independent Recruiters for BMA program to have a minimum of 3 Independent Recruiters in each state within the GSC + Louisiana and Texas. Explore offering a Pastoral scholarship where Pastors could offer $1000 off tuition to students who are not currently attending an Adventist school.

Objective #2 Review, on an annual basis, the product we are offering and if it is meeting the needs/wants of our constituency while fulfilling the mission of Bass Memorial Academy. This will be accomplished by:

o A Parent Satisfaction Survey o A Student Satisfaction Survey

Develop an "Orientation" DVD for new students to be included in application packets & on the website.

Objective #3 Create a step by step admissions process that is easy for families to follow. Provide online application forms that directly input information into our student management system. Create a recommendation form to be filled out by Principal/Vice Principal of applicant's previous school.

Objective #4 Create new promotional materials (brochures, banners, e-brochure, website). Create a promotional DVD every 3 years or less. Publish a marketing version of the strategic plan that can be shared externally with Bass Memorial Academy stakeholders.

Development - To inspire involvement and investment in Bass Memorial Academy by establishing a solid infrastructure to build and nurture relationships, coordinate fundraising activities, and collaborate with our constituents at large. Objectives:

1. To provide a vital alumni relations program by informing, engaging and involving alumni in the Bass family.

2. Continually improve organizational and board support, commitment and appropriate involvement in fundraising.

3. To further develop Bass Memorial Academy's fundraising program to improve its efficiency and effectiveness in order to grow donations, while ensuring accountability and donor trust.

4. Create a donor acknowledgement and recognition system. 5. Maintain and further develop the alumni and donor database.

Strategic Initiative #5 – Development

Action Plan (Highlights):

Action Plan Objective #1 Publish an alumni newsletter 2-3 times per year.

Explore creating alumni chapters in areas where many Bass alumni live.

Objective #2 Create a development committee which is one of the standing committees of the board and include non-board members for greater diversity and capability for work. At appropriate times and with carefully selected topics, train the board on what is the best fundraising strategy for Bass Memorial Academy.

Objective # 3 Apply for the MAP program through PSI. Maintain a sustainable worthy student program (i.e. fund dinner, annual GSC offering, Touch the Future). Maintain a capital program that will help fund the capital needs on campus (i.e. alumni weekend, alumni chapters, major & minor projects). Research possible grants which are available to Bass Memorial Academy's programs and projects - with assistance from PSI.

Objective #4 Work with the Treasurer to ensure quick turnaround, placing of donation in appropriate account, and mutual reporting. Thank donors within 48-72 hours of receiving donation.

Objective #5 Add to alumni records using every means possible - existing alumni contacts, friends of Bass, search services, etc.. Determine if the current database is adequate, depending on the fundraising plan (e.g., adequate reporting potential, donor records and tickler files).

Plant Management - To enhance the school's physical plant and grounds to provide a safe, attractive, and functional environment in which to learn and live. Objectives:

1. To improve the physical plant and grounds through the upgrading of plant assets.

2. To improve the physical plant and grounds through an ongoing maintenance program.

3. To improve the physical plant and grounds through the addition of new plant assets.

Strategic Initiative # 6 – Plant Management

Action Plan (Highlights):

Action Plan Objective #1 Fix the beams on the gym roof.

Dial up systems in all buildings that calls the fire department directly if a fire alarm goes off (connect all systems across campus into one notification system). Replace galvanized water lines from center campus to the church & faculty lane. Pave the circle & faculty lane. Upgrade the sewer lagoon so it will be in compliance.

Objective #2 To implement an annual replenishment plan to upgrade various areas on campus. Fund the depreciation of the rental fund assets.

Objective #3 Place a surveillance system in each of the dormitories. Install a new key system throughout campus. Install workout stations around the circle.

Administration - To develop a working and learning environment where employees are engaged, supported and inspired to achieve excellence. Objectives:

1. To hire and retain quality Seventh-day Adventist faculty. 2. Develop a strategy to address staffing needs. 3. To strengthen policies and practices to ensure that Bass Memorial Academy is

operating under best practice guidelines.

Strategic Initiative # 7 – Administration

Action Plan (Highlights):

Action Plan Objective #1 Create a mission focused hiring process to include an application form

(require NAD certification data sheet) and an application/resume ranking process. Develop a plan to recognize faculty/staff excellence Regularly offer in-house professional development. Provide external opportunities for professional development (conferences, workshops, additional qualifications, certifications, professional degrees).

Objective #2 Hire a Director of Enrollment and Development. Hire a contract teacher for intensive ESL classes.

Objective #3 Complete and maintain the strategic plan. Update job descriptions and job postings each time a position becomes available. Explore an all-inclusive fee structure so that parents are not asked for extra funds outside of their budget.

Objectives:

1. To develop a financial plan which will provide the needed funding for operations, resulting in a balanced operating budget.

2. Provide the needed resources in the capital and rental funds to ensure our ability to maintain and improve our assets.

3. Explore opportunities that will provide supplemental income for Bass Memorial Academy.

Strategic Initiative # 8 – Finance

Action Plan (Highlights):

Action Plan Objective #1 Review the fee structure annually, using the Consumer Price Index for

the local area as a basis for any increase, to keep pace with expenses. Explore dividing our accounts into four separate accounts: operations, rental fund, capital, endowment. Explore the possible saving of cooling the campus by installing a system that the temperature of buildings can be controlled by the office.

Objective #2 Explore creative ways of utilizing and developing our capital resources in order to keep the cost of a Bass Memorial Academy education affordable. Strategically reinvest resources into rejuvenating the campus, buildings, equipment, and classrooms.

Objective #3 Optimize the supplemental income from the various industries we do business with. Explore ESL summer camp options. Create a facility/dorm rental policy and forms. Create a rental housing policy (deposit/damages, discount for students at BMA). Faculty & Staff binders – ensure all needed policies are included and are up to date.

“He who co-operates with the divine purpose in imparting to the youth a knowledge of God, and molding the character into harmony with His, does a high and noble work. As he awakens a desire to reach God’s ideal, he presents an education that is as high as heaven and as broad as the universe; an education that cannot be completed in this life, but that will be continued in the life to come; an education that secures to the successful student his passport from the preparatory school of earth to the higher grade, the school above.”

- E. G. White, Education, p. 19

6433 US Hwy 11 Lumberton, MS 39455

601-794-8561 www.bmasda.org