Dear Derryfield community,
Over the course of the past year, our 60th as a School, led by our Board of Trustees, the Derryfield community has engaged in the exciting process of imagining Derryfield’s future through a comprehensive strategic planning process that has been both reflective and forward-thinking.
A dedicated strategic planning working group, made up of faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, and trustees, began the process by exploring the many distinctive and unique qualities that define Derryfield. They highlighted our position as the only non-sectarian day school in New Hampshire, our commitment to educational excellence and character development, our innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, our culture of caring and kindness, and our supportive and joyful community that fosters belonging and inclusivity. The working group then explored how an already impressive school might become even better. By using a horizon scan to identify trends and critical issues that Derryfield must consider, the working group engaged in a process to prioritize what is most important for us to address in the coming years.
Once priorities and commitments began to take shape, we brought those ideas to focus groups, striving to ensure that multiple perspectives were integrated into the process. Through listening sessions and collaborative workshops, we gathered insights about our strengths, opportunities, and the evolving needs of our community. We also heard what our community values most dearly and their hopes for the future of Derryfield. From there, the Board and leadership team went to work to synthesize what we learned in order to create a bold strategic plan which is more than a document—it is our roadmap for the next chapter of our School’s story. What you will see at the heart of this plan are the people–students, alumni, faculty, and staff–who have made Derryfield what it is today and in whom we know it will be critical to continue to invest in order to take Derryfield to the next level. Throughout the plan, it is clear that we strive to build upon our strong foundation while positioning ourselves to meet the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world.
You can find the plan in full detail here on our website. This is also where we will offer regular updates about our progress. In addition, there will be opportunities for us throughout next year and beyond to share additional details and to offer updates during in person events.
We hope that you will be inspired by what you read in this plan. Together, we are shaping a future that honors our past, reflects our shared values, and boldly embraces the opportunities ahead. We invite you to join us on this exciting journey and appreciate everyone who contributed their time, energy, and insights to this plan that will guide our decisions and investments as we work together to fulfill our mission and realize our vision for the future.
In gratitude,
Susan Rand King ’81
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Andy Chappell
Head of School
