what does the ideal school look like?
A mission statement translates an educational philosophy into a concise statement that inspires commitment in an educational philosophy, or set of beliefs about how teaching and learning should happen.
Once you've established your philosophy, it's time to put ideas into practice. For this, you will need to create a mission. Your mission is your purpose, or reason for being.
Visit the schools below to find out how they have translated their educational philosophy into a succinct mission statement. Then, follow the steps to craft your own mission.
DEFINE
COLLECT INFO
MISSION STATEMENTS
Brightworks School, San Francisco, California
Realm Charter School, Berkeley, California
Putney School, Putney, Vermont
Brooklyn Free School, Brooklyn, New York
Sustainability Academy, Burlington, Vermont
High School for Recording Arts, St. Paul, Minnesota
BRAINSTORM IDEAS
Establish purpose by making a list of why your school exists and what your school would like to do in the future. Think about: What you believe is important in educating youth? What do you value as a school? What skills and habits of mind do you want your students to develop?
DEVELOP SOLUTIONS
1. Craft
Using your list and the examples above, craft a one to three sentence statement that reflects these ideas.
2. Refine
Refine your statement to express your school's purpose in a way that inspires innovation and commitment.
FINAL DESIGN
Create a mission page for your school's website and prominently display your school's mission.
“If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery