The first was building on our excellent reputation in the humanities and social sciences while also enhancing our focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Women are underrepresented in STEM careers and, as a school of high-achieving girls and young women, Ellis must fully prepare our girls for rewarding work in STEM fields. The second focus was determining how ongoing construction near our campus could create the opportunity to build the School’s first full-size athletic field. The third was affirming our commitment to girls-only education while more clearly defining how we will support girls’ and women’s leadership.

Engaging the Community
Last year, with the help of regional consulting and marketing firms Red House Communications and The Hill Group, Ellis began the most significant community engagement and listening effort in our School’s history. Input was gathered via interviews and focus groups with hundreds of people invested in the School’s future — including parents, alumnae, faculty, Trustees, students, Pittsburgh community leaders, STEM leaders, and educators who concentrate in teaching girls and young women. These interviews provided the opportunity to delve more deeply into the findings from the School’s 2012 surveys of parents, college-aged alumnae, and faculty and staff, as well as a 2013 survey of students in grades 8 to 12.

Re-envisioning the Academic Program
When asked how the School could improve its STEM offerings, Ellis faculty, parents, alumnae, and students were united in their view that excellence in STEM must not come at the expense of the School’s exceptional humanities programs. Instead, they challenged us to think more boldly. They asked us to re-envision our entire academic program to create an education that would fully prepare young women to contribute and compete in contemporary global society. Through partnerships with universities and community organizations, Ellis must offer real-world experiential learning opportunities — including externships, original research projects, and community engagement — where girls apply what they learn by working alongside professionals. Technology must enhance learning in and beyond the classroom, and prepare girls for college and careers where online lectures, mobile computing, and video conferencing are the norm rather than the exception.

Enhancing Wellness and Athletics
When considering the opportunity to build a new athletic field, Ellis parents, alumnae, students, and regional leaders asked us again to think bigger. Rather than thinking only of a field, they argued that we should look more broadly at how we equip our girls to live healthy, balanced lives in and beyond School. The group also asked us to consider how our athletic offerings align with the potential for college athletic scholarships.

By creating a culture that embraces balance, care, and fun, as well as academic rigor, Ellis has the opportunity to help girls develop lifelong health and wellness strategies. As a School, Ellis must continue to focus on the balance between workload and fun so that our girls’ desire to work hard academically doesn’t preclude opportunities to enjoy life, participate in athletics and the arts, and socialize in and beyond school.

The School’s new Interim Upper School Director will focus on the student experience day in and day out and manage the US advisory program. The Middle School now has an Activities Coordinator to help the girls create social activities that inspire joyfulness and encourage friendships in and beyond school.

Reaffirming Our Commitment to Girls’ Education
At Ellis, leadership is not simply about becoming the team captain or the head of a company, it is about helping our students discover their individual potential.

Because Ellis is small, we have the capacity to focus on every girl every day. Our teachers, advisors, deans, and coaches are here to encourage each girl to pursue her own, unique vision, whatever that vision may be. The School’s parent, alumnae, and community advisors have encouraged Ellis to commit to helping girls develop the confidence and competence they need to pursue their dreams.

New Mission, Vision, and Values
As the conversations within and beyond Ellis unfolded, we began to reach agreement around priorities. The collective energies of the group led to a new mission statement: to prepare, empower, and inspire each and every girl through an excellent education in an all-girls environment. Our vision is to be a leading school for girls, providing an excellent education and continuing to innovate so each girl thrives in school and excels in life.

The plan also includes advancing the institution through strong fundraising and financial management, and sustaining it through strong management practices, including better communication, greater accountability, and development of a facilities master plan.

Our Mission, Vision, and Values reflect who we are now and who we aspire to become.

Our Mission
The mission of The Ellis School is to prepare, empower, and inspire each and every girl through an excellent education in an all-girls environment.

Our Vision
Our vision is to be a leading school for girls, providing an excellent education for every student and continuing to innovate so each girl thrives in school and excels in life.

The Future of Girl Power
At The Ellis School, innovation is a constant and ensures that all aspects of the Ellis experience continue to be of the highest caliber, tailored to help girls thrive in school and excel in life.

Our new Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Plan reflect the input of hundreds—students, families, alumnae, administrators, teachers, Board members, and regional community leaders. Their wisdom and passion provided the vital foundation upon which the Ellis Board of Trustees, leadership team, and faculty built a shared vision for the future of our School.

Our Values

All-Girls Education
The single-gender educational environment maximizes girls’ intellectual, physical, emotional, and social growth. Girls are empowered to take risks, work collaboratively, ask questions, and pursue their dreams.

Outstanding Academics and Teaching
Our academic program is rigorous, engaging, and forward-thinking. Our faculty promotes critical thinking and creativity, and inspires girls to reach their full academic potential.

Innovation and Excellence
As individuals and as a community, we embrace change, pursue new opportunities, and seek
continuous improvement.

Leadership and Individual Potential
We know and nurture every girl through her individual journey. We provide each girl with the support she needs to know herself, to pursue excellence, and to reach her potential, both as a student and as a citizen.

Citizenship and Integrity
We work to make a difference in the world. Our relationships are collaborative and responsible, and through our interactions we demonstrate honesty, integrity, and respect.

Diversity
We pursue, support, and embrace diversity of all kinds, recognizing the collective strength derived from our individual differences.

Balance and Wellness
We seek intellectual, emotional, and physical health for every member of our community. We set priorities and pursue our desire for achievement in a balanced way.

Fun
Joyfulness and appreciation of one another are fundamental to our School community. We make time for social interaction and fun.

Re-envisioning the Academic Program
Redefining education for young women in a contemporary, global society.

• Our academic program will be excellent, connected across divisions, creative, and relevant for our girls.
• Science/STEMx* programs will fully prepare girls for the next level of their education within and beyond Ellis.
• Ellis will establish partnerships with universities and community organizations to provide real-world learning and leadership opportunities for students.
• Faculty, with support and leadership from Administration, will integrate experiential learning into the curriculum in all divisions.
• Faculty will develop innovative teaching practices that prepare girls to be active agents of their learning, and to think critically and creatively within and across disciplines.
• Ellis will continually adapt and incorporate technology to support teaching and learning.
• Faculty excellence will be fostered and measured by a formal program of professional development and accountability.
• Physical facilities and laboratories will support excellent teaching.
• Career exploration and college counseling services will be comprehensive and support the intellectual and personal interests of our girls.

Enhancing Wellness and Athletics
Promoting physical and emotional well-being as part of being well-rounded girls and women through improved recreational and healthy opportunities.

• Wellness programs across all grade levels will help girls develop and maintain healthy habits.
• School-life balance will be a hallmark of our wellness efforts in a culture that emphasizes rigor, care, and fun.
• Community partnerships focused on health and wellness will complement our internal programs and add value for our girls.
• Athletic programming will be strategic and aligned with the needs and desires of our girls and the expectations of universities.
• A new athletic field will enhance our program and foster health and wellbeing for our students, faculty, and regional community.

Developing Confidence and Competence in Girls
Leveraging our excellence in teaching girls to create the next generation of prepared, confident, and competent women.

• Ellis will be a nationally recognized leader and convener regarding girls’ education and leadership development.
• Student mentorship programs will provide opportunities for Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School girls to interact in significant ways that support their development.
• Faculty at all levels will continue to nurture and challenge girls in personalized, deliberate, and meaningful ways.
• A focus on character development, social interaction, and emotional intelligence in and outside of the classroom will be a keystone of the Ellis experience.
• We will create an environment that celebrates girlhood and encourages collaboration and mutual respect and support.

Advancing the Institution
Demonstrating and communicating our success and expertise while securing financial resources to maintain excellence.

• A balanced budget and best-practice financial management will enhance sustainability.
• A comprehensive strategy for continued fund development will provide ongoing and diversified revenue to support implementation of strategic initiatives.
• A clear and evidence-based value proposition will reflect 21st century girls-only education and help communicate our unique offerings.
• Enrollment levels will grow in response to the demonstrated value of our program and approach.
• A comprehensive campaign will jump start progress toward consistent and ongoing support of students and faculty.
• Our 2016 Centennial Celebration will highlight our rich history and spotlight our plans for continuous growth and improvement of the Ellis experience.
• Ellis will provide alumnae with lifelong benefits that result from their membership in our School community.

Sustaining Success with High-Quality Infrastructure
Enabling efficient and effective operation of our School and programs through sound investments in infrastructure, systems, and people.

• Best-practice communication to internal and external audiences will provide meaningful information and opportunities for two-way dialogue.
• A culture of accountability and related systems will provide consistent and timely data for continuous improvement.
• Our Board of Trustees will continue to embrace best-practice leadership, stewardship, and governance.
• Our administration and administrative structure will facilitate plan implementation and cooperation across departments and divisions.
• A facility master plan will prioritize physical plant improvements based on the needs and wants of our School community.
• More highly integrated data systems will support efficient operation of the School.
• Human resources will support implementation of the strategic plan and ensure high-quality faculty, staff, and administration