Loyola School uniquely co-ed, Jesuit, and independent will strengthen its position as a preeminent college preparatory learning community with a focus on developing well-rounded, Ignatian leaders committed to the service of others through excellence in teaching and learning.

Goal 1: Ignatian Identity

As a Jesuit school sponsored by the USA Northeast Province of the Society of Jesus, Loyola has always been committed to the Ignatian ideals of Jesuit education. The school focuses on graduating students who exemplify the characteristics of the Graduate at Graduation: a Loyola student is becoming more Open to Growth, Academically Excellent, Religious, Loving, and Committed to Doing Justice. Faculty and staff grow in their knowledge of and experience with Ignatian spirituality and model Ignatian values for the student body. Teaching and learning are suffused with Ignatian educational pedagogy. The newly identified Universal Apostolic Preferences (Showing the Way to God; Walking with the Excluded and the Marginalized; Journeying with Youth; Caring for our Common Home) provide the school with an orientation through which growth and transformation can occur.

Goal

Develop and empower, in an environment infused with Ignatian ideals in the Jesuit tradition, well-rounded leaders of competence, conscience, compassion, and commitment.

Action Steps

• Develop additional opportunities for students, faculty/staff, and Board of Trustees to explore and experience Ignatian spirituality, especially through the processes of reflection and discernment.
• Discover and institute methods to measure and evaluate student success in all mission-related areas (academic and otherwise).
• Clearly define Ignatian leadership for our community and create more opportunities for Loyola students to exercise Ignatian leadership.
• Provide programs for faculty, staff, and board members in adult Ignatian formation.
• Invite further collaboration with other Jesuit schools in the New York City area and explore partnerships with other Jesuit schools elsewhere, including internationally.

Goal 2: Education and Student Life 

Loyola School provides an education that is Christ- and person-centered and that takes place in a supportive environment which nurtures students’ spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social development. As a college preparatory school, Loyola promotes an academically stimulating and challenging program of studies through which students develop the skills and strengths necessary for success in the most demanding colleges and universities. Loyola strives to form graduates who can make sound analytical judgments, demonstrate powers of self-expression, continue a habit of service to others, express a keen interest in and concern for all God’s creation, have the tools to be responsible global citizens, and possess leadership skills and a strong sense of personal integrity. The Loyola community consists of students, faculty, and staff with a wide range of gifts and talents; in the spirit of St. Ignatius, we are called to share them generously and to recognize the unique gifts and talents that each of us possesses. All members of the Loyola community are expected to complement their academic program with active involvement in the school’s co-curricular program.

Goal

Strengthen Loyola’s academic and co-curricular programs by employing educational practices and innovations that support an enhanced teaching and learning environment through a challenging and inclusive program, which includes a focus on 21st century skills, and is based on cura personalis (care and concern for the whole person).

Action Steps

• Strengthen and continue to implement a faculty professional growth and development program, which includes identifying and aligning faculty talents and passions with their roles in curricular and co-curricular programs.
• Encourage further student ownership of their education by creating a more student-centered learning experience and by finding additional opportunities for student choice through the curriculum’s scope and sequence.
• Apply lessons learned from recent crises to support excellence in teaching and learning, and continue to respond with flexibility to necessary changes.
• Strengthen meaningful assessment practices that allow students to demonstrate mastery of 21st century skills (critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication), technological proficiency, and real-world problem solving.
• Utilize more fully the resources of the diverse and globally rich city in which we live and find additional partnerships in the U.S. and abroad to expand the global aspect of our educational program.
• Review the curricular and co-curricular offerings through the lens of equity and inclusion in order to assure that all students have representation and the opportunity to explore their talents and discover their passions.

Goal 3: Admissions and Enrollment

Through personalized connections with every student and family, Loyola School looks to enroll students who through their academic and co-curricular talents will contribute to the community. As the only Jesuit, independent, co-educational high school in the region. We strive to create opportunity for every student to flourish in an inclusive, accepting and safe environment. Aligned with our teaching and learning initiatives, we provide a personal process for student growth rich in experiences and potential.

Goal

Enroll well-rounded students from diverse backgrounds with academic and leadership potential who will thrive in our school community and whose contributions will continue to make Loyola a better place. 

Action Steps

• Partner with finance and academic leadership to fulfill our strategic enrollment goals.
• Identify leadership potential in students and foster that within our community.
• Strengthen Loyola’s identity internally and externally.
• Partner with students, faculty, staff, board members, parents, and alumni to ensure that issues of community, equity, and inclusion remain top strategic priorities.
• Continue to use and enhance technology and remote based admissions experiences.

Goal 4: Physical Space and Technology

Loyola School, located on the upper east side of Manhattan, currently consists of two main buildings that total approximately 48,000 square feet. The school’s main building is a six-level building built in 1899. This structure houses most of the administration and the school’s academic learning spaces. The main building is connected to the gymnasium building, constructed in 1954 which houses the school’s gymnasium, cafeteria, Magis Center and remaining offices. The upper three floors of this building are used solely by the Jesuit residence.   Our academic program provides students and faculty with technology that supports the curriculum.  Advanced digital tools help deepen the teaching and learning process.

Goal

Action Steps

• As identified by the master plan investigate expanding the footprint of the school in order to meet both existing needs and re-imagining unforeseen requirement for the students of today and tomorrow. This would include leveraging the broad learning opportunities across New York City.
• In collaboration with the academic leadership leverage technology resources thoughtfully and intentionally to strengthen the learning experience.
• Increase awareness and the practice of environmental sustainability within the School community.
• Identify and take corrective action to address potential areas of security vulnerability.

Goal 5: Finance and Advancement

Loyola School is dedicated to the importance of producing life-long learners while also acknowledging the importance of fostering financial sustainability. This, in part, is managed through a disciplined budgeting process, a vibrant fundraising program, and a competitive and well managed endowment portfolio.

Goal

Secure the resources required to invest in Loyola School’s vision in order to support institutional objectives and initiatives. 

Finance Action Steps

• Create a strategic long-range multi-year financial model to ensure financial sustainability.
• Utilize best practice metrics to measure and benchmark Loyola against core competitors and remain nimble in responding to our changing world.
• Study the implications of utilizing debt financing to support physical space initiatives and objectives given the current cost environment.
• Enhance employee centered initiatives that speak to the Ignatian spirit of cura personalis.
• Monitor organizational goals, performance goals along with an agile, and a meaningful growth-oriented evaluation system.

Advancement Action Steps

• Develop comprehensive fundraising strategies anchored to School priorities with specific consideration given to future funding of the School Master Plan and planned additions to the School building.
• To ensure Loyola’s long-term sustainability and at service to its mission, continue to prioritize growth in Loyola’s endowment.
• Plan for continued growth in the Annual Fund to provide critical support to the School’s annual operating budget.
• Working with Admissions, develop an integrated marketing and communications strategy offering a unified message.
• Broaden and deepen constituent engagement through creative use of all delivery platforms which may include researching and making more use of virtual, or digital, platforms.

Goal 6: Governance

Loyola School is an independent school, governed by a Board of Trustees, with a profound commitment to Ignatian educational ideals and excellence in teaching and learning. As an independent school, Loyola’s trustees concentrate their efforts on the school’s future strategic and generative goals.

Goal

Action Steps

• Enhance trustee nomination process by committing to look earnestly at a broader range of capable diverse candidates.  
• Leverage the board’s interest and capacity to steward substantive discussion of the school’s long term goals.
• Steward and engage in the implementation of the school’s plan for equity and inclusion for students, teachers, staff, trustees, and volunteers, framed by the school’s Ignatian mission.
• Work with school leadership to track and assess continuous improvement and innovation.