What comes next.

Shaping what comes next.

full video

Mission

People & Process

Strategic Plan

Vision

Core Beliefs

Our Choices

LFCDS.ORG

Line wave pattern, map landscape abstract background

Overview

Our Mission

Our core purpose. What we promise to do and for whom.

Our Vision

Our future state and description of impact success.

Our Core Beliefs

Ideals that drive decisions, actions, and behaviors, and shape culture.

Our Mission

Through inspired teaching and partnership with families, Lake Forest Country Day School nurtures a love of learning and builds a foundation of strong character, preparing students to navigate their path with purpose.

Our Vision

Lake Forest Country Day School envisions a world where all children learn in community, discover their gifts, and thrive as adults. Rooted in timeless tradition and a timely approach, we create an environment that elevates the academic and personal growth of every child. Collaborating with one another and in partnership with families, our talented educators craft authentic and challenging learning experiences that empower our students to emerge as confident, compassionate learners, ready to lead, serve, and shape what comes next.

Our Core Beliefs

Childhood is championed

We center all we do on what is best for our students, protecting and building upon the magic of these precious years.

Community is our core

Honest and respectful relationships, formed through conversation and collaboration, build trust and a sense of belonging – honoring the dignity of every person.

Curiosity is a gift

Wonder is an animating force that resides in every person and should be modeled and nurtured to stimulate self-discovery, spark innovation, and drive creativity.

We aim high

Raising expectations activates the great potential we see in every person and elicits efforts that result in individual growth and the collective success of our community.

Our Choices

The choices outlined below reflect the programmatic and operational priorities established by the Strategic Plan. Each choice will be accompanied by a set of specific objectives the Leadership Team and Board of Trustees will pursue over the coming years.

We choose to reinforce our Country Day School roots by growing and expanding the collaborative spirit and vibrant relationships that have propelled the Lake Forest Country Day School community forward since 1888 and that are essential for its future success

We choose to create a learning experience that engages the innate curiosity residing in every child and authentically develops it in a way that optimizes personal growth is true to the individual and is built upon high expectations so that each child is prepared to learn lead and serve

We choose to prioritize attracting retaining and developing exceptional and inspiring educators who nurture a love of learning in all students and whose impact extends beyond our school

We choose to steward our resources in a manner that reflects our mission supports the pursuit of our vision holds true to our beliefs and ensures the next 135 years for LFCDS

Our People

The Strategic Design Team (SDT) was formed to guide the strategic planning process at LFCDS. Comprised of 10 members, the team included representatives from across the LFCDS community. The SDT was responsible for organizing the design process, engaging the broader LFCDS community, drafting strategies, and gathering feedback.

Rachel Diaz

Head of Lower School

Strategic Design Co-Chair

P’35

David Muniz

Director of Technology

P' 27

David Neighbours

P'27. P'28. P'29, P'31

VP, Board of Trustees

Strategic Design Co-Chair

Ann Rabjohns

Grade 3 Teacher

Robin Baasen

Director of Student Support

P'22

Alex Sheridan

Associate Head of School

for Advancement

Jason Beans

P'24, P'27, P'31, P'31

Mavi Thakkar

P'22, P'25

Secretary, Board of Trustees

Kate Kelliher

P'16, P'18, P'20

Tina Ventura

P'22, P'25

Past Trustee

150+

375

Community members engaged via focus groups; students, Faculty, Staff, Leadership, parents, past parents, alumni, and the Board of Trustees

Submissions to a Community Survey distributed in January 2024 to help achieve broader levels of participation and input on the LFCDS experience

Our Process

The design process was organized to generate participation from across the LFCDS community. The Design Team operated both as a singular unit and as three distinct learning teams with the shared goal of developing language for a new Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and Core Beliefs. And, to identify strategic choices to enhance the LFCDS experience as it exists today and for the years to come.

Qualitative

Research

SDT

Choices

Drafting

Flat Semi Realistic Hands Typing on Laptop

Rounds of drafting of the Mission, Vision Statement, and Core Beliefs which were evaluated by the Strategic Design Team, Board of Trustees, Leadership Team, and Faculty and Staff

From the full Strategic Design Team, three working groups were constructed to manage different elements of the project: a Qualitative Research Team, a Drafting Team, and a Choices Team