Below are the mission statements of the first three schools that came to mind in an effort to create a diverse sample. Westfield is a suburban school in which most students come from parents with white-collar jobs. Westfield has a reputation for academic excellence. NJ Monthly ranked Westfield 22 in their most recent ranking. Monroe Township is a bit more rural than Westfield. Many of the parents of the students that attend Monroe Township schools have blue collar jobs. Monroe ranked 106 in most recent ranking. Newark is an inner city school with the dynamics of a typical inner city school. The largest high school in Newark is currently ranked 186 by NJ Monthly.
Westfield School District, Westfield, Union County
The mission of the Westfield School District, a system built on successful cooperation among family, school, and community, is to prepare students to reach their highest potential, and to become productive, ethical and responsible citizens through rigorous educational programs which respect individual differences and diversity.
Newark School District – Newark, Essex County
The Newark Public Schools recognize that each child is a unique individual; possessing talents, abilities, goals, and dreams. We further recognize that each child can only be successful when we acknowledge all aspects of that child’s life; addressing their needs, enhancing their intellect, developing character, and uplifting their spirit. Finally, we recognize that individuals learn, grow and achieve differently, and it is therefore critical that, as a district, we provide a diversity of programs based on student needs.
Monroe Township – Monroe, Gloucester County
The mission of the Monroe Township School District, a unique multi-generational community, is to collaboratively develop and facilitate programs that pursue educational excellence and foster character, responsibility, and life-long learning in a safe, stimulating, and challenging environment to empower all individuals to become productive citizens of a dynamic, global society.
These statements are evidence that, despite the diversity of the school population, the essence of a school’s mission is the same. The common goal of all schooling is to develop productive citizens. Thus, it is surprising to me that anyone would place a strong emphasis on a having a mission statement. All students, parents, faculty and administration understand that the goal schooling is to provide a positive educational experience that will allow the students to develop into successful adults.
The value of a mission statement is in the process of its development. The content of the mission statement is secondary to the unity that is developed through the collaboration of its development. Mission statements are an excellent way to open the dialogue between students, faculty, administration and parents. Each entity is passionate about the mission of schooling. This is a topic that is sure to generate more unity than disagreement. This unity helps shape the school community. It allows for collegiality among faculty and administration. Additionally, it reminds all parties that the entire community is working together toward a common goal. It creates an atmosphere in which any mission can be nurtured.
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2 comments:
Nurturing a mission...that's an interesting concept. Isn't it interesting to look at different missions? Do you feel like any of those missions are the primary focus of a school's curriculum like UBD suggests?
I feel that many of the mission statements I have read have been formalities, that we agree we must have but also agree to keep so obvious as to render them meaningless.
What I found interesting about your post was what was said between the lines of two of the mission statements. In Westfield, an affluent suburb, it is not surprizing to ask or cooperation between family, school and community. People move to places like this for these very reasons and may view these things as entitlements.
In contrast Newark seeks to bring out the best in the child, almost inspite of the conditions he finds himself in. Newark, as a more diverse and economically disadvataged community seems to look at the child more than the community to realize its mission statement.
I agree with you when you say that the goal of a school district is to produce productive members of society, but find it interesting to see the different ways it can be achieved.
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