Platform for Excellence

2025-2030 Strategic Plan

A Strategic Approach to Achieving Our Vision

Five strategic platforms structure the work that needs to be done to achieve our vision of excellence and ensure a vibrant future for Holy Family Catholic Schools for generations to come.

Our Strategic Platforms:

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Visionary Goal:

Inspire faith-filled servant leaders through authentic Catholic programming, student-led service and small-group discipleship. By strengthening family connections to parish life, supporting faculty faith development and nurturing spiritual growth, we will prepare students to make a meaningful impact locally, nationally and globally.

Key Initiatives:

  • Sequence local, national and global service offerings, including student-driven youth-leadership opportunities, K-12.
  • Ensure curriculum and programming is authentically Catholic for all students EC-12.
  • Provide opportunities for faculty to grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith and support them in their missionary vocation of teaching the faith to students.
  • Strengthen collaboration and communication between Holy Family Catholic Schools and supporting parishes.

Visionary Goal:

Grow enrollment to 1,800 students, TK-12, by fostering a welcoming, faith-centered educational experience that inspires an enduring dedication to the Golden Eagle community among students and families.

 

Key Initiatives:

  • Develop a flexible enrollment strategy to accommodate growing demand within current facilities.
  • Assess and review Transitional Kindergarten (TK) for expansion.
  • Update and implement a detailed TK-12 student retention plan.
  • Establish seamless processes for onboarding transfer students.

Visionary Goal:

Foster a culture of high achievement through research-backed instructional practices, rigorous academic standards and continuous improvement goals. By investing in innovative practices, we will deliver on academic excellence across all grade levels.

Key Initiatives:

  • Create dedicated time and resources for teacher planning and development that support the system’s commitment to excellence.
  • Research and enhance innovative programming opportunities, such as medical exploration, artificial intelligence, career and technical education and classical learning.
  • Earn third-party recognition with entities such as Leader in Me and Blue Ribbon Schools.
  • Set ambitious standards to foster a culture of high achievement and continuous improvement in all areas of the educational experience, K-12.
  • Establish and implement a shared vision for comprehensive, high-quality language education across all grade levels, ensuring alignment and continuity, K-12.
  • Create a coach onboarding experience with clear expectations for supporting our Catholic faith and the fundamentals of excellence in all athletics and activities.

Visionary Goal:

Develop a long-term facilities plan to expand Central Campus capacity for enrollment demand and holistic student growth – mind, body and spirit – while managing operational revenues and expenses, aligning tuition increases with cost-of-living adjustments, and funding future capital improvements.

 

Key Initiatives:

  • Build capacity for enrollment growth at Central Campus.
  • Design and implement athletic facility improvements for all programs, including strength and cardiovascular training, recovery rooms, and expanded indoor/outdoor competition facilities.
  • Improve efficiency and optimize resources through streamlined central office operations and facilities.
  • Finalize St. Joseph the Worker Early Childhood renovation through a phased approach.
  • Centralize food service operations.
  • Diversify revenue sources through endowments, grants and planned giving, to reduce parish reliance and build sustainable funding for long-term growth and the strength of our Catholic mission.

Visionary Goal:

Position Holy Family as Dubuque’s education employer of choice by fostering a supportive, Christ-centered and innovative work environment, advancing our commitment to competitive pay and benefits and providing robust opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.

 

Key Initiatives:

  • Partner with local organizations, housing developers, or community initiatives to improve the availability and affordability of housing for new and relocating teachers, with a lens for both international and domestic hires.
  • Establish partnerships with teacher preparation programs, Catholic universities, and professional networks nationwide to increase the pipeline of skilled teachers, supporting long-term staffing stability and talent diversity.
  • Conduct cross-training and succession planning for staff leadership.
  • Create a pathway for visiting teachers from Spain and culture assistants to retain proper work authorization, meeting all necessary salary and housing obligations.

Goal Metrics:

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Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP)

GOAL: 100% Proficient with 35% “Advanced”

Current, as of Spring 2024:

  • ELA: 94% proficient, incl. 25% advanced
  • Math: 89% proficient, incl. 25% advanced
  • Science: 86% proficient, incl. 12% advanced

 

Iowa Seal of Biliteracy

GOAL: 50% of Graduates

  • Current: 14%

Post-Secondary Degrees

GOAL: 85% Earning degrees

  • Class of 2018: 78% earned a degree within 6 years

Wahlert Service Cord

for 200+ volunteer hours

GOAL: 25% of Graduates

  • Current: 11%
In all areas of operational vitality, Holy Family will strive to meet or exceed expectations within the Archdiocese of Dubuque metrics for success.

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The Portrait of a Holy Family Graduate is our Vision of Excellence for Every Holy Family Student

Guided by our Mission:

Forming disciples of Jesus Christ through Catholic educational excellence.

Holy Family students are:

Spiritual & Ethical

They understand the personal and communal nature of the Catholic faith, living the learned faith in all that they do and in service to others.

 

Aware & Connected

They are well-rounded, balanced and involved – in arts, athletics, and other co-curricular activities. They are self-aware leaders in local and global communities.

 

Passionate & Engaged

They love learning. They are actively engaged and entrepreneurial in their approach to school, work, activities, service and their lives.

 

Capable & Prepared

They are prepared to succeed in every facet of life after high school.  They have developed the key Habits of Success and critical skills and knowledge needed to actualize their own dreams and thrive in the 21st century.