Strategic Plan 2011

The Quaker Dimension

Plan Goal #2: Seek to serve as a beacon for Quaker education, to thrive as a vibrant Quaker educational community, and to be a resource to help members of our community understand Quakerism and Quaker values.

Plan Goal #3: Enhance the articulation of the Examined Life Program and graduate students who have developed leadership skills based on the principles of The Religious Society of Friends, and experiences offered through the Examined Life Program and leadership in the service of others. 

Rationale

Much has changed since the founding of the school 225 years ago.  Reflecting trends in the Religious Society of Friends, the number of Quaker students, faculty members and board members has declined significantly. As the school moves through the 21st Century, a key challenge is to remain a vibrant Quaker institution.  MFS will continue to be intentional about teaching Quaker principles, the universality of Quaker values, and service to others.  As noted in the 2004 Strategic Plan, the spiritual and ethical development of students is one of the twin pillars of the school, along with the rigor of the academic program.  The Examined Life program emerged from the 2004 Strategic Plan to guide the transformational experience of spiritual and ethical growth for students.  The result of this training is adults who will be able to contribute to their fields of endeavor and to society by acting as compassionate problem solvers and leaders able to draw on the power of their intellect enlightened by spiritual and ethical discernment.  Further, the school recognizes the importance of supporting a multi-faith community and welcoming different religious traditions.

Strategies

• Identify Quaker principles, language and role models that students and members of the school community can articulate and apply in their own lives, whether they are Quakers or not.
• Increase the visibility of Quakerism in the school and MFS as a Quaker institution in the community.
• Support a multi-faith spiritual community while also developing a growing ability to articulate Quakerism. 
• Increase understanding and articulation of The Examined Life program across all constituencies.
• Identify methods of evaluation of the Quaker dimension, The Examined Life program and service learning. Utilize these evaluations for feedback and change.
• Increase opportunities for meaningful reflection that can be integrated into the school day.
• Identify, attract, and support Quakers and those with similar sensibilities into the MFS community.
• Engage in a Quaker self-study program through Friends Council on Education as part of the upcoming re-accreditation process.

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