Strategic Plan 2025-2030
Dear SDFAS Community,
The past two years have marked a period of significant transformation at SDFAS. We have welcomed new leadership and embraced a culture of continuous improvement. Building upon this foundation, we initiated a comprehensive and collaborative strategic planning process this year to renew our existing Strategic Plan.
To establish a solid informational foundation for the strategic planning process, the school engaged the services of school-strategy, an educational consulting firm.
A dedicated Strategic Planning Steering Committee, comprised of parents, teachers, and board members, conducted thorough research, a SWOT analysis, and focus group studies, while also analyzing relevant industry trends. This process required a critical examination of our assumptions and a commitment to innovative thinking.
After a year of diligent effort, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Strategic Plan in May 2025, and we are pleased to share our vision with the community.
This Strategic Plan charts a course for SDFAS to solidify its position as a premier bilingual and international educational institution in San Diego. It directly supports the mission and vision that guide us in achieving our full potential.
Our plan is centered around the following three strategic priorities:
1. Enhance our international programs
2. Improve our financial resilience
3. Advance our inclusive community
We have ambitious objectives and a framework to enhance academic programs, sustainability, and community engagement, fostering student success. This Strategic Plan provides the vision, priorities, and resource allocation for the next five years. It benefited greatly from the contributions of our community.
We thank the steering committee, parents, staff, students, alumni parents, and Trustees for their invaluable participation in shaping our new institutional vision.
With the continued support of our community, our school is ready to make significant progress. We are eager to embark on this path.
Warm regards,
In the fall of the 2024-2025 academic year, SDFAS renewed its existing Strategic Plan and launched a comprehensive strategic planning process. This plan, designed to provide a long-range perspective on future institutional priorities, was developed through an inclusive and participatory approach.
A steering committee was established to oversee research, environmental scans, SWOT analysis, and to assess trends within the independent school and broader education sectors. At the outset of this process, the school community – including parents, students, alumni, Board members, faculty, and staff, was surveyed to gather their input.
To facilitate the development of a robust foundation, the school retained the services of school-strategy, an educational consulting firm. This collaboration encompassed research, including stakeholder surveys, focus groups, competitive and educational landscape analyses, and demographic trend assessments. This data served as the basis for well-founded projections regarding future developments.
The Strategic Planning Steering Committee validated key priorities based on research findings. This process concluded in the spring of 2025 with the establishment of a new vision statement, a reaffirmation
of shared values, and the identification of a set of strategic priorities. These strategic priorities were further developed to define specific goals and a series of sequenced initiatives.
Our Vision 2030 Strategic Plan outlines strategic priorities, goals, and initiatives. Each strategic priority encompasses multiple goals and a range of initiatives. This strategic action plan is supplemented by
an implementation plan, which provides granular detail, including estimated costs and success metrics. It will be routinely consulted and assessed to guide the school’s execution of the Strategic Plan.
1. Enhance Our International Programs
Talent management
We will offer a competitive compensation and benefits package to attract and retain top-tier global talent. Provide compelling professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.
Program enhancements
Enrich SDFAS distinctive bilingual blended French & American curriculum.
Further develop after-school programs and extra-curricular activities.
2. Improve Our Financial Resilience
Marketing & communication
Clearly articulate SDFAS’ unique identity and value proposition.
Increase overall enrollment and Middle School retention rates.
Financial planning
Explore revenue diversification, grow endowment, and implement cost-optimization strategies.
Sustain long-term affordability and accessibility for families.
3. Advance Our Inclusive Community
School experience
Strengthen student well-being & safety.
Bolster and beautify campus facilities.
Strategic partnerships
Foster strategic partnerships and develop a high school pathway program to continue the French education after 8th grade.
Continue to support activities that promote the school’s visibility and nurture relationships with the community.