GROW is the plan for PDS
It builds a highly innovative, unparalleled educational experience that’s rooted in the school’s 90-year history. It is launched from the challenges of the recent past to guide us to the long-term future. This is THE opportunity to [re]create the school that parents in the Mid Hudson Valley are looking for. GROW is guided by four central tenets: Global citizenship, Relationships, Opportunity, and Wisdom
The GROW Campaign
The GROW Campaign, part of the PDS GROW Strategic Plan, is an up-front investment in the next chapter of Poughkeepsie Day School. Gifts to the campaign, no matter how small, will greatly assist PDS in reclaiming and maintaining its position as the leading progressive school in the Mid-Hudson Valley.
Gain International Baccalaureate candidate school status, spring 2025
Establish partnerships with other IB schools for collaboration, resources, and student engagement
Provide ongoing support for teachers to implement IB practices in their classrooms
Establish partnerships with global organizations to enrich students’ learning experiences through real-world connections and opportunities
Align curriculum with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Strengthen learning connections with on-campus partners; develop service learning with mission-consistent off-campus non-profits
Build working relationships with local farms for frequent off-campus learning linked to curricular objectives
Prioritize emotional intelligence across all curricular areas. Expand off campus social and emotional learning (SEL) arrangements, including partnership with Ramapo for Children.
Conduct annual Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (BEDI) training for all faculty and staff following a full year of grounding in Intergroup Dialogue
Connect students to school BEDI initiatives, including but not limited to establishing a student-led BEDI Committee to amplify
student voices and promote inclusivity
Collaborate with local businesses owned by underrepresented groups to provide internship opportunities for students, fostering real-world experience and promoting diversity in the workforce
Continue learning partnership with Culinary Institute of America; expand partnerships with area colleges and universities
Amplify fundraising: engagement and stewardship of all constituencies; renewed grant procurement strategy
As the school grows, demonstrate a commitment to the diversity vision by utilizing recruiting practices that will lead to a diverse faculty and staff at all levels
Establish a sustainability committee to oversee green initiatives and environmental education efforts
Create a long-term financial plan to ensure stability and growth; assess and adjust strategies to align with the evolving needs and goals of the school
Continuously monitor overhead costs to prioritize mission consistency and delivery of curriculum over administrative costs
Divest non-core assets to reduce operational costs and eliminate debt.
All faculty staff complete Universal Design for Learning (UDL) traininn, empowering students to be active and engaged learners, and to navigate complex challenges; ensuring that faculty utilize progressive education principles in planning new curricula
Train all lower school faculty in Orton Gillingham approaches and all STEM and literacy faculty in Writing Revolution strategies to incorporate writing skills in all areas of the curriculum
Meet school sustainability goals through professional development with Shelburne Farms Education for Sustainability (EfS) program
Through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), in-house training provided by our own faculty based on area of expertise and professional development, provide ongoing resources for educators to continuously enhance teaching practices and stay updated on the latest research and educational trends
Establish partnerships with community organizations and industry leaders to create real-world learning opportunities for students, fostering a deeper understanding of global issues and promoting social responsibility
Connect teachers and students with alumni expertise. Maintain database of former PDS students based on area of specialization, allowing the “lifelong learning” in our mission to form a continuous loop.