Strategic Plan

Stafford Schools is beginning a strategic planning process to help shape the future of our school division for years to come.

A strategic plan provides a clear, shared direction for our work. It will help us identify what matters most for our students and schools, establish priorities for the future, and ensure our work and resources remain focused on helping every student thrive.

Throughout the 2026-27 school year, we will listen, learn, and plan together. We will gather feedback from families, staff, students, and community members, and review information about the division’s strengths and opportunities. We will engage our community in conversations about what we want the future of Stafford Schools to look like.

Why This Effort Matters

The strategic planning process is an opportunity to build on what is working well, identify where we can continue to grow, and chart a thoughtful path forward for Stafford Schools.

The plan we develop will reflect the needs, experiences, and aspirations of the community we serve. It will help guide our decisions and efforts in the years ahead as we continue working to provide meaningful opportunities and a high-quality education for every student.

Our Process

The process will take place in several broad phases:

Listen and Learn: We will gather input from across our school community and review information about the division’s current strengths, challenges, and opportunities.
Engage the Community: Families, staff, students, and community members will have opportunities to share their experiences, ideas, and hopes for Stafford Schools through feedback opportunities and community conversations.
Develop a Shared Vision: A Strategic Planning Workgroup will consider the feedback and information gathered throughout the process as it helps develop priorities and a shared vision for the future.
Create a Plan for the Future: The workgroup’s input will help inform a strategic plan that identifies the division’s priorities and provides a clear direction for the years ahead.

Strategic Planning Workgroup

A Strategic Planning Workgroup consisting of parents, staff, and community members will play an important role in this process. The workgroup will bring a range of perspectives to the table, review community feedback and other information, and help guide the development of priorities for Stafford Schools.

How You Can Get Involved

Help shape the future of Stafford Schools!

We are starting the process of developing our next strategic plan, and we invite parents, staff, students, and community members to share their feedback through an anonymous online survey.

Your input will help guide the division’s direction and priorities for the years ahead.

Take the survey here: https://tinyurl.com/StaffordSchoolsStratPlan

Opportunities to participate will be shared throughout the process. Please check this page for updates, feedback opportunities, and information about upcoming community engagement opportunities.

Thank you for your partnership and for helping us shape the future of Stafford Schools!

Our Vision

Our Mission

What We Value

Our Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Ensure meaningful post-secondary outcomes for every student, prepared for life after graduation.

Objective 1. Every high school student will have a plan to be employed, enlisted, and/or enrolled in a post-secondary institution upon graduation.

Objective 2. Every high school student will have at least one real world learning experience, through internships, field experiences, and/or authentic capstone experiences prior to graduation.

Objective 3. Every middle school student will complete an individualized college and career readiness and exploration plan and will revisit and revise it with their school counselor annually.

Objective 4. Ensure every student has access to rigorous and robust opportunities leading to high quality post-secondary outcomes.

Objective 5. Families will develop understanding of educational options and career pathways.

Goal 2: Support high expectations for academic performance and expand opportunities for every student.

Objective 1. Every student will meet annual growth goals in literacy, grades PreK-11.

Objective 2. Every student will meet annual growth goals in Mathematics, grades Pre-K through 11.

Objective 3. Stafford County Public Schools will lead Virginia’s Region III and Northern Virginia in academic performance.

Objective 4. Stafford County Public Schools will close performance gaps between reporting categories, improving performance for every student.

Objective 5. Every student seeking a standard or advanced diploma will graduate having successfully completed a marketable industry certification and/or AP, IB, or DE course.

Goal 3: Ensure every student, staff, and family member receives a safe, engaging, and welcoming environment in our schools.

Objective 1. Ensure all students and staff are physically, mentally, and emotionally safe in their learning and working environments.

Objective 2. Close gaps in climate perception across and within schools for students, teachers, and families.

Objective 3. Ensure classroom space that aligns to programmatic needs, ensuring high quality learning experiences.

Objective 4. Provide adequate resources to facilitate high quality instruction.

Objective 5. Maintain quality facilities.

Objective 6. Operate with efficiency and transparency, acting as good stewards of our resources

Goal 4: Support and invest in all staff.

Objective 1. Provide regionally competitive compensation, high quality and affordable benefits, and wellness supports to all staff.

Objective 2. Establish and maintain staffing and program capacity standards that meet the needs of students and operations.

Objective 3. Ensure every student has access to high quality, highly qualified educators.

Objective 4. Create growth pathways, career ladders, and professional learning opportunities for all staff, aligned to individual employee and division goals.

Objective 5. Provide a balanced and supportive work environment.

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