December 2025 Update
City and Country School Announces Launch of Comprehensive Strategic Planning Process
City and Country School is pleased to announce the launch of a comprehensive strategic planning process to guide the school’s long-term vision and priorities. Following a competitive selection process, the Board of Trustees has engaged Ian Symmonds & Associates to lead the effort, which will unfold over the coming months, be formalized in June 2026, and launch in Fall 2026.
To guide this work, the Board has also appointed a 16-member Strategic Planning Steering Committee composed of faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and trustees. The committee reflects the breadth of the C&C community and will play a central role in shaping the planning process. Steering Committee members include:
- Elise Bauer, Director of Admissions / Alum Parent
- Kate Bostock, Board Member / Alum Parent
- Josh Cender, Board Member / Alum Parent
- Lucy Christiana, Middle School Faculty / Education Committee Chair
- Emily Essner, Board Member / Lower School Parent
- Pam Finlow, Lower School Faculty / Lower School Parent
- Jay Frankel, Faculty Representative to the Board / Middle School Faculty
- Dori Haber, Lower School Reading Specialist
- Alice Kong, Director of Technology
- Kim Momoh, Director of Community Life, Equity, and Inclusion
- Tracey Mumford, Board Chair / Lower, Middle, and Upper School Parent
- Frank Patti, Principal / Lower School Parent
- Laela Rae, Director of Curriculum
- Jessica Tamberlane, Board Member / Upper School Parent
- Mike Vogel, Board Member / Lower and Upper School Parent
The strategic planning process will unfold in six phases:
January – Information Gathering
The Steering Committee will clarify goals, review existing data about the school, and design a process for broad community engagement.
February – Community Engagement
Through surveys, conversations, and listening sessions with families, faculty, staff, alumni, and trustees, the school will gather perspectives on its strengths, challenges, and aspirations.
March – Analysis and Synthesis
All feedback will be analyzed alongside institutional data, enrollment trends, and broader developments in progressive education to produce a key findings report.
April – Idea Development
Design Teams composed of faculty, staff, trustees, and parents will develop initial strategic ideas informed by the findings.
May – Prioritization
Draft strategies will be evaluated for impact, feasibility, and alignment with the school’s mission, resulting in a refined set of priorities.
June – Finalization
The Steering Committee and Board of Trustees will finalize the strategic plan, including implementation steps and resource considerations.
Fall 2026 – Launch
The completed strategic plan will be shared with the full community, and implementation will begin across the school.
“This is a deeply collaborative process that will be shaped by the voices of our entire community,” said Frank Patti, Principal, and Tracey Mumford, Board Chair. “Our goal is to ensure that City and Country School continues to thrive as a leader in progressive education for generations to come.”
Community engagement will remain central throughout the process, with regular updates and opportunities for participation shared via the school’s website.
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