Business Planning
Academy Operations
Academy Operations consists of all the systems, processes, and routines which bring the school’s mission and vision into reality. Thus, operations is a basis of school culture. When a school, charter management organization, or diocese is dysfunctional in practical matters, cultural dysfunction is sure to follow. It is out of our passion for healthy culture that we strive to support leaders in creating operational plans and infrastructure that reinforce organizational health.
If you’re an educational leader, Arcadia can help you improve the operational areas that are holding your school back and help you implement the systems you need to drive transformational growth.
Our Principal Offerings
Classical Model Transition
Altering the academic model of a school to incorporate more of the classical tradition requires careful planning. Even when the changes are limited in scope or made gradually, it takes time to research and understand the landscape and paradigms of classical education, consider the form it will take at your school, and chart the path by which you will lead your community through the transition.
Arcadia guides schools through the process of transitioning to a classical model, uniting operational strategic planning with a deep understanding of the classical tradition. We help leadership teams assess their needs, clarify their destination, and determine their critical path for successful implementation. Whether you are leading a private Chrisitan school, a charter network, or a Diocesan school system, Arcadia can provide the structure and expertise to help you successfully navigate the transition to a classical model. Our classical transition services include:
- Strategic planning retreat
- Change management planning
- Curriculum design and build
- Pedagogy training
- Communication planning
- Leadership coaching
Custom Curriculum Build
We become what we behold. Students and faculty alike are shaped by the content of the curriculum. At its heart, the curriculum is the foundational expression of your school’s vision and the means by which teachers embody their calling and share their passion with their students.
Arcadia designs fully tailored classical curricula that unite academic training in the liberal arts and sciences with moral and faith (for religious schools) formation. We begin by gaining a deep understanding of your school’s vision and curricular goals, then work closely with you to craft the curricular design, framework, and documentation that your school needs. Deliverables may include:
- Master book lists with ISBNs for primary-source texts, high-quality textbooks, and student consumables
- Poetry and recitation guides
- Scope-and-sequence or pacing guides
- Subject-area philosophy statements
- Professional development plans
- Roadmaps for thoughtful implementation and sustained success
Curriculum & Instruction Audit
The first step in closing the gap between where you are and where you want to be is understanding your starting point. Arcadia offers curriculum and instruction audits to provide school leaders with an objective analysis of their curricular and instructional alignment, training, documentation, and implementation.
We begin by gaining a comprehensive understanding of your academic vision, then review your program documentation, implementation, and strategic goals to identify gaps, misalignments, and opportunities for deeper coherence between vision and practice. The result is a clear, actionable report highlighting key strengths, areas for improvement, and recommended high-leverage goals, laying the groundwork for strategic professional development and lasting renewal.
Classical Education Training
A school is its faculty. Pouring into their formation is an ongoing necessity at every school. Arcadia brings deep experience and expertise in classical education to partnerships with classical schools and networks. We provide customized, in-person and remote training led by expert practitioners for faculty, leadership, and board members. Working with your school, we design a training program suited to your faculty or administration’s particular needs and educational vision. Training sessions address:
- Understanding Classical Education
- The Role of the Great Books
- Classical Pedagogy
- Classroom Culture
- Seminar
- Assessments
- Aesthetics
School Security
Arcadia provides school physical security assessments, security team assessments, and various training programs. The assessments cover facility, policies, and personnel evaluations, while the training ranges from individual skills to collective team exercises, covering areas such as situational awareness, first aid, and conflict management.
Policy & Procedures Implementation
The policies and procedures of a school serve as the bedrock upon which the institution’s integrity, effectiveness, and longevity are built. Arcadia’s services ensures that every guideline and procedure is crafted to fit with the unique dimensions of your institution’s mission, culture, and operational needs.
Change Management
Schools are complex service-driven institutions, akin to hospitals and healthcare conglomerates but typically with fewer financial resources. To help clients adapt to rapidly changing conditions, Arcadia’s team takes a structured approach to assist with institutional transitions, address cultural shifts, guide employees through restructurings, and integrate advanced systems.
Shared Services Model
Utilizing a shared services model aligns your educational network with a centralized hub for services such as human resources, finance, and procurement. Arcadia lends its team expertise to orchestrate this transformation with meticulous planning and execution.
Efficiency Metrics and Key Performance Indicators
Identification and tracking of key performance indicators specific to your operational needs, providing measurable objectives for continuous improvement.
Staff and Resource Allocation
Data-driven recommendations for optimal allocation of human and material resources to various operational tasks and departments.
Professional Development Programs
Tailored training sessions, workshops, and seminars aimed at enhancing the skills and capabilities of your educational team.