Strategic planning provides organizations with a structure and process to develop goals, focus energies toward realizing goals, and monitor progress. Northern Burlington has adopted the multi-year Accreditation for Growth (AFG) process for strategic planning. AFG is a unique protocol of The Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools (MSCSS), a regional accreditation agency, which seeks to ensure that all students receive the quality education and achieve at levels expected by the school community.  Through the accreditation process, schools seek validation of its self-evaluation by obtaining professional judgment from impartial outsiders on the effectiveness of the total school operation. The intent throughout the process is to seek remedies for shortcomings and to identify and nurture positive practices. When the Commission on Secondary Schools accredits a school, it certifies that the school has met the standards of the Middle States Association within the terms of the school's own philosophy and objectives.  Therefore, accreditation is a means of showing confidence in a school's performance.

Northern Burlington began this process several years ago with a comprehensive self-assessment of all programs and procedures, development of objectives for continued growth, and development of action plans to guide this progress. In the initial year, a strategic planning committee comprised of school board members, administrators, teachers, parents, and students was formed. This committee helped develop a vision statement, belief statements, and the Profile of a Graduate.  Measurable objectives in the areas of academics, culture, and career readiness were also established.  (All of these components can be viewed from the links on the right side of this page).

A Steering Committee comprised of the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, building principals and internal coordinators organized and facilitated these stages of the planning process. During 2007-2008, fifteen planning committees met regularly to develop strategies to accomplish each objective. The Steering Committee received updates on the committees' progress and provided opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation, which brought clarity and cohesiveness to the comprehensive planning initiative.

During 2008-2009, the fifteen committees were reorganized into four per building under the categories of Academic, Culture, Multiple and Diverse Paths to Graduation, and Essential Skills. Staff members who elected to continue in the planning process developed the action plans to accomplish the district's strategic planning objectives. These work sessions transpired during scheduled meeting time (faculty/department/team/professional development).

The Validation Team arrived and completed the review process during Spring 2009; both the Middle School and the High School received accreditation.  The report of the Accreditation for Growth Validation Team can be found from this link: AFG Report 2009

Based on the recommendations contained in the Report, Northern Burlington continues on the path toward achieving these goals.