Strategic Growth Initiatives (SGIs)

Unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees, these strategic growth initiatives (SGIs) represent transformative areas of focus for the school in three key areas: Early Childhood Education, Creativity, and Access and Inclusion. Nearly 100 members of our community—trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians—provided input that helped shape these initiatives to guide Evergreen's future. Work continues with a steering committee and three working groups, one for each initiative. Below, learn about progress so far, updates, and ongoing goals. 

The Why:

• Creativity is a precursor to innovation and one of the most in-demand skills for the 21st century. 
• Young children show great capacity for creativity and imagination, but this diminishes as children grow older and falls further still in adolescence. But, like critical thinking and approaching challenges with curiosity, creativity is a skill that can be taught and cultivated. 

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Progress to Date:

The committee began with a comprehensive literature review and site visits to schools that focus on creativity. Then, committee members progressed to crafting a working definition of creativity for Evergreen, implementing ongoing professional development for all faculty and staff, and working to develop a rubric to assess student creativity in classroom activities.  

Still to Come:

In addition, the team is excited for another step. Once the new Early Childhood Center is built, we will renovate vacated spaces on the current campus specifically to support creative expression, potentially including visual arts gallery space and performance spaces. ​​

Early Childhood

To become a leader in the field of early childhood education (ECE) for highly capable students, Evergreen must stay current with best practices in the field and make meaningful investments in the program.

The Why:

• The foundation for a child's development—cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and language and literacy—is established during these earliest years. 
• High-quality early childhood education has profound impacts on student outcomes.
• Taking a deep dive into our ECE program was long-planned and is now coming to fruition.  

Progress to Date:

This team has made enormous progress since 2022, when preschool and prekindergarten faculty began working with a nationally recognized ECE consultant. Some changes have already been implemented: creating an updated program philosophy statement, revisions to classroom layouts and outdoor areas to optimize existing spaces, adjusting teacher schedules to improve joint team planning time, and enhancing professional development for teachers.  

But the joint conclusion of our consultant work and internal research supported Evergreen's plan to invest in Early Childhood with a new, purpose-built building as well as a dedicated division head for the program. Construction on the Early Childhood Center launched in April 2025, and Kristie Lear arrived at Evergreen in July 2025.

Still to Come:

As construction progresses, professional development work continues for our early childhood educators including the kindergarten teaching team, with a focus on documentation of student learning as part of deepening their understanding of the Reggio Emilia approach. 

Access and Inclusion

All community members will experience a deep sense of belonging and will be able to gain full access to the Evergreen experience. This goal will ensure that when everyone can fully participate and feel included, all students can reach their full potential—and the community benefits as a result. 

The Why:

• Every student who enrolls at Evergreen should have access to the full Evergreen experience, and access is predicated on each student having a genuine sense of inclusion and belonging. 
• Then, students are empowered to engage fully in the life of the school, allowing them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. 

Progress to Date:

Beginning with assessments and moving to identifying transformational actions, we have moved on to implementing recommendations. Evergreen has added a DEIB program manager, an Equity Educator teaching fellowship, increased financial aid funds, begun the work of aligning SEL and DEI elements throughout the curriculum, and created a new DEIB Strategic Plan.
 

Still to Come:

Going forward, we will continue regular assessments, professional development, and education with our parent/guardian community, and we will continue to work through our list of transformational actions.