List of 10 items.

• Why is KCD developing a new strategic plan?

  Great independent schools regularly undertake strategic planning to remain intentional, responsive, and forward-looking. This process helps KCD identify the priorities that will have the greatest impact on our students, align our resources with our mission, and prepare thoughtfully for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
  
  

  KCD begins this process from a position of strength. Our goal is to protect and build upon what our community values most while ensuring that the school continues to evolve to meet the needs of future generations of Bearcats.

• Who is leading the strategic planning process?

  The Board has entrusted the development of the plan to the Strategic Planning Committee, a thoughtful group of 18 community members, including trustees, parents, faculty and staff, and alumni, who bring a range of perspectives and experiences from across the KCD community.
  
  

  The Board of Trustees has ultimate responsibility for the strategic plan and for monitoring the school’s progress once the plan is adopted.

• How was the Strategic Planning Committee selected?

  Members were selected to represent the many constituencies and perspectives that make up the entire KCD community. Each member brings valuable experience, a deep commitment to KCD, and a willingness to think expansively about the school’s future.

• What is the role of The Gowan Group?

  The Gowan Group serves as KCD’s strategic planning partner, bringing deep experience with independent schools and an informed perspective on the opportunities and challenges shaping education today. They are guiding the process, helping us interpret community feedback, ask important questions, and move thoughtfully from insight to action. The vision, priorities, and final plan will reflect KCD’s mission and be shaped by our community.

• How has the KCD community participated?

  The discovery phase was intentionally inclusive and began with listening. More than 1,300 parents, faculty and staff members, trustees, alumni, and upper school students shared their experiences, perspectives, and hopes for KCD through individual interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
  
  

  The Gowan Group also reviewed KCD’s mission, values, previous planning work, and other foundational documents to understand the school’s history, identity, and commitments. Together, these community voices and institutional touchstones provided a rich and comprehensive picture of KCD today, what our community values most, and what we aspire to become.

• What did KCD learn through the discovery process?

  The strongest message was that our community has tremendous confidence in KCD and a high level of satisfaction with the exceptional education we provide.
  
  

  Participants consistently affirmed several defining strengths:

  • Academic excellence and outstanding college preparation
  • Talented teachers who know and challenge their students
  • A strong and caring community
  • A balanced student experience across academics, athletics, the arts, service, and other pursuits
  • A beautiful campus that supports learning, connection, and community

• If the community is highly satisfied with KCD, why is change necessary?

  Strong schools do not wait for a crisis to think about the future. The confidence expressed by our community is both an affirmation and a charge. It gives KCD the opportunity to plan from a position of strength, preserve what makes the Bearcat experience distinctive, and remain responsive to a rapidly changing world.

• What is the timeline for the strategic plan?

  During the fall of 2026, the Strategic Planning Committee will work to identify and shape the goals that will serve as north stars for KCD over the next three to five years.
  
  

  The plan is expected to be shared publicly in the spring. The community will continue to receive updates as the work progresses.

• How will the community stay informed?

  Updates will be shared at important points throughout the process, culminating in the public release of the strategic plan this spring. Our goal is to keep the community informed while giving the committee the time and space needed to engage in thoughtful, generative work.

• What will success look like?

  Success will be a plan in which every member of the KCD community can see their fingerprint and recognize how they can contribute to bringing it to life. It will be focused and inspiring, grounded in our mission, and shaped by what our community values most.
  
  

  The plan will provide clear direction, align our work, and position KCD to serve students exceptionally well while continuing to develop confident, thoughtful, and engaged citizens, scholars, and stewards.