Is Your School “Built to Last”? Presented by: Gene Frost, Ed.D. Head of School Wheaton Academy

Is Your School “Built to Last”? I. Are you a Clock Builder or a Time Teller? II. Have you discovered the “Genius of the And”? III. How are you stimulating progress while preserving the core?

I. Are you a Clock Builder or a Time Teller? How do you spend your time? What dominates your thinking? How much of your work can you delegate? How much do you delegate? What do you need to do to be a Clock Builder?

II. Have you discovered the “Genius of the And”? Why do we like “Either/Or” thinking? “And” thinking creates the competitive advantage and creates value for your school. ◦ The Christian/School ◦ Exemplary programs ◦ The concept of value

III. How will you stimulate progress while preserving the core? BHAG Cult-like cultures Try lots of stuff Homegrown leadership Good is never good enough

Building Your School’s Culture – The True Legacy that You Will Leave Behind “Not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times – not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their fathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.” Numbers 14:22-23 Copyright  Wheaton Academy. Copyright  Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved. Based in part on Jim Collins’ bestselling book, “Built to Last” (1994)

Four Categories of Teachers 1) Fully bought in – “Teammates” 2) Cooperative, would not make waves – “placeholders” 3) Do their own thing in their own world but don’t bother anybody else – “islands” 4) Actively advocate for personal agendas and issues, not in line with where you want to take the school – “rebels” Copyright  Wheaton Academy. Copyright  Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved.

How is your present faculty divided among these four groups? Teammates Placeholders Islands Rebels Copyright Wheaton Academy. Copyright Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved.

What to do? 4s must be removed ASAP 3s need to be isolated and removed over time 2s can be replaced as opportunities arise Your goal is to have 100% number 1s Caution: Teamwork, not uniformity! Copyright  Wheaton Academy. Copyright  Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved.

Are you a clock-builder or a time-teller? What steps are you presently taking to update you faculty and staff? Copyright Wheaton Academy. Copyright Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved.

Who Then What Copyright © Wheaton Academy. Copyright © Dr. Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved. What - Program Who- Staff Mission - Foundation

Creating a Value Proposition or What is your “Hedgehog?” “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46 Copyright  Wheaton Academy. Copyright  Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved. Based in part on Jim Collins’ bestselling book, “Good to Great” (2001)

The New Reality – The Christian school consumer has changed A. The 1960s, 1970s, and before – You attend a Christian school because it was your identity, the right thing to do – DUTY B. The 1980s until today – You attend a Christian school because of the real or perceived value to your child and family – VALUE Copyright © Wheaton Academy. Copyright © Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved.

What’s the Problem Today? We have a value problem, not a price problem  What percentage of your families are at your school primarily because they are committed to Christian education as opposed to the quality of your product?  What percentage of your families are at your school because they believe it is the wisest use of their education dollars? Copyright © Wheaton Academy. Copyright © Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved.

Jim Collins’ Hedgehog Concept Copyright © Wheaton Academy. Copyright © Dr. Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved. What are you deeply passionate about? What drives your economic engine? What can you be the best in the world at?

The Hedgehog Concept Adopted for Christian Schools Copyright © Wheaton Academy. Copyright © Dr. Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved. Passion – Mission Resources -- Enrollment, Development, & Services Being the Best – People & Program

Examples The hedgehog without a mission Prayer, programs, and dreams Copyright  Wheaton Academy. Copyright  Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved.

What is your hedgehog? If you shoot at nothing, you’ll usually hit it. What is your hedgehog? (exercise) Pick one Grow it Copyright  Wheaton Academy. Copyright  Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved.

Our Challenge The Christian school needs to relentlessly grow its hedgehog if it is to move from good to great. Copyright  Wheaton Academy. Copyright  Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved.

Delivering Value – Timeless Copyright © Wheaton Academy. Copyright © Eugene A. Frost. All rights reserved.