Inspired by the confidence of our motto, “We finish our labors to begin them anew,” in 20 years, we want Peddie to serve its students as well or better than it is now. Looking ahead from a position of strength, and proud of Peddie’s culture of innovation and improvement, our strategic plan supports that culture and inspires continued progress. Considering our opportunities, our record of innovation, the challenges facing independent education and the changing expectations of families and colleges, we have established four strategic priorities and the steps needed to implement them. We are committed to these historically important Peddie hallmarks: transformational education, outstanding teaching, curricular innovation and enrollment of students with the greatest excitement, curiosity and character.
Inspiring intellectual excellence. Striving for the highest quality of citizenship. These two concepts form the bedrock of transformational education — the heart of Peddie. We will promote excellent classroom teaching, support continual curricular innovation and challenge our students to be citizens who improve their communities each day. We believe that Peddie transforms students into more thoughtful and responsible citizens, and that this transformational nature of a Peddie experience — both real and perceived — is the most important determinant of our continued success. Therefore, we recommit to hiring and retaining an exceptional faculty. We will help each other use our expertise and experience to teach, coach, advise, celebrate and inspire our students. In the science lab, on stage and throughout life all over campus, this focus prepares our students for a lifetime of joyfully seeking new challenges and making a positive difference in whatever communities they join. It is through this experience that our students grow, by this calling that our faculty are inspired, and because of this mandate that Peddie thrives.
Peddie seeks to increase our commitment to access and opportunity through expanded financial assistance, ensuring our ability to shape a student body that embodies the school’s mission and values. The greatest impact of Ambassador Annenberg’s gift in 1993 was that it allowed Peddie to attract and enroll the best and brightest students, regardless of financial circumstances. Enrolling students with diverse talents and backgrounds who contribute their strengths to the shared experience of our remarkable learning community is critical for the future success of Peddie. Peddie will grow its endowment by launching a comprehensive campaign with over 50 percent of its goal dedicated to financial aid endowment, to both continue and honor the commitment of Ambassador Annenberg.
Peddie will thrive for many generations to come. It is the obligation of the Board of Trustees to assure that future generations of Peddie students inherit the same (or even greater) resources than are available to today’s students. Since the Annenberg gift of $100 million nearly a quarter century ago, Peddie has had the discipline to maintain – even expand – the real value of the endowment and campus, a duty that we hold sacrosanct. Peddie will continue to steward all of the school’s resources responsibly to secure its future.
It has always been at the core of our work to “finish our labors to begin them anew.” Peddie has come further than its founders could have dreamed when that phrase first appeared in the 1800s. This remarkable school that values excellence and access deserves to be widely known so that future generations shall, too, marvel at how far it has come. We are obligated to tell our story boldly to attract and enroll students who best fit our mission and values. Peddie will adhere to a messaging strategy that accurately conveys the transformational nature of a Peddie education and demonstrates the value of that experience. We commit to a comprehensive and consistent marketing and communications strategy to tell the Peddie story boldly and broadly.
An integral part of Peddie’s mission is to inspire students to strive for the highest quality of citizenship. As an institution that welcomes individuals with diverse talents and backgrounds, we understand the active role of inclusive and equitable practices in creating an accessible experience and strong sense of belonging for all community members. As with all strategic priorities, the Board of Trustees will establish, review and occasionally revise our DEI strategic aims, and provide school administrators with the necessary resources to achieve them.
