How does the plan align with the mission of Principia?

Principia’s founder, Mary Kimball Morgan, wisely counseled in a 1910 edition of The Principia Alumnus, “It must be possible to establish some basis of operation that will offer an unchanging foundation upon which may be erected a perfect educational structure . . .” (Education at The Principia, p. 5). Mrs. Morgan and her colleagues established this unchanging foundation for Principia through the institution's purpose and 23 policies, which undergird all of our strategic initiatives. We also have regularly referred to the “Intended Outcome of a Principia Education,” which was written to assist Principia’s strategic planning efforts in 2001. During the past year, these documents helped the School faculty and staff develop specific learning principles and the College faculty and staff design learning themes and outcomes to help guide curriculum development on their respective campuses.

Is the strategic plan flexible?

The success of the strategic plan will be highly influenced by our ability to adjust and correct as needed. For this reason, each of the objectives detailed within the plan includes accompanying assessments. We will measure results at regular intervals and make adjustments as our progress unfolds. New and ongoing initiatives will be consistently evaluated in terms of their place in the evolving strategic plan.

Does the strategic plan include all of Principia?

As one institution, the strategic plan addresses the needs of all of Principia, including academics, athletics, character education, facilities, financial resources, marketing, advancement, technology, and organizational processes.

Is Principia financially ready to make the commitment to expanding internationally?

It’s foreseeable, perhaps likely, that satellites in other countries would operate at a deficit for some time before achieving financial equilibrium. While it’s unlikely we would establish a satellite without an expectation of income eventually meeting or exceeding expenses, these would be our prime considerations: Does such a move further Principia’s work? Is this the best way for Principia to serve the Cause of Christian Science?
 
Currently, 18 percent of our College students are from outside the United States, and we know of many of their peers who would attend Principia if travel costs and obtaining visas were less of an issue. Compared to our Elsah campus, we expect the costs of running a satellite location to be low—allowing for affordable tuitions that bring new, real revenue that will justify the required up-front investment. More importantly, the Principia experience would be available to and benefit more students around the world. If our explorations of potential satellite locations reveal such a potential, we’ll make the financial commitment.
 
How does Principia plan to teach spiritually based character education through online learning? How will you deliver the Principia experience online?

As technology has advanced, so have the quality, frequency, and depth of our “virtual” interpersonal connections. E-mail is giving way to Skype, and now person-to-person video is emerging on cell phones. These capabilities will no doubt give way to higher quality, more ubiquitous technologies allowing for online connections. Impactful interpersonal relationships are no longer limited by physical proximity.
 
We’re exploring today’s and tomorrow’s online technologies from the standpoint of the unique education Principia offers. While we can’t say, today, exactly how we’ll achieve an online Principia education, we believe it’s possible and necessary to do so. Thankfully, we have rich experience to draw from and a team of insightful educators committed to answering this important question.
 
What does a Principia satellite location look like?

Our working model for a satellite includes local staff supported by coordinating faculty and staff on the existing School and College campuses in St. Louis and Elsah. In addition, St. Louis and Elsah faculty may serve as visiting faculty at satellite locations. Courses taught on site at satellites may be augmented by online courses originating from Principia and other institutions. We believe this is a doable, simple, sustainable model—in part because it is not contingent on constructing buildings or purchasing real estate.