Lee Montessori Strategic Plan
Advancing Equity and Serving the Whole Child Through Excellent Public Montessori
2022-2027
At Lee Montessori, we believe
all children have the potential to change the world.
In early 2022, Lee Montessori embarked on a process to chart our path for the next five years, while staying grounded in what we value most – the urgent need to challenge inequities and close opportunity gaps in the District of Columbia.
While we’ve come a long way since our first campus opened in 2014 with 74 children, we know there’s more to do.
To inform our next chapter, we asked our community about how we could further live our mission to create a more just, liberated world through a high-quality and accessible Montessori education, rooted in equity.
Our Community
We started by engaging with the full Lee Montessori community to hear their input. Our plan is also guided by research into promising and proven practices in education and data about where we most need to accelerate learning development for our children – especially those who are the furthest from opportunity.
100+
Parents and
caregivers
70+
TEACHERS, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS
35+
Focus Group and Individual Conversations
Our Community
We started by engaging with the full Lee Montessori community to hear their input. Our plan is also guided by research into promising and proven practices in education and data about where we most need to accelerate learning development for our children – especially those who are the furthest from opportunity.
100+
Parents and caregivers
70+
TEACHERS, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS
35+
Focus Group and Individual Conversations
Our Students
Our student profile – developed from conversations with staff and families – defines who we want our students to be when they leave our doors, both as learners and as community members. Students who complete their primary and elementary education at Lee Montessori exemplify characteristics connected to our five core values:
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![Child smiles at camera while holding paper with a printed skeleton diagram]()
Growth
Seeks out learning experiences
Shows academic achievement and progress
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![Staff sits with two children outside]()
Equity
Respectful and inclusive of all
Navigates differences with empathy
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![Child blows bubbles on playground]()
Grace
Curious about the world around them
Engages with new perspectives
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![Staff plays game with child sitting at table]()
Joy
Demonstrates pride and confidence in themselves and their learning
Knows their own strengths and interests
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![Child plays and learns with map puzzle]()
Bravery
Shows agency and takes charge of their own learning
Helps others develop self-advocacy
Our North Star
To live up to our mission, we are re-committing to creating a learning community that is joyful, welcoming, and equitable for every child and family we serve.
By 2027, Lee Montessori will make significant progress in closing opportunity and learning gaps between groups of students – prioritizing gains for Black children, children with disabilities, and children who are designated “at-risk.”
We’ve identified four pillars that will support us in reaching our north star.
Invest in Our Teachers
Build a Mission-Aligned Culture
Improve Communication and Collaboration
Ground Our Practices in Data
PILLAR 1
Invest in Our Teachers
We know that a great teacher is the best investment we can make in a child’s learning and development. By June 2027, Lee Montessori will excel at recruiting and retaining diverse, high-performing educators.
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100% of staff receive appropriate and meaningful coaching
90% of staff rated as meeting or exceeding expectations
100% of teachers trained to meet the needs of priority populations, including Black and at-risk children
85% of staff agree that Lee Montessori identifies talent pipelines and provides resources for professional advancement
Retain 85% of our high-performing teachers of color with 95% of guides, assistants, and coaches of color having a clearly articulated path for advancement
PILLAR 2
Build a Mission-Aligned Culture
Furthering our mission starts with joyful, welcoming, and inclusive school communities for children and their families, staff, and partners. By June 2027, our culture will strongly reflect support and engagement of all members of our community.
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Lee Montessori’s Employee Net Promoter Score exceeds 60
75% of families feel they are partners in their child’s education, alongside staff and teachers
50% of families of children identified as at-risk participate in 1+ Family University session per year
75% of staff agree that our core values authentically guide their approach to working with students, families, and each other
80% of staff feel their voice and input are valued and used
PILLAR 3
Improve Communication and Collaboration
We believe collaboration and communication are the building blocks of community. By June 2027, our organizational communications will support connections between all and drive us toward our goal of closing opportunity gaps.
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90% of staff report knowing about and understanding how major policy, operational, and programmatic decisions are made
12 percentage point increase in families report feeling “in the know” about important events, opportunities, and policies at both their child’s campus and Lee Montessori as a whole
75% staff reporting that cross-campus collaboration opportunities have led to improvements in their practice
PILLAR 4
Ground Our Practices in Data
Looking holistically at data will shine a light on where Lee Montessori is most successful now and where we need to change our practice. By June 2027, everyone in our organization will know how to access and actively use data to make decisions and advance our progress.
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90% of staff have access to outcome-driven data and 85% of staff have access to data to determine own performance
80% of teacher managers report teachers using data to inform classroom strategies
80% of staff and 90% of families believe that leaders articulate a clear overarching vision that drives priorities, goals and decision-making within the school
We can’t do it without you!
Read the Full Report
Learn more about our community, our vision, and how we plan to reach our goal of closing opportunity gaps.