Rooted in the founding principle that “students learn best by doing,” The Bush School enters its second century in a position of strength and opportunity. The school offers a K-12 educational program grounded in an impactful experiential education model that prepares graduates to think deeply, act ethically, solve problems creatively, navigate nuance, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The school balances its commitment to learning by doing with an outstanding program defined by academic excellence and authentic rigor grounded in intellectual exploration, depth of thinking, and the capacity to grapple with multiple—and sometimes contradictory— perspectives.

Bush’s experiential, relationship-centered approach prepares students to navigate complexity and contribute thoughtfully in an ever-changing world. Across every subject area, our faculty offer hands-on, exploratory learning opportunities that teach students to think critically and creatively while fostering a sense of agency, curiosity, and responsibility for the world around them.

This plan reflects extensive input gathered from students, parents and guardians, alumni, faculty and staff, our Board of Trustees, and other stakeholders through more than a year of conversations, including listening sessions, inquiry teams, and a Saturday community-wide Strategic Design Day. In the following pages, we share our five-year vision for advancing academic excellence, leading the way in experiential education, maximizing our school’s K-12 advantage, and building a sustainable financial model for the future.

Building on the work of recent strategic plans, we will focus on deepening the programs, relationships, and hands-on learning opportunities at the heart of the Bush experience, while inspiring within our students a desire to act, lead, care, and commit to positively impacting their communities.

A commitment to diversity, equity, community, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of the school from its earliest history and continues in this strategic plan. Socioeconomic diversity remains a priority through a robust and growing financial aid program. Expanding financial accessibility to a Bush education remains essential to the school’s mission and future. Ensuring ongoing accessibility strengthens the diverse community that enriches the learning experience for all Bush students.

A sustained commitment to racial and ethnic diversity continues to be a deeply important priority. Likewise, we believe that neurodiversity, like all other forms of diversity, enriches our community and makes us stronger. At Bush equity, inclusion, and accessibility are integrated into all aspects of the student experience.

Continuing to attract and retain outstanding faculty and staff is also critical to our ability to continue to deliver on The Bush School mission.

I believe it is our responsibility to inspire hope and agency in our students by providing opportunities for them to live with purpose in service to others.

While continuing to celebrate, invest in, and build on our outstanding arts and athletic programs, we renew our commitment to community engagement and civic action, and extend Helen Taylor Bush’s founding principle toward one that emphasizes the importance of service to others.

In this plan, The Bush School continues its long-held dedication to nurturing critical, independent, and creative thinking; ethical judgment and action; intercultural fluency; and local and global citizenship. With a keen awareness of the ever-changing technological and economic landscape, we remain focused on preparing young people for the challenges and uncertainties ahead.

Together, we seek to continue our commitment to cultivating graduates who are open to new perspectives; grounded in community and belonging; and prepared to lead lives of purpose, service, and contribution to their communities.

In partnership,
Atul Bali, Chair, Strategic Planning Committee
Sarah Smith, Head of School
Quentin Streets, President, Board of Trustees

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The Bush School will provide deeply connected, uniquely K-12 experiences in which every student grows within one community. This community includes our extensive alumni family, with whom we aim to engage in partnership, mentorship, and service programs to further strengthen Blazer bonds. Students, with alumni support, will learn, play, belong, and lead together through shared experiences, thoughtful transitions, and meaningful engagement with one another in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. A profound commitment to community service learning and civic engagement as an expression of equity in action will anchor the K-12 experience at Bush.

A robust and enduring financial framework will allow The Bush School to attract and retain outstanding faculty, provide increased affordability and access through a stable financial aid program, support strategic initiatives, and position the school for critical partnerships.