Skip To Main Content

In This Section

Strategic Plan

Learn. Live. Thrive.
2026-2033

“Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow is more than a theme or a tagline. It is a promise to honor the enduring values, relationships and educational excellence that have defined our school for generations while boldly embracing the opportunities of the future.” — Tyler Hodges, President and Head of School

As we embark on this strategic plan, we do so with deep gratitude for those who have shaped our legacy and with unwavering confidence in what lies ahead. The years leading to our centennial anniversary represent a pivotal chapter in our history, inviting us to build upon a strong foundation, inspire innovation and prepare students to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Guided by our mission and united by our community, this plan charts a course that celebrates our past, strengthens our present and positions our school to flourish for the next hundred years.

Our Mission

The Bolles School prepares students for college and life by inspiring excellence, courage, integrity and compassion in an academic community dedicated to nurturing mind, body, and soul.

Our Values

Character development initiatives are an important focus to the growth and development of Bolles students and a key part of the School's mission as embodied by our motto:

The Bolles Way: Pursuing excellence through courage, integrity, and compassion.

Our Strategic Pillars

Two young boys in blue shirts look at a 3D printer in the foreground, while other students work at desks in the background.

Strategic Pillar

Define a Next-Generation Academic Model

Reimagine the PK–12 academic program to ensure Bolles delivers a rigorous, relevant and forward-looking education that prepares students not just for college, but for a rapidly evolving world.

Read More

Read More

Conduct a comprehensive PK–12 review of academic programs, establishing clear vertical alignment, defined skill progressions and consistent academic expectations across all campuses
Integrate AI and emerging technologies into teaching and learning to enable personalized instruction, improve faculty efficiency and expand student agency
Elevate the academic program to national distinction by identifying and investing in 2–3 signature areas of excellence with aligned faculty, resources and visibility
Expand interdisciplinary and real-world learning frameworks across subject areas, reinforcing the application of knowledge and development of critical thinking skills
Strengthen the role of faculty as intellectual coaches through professional growth, innovation and alignment with a future-ready instructional model

Strategic Pillar

Lead in Applied & Immersive Learning

Position Bolles as a leader in experiential education by shifting from traditional, siloed instruction to a dynamic model that emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, real-world application and student-driven experiences.

Read More

Read More

Design and implement a PreK–12 interdisciplinary immersive learning model that integrates project-based learning, exhibitions and real-world application
Pilot and scale immersive learning blocks across divisions, beginning with targeted grade levels and expanding through a phased implementation
Build strategic partnerships with external organizations to support internships, mentorships and applied learning experiences
Develop portfolio-based systems that capture student growth, mastery and readiness for college and beyond
Reposition traditional academic structures, including AP pathways, to prioritize depth of learning, mastery and relevance while maintaining strong college outcomes

Strategic Pillar

Center the Whole Student: Character, Wellness & Belonging

Strengthen Bolles’ commitment to developing students of character by creating a cohesive, vertically aligned approach to wellness, belonging, leadership and personal growth.

Read More

Read More

Establish measurable and integrated Character Education graduation requirements aligned with the Portrait of a Graduate across PreK–12
Redesign and institutionalize the advisory model to ensure every student is known, supported and guided academically, socially and emotionally
Implement a shared wellness and resilience framework with consistent language, practices and expectations across all divisions
Expand leadership development opportunities and student experiences that foster belonging, collaboration and ethical decision-making
Build systems to monitor and respond to student well-being, engagement and support needs through proactive and data-informed practices

Strategic Pillar

Deliver Exceptional Outcomes for Every Student

Ensure that every Bolles student graduates with a clear sense of purpose and is exceptionally well-prepared for college, career, and life.

Read More

Read More

Define and implement a best-in-class college counseling program aligned with the expectations of top in-state and national institutions
Enhance how Bolles measures, validates, and communicates student readiness through GPA alignment, testing strategy and clear academic signaling
Strengthen student narrative development through portfolios, mentorship and advisory systems
Expand pathways that support diverse student interests, including academic, athletic and pre-professional trajectories
Begin college readiness and pathway exploration earlier in the student experience to reduce anxiety and increase alignment

Strategic Pillar

Protect and Advance the Bolles Model

Secure the long-term sustainability and independence of the school while expanding access to a broader and more diverse group of students.

Read More

Read More

Grow the endowment to support long-term financial independence, stability and expanded access
Increase financial aid and access initiatives to broaden and strengthen the applicant pool
Develop a clear and comprehensive understanding of the total cost of educating a Bolles student and the gap between cost and tuition
Align financial strategy with enrollment, fundraising and programmatic priorities to support strategic growth
Implement sustainable financial practices that reduce reliance on tuition increases while preserving program quality

Strategic Planning Monitoring and Implementation Committee

Brad Arrowsmith '96
Trustee

Sujata Deshmukh
Trustee

Tyler Hodges
President and Head of School

Andrew Forrester
Associate Head of School

Carol Nimitz
Chief Advancement Officer

Kila McCann
Dean of Enrollment and Accessibility

Jeff Role
Chief Finance Officer/Chief Operations Officer

Jan Olson
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications

Anna Buehn
Director of College Counseling

Paul Sollee '88
Chief Technology Officer

Crissy Nussbaum
Director of Human Resources

Christy Lusk
Head of Lower School Whitehurst Campus

Special Thanks to the
2025-26 Strategic Priorities Teams

1) Future-Ready Teaching & Learning

Billy Kappaz
Co-Chair
Trustee

Josh Pearson
Co-Chair
Middle School Bartram Campus Faculty

Josh Bauman
Head of Middle School Bartram Campus

Andrea Benitez
Lower School Whitehurst Campus Faculty

Ali Chahlavi
Former Trustee

Sujata (Sue) Deshmukh
Trustee

Jim McIntyre
Administration

Melissa Ross
Lower School Ponte Vedra Beach Campus Faculty

Frank Sanchez
Trustee

Paul Sollee '88
Chief Technology Officer
Alumnus

2) Magnet for Exceptional Educators

Andrew Forrester
Co-Chair
Associate Head of School

Crissy Nussbaum
Co-Chair
Director of Human Resources & Risk Management

Dan Dross '76
Board of Trustees Treasurer
Alumnus

Christy Lusk
Head of Lower School Whitehurst Campus

Michael Meyers
Former Trustee

Laura Rippel
Director of Fine & Performing Arts

Lauren Rueger
Trustee

Abby Sander '09
Upper School San Jose Campus Faculty
Alumna

Karen Stone
Trustee

Chris Stubbs '67
Alumnus

3) Student Thriving, Belonging & Character Development

Marion Cangemi
Co-Chair
Trustee

Kila McCann
Co-Chair
Dean of Enrollment & Accessibility

DeCovan (Dee) Brown '86
Trustee
Alumnus

Chris Butler
Director of Transportation, Safety & Security

Suzanne Carlino
Head of Lower School Ponte Vedra Beach Campus

Darsi Edwards
Parent Association Chair

Jan Olson
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications

Kathryn Pearson Peyton
Former Trustee

DeWayne Terry '84
Trustee
Alumnus

Matt Wotiz
Trustee

4) Sustainable Access, Endowment Growth & Institutional Independence

Mike Hodge '90
Trustee
Alumnus

Derek O'Leary
Trustee

Bill Erwin '80
Trustee
Alumnus

Dana Fender
Trustee

Julia Kalinski
Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving

Michael Morales '96
Trustee
Alumnus

Rusty Newton
Trustee

Carol Nimitz
Chief Advancement Officer

Jeff Role
Chief Finance Office/Chief Operations Officer

Karen Gray '84 Bartram
Former Alumni Board Chair
Alumna

5) Pathways to College, Career & Purpose

Brad Arrowsmith '96
Co-Chair
Trustee
Alumnus

Tatiana Salvador '86
Co-Chair
Board of Trustees Chair
Alumna

Jed Davis
Board of Trustees Secretary

Lindsay Eyrick '98
Trustee
Alumna

Kim Gillespie
Executive Assistant - President's Office

Tyler Hodges
President and Head of School

Moya Marks
Head of Upper School San Jose Campus

Tim Miller '05
Alumni Board Chair
Alumnus

Rock Pillsbury
Director of Athletics

John Surface '90
Board of Trustees Vice Chair
Alumnus