SYWTSAS Questionnaire

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Initial Team Questionnaire

This questionnaire is based on the book So You Want to Start A School? by Brian Daigle. Individuals completing this questionnaire should have first read the book and met with Brian, to ensure the most is gained from this questionnaire. The results from this questionnaire will be confidential and will only be shared with the Initial Team. Please do not write anything here you do not want shared with the Initial Team at future meetings. Please complete each question thoroughly and clearly.

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Name *

First

Last

Email *

Part One: Who is doing what?

What has been your role so far? Are you pleased with continuing in this role, or would you like it to change? *

Who do you consider to be on the Initial Team? Put first and last name. *

"These are the individuals who have decided to start the school, the ones meeting haphazardly at the coffee shop until they decide to formalize it, get a plan, and see what they can do. This team will do the majority of the thinking, planning, leading, teaching, and convening in order to get the school started. It’s best this Initial Team is no more than five people. Perhaps seven at the most. It could even be two or three. One is a cult. To be avoided. This Initial Team will be the brains, the worker bees, the first Donors, the cheerleaders, and perhaps even the Instructors for the first few years. The persons on this Initial Team, like any startup, must have energy, communication skills, and a basic love and respect for one another. A multitude of abilities and interests is ideal but not necessary." (Daigle, p.3)

Who do you consider the Cornerstone? *

"This is the individual who will be at the top during the planning and launch phase. Perhaps this person will become Head of School or Board President, but that is not necessarily the case. This person will be responsible for calling and running meetings for the Initial Team, and this person will have the final say, if it comes down to that. Think of this person as the quarterback, the CEO, the choral conductor, or the paterfamilias. There are a few prerequisites for this position: comfort in leading and making decisions, ability to delegate, and looks for opportunities to organize and communicate. This is often times the person with the most knowledge about education theory and the direction of the school, but that doesn’t have to be the case." (Daigle, p.3)

Has the Initial Team identified or hired Administration? If not, do you have someone in mind? *

"This is the person or persons who will formally hold administrative responsibilities during the life of the school. On the first day of school in the first year, there needs to be at least one Administrator. The team can be built from there. It is ideal that the first Administrator at a start-up school is able to teach a few classes, train the teachers, organize the school, think big picture but also get into the day-to-day details. Communication is key, but so is vision casting, meeting with parents, and making sure school documents are uniformed. This person should be neither timid nor tyrannical, neither passive nor pushy." (Daigle, p.3)

Has the Initial Team identified or hired Instructors? If not, do you have someone in mind? *

"These are the in-class teachers, implementing curricula, enacting policies and procedures, and most often shaping the culture of the school. Choose wisely. Ultimately, who your Instructors are is who the children will start to become." (Daigle, p.5)

According to your estimation, how many families are interested in sending their children to your new school? *

What can you tell me about Partners and Donors who have shown interest? *

"Donors These are persons or institutions willing to support your school by charitable and financial giving. There are various kinds of Donors, in amount, motivation, and relationship. It’s important, as the school gets started, to not make too much of this category, but it is also important as the school grows to not neglect the importance of this group. Partners These are persons or institutions who are providing non-monetary gifts or services to assist your school. This could be a local print shop giving discounts on printing needs or a local church allowing you to use their classroom space. The school should always be looking for Partners of all kind: prayer, marketing, academic, and those who have a desire and the resources to creatively support the mission and vision of the school." (Daigle, p.5)

Part Two: What have you done?

Please check all that has been completed to date.

Phase 1: Gather *

The Initial Team is set. You have written and confirmed a missions statement. You have a name and logo. Grades and class schedule is set. A tuition amount is decided. You have held at least one informational meeting. Legal paperwork has been filed (LLC, etc.) A checking account has been opened. A website is designed and active. Facilities are secured. A Student Handbook and Registration Packet are complete. We have not done anything in Phase 1.

Phase 2: Launch *

You have started to advertise online and around the city. You have a few more interest meetings scheduled. An enrollment date is set and people are hearing about it. You have identified and confirmed a Head of School. You have identified and confirmed Board Members. We have not done anything in Phase 2.

Phase 3: Fly *

You have opened enrollment in full. You have met your minimum number of students needed. The Initial Team has closed its work and passed the baton to the Board or Head of School. School Board has met and is moving forward with a budget and with hiring. School calendar is set and teacher training is planned. We have not done anything in Phase 3.

Part Three: What will you do?

Right now you are part of the Initial Team, but one day that will dissolve and you will have a relationship to this entity you have helped build. Please answer the following questions in that light.

In the first year, which of the following would you consider doing? Check all that apply. *

Head of School Other Administrator Instructor Board President Board Member Just a volunteer I'm not interested in assisting in any capacity.

Which would you consider in the future but not the first year? *

Head of School Other Administrator Instructor Board President Board Member Just a volunteer I don't plan to help in the future.

What else would you like me to know? *

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Non-Discriminatory Policy: Sequitur Classical Academy admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally afforded or made available to students at the school.