Strategic Plan
Grounded in our Catholic faith and committed to excellence in service to our community, we are proud to present our 2026-2031 Strategic Plan. This plan is centered on four priority domains: Mission-Driven Faith Formation; Financial Stewardship and Campus Excellence; Wellness, Belonging, and Community Connections; and Teaching, Learning, and Digital Innovation. Each domain represents a strategic priority with clear objectives to guide the Academy boldly into the future.
Together, these domain priorities reflect our focus on elevating student learning, supporting faculty growth, and strengthening our diverse campus community. As Kansas City’s oldest school, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and sponsored by St. Joseph Educational Ministries, we are honored to continue the school’s legacy. Our founders’ charism to love God and the dear neighbor without distinction remains our guiding principle.
This strategic plan was developed through a collaborative process, shaped by the voices of faculty, staff, students, the STA Board of Directors, and parents, whose insights were gathered through a survey in the spring. We are confident these strategic domains will position St. Teresa’s Academy for meaningful and lasting impact.
Our plan serves as a clear blueprint for advancing the Academy’s vision and mission as a leading high school for young women, rooted in academic excellence, faith, and purpose. We will pursue every goal assiduously. Each domain and objective in our plan has equal importance. Domains and objectives are not listed by priority or rank.
St. Teresa’s Academy’s promising future will be realized through the intentional alignment and execution of this strategic plan. We invite all members of our community including faculty, staff, students, and partners to join us in bringing this vision to fruition.
St. Teresa’s Academy Priority Domains at a Glance
The image below represents the Academy’s strategic plan priority domains, thoughtfully structured around the guiding words of St. Teresa of Avila: In this house, all must be friends, all must be loved, all must be held dear, all must be helped.
Our mission-driven commitment to faith and formation serves as the foundation, grounding all that we do. The walls reflect the environments we intentionally cultivate – innovative teaching and learning, and wellness, belonging, and meaningful community connections. The roof represents our dedication to financial stewardship and the creation of positive, supportive campus experiences for our community.
The lace woven throughout symbolizes the enduring traditions of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, whose legacy continues to shape our values and vision. Finally, the doors represent the welcoming of all students and families – prospective and current – guiding students along their academic journeys, and sending graduates forward equipped with the skills, character, and confidence defined in our Portrait of a Graduate competencies – prepared to lead, serve, and thrive in the world beyond the Academy.
As a Catholic school rooted in the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph and sponsored by St. Joseph Educational Ministries, we are committed to our mission of “moving toward a profound love of God and neighbor.” This mission is lived out across all areas of school life, including faith formation, liturgy and sacraments, academics, advisory, co-curricular and athletic programs, and school policies. We strive to create a unified and authentic expression of Catholic identity that is clearly reflected in our culture, our relationships, and the daily life of our community.
St. Teresa’s Academy is committed to exceptional community and financial stewardship in support of our mission and long-term sustainability. We provide high-quality campus experiences by investing in our people, facilities, and resources, and by fostering strong engagement with our students, families, alumnae, and the broader community.
STA is committed to fostering an environment where every individual feels a sense of value, safety, and inclusion. Rooted in the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph, we believe that our mission is most powerfully realized through intentional, faith-filled connections and collaboration.
This domain centers on the holistic wellbeing and belonging of our students and staff, while intentionally engaging the broader STA community – including prospective parents and students, current and future donors, alumnae, and local partners. By strengthening these relationships, we cultivate a vibrant, inclusive community that reflects the diversity of those we serve and expands opportunities for connection and support.
Through these efforts, we build a strong, interconnected network that empowers our students to grow, lead, and thrive, while engaging the broader STA community in understanding and supporting the STA Portrait of a Graduate.
St. Teresa’s Academy cultivates intellectually curious, confident young women who think critically, communicate effectively, and engage deeply in their learning. Grounded in Catholic values and a commitment to educating the whole person, instruction advances our Portrait of a Graduate by challenging students to integrate knowledge across disciplines and thoughtfully reflect on purpose, ethics, and responsibility. Technology is intentionally integrated as a tool to enhance inquiry, creativity, collaboration, and real‑world problem solving, preparing students to navigate an increasingly complex and digital world. Teaching and learning practices promote student agency, balance, and wellbeing while encouraging intellectual risk taking and resilience. The Academy will continue to refine its instructional and digital practices to graduate faith‑inspired women equipped to lead, serve, and create meaningful change.
Our Portrait of a Graduate framework defines how we equip our students for success. These tenets – Confident, Critical Thinker, Objective Communicator, Faith-Inspired Woman, Balanced Individual, and Inspired Changemaker – reflect the enduring strengths of an education at St. Teresa’s Academy.