A high school graduate in his cap and gown standing with a younger sister who is also wearing a grad cap as both smile.

Grand Haven Area Plublic Schools Strategic Plan

Background & Purpose

In 2024, Grand Haven Area Public Schools set out to develop a new district strategic plan to guide the district's priorities and shape the educational experience for students and their families over the next decade and beyond. 

The purpose of the GHAPS Strategic Plan is to provide a clear, long-term roadmap that outlines the district's goals, priorities, and actions necessary to achieve its vision for the future. 

Plan Overview

The Grand Haven Area Public Schools 2025 Strategic Plan focuses on the following key themes:

Rigorous, Relevant, & Engaging Learning

We empower every student to thrive in an ever-evolving world by providing relevant, rigorous, and engaging learning experiences that spark curiosity, foster critical thinking, and prepare them for a successful future.

Priority initiatives include:

  • Develop a clear vision for student learning that focuses on the traits we want all students to develop and is rigorous, relevant, and engaging 
  • Redesign curricular resources and instructional methods so they align with our vision for student learning
  • Implement the redesigned curriculum
  • Create a culture that supports student well-being and personal growth


Communication, Transparency, & Trust

We are a beacon of pride in our community, fostering trust through transparency, open communication, and genuine collaboration.

Priority initiatives include:

  • Set clear expectations for communication
  • Develop and implement a community engagement plan
  • Intentionally tell our story

Financial Responsibility & Sustainability

We manage our resources responsibly to meet the needs of our students, staff,  schools, and broader community today, while planning carefully to ensure long-term stability.

Priority initiatives include:

  •  Ensure that GHAPS facilities support student learning and safety
  • Stabilize enrollment
  • Set & share key financial metrics
  • Ensure resources align with priorities

Timeline

During the first half of the 2024-2025 school year, the district began laying the foundation for this work by gathering feedback from staff, students, families, and the community, including:

  • 1,500+ survey responses
  • Community listening sessions
  • School walk-throughs and staff meetings
  • Student advisory committees
  • Development of a Capital Projects Committee


A Strategic Plan Working Group was formed to provide valuable insights and serve as a sounding board to help shape a long-term plan focused on student learning outcomes and reflective of the needs and aspirations of the entire community. The Working Group, comprised largely of educators representing all schools and grade levels, also included many with intersecting and overlapping roles as parents and community members with a wide range of interests and perspectives.

The group met monthly from January through May 2025 to review data, identify strengths, opportunities, and challenges, develop goal statements, and prioritize initiatives to drive the work ahead.

  • January: Kickoff
  • February: Data Review
  • March: Set Goals
  • April: Design Initiatives
  • May: Roadmap and Communications Plan Development

In June 2025, Superintendent Perkowski and members of the Strategic Plan Working Group presented an update to the GHAPS School Board. The presentation from the meeting is available to view here.

Through various communications channels, events, and engagement opportunities, the district will share its Strategic Plan with staff, families, students, and the broader community.

As the district carries out the initiatives associated with this plan, it will track progress and provide regular updates on the district website.

Refreshed Mission, Values, and Tagline

During the strategic planning process, it became clear to the GHAPS leadership team that the district's mission, values, and tagline would benefit from a refresh with new insights from our stakeholders.

The GHAPS leadership team took what it learned from the surveys, site visits, and listening sessions throughout the strategic planning process to develop draft language and then asked for the community to weigh in by taking a survey.

As a result, the district adopted the following in June 2025:

Mission

(The “why” — What is our core purpose?)

Committed to creating a learning environment where students are challenged to think critically, act responsibly, and lead with purpose.

Values

(The “how” — What principles guide our behavior and decisions?)

Inspiring Growth. Empowering Futures.

Tagline

(A memorable and inspiring reflection of the district's core values and goals.)

We are… 

  • Student-Centered: Prioritizing student learning, well-being, and success in every decision. 

And we lead with…

  • Care: Cultivating empathy, respect, and belonging for all.
  • Collaboration: Growing stronger through community, connection, and shared purpose. 
  • Integrity: Acting with honesty, transparency, and accountability. 
  • Curiosity: Inspiring lifelong learning through inquiry and exploration.
  • Excellence: Expecting high standards in teaching, learning, and leadership.

Vision

The district's current Vision Statement is "Success for All, Takes Us All." 

An updated Vision Statement will be determined through our Strategic Planning work, in alignment with a Vision for Student Learning and Portrait of a Graduate.