mission statement of an educational institution

How to Write School Mission and Vision Statements

Cultivating a sense of shared educational values, goals, and ideals for a school is one of the primary ways that leaders can inspire positive outcomes in their institutions. In fact, research shows that a positive school culture—defined as the collective values and beliefs of a school’s staff—can:

• Increase attendance rates and academic achievement
• Elevate school morale significantly
• Improve staff wellbeing
• Reduce aggressive behavior in students
• Lessen teacher turnover

One way that educational leaders can establish and encourage a positive culture that benefits everyone on campus is by creating well-written school mission and vision statements. Such statements set the tone for staff and students alike, making the purpose of the school clear and inspiring everyone to join together in realizing it. Learning how to write school mission and vision statements is an important step for educators who want to lead their institutions to succeed.

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Why School Mission and Vision Statements Matter

Mission and vision statements help to set the course for a school. These statements communicate core educational values, speak to the culture of the institution, and provide faculty, staff, students, and community members with ideals to reach for in participation with the school. 

In addition to communicating what is important to a school, mission and vision statements can also be useful for creating unity on campus. A clear mission and vision statement communicate to everyone involved at the school what they are collectively aspiring to attain. When individuals share a purpose, they may be more likely to trust one another, engage in collaboration, and have a positive experience in the school setting. 

When it comes to teachers, in particular, mission and vision statements can be effective in a few ways. First, being aligned on a mission and vision can help prospective candidates and hirers determine if a teacher is a good fit for the school. Additionally, teachers—who are often overwhelmed and overworked—can look to their school’s mission or vision statement for guidance in prioritizing their tasks and setting their focus when many things call for their attention at once. Finally, teachers can benefit from strong school mission and vision statements when it comes to their relationships with fellow teachers as well as with students, as the common language and purpose of the statements provide common ground for those relationships. 

Students may experience several key benefits of school mission and vision statements, too. The Values Education Good Practice Schools Project found that well-written vision statements can improve student-teacher relationships. The project also discovered that students in schools with good vision statements that truly impacted the day-to-day culture of the school enjoyed more calm and focused class activities. Lastly, students were more empowered to develop self-regulation and self-management skills in schools with strong vision statements. 

What Are the Differences between Mission and Vision?

While school mission and vision statements have some overlap, there are a few key distinctions between the two. 

The primary difference between a mission statement and a vision statement is that a mission statement describes the school’s current and/or founding identity and the key values that characterize the school as it is in the present. A vision statement, on the other hand, looks forward to the future. Oftentimes, a mission statement will begin with a phrase like “[School name] is…” while a vision statement might begin with “[School name] will be known for…”

In other words, a mission statement is largely a definition of the school, answering questions like:

• What is important to this school? 
• How does this school seek to reach its objectives?
• What are the fundamental traits, cultural influences, or beliefs of this school?

A vision statement, on the other hand, answers questions such ask:

• What does this school aspire to accomplish in the years to come? 
• What does the school want to become known for doing?
• How would this school define future success?

While school mission and vision statements will likely arise from the same core values, they serve two different purposes. The mission statement speaks to the school’s operations in the present. The vision statement speaks to the school’s hopes and intentions for the future. 

Who Should Be Involved in Writing and Approving School Mission and Vision Statements? What Is the Process Like?

Experts agree that gathering insight from a diverse population can help create the best school mission and vision statements. By including various groups of people connected to the school—including teachers, students, administration, parents, and community members—education leaders can ensure that they are gathering as comprehensive of a perspective as possible. While it’s important to hear from a variety of people, education leaders should take care not to grow the group too large, as it could become difficult to find consensus or be productive.

Once a group has been established, discussion can begin. Educational values are a good place to start. Through data, anecdotes, and personal perspectives, group members can share their perceptions of the school’s current values or the values that should be prioritized. Identifying strengths and opportunities for growth can be insightful as well. 

From there, the group members can discuss what their hopes are for the future of the school. What outcomes might the school’s educational values help produce? What does the school want to be known for in 5, 10, or 20 years? What are the school’s current priorities, and how might they be reordered for greater success? 

Once a group has gathered, identified the school’s values, and discussed hopes for the future, then it is time to write the first draft. 

How to Write a Mission Statement

At this point in the process, it is likely that there could be several pages of notes filled with ideas, values, and hopes for the future that the group has produced. This is exactly what is needed in order to write a mission statement, but condensing the content into a succinct sentence or paragraph may feel daunting.

Reading the mission statements of other schools and organizations may be helpful at this stage. Consider, for example, the Marymount University mission statement:

Marymount is a comprehensive Catholic university, guided by the traditions of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, that emphasizes intellectual curiosity, service to others, and a global perspective. A Marymount education is grounded in the liberal arts, promotes career preparation, and provides opportunities for personal and professional growth. A student‐centered learning community that values diversity and focuses on the education of the whole person, Marymount guides the intellectual, ethical, and spiritual development of each individual.

Notice that this mission statement fulfills several key objectives:

• Communicates a value system (Catholic)
• Sets priorities (intellectual curiosity, service, global perspective)
• Establishes an educational framework (liberal arts)
• Describes the community (student-centered, diverse, holistic)

At the elementary school level, a mission statement may read something like:

Our school fosters a love of lifelong learning by guiding each student to build foundational academic skills that will contribute to their ongoing success and by encouraging creative collaboration in an inclusive environment.

This statement makes clear that the school values the love of learning, basic skill development, and cultivating a positive community. 

How to Write a Vision Statement 

School vision statements should align with the values communicated in school mission statements, but they need to communicate forward thinking as well. The Marymount University vision statement reads:

Marymount, a leading Catholic university, will be nationally recognized for innovation and commitment to student success, alumni achievement, and faculty and staff excellence.

This statement:

• Succinctly describes the school (a leading Catholic university)
• Sets the scope for success (national) 
• Establishes goals to attain (recognition in student success, alumni achievement, faculty and staff excellence) 

A high school vision statement may read something like:

Our school will develop critical thinkers who model an inclusive spirit and graduate prepared for success in a profession or higher education.

This statement communicates that critical thinking and inclusivity are prioritized educational values at the school and that employability and admission to college are the standards for success.

Lead in Education with Vision and Values

Do you want to develop a school mission statement that clearly communicates the educational values of the institution you lead? Are you interested in setting academic standards, establishing a campus culture, and doing the work to produce positive future outcomes as an education leader? If so, the Marymount University Online Doctorate in Education program can help you reach your professional goals.

Created for working professionals, Marymount’s flexible online Ed.D. allows students to personalize their coursework according to their vocational goals. Students in the program cite many personal benefits , including building relationships with fellow students and faculty members, honing their project completion skills, and improving their research abilities. 

Student Alexander Gagnet says, “What I love best about the program is the care and attention the faculty put into the success of all the students. You really feel wanted and appreciated for your hard work and effort.” 

Students also appreciate the way that the program allows them to meet their personal and professional obligations while in school. 

“Not to be ignored is the fact that the online program allows you to be who you are AND be a student,” explains Marie Gemelli-Carroll . “It is a key benefit to be able to do classwork on your own time as long as you meet the assigned deadlines.”

Are you ready to further your career by earning a doctorate in education? Marymount University’s online Ed.D. features a practical curriculum and is a top program choice that will prepare you to lead positive change in education. Click here to connect with an enrollment advisor . 

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Mission Statement for Education Industry

Immerse yourself in the world of education through our comprehensive guide, offering mission statement examples specific to the education industry. Here, you’ll gain insights into how successful educational institutions frame their purpose, ambition, and value proposition. This guide is a must-read for educators, administrators, and education leaders aiming to craft a compelling mission statement that effectively communicates their organization’s commitment to enriching lives through quality education. Discover how to write a mission statement that resonates with your stakeholders and aligns with your core educational values.

What is the Best Example of Education Industry Mission Statement?

One of the finest examples of an education industry mission statement comes from Harvard University: “To educate the citizens and citizen-leaders for our society. We do this through our commitment to the transformative power of a liberal arts and sciences education.”

Harvard’s mission statement succinctly communicates its commitment to the education of individuals who will make a difference in the world, embodying both their goal as an institution and the fundamental purpose of education itself. It exemplifies a commitment to empowering students, fostering leaders, and facilitating societal progress through education.

100 Mission Statements of Top Educational Brands / Institutions in the World

Dive into the educational philosophies of the globe’s leading institutions with our curated list of mission statements. These powerful declarations embody each institution’s commitment to educational excellence, societal transformation, and student empowerment, offering a unique glimpse into their values and vision for the future.

1. Harvard University: “To educate the citizens and citizen-leaders for our society. We do this through our commitment to the transformative power of a liberal arts and sciences education.”

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): “To advance knowledge and educate students in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century.”

3. University of Cambridge: “To contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence.”

4. Stanford University: “To create a culture of excellence and an inclusive community that values diversity and fosters collaboration, innovation, creativity, respect, and social responsibility.”

5. University of Oxford: “To lead in areas of national and global significance through the transformative power of education and research.”

6. California Institute of Technology (Caltech): “To expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education.”

7. University of Chicago: “To produce a caliber of teaching and research that regularly leads to advances in fields such as medicine, biology, physics, economics, critical theory, and public policy.”

8. Princeton University: “To serve humanity by educating leaders for a global society and advancing the frontiers of knowledge.”

9. Columbia University: “To transform the traditional learning experience and to enhance our understanding of the world, through the power of research, innovation, and discovery.”

10. Yale University: “To create, preserve, and disseminate knowledge, to educate leaders who will serve all sectors of society, and to encourage the search for truth, even when it leads in unexpected directions.”

11. University of California, Berkeley: “To provide leadership in teaching, research, and public service and to generate and disseminate knowledge, fostering creativity, and shaping the global future.”

12. University of Pennsylvania: “To advance the well-being of the people of the world, through the power of learning, innovation, and the promotion of health.”

13. University of Michigan: “To serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.”

14. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich): “To provide a superior technical education that emphasizes the understanding and development of fundamental principles.”

15. University of Tokyo: “To contribute to global society through the pursuit of education, research, and public service, rooted in the spirit of liberal and practical education.”

16. University of Toronto: “To serve the public interest by advancing human potential and promoting a just society through education, scholarship, and engagement with our communities.”

17. Cornell University: “To discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge; to educate the next generation of global citizens; and to promote a culture of broad inquiry throughout and beyond the Cornell community.”

18. University College London: “To empower our students and staff to work together to influence the world through impactful research, innovation, and education.”

19. Johns Hopkins University: “To educate our students and cultivate their capacity for lifelong learning, to foster independent and original research, and to bring the benefits of discovery to the world.”

20. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): “To create, disseminate, preserve, and apply knowledge for the betterment of our global society.”

21. Peking University: “To strive for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge, and to foster talents with a harmonious integration of profound humanistic spirit, scientific spirit, and the spirit of seeking truth from facts.”

22. National University of Singapore: “To transform the way people think and do things through education, research and service, and create a better world for all.”

23. Tsinghua University: “To promote the development of science and technology for the benefit of mankind, and to cultivate future leaders who can change the world.”

24. Australian National University: “To be a world-leading university, recognised internationally for our distinctive contributions to society through the pursuit of knowledge, education, and research at the highest levels of excellence.”

25. Duke University: “To engage in erudition, research, teaching, and service that benefit society and contribute to the betterment of the human condition.”

26. University of British Columbia: “To inspire people, ideas, and actions for a better world.”

27. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: “To be the nation’s leading public university by extending the frontiers of knowledge and creativity, nurturing a culture of discovery, and preparing students to become thoughtful, responsible citizens of the world.”

28. London School of Economics: “To provide the best means of learning about the social world, its basic structures, and the principles upon which it works.”

29. University of Melbourne: “To enrich our understanding of the world, foster a global community, advance health and wellbeing, and celebrate diversity.”

30. McGill University: “To provide our students with the best education available, create knowledge through research and scholarship, address important social issues, and strive for innovation in all that we do.”

31. University of Sydney: “To be a global leader in academic inquiry and education, and to empower our community to change the world around us.”

32. King’s College London: “To educate informed and critical thinkers who can shape society, and to investigate the most pressing questions of the twenty-first century.”

33. University of Pennsylvania: “To advance knowledge, to foster learning, to cultivate talent, and to galvanize the power of new thinking.”

34. University of Michigan: “To serve the people by creating and disseminating knowledge, fostering intellectual growth, and developing leaders who can make a positive difference in the world.”

35. Yale University: “To improve the world today and for future generations through outstanding research and scholarship, education, preservation, and practice.”

36. Princeton University: “To advance learning through scholarship, research, and teaching of unsurpassed quality, with an emphasis on undergraduate and doctoral education that is distinctive among the world’s great universities.”

37. University of Cambridge: “To contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence.”

38. Oxford University: “To lead the world in research and education, and engage with society to transform the world for the better.”

39. Stanford University: “To become a purposeful university, driven by a spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship and public service.”

40. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: “To advance knowledge and educate students in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century.”

41. Harvard University: “To create knowledge, to open the minds of students to that knowledge, and to enable students to take best advantage of their educational opportunities.”

42. California Institute of Technology: “To expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education.”

43. University of Chicago: “To produce a caliber of teaching and research that regularly leads to advances in fields such as medicine, biology, physics, economics, critical theory, and the arts.”

44. Columbia University: “To engage with the world, through teaching and learning, to challenge ideas, reinvent understanding and contribute to society.”

45. University of California, Berkeley: “To distinguish itself as a leader in teaching, scholarship, and public service.”

46. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine: “To improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice.”

47. University of São Paulo: “To generate, disseminate, and apply innovative, integrated, interdisciplinary knowledge, placing science, art, and culture at the service of society.”

48. University of Edinburgh: “To create, share and apply knowledge in free and open intellectual inquiry and ensure our research, teaching and learning is accessible, inclusive and relevant.”

49. Karolinska Institute: “To improve human health through the pursuit of excellence in research, education, contributions to society, and clinical practice.”

50. University of Oslo: “To gain and disseminate knowledge and understanding for the benefit of humankind.”

51. University of Zurich: “To offer high-quality education, generate knowledge, and provide services that benefit society, science, and business.”

52. University of Paris: “To serve society as an international and interdisciplinary hub of knowledge, promoting innovation, creativity, and the cross-pollination of ideas.”

53. University of Hong Kong: “To nurture globally-minded graduates with an in-depth understanding of Asia, and to advance knowledge through research and scholarship in areas of world importance.”

54. University of Toronto: “Boundlessly curious and rigorously intellectual, we aim to redefine the role of a leading research university.”

55. University of Tokyo: “To cultivate global leaders with a broad perspective and creative vision, inquisitive minds and cultural sophistication along with a strong sense of social responsibility.”

56. University of Singapore: “To influence the future through nurturing talents, advancing knowledge and impacting society to create a better world.”

57. University of British Columbia: “Inspiring people, ideas and actions for a better world.”

58. The University of Adelaide: “To be consistently ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide and a destination of choice for high-performing researchers, students, government and industry partners.”

59. University of Copenhagen: “To provide research and research-based teaching at the highest international level within all the main areas of science.”

60. University of Montreal: “To generate and transfer knowledge to train competent, responsible, and innovative individuals, to promote understanding, progress, and academic excellence.”

61. University of Vienna: “To promote a broad spectrum of research areas in a wide range of fields and disciplines, and to ensure the balanced development of these areas.”

62. University of Dublin: “To provide a liberal environment where independent thinking is highly valued and where staff and students are nurtured and empowered to achieve their potential and contribute to the benefit of society.”

63. University of Wisconsin-Madison: “To offer broad and balanced academic programs that are mutually reinforcing and emphasize high-quality and creative instruction at all levels.”

64. University of Washington: “To advance intellectual discovery and enrich the quality of life as the preeminent public research university in the state, nation, and world.”

65. Peking University: “To advance knowledge, to inspire students, and to promote the well-being of society.”

66. Seoul National University: “To create a vibrant intellectual community where students and scholars join together in building the future.”

67. Tsinghua University: “To cultivate innovative leaders and advance knowledge for humanity in the spirit of “self-discipline and social commitment.”

68. University of Illinois: “To enhance the lives of citizens in Illinois, across the nation, and around the world through leadership in learning, discovery, engagement, and economic development.”

69. University of Texas: “To transform lives for the benefit of society through the core values of learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility.”

70. Boston University: “To be the leading institution for the study, research, and teaching of all aspects of human culture and development.”

71. University of Zurich: “To offer high-quality education, generate knowledge, and provide services that benefit society, science, and business.”

72. University of Paris: “To serve society as an international and interdisciplinary hub of knowledge, promoting innovation, creativity, and the cross-pollination of ideas.”

73. University of Hong Kong: “To nurture globally-minded graduates with an in-depth understanding of Asia, and to advance knowledge through research and scholarship in areas of world importance.”

74. University of Toronto: “Boundlessly curious and rigorously intellectual, we aim to redefine the role of a leading research university.”

75. University of Tokyo: “To cultivate global leaders with a broad perspective and creative vision, inquisitive minds and cultural sophistication along with a strong sense of social responsibility.”

76. University of Singapore: “To influence the future through nurturing talents, advancing knowledge and impacting society to create a better world.”

77. University of British Columbia: “Inspiring people, ideas and actions for a better world.”

78. The University of Adelaide: “To be consistently ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide and a destination of choice for high-performing researchers, students, government and industry partners.”

79. University of Copenhagen: “To provide research and research-based teaching at the highest international level within all the main areas of science.”

80. University of Montreal: “To generate and transfer knowledge to train competent, responsible, and innovative individuals, to promote understanding, progress, and academic excellence.”

81. University of Vienna: “To promote a broad spectrum of research areas in a wide range of fields and disciplines, and to ensure the balanced development of these areas.”

82. University of Dublin: “To provide a liberal environment where independent thinking is highly valued and where staff and students are nurtured and empowered to achieve their potential and contribute to the benefit of society.”

83. University of Wisconsin-Madison: “To offer broad and balanced academic programs that are mutually reinforcing and emphasize high-quality and creative instruction at all levels.”

84. University of Washington: “To advance intellectual discovery and enrich the quality of life as the preeminent public research university in the state, nation, and world.”

85. Peking University: “To advance knowledge, to inspire students, and to promote the well-being of society.”

86. Seoul National University: “To create a vibrant intellectual community where students and scholars join together in building the future.”

87. Tsinghua University: “To cultivate innovative leaders and advance knowledge for humanity in the spirit of “self-discipline and social commitment.”

88. University of Illinois: “To enhance the lives of citizens in Illinois, across the nation, and around the world through leadership in learning, discovery, engagement, and economic development.”

89. University of Texas: “To transform lives for the benefit of society through the core values of learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility.”

90. Boston University: “To be the leading institution for the study, research, and teaching of all aspects of human culture and development.”

91. Columbia University: “To advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and convey the products of its efforts to the world.”

92. Oxford University: “To lead the world in research and education by engaging with people and society, to bring benefits to all.”

93. Cambridge University: “To contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence.”

94. University of California, Berkeley: “To generate, disseminate, and preserve knowledge and to serve our state and society through broadly accessible education.”

95. Cornell University: “To discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge, to educate the next generation of global citizens, and to promote a culture of broad inquiry.”

96. Johns Hopkins University: “To educate our students and cultivate their capacity for lifelong learning, to foster independent and original research, and to bring the benefits of discovery to the world.”

97. Pennsylvania State University: “To foster excellence in teaching, research, and service, and to cultivate and inspire a diverse community of lifelong learners.”

98. Duke University: “To engage in the discovery, dissemination, and application of knowledge to better the future and fulfill the global societal need.”

99. Brown University: “To serve the community, the nation, and the world by discovering, communicating, and preserving knowledge and understanding in a spirit of free inquiry.”

100. University of Notre Dame: “To strive for preeminence as a Catholic university, to seek truth, and to nurture a culture of service in the common pursuit of human solidarity and the common good.”

100 Mission Statement Examples for Education Industry for you to Inspire and Copy

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Inspire your educational journey with this unique compilation of 100 mission statements. Each carefully crafted example resonates with the educational industry’s vibrant ethos, serving as a valuable resource for institutions striving for a profound and impactful mission.

• “Nurturing the creators of tomorrow through comprehensive education and innovative thinking.”
• “Igniting the light of knowledge, fostering intellectual growth, and shaping global citizens.”
• “Empowering students with transformative learning experiences to shape the future of science and technology.”
• “Molding well-rounded individuals by integrating holistic education with cultural, ethical, and global awareness.”
• “Navigating students towards their goals through premier education and lifelong learning opportunities.”
• “Sailing minds to distant shores of knowledge, creativity, and innovation.”
• “Kindling young minds to explore, learn, and grow in an inclusive and nurturing environment.”
• “Scaling the heights of academic excellence through critical thinking and creative problem-solving.”
• “Promoting dynamic conversations that inspire innovation and drive the exchange of ideas.”
• “Providing a panoramic view of education that inspires academic exploration and fosters personal growth.”
• “Empowering students to build a better future through innovative education.”
• “To provide an inclusive environment that fosters intellectual curiosity, creativity, and diversity.”
• “Promoting an immersive learning experience to shape future global leaders.”
• “Cultivating ethical and intellectual growth through a challenging curriculum.”
• “Championing lifelong learning and responsible citizenship in a global society.”
• “Committed to nurturing students’ abilities to think critically, communicate effectively, and contribute positively to society.”
• “Guiding students to be responsible learners, ready to navigate their path in life.”
• “Developing world-class scholars who will lead with integrity, innovate with determination, and impact the world.”
• “Committed to fostering an academic environment that stimulates curiosity, discovery, and personal growth.”
• “Fostering an inclusive community that champions high-quality education and promotes lifelong learning.”
• “Building a foundation for lifelong learning and the development of intellectual curiosity.”
• “To inspire learners to reach their full potential and contribute positively to society.”
• “Committed to developing innovative thinkers who are dedicated to positive global impact.”
• “Dedicated to providing a challenging and inclusive learning environment that fosters creativity and resilience.”
• “Cultivating the leaders of tomorrow by fostering personal growth, innovation, and resilience.”
• “Dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment that empowers students to achieve their goals.”
• “Promoting the pursuit of knowledge and the development of innovative thinkers for a sustainable future.”
• “Providing an environment that fosters personal and professional development, empowering students to excel.”
• “Encouraging lifelong learning, critical thinking, and innovation as the foundations for a successful future.”
• “Developing creative minds, fostering integrity, and promoting individual growth for a brighter future.”
• “To create an intellectually stimulating environment that fosters student success and academic excellence.”
• “Providing the tools and environment to develop innovative thinkers and compassionate leaders.”
• “Driving change and impacting the future through high-quality education.”
• “Committed to nurturing the whole student, preparing them for a life of passion and purpose.”
• “Cultivating an inclusive environment that champions diversity, respect, and personal growth.”
• “Inspiring students to excel acadically and socially, ready to positively contribute to the world.”
• “Fostering a culture of excellence, curiosity, and respect, shaping well-rounded, lifelong learners.”
• “Empowering students to create solutions to global challenges through quality education.”
• “Providing an environment where curiosity is nurtured, intellect is engaged, and discovery is celebrated.”
• “To challenge and inspire students to reach their fullest potential and make a difference in the world.”
• “Dedicated to transforming lives and societies through high-quality education and innovative research.”
• “Shaping future leaders through holistic education and the cultivation of critical thinking skills.”
• “Committed to fostering intellectual growth, creativity, and integrity in an inclusive learning environment.”
• “To inspire, engage and empower learners to lead with empathy and integrity.”
• “Cultivating a vibrant learning community that prepares students to thrive in a dynamic world.”
• “Providing transformative learning experiences that nurture the mind, body, and spirit.”
• “Preparing students for a life of learning, leadership, and positive societal impact.”
• “Driving academic excellence while cultivating leaders who change the world.”
• “Championing intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a passion for lifelong learning.”
• “Dedicated to the development of intellectual curiosity, ethical character, and social responsibility.”
• “Striving to deliver a broad-based education that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and global awareness.”
• “To educate and inspire students to be responsible, productive citizens in a diverse and competitive world.”
• “Committed to developing an educational environment that stimulates intellectual curiosity and personal growth.”
• “Dedicated to fostering academic excellence, critical thinking, and societal contribution in all our students.”
• “Creating lifelong learners equipped with the skills and knowledge to adapt and succeed in a changing world.”
• “Inspiring curiosity, encouraging critical thinking, and empowering students to take ownership of their education.”
• “Nurturing a culture of intellectual and personal growth, empowering students to lead positive change in the world.”
• “Engaging learners in an environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and academic excellence.”
• “To develop responsible global citizens through a comprehensive and well-rounded education.”
• “Creating a stimulating learning environment that fosters innovation, critical thinking, and holistic development.”
• “Dedicated to creating a vibrant and inclusive learning community committed to intellectual curiosity and personal growth.”
• “Inspiring students to pursue lifelong learning, critical thinking, and responsible global citizenship.”
• “To foster academic excellence, critical thinking, and personal growth in an inclusive and supportive learning environment.”
• “Providing an environment where learners are empowered to achieve academic and personal success.”
• “Developing engaged, empathetic learners who make a positive impact on the world.”
• “To foster a culture of academic excellence, social responsibility, and innovative thinking in all our students.”
• “Creating an educational environment that stimulates curiosity, fosters critical thinking, and encourages lifelong learning.”
• “Providing students with a transformative education that equips them for a rapidly changing world.”
• “Guiding learners to realize their full potential through a holistic and inclusive education.”
• “Creating an environment of intellectual rigor and personal development, where learners become leaders.”
• “Dedicated to fostering an environment that encourages personal growth, intellectual curiosity, and critical thinking.”
• “Promoting a culture of academic excellence, ethical leadership, and social responsibility among students.”
• “To prepare students for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service in an ever-changing global society.”
• “Creating an inclusive and innovative learning environment that fosters personal growth and intellectual curiosity.”
• “Dedicated to fostering a passion for learning, critical thinking, and global citizenship in all students.”
• “Striving to create a vibrant and inclusive learning community that inspires students to realize their full potential.”
• “To educate and empower students to become compassionate leaders and lifelong learners.”
• “Committed to fostering a culture of academic rigor, social responsibility, and innovative thinking.”
• “Striving to create an environment that fosters intellectual growth, personal development, and global citizenship.”
• “Providing a transformative education that prepares students for success in an increasingly interconnected world.”
• “Dedicated to promoting intellectual growth, ethical leadership, and global citizenship among students.”
• “Creating an inclusive learning community that nurtures curiosity, fosters critical thinking, and encourages personal growth.”
• “To cultivate a learning environment that inspires students to become responsible global citizens and lifelong learners.”
• “Striving to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and social responsibility among our students.”
• “Creating a vibrant learning community that fosters intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and societal contribution.”
• “Dedicated to fostering a culture of academic rigor, innovative thinking, and ethical leadership among students.”
• “To prepare students to lead and excel in an ever-changing world through our commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service.”
• “Promoting intellectual growth, ethical leadership, and global citizenship among our students.”
• “Committed to creating a learning environment that fosters intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and social responsibility.”
• “Creating a diverse and inclusive learning community that fosters intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and global citizenship.”
• “Fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and societal contribution among our students.”
• “To develop future leaders who can drive change and solve the complex challenges of our world.”
• “Promoting academic excellence, ethical leadership, and global citizenship among our students.”
• “Dedicated to fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and societal contribution.”
• “Creating an inclusive and vibrant learning community that fosters intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and personal growth.”
• “Committed to creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment that fosters intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and societal contribution.”
• “Dedicated to fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and societal contribution among our students.”
• “Striving to create a diverse and inclusive learning community that fosters intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and societal contribution.”
• “Dedicated to promoting intellectual growth, ethical leadership, and global citizenship among our students.”
• “Committed to fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and societal contribution among our students.”

Mission Statement Examples for School

Building the foundation for tomorrow’s leaders, our school cultivates an environment that fosters intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and social responsibility. See more Mission statement examples for schools

1. “To provide a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment where all students can learn, grow, and excel.” 2. “Fostering lifelong learning, promoting intellectual curiosity, and creating responsible global citizens.” 3. “To foster an environment of respect and understanding, inspiring students to reach their highest potential.” 4. “Encouraging every child to explore, learn and grow in a nurturing and diverse environment.” 5. “To cultivate a love for learning, inspire creativity, and prepare students for the opportunities of tomorrow.” 6. “Nurturing a culture of intellectual and personal growth, empowering students to lead positive change in the world.” 7. “To instill a love for learning, encourage creative thinking, and equip students with the skills necessary for success.” 8. “Creating an inclusive community of learners where every child can succeed and make a difference.” 9. “To provide a rigorous and enriching educational experience that prepares students for future success.” 10. “Empowering students to explore their passions, develop their talents, and become leaders in their communities.”

Mission Statement Examples for College

At the crossroads of innovation and tradition, our college seeks to create an academic community that promotes intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and civic responsibility.

1. “Promoting intellectual growth, leadership skills, and ethical awareness to prepare students for the complexities of today’s world.” 2. “To foster an environment that encourages academic excellence, innovative thinking, and social responsibility.” 3. “Creating a dynamic, inclusive academic community that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.” 4. “To provide an enriching and challenging educational experience that prepares students for professional success and civic leadership.” 5. “Promoting intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a commitment to lifelong learning and civic responsibility.” 6. “To create a transformative educational experience that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.” 7. “Providing a diverse and inclusive environment that fosters intellectual growth, personal development, and social responsibility.” 8. “To educate and empower students to become compassionate leaders and lifelong learners.” 9. “Promoting academic excellence, leadership skills, and social responsibility among our students.” 10. “To foster an environment that encourages academic excellence, personal growth, and civic leadership.”

Mission Statement Examples for University

Dedicated to the creation, dissemination, and application of knowledge, our university prepares students to lead, innovate, and make a significant impact on the world.

1. “Creating a culture of academic rigor and innovation that prepares students to lead in a diverse and interconnected world.” 2. “To foster an environment of intellectual curiosity, ethical leadership, and societal contribution among our students.” 3. “Developing global leaders through a comprehensive and inclusive education that prepares students to thrive in an increasingly complex world.” 4. “To promote intellectual growth, ethical leadership, and societal contribution among our students.” 5. “Creating a diverse and inclusive academic community that fosters intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and societal contribution.” 6. “To cultivate a culture of intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and societal contribution among our students.” 7. “Creating an environment of academic excellence, personal growth, and social responsibility to prepare students for the opportunities of the future.” 8. “Promoting academic excellence, leadership skills, and social responsibility among our students.” 9. “To foster an environment that encourages academic excellence, personal growth, and societal contribution.” 10. “Providing a comprehensive and inclusive education that prepares students for the complexities of today’s world.”

Mission Statement Examples for Students

Cultivating the leaders of tomorrow, our mission is to foster an environment that inspires students to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact on society. See mission statement examples for students

1. “To become lifelong learners who strive for excellence, contribute to their communities, and lead meaningful lives.” 2. “To learn, grow, and succeed in a supportive and inclusive environment.” 3. “Becoming global citizens who value learning, respect diversity, and contribute positively to society.” 4. “To pursue academic excellence, contribute to community, and become responsible leaders.” 5. “To become responsible learners who strive for excellence, make a positive impact on society, and lead fulfilling lives.” 6. “Learning to become responsible citizens who contribute positively to society and lead meaningful lives.” 7. “To become successful learners who respect diversity, contribute to their communities, and lead fulfilling lives.” 8. “Becoming responsible learners who value personal growth, community contribution, and lifelong learning.” 9. “To learn, grow, and succeed in a supportive and diverse environment.” 10. “Becoming lifelong learners who strive for excellence, contribute positively to society, and lead meaningful lives.”

Personal Mission Statement Examples for Students

As a student, my personal mission is to develop my knowledge, skills, and values to contribute to the betterment of society and lead a fulfilling life. These Personal mission statement examples for students will help achieving the student goals.

1. “To pursue academic excellence, contribute positively to my community, and lead a meaningful and fulfilling life.” 2. “To become a lifelong learner, make a positive impact on society, and lead

a fulfilling life.” 3. “My mission is to learn, grow, and succeed in order to contribute positively to society and lead a meaningful life.” 4. “To pursue academic excellence, contribute to my community, and become a responsible and ethical leader.” 5. “My mission is to learn and grow in order to contribute positively to my community and lead a fulfilling life.” 6. “To become a responsible learner, contribute positively to my community, and lead a meaningful life.” 7. “My mission is to pursue academic excellence, contribute to my community, and lead a meaningful and fulfilling life.” 8. “To learn, grow, and succeed in order to make a positive impact on society and lead a fulfilling life.” 9. “My mission is to become a lifelong learner, contribute positively to society, and lead a fulfilling life.” 10. “To pursue academic excellence, make a positive impact on society, and lead a fulfilling life.”

Mission Statement Examples for High School

Nurturing the next generation of leaders, our high school fosters an environment that promotes intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and social responsibility. See high school mission statements .

1. “To provide an enriching, challenging, and supportive learning environment that prepares students for future success.” 2. “Fostering a culture of lifelong learning, leadership skills, and social responsibility among our students.” 3. “To create a diverse and inclusive learning environment that fosters intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and social responsibility.” 4. “Promoting intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a commitment to social responsibility among our students.” 5. “To foster an environment that encourages academic excellence, innovative thinking, and social responsibility.” 6. “Creating a learning community that values diversity, fosters intellectual growth, and prepares students for future success.” 7. “To cultivate a culture of intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and social responsibility among our students.” 8. “Promoting academic excellence, leadership skills, and social responsibility among our students.” 9. “To provide a rigorous, comprehensive education that prepares students for the opportunities of the future.” 10. “Creating a dynamic learning community that fosters intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and social responsibility.”

Mission Statement Examples for Primary School

Setting the foundation for lifelong learning, our primary school provides a nurturing and engaging environment where every child can thrive.

1. “To provide a nurturing, inclusive environment where all students can learn, grow, and excel.” 2. “Creating a learning community that values diversity, fosters curiosity, and encourages personal growth.” 3. “To inspire a love for learning, promote academic excellence, and encourage personal growth among our students.” 4. “Fostering a culture of respect, understanding, and a love for learning among our students.” 5. “To cultivate a love for learning, encourage creativity, and prepare students for the opportunities of the future.” 6. “Creating an inclusive community of learners where every child can thrive and make a difference.” 7. “To instill a love for learning, encourage creative thinking, and equip students with the skills necessary for success.” 8. “Fostering lifelong learning, promoting intellectual curiosity, and creating responsible global citizens.” 9. “To provide a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment where all students can learn, grow, and excel.” 10. “Inspiring every child to explore, learn, and grow in a nurturing and diverse environment.”

Mission Statement Examples for Middle School

At the cusp of transformation, our middle school aims to provide a supportive, engaging, and challenging environment that promotes academic excellence, personal growth, and social responsibility.

1. “To foster an environment that encourages academic excellence, innovative thinking, and social responsibility.” 2. “Creating a dynamic learning community that fosters intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and social responsibility.” 3. “To provide an enriching, challenging, and supportive learning environment that prepares students for future success.” 4. “Promoting academic excellence, leadership skills, and social responsibility among our students.” 5. “To cultivate a culture of intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and societal contribution among our students.” 6. “Creating a learning community that values diversity, fosters intellectual growth, and prepares students for future success.” 7. “Promoting intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a commitment to social responsibility among our students.” 8. “To foster an environment that encourages academic excellence, personal growth, and societal contribution.” 9. “Providing a diverse and inclusive environment that fosters intellectual growth, personal development, and social responsibility.” 10. “To educate and empower students to become compassionate leaders and lifelong learners.”

Understanding the Importance of a Mission Statement in Education

A mission statement in education serves as a guiding star, delineating the core purpose, objectives, and values of an educational institution. It provides direction to the administration, faculty, students, and parents, forming the backbone of the institution’s culture and ethos. The mission statement is the institution’s pledge to its stakeholders, outlining its commitment to learning, growth, and success.

Key Elements of an Effective Educational Mission Statement

Crafting an effective mission statement for an educational institution involves a blend of aspiration and realism. It’s not merely about lofty goals but about achievable objectives that resonate with everyone connected to the institution. Key elements include:

Purpose and Goals: The mission statement should clearly articulate the institution’s primary purpose and its long-term educational goals. Values and Principles: The core values that the institution abides by and the principles it upholds must be central to the mission statement. Sense of Community: The mission statement should foster a sense of community and inclusivity, ensuring that everyone feels valued and part of the journey. Future Orientation: The mission statement should look ahead, reflecting the institution’s commitment to evolve with changing educational needs and societal trends.

Steps to Crafting an Education Industry Mission Statement

Creating an effective mission statement requires thoughtful deliberation and participation from key stakeholders. The process involves:

Assessment: Understand the current situation, strengths, weaknesses, and unique features of the institution. Identify Core Values: Identify the values and principles that lie at the heart of the institution’s philosophy and methodology. Set Goals: Define clear, concise, and achievable goals that align with the institution’s purpose and values. Stakeholder Participation: Engage faculty, staff, students, parents, and other stakeholders in the crafting process to ensure their commitment to the mission. Finalization and Communication: Finalize the mission statement and communicate it effectively to all stakeholders, making it an integral part of the institution’s identity.

Transforming an Educational Institution Through a Powerful Mission Statement

A mission statement has the power to effect a significant transformation in an educational institution. It can shift the institution’s focus, improve stakeholder involvement, and enhance performance outcomes.

Institutions that have adopted robust mission statements have seen marked improvements in their culture, with a greater emphasis on collective goals and shared values. They’ve reported increased student performance and satisfaction, more involved and committed faculty, and a stronger bond with parents and the community.

A powerful mission statement truly becomes the soul of the institution, guiding its every decision and permeating its every action. It sets the institution apart and paves the way for its growth, success, and reputation.

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The Transformative Power of a Liberal Arts and Sciences Education

Our mission to educate future leaders is woven throughout the Harvard College experience, inspiring every member of our community to strive toward a more just, fair, and promising world.

The mission of Harvard College is to educate the citizens and citizen-leaders for our society. We do this through our commitment to the transformative power of a liberal arts and sciences education.

Beginning in the classroom with exposure to new ideas, new ways of understanding, and new ways of knowing, students embark on a journey of intellectual transformation. Through a diverse living environment, where students live with people who are studying different topics, who come from different walks of life and have evolving identities, intellectual transformation is deepened and conditions for social transformation are created. From this we hope that students will begin to fashion their lives by gaining a sense of what they want to do with their gifts and talents, assessing their values and interests, and learning how they can best serve the world.

Harvard College sets the standard for residential liberal arts and sciences education. We have committed to creating and sustaining the conditions that enable all Harvard College students to experience an unparalleled educational journey that is intellectually, socially, and personally transformative.

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For almost as long as the College has existed, Harvard has provided financial aid to students. This tradition began with Anne Radcliffe, Lady Mowlson of London, who in 1643 left a bequest to aid students with need admitted to Harvard College.

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Residential Life at Harvard provides the opportunity to develop your own community through shared experiences.

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Finding Your School’s Mission and Vision

A former principal explains how mission and vision statements differ and why creating them is crucial to a school’s success.

Most first-year or veteran principals who are newly assigned to their school eventually must affirm the school’s existing mission and vision statements or engage stakeholders in a process of revising them. Sometimes, those statements incorporate and reflect district-wide beliefs, values, ideals, and goals.

When I was a new principal, I struggled with mission and vision statements. I didn’t understand the difference or how to utilize them. Regardless of what I might have learned about them in my preparatory classes, I was overwhelmed by day-to-day challenges. So as a result, any of the existing statements developed by the previous administration and posted throughout the school meant little to me.

That changed, however, when the parent of one of our school’s students with a disability, Billy (not his real name), stumped me one day with this question: “Why does this school exist?” Her son had intense needs. I had spoken with her numerous times but now wondered what had prompted the question. As we talked about why our school existed and what we hoped to achieve—for her son and everyone else—our discussion suddenly helped both of us form a much more meaningful concept of mission and vision. 

Our school’s mission (why we existed) was to teach.

Our vision, reflecting shared beliefs, values, and specific, purposeful goals, was the summation of desired outcomes we wanted, along with strategic plans to achieve them.

Billy’s mother eloquently stated, “I just want three things from this school. First, I want my son to learn the basic skills that he will need to get a job someday.” (As I listened, I was thinking to myself that I certainly wanted the same for my daughters.) “Two, I want him to develop good, appropriate social skills so that when he grows up and buys the house next to yours, you won’t want to move.” (I was really listening now.) “And third, I want him to learn to appreciate the finer things in life so that he doesn’t grow up to be a couch potato.” (Wow, she had clarified a vision for her son that any parent should want for their child.)

Missions and visions

The more I thought about it—then and since—the universal mission of every school is to teach. Academics, social skills, creative thinking, healthy living, good choices, and much more. We can embellish the concept of teaching with fancy words that signify academic achievement, physical growth, personal development, wisdom, virtues, transformations, etc., but it all boils down to this: The reason that schools exist is for teaching. Everyone is free to choose their own descriptive words of purpose, but I preferred succinct, easy-to-remember, and personalized wording. And Billy’s mom had helped me shape our mission and vision. 

As I discussed the mission with my staff, we rallied around the ideal that our primary focus was to teach—academics, behaviors, social skills, and aspirations in ways that were most timely, appropriate, individualized, and effective for every child. I helped my staff reflect on their practice and question themselves—if what they were doing didn’t teach, why were they doing it?

My advice for principals—regardless of the wording of your mission statement—is to understand these two basic concepts:

• Your mission is why you exist.
• Your vision is how you accomplish goals. 

Many vision and mission statements are closely related and often used interchangeably. When both are well conceived and meaningful, they can drive your school community’s focus. However, many are often not as effective as they could be. 

At my school, once we agreed that our purpose was to teach (mission), we turned our attention to fulfilling the beliefs, values, and goals embedded in what Billy’s mom had asked for her son (vision). The three visionary targets remained the same, regardless of where each child started.

Academics became more individualized with rigor while teaching the concept of grit. The development of a schoolwide code of conduct (focused on quality work, respect, safety, and kindness) resulted in more effective, personalized ways of teaching social skills and positive behaviors. And so that no student would become a couch potato, we infused the arts and extracurricular activities into every aspect of school that we could think of, teaching and coaching their meaning and value. 

I’m forever indebted to Billy’s mom. She helped me and my staff conceptualize, personalize, and solidify our thinking, define our “why” (mission), and teach to meet the needs of every student. Parents rallied together with me and my teachers around those three stated expectations (vision) from our school—so concise and clear that we have never forgotten them, and never will.

I hope every principal encounters someone like Billy’s mom. When you do, listen, collaborate closely, and learn. Together, you’ll develop the most meaningful awareness of why you do what you do.

How to Make Mission Matter at Your School

• Posted September 8, 2022
• By Danny Mucinskas and Shelby Clark
• Global Education
• K-12 School Leadership
• K-12 System Leadership
• Organizational Change

School mission statements today are pervasive. Effective school missions can communicate a vision and unify people around common goals, especially when systematically implemented. However, some missions may not even be known or observed by school stakeholders and become mere slogans. Therefore, while most schools have a mission statement, only some schools may be categorized as “mission-driven” institutions that specifically endorse and intentionally organize pedagogy to focus on specific philanthropic, civic, and/or community-based values and involvement.

Over the past several years, our team at The Good Project investigated the educational practices and outcomes of a set of mission-driven, diverse, and globally located international schools. Our primary partners in this research were the United World Colleges (UWC), a network of 18 schools that foreground student diversity and social impact. UWC’s mission is “to unite people, nations, and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.” We set out to learn whether these schools and 13 others (which remain anonymous) around the world were actually achieving their aims.

We collected thousands of student and alumni surveys, conducted hundreds of in-depth interviews, and carried out observations at more than a dozen UWC schools. When we analyzed our data, summarized in a report available here , we discovered trends relevant not only to the participating schools, but also for anyone interested in creating a school or a curriculum that is mission based, including parents and teachers

Below are implications from our work regarding how to make a mission a powerful force for teaching, learning, and change.

1)  Does your school have a unified idea of your mission? When school mission statements are clearly stated, focused, and understood by school stakeholders, they have the power to unify people around a common idea. We saw in our study of UWC that the mission statement was interpreted in a variety of manners: different elements of the mission (such as sustainability or peace) were foregrounded to different degrees depending on school context and personal preferences. For mission-driven schools that seek to effect social change, it is important for people to share a unified understanding of the meaning of the mission; what it looks like in practice; and the steps that can lead to its fulfillment.  

For example, if your school’s mission is “A cleaner world for all,” some questions to ask would include: What does this mean to the different stakeholders in your institution? Does it mean simply recycling every day, or does it mean protesting for climate change (or neither)? Could “cleaner” mean cleaner morals or character to some people? A common understanding of an institutional mission and how it can be embodied can have a trickle-down effect throughout an organization by uniting people at all levels in common purpose. 

Consider as well: 

• How are conversations about the mission happening at your school? 
• What messages are students receiving about the mission explicitly and implicitly? 
• What parallel visions of the missions might exist? 
• What steps are you taking to align all the stakeholders at your school around the mission? What can you to bring about better alignment?

2)  What type of citizen do you hope your school is fostering? Once you’ve agreed on what your mission statement means for your school, ask yourself: What type of message does your school’s mission send about how students are meant to be as citizens in the world? Throughout our study, we asked participants questions like, “What does making an impact mean to you?” and “What does it mean to make a difference in the world?” Interviewees were asked to rank four different profiles regarding who was making the “most” impact keeping the UWC mission in mind.

What did we find? Overall, there was not a singular aligned vision across the UWC movement, or even within particular schools, about what it means to “make a difference.” Many participants in our study were relativistic in their thinking about impact, wanting to reserve judgment about whether any one type of action or type of career or action was right or wrong, or impactful or not impactful in positive ways for the world. For example, is an investment banker making a difference in positive or negative ways? What about compared to a nonprofit worker or parent? 

There is nothing inherently wrong with people having different ideas about how to make a difference in the world . One might argue that we need these divergent means of impact to tackle real-world problems. However, if educational institutions are dedicated to having their students make social impact, it is necessary that they have a defined understanding of their desired impact.

Alternatively, as Walden University did when confronted with the fact that they did not know how to define the idea of “positive social change” in their mission, schools might create functional models of changemaking that students should embody in order to be agents of social change, such as cognitive and practical skills as well as values and ethics.

In thinking about these questions, consider: 

• How large of an effect do you expect your students’ impact to have? Should they affect society as a whole? Or maybe just their local community? Or perhaps just their family? 
• Are there certain topics they should focus their changemaking efforts on? Take the school above with their environmental mission– perhaps the students should focus their efforts solely on sustainability. 
• What methods of change should your students use? Maybe your school focuses entirely on social entrepreneurship. Or instead, you’d rather your students learned how to advocate through protesting and political change. 
• How should your students' changemaking efforts address issues of justice ? Do you think that your students should focus on the root causes of issues, or that they should address more pressing or symptomatic issues? 

3)  How does the mission translate to pedagogical practice? Our research displayed that, once a strong mission and associated conception of how the mission is shaping students has been established, it’s crucial to embed these ideas into the pedagogy and educational practices being offered by the school. In the schools we worked with, many of which were focused on developing intercultural understanding and fostering social impact, mission-aligned activities included:

• Volunteer and community service programs in which students got to experience collaborating with community stakeholders.
• At UWC schools, project weeks, in which students designed a week-long learning experience away from the school that required problem-solving, often involving travel to a new location.
• Extra-academic activities, including student-run conferences and clubs focused on mission-aligned topics like sustainability and peace building.
• Academic environments, most often courses like global politics, history, economics, and literature, that permitted conversations about school mission.

Throughout these activities, we saw that when students were afforded opportunities to bring their perspectives to the fore, and to feel autonomy and agency in the learning process, students learned more and developed skills and dispositions such as open-mindedness and greater confidence.

At your school, consider questions like:

• Where in the day are students most likely to experience the mission in action?
• How can the mission be embedded into environments that give students the chance to exercise autonomy?
• To what degree are our educational programs aligned with the mission we want to achieve?

While many schools today have mission statements, we hope that the themes and questions we have explored here can help to bring about greater mission clarity and implementation for institutions of learning.

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79 Examples of School Vision and Mission Statements

School vision statements outline a school’s values and objectives. They provide parents and the community a brief but clear overview of the overall ethos of the school. On the other hand, school mission statements explain what the school is currently doing to achieve its vision. Schools need both vision and mission statements to show their community what their values and beliefs are.

Importance of Vision and Mission Statements in Schools

Statements of a school’s vision and mission are important for keeping a school focused on its core purpose. The statements can act as a guiding north star for school administrators who aim to make decisions that live up to the statements. They are also important because they are documents that parents use to see whether the school meets their family’s values.

Common Words in Vision Statements

The most common words in school vision and mission statements are:

Read below for our full list of the best school statements from around the web.

Related Post: A List of Education Slogans and Mottoes

Best Preschool Mission & Vision Statements

• We foster our students’ love for learning, encourage them to try new and exciting things, and give them a solid foundation to build on.
• Our vision is to develop well rounded, confident and responsible individuals who aspire to achieve their full potential. We will do this by providing a welcoming, happy, safe, and supportive learning environment in which everyone is equal and all achievements are celebrated.
• We believe that a happy child is a successful one. We are committed to providing a positive, safe and stimulating environment for children to learn, where all are valued. We intend that all children should enjoy their learning, achieve their potential and become independent life-long learners.
• Our early learning center exists to provide a safe, developmentally, inclusive environment for toddlers, preschool, kindergarten and school age children.

Our focus is to provide a stimulating early learning and child care experience which promotes each child’s social/emotional, physical and cognitive development.

• Our goal is to support and nurture the children’s and our own natural desire to be life-long learners. We are committed to the families we serve, providing support and encouragement.
• Our Vision is a community where all children feel loved, respected and encouraged to develop to their fullest potential.
• Our Mission is to provide high quality education and childcare in a safe, respectful and inclusive environment that builds a foundation for life-long learning.
• We aim to provide a safe learning environment with a welcoming atmosphere which creates a sense of belonging amongst the families. We maintain an inclusive environment which acknowledges and respects children from diverse family and cultural backgrounds.

Our Kindergarten provides a safe, developmentally appropriate, nurturing environment that promotes social, emotional, cognitive and physical growth, as well as a positive self-image and a love of learning. T

• Our goal is to build skills that set children up for success in kindergarten and beyond.
• Our vision is for each child to develop a curiosity of learning, discover their interests and grow in their love of learning. We also desire to have strong families through parent support/fellowship and skills training.
• We aim to offer a safe, happy place where everyone is known and valued, and where differing needs are acknowledged, accepted and met
• We aim to encourage each child to be independent and develop a sense of responsibility for themselves and respect for others in the environment

Our mission is to lead and support the early learning community in building the best foundation for children birth to five.

• Our Kindergarten aims to provide a meaningful child centered, play based curriculum that builds life skills, independence, confidence and resilience to support each child in achieving their potential and to make a smooth transition to school and society itself.
• Our mission is to work together to build a safe, respectful and nurturing environment focused on maximizing each child’s sense of wellbeing and acquisition of skills for life and learning.
• Our mission is to provide exceptional care to children while fostering each child’s intellectual, social, physical and moral development in an academic-rich environment.

Related Post: 5 Early Childhood Philosophies Compared

Best Primary and Elementary School Vision & Mission Statements

• Our goal as a school is to equip our young people with the skills and mindset to thrive and then take on the world.
• We foster an enthusiastic, creative community of learners prepared to continue their intellectual, emotional, and physical development.
• To educate all students to the highest levels of academic achievement , to enable them to reach and expand their potential, and to prepare them to become productive, responsible, ethical, creative and compassionate members of society.

Our vision is to prepare young women to pursue their aspirations and contribute to the world.

• We strive to consciously create an environment of respect and inclusion and to support ethnic, racial, religious and socio-economic diversity among all the constituencies of the school.
• We strive to support this environment by building a more inclusive curriculum, addressing a range of learning styles, offering a wide array of diversity efforts and programs, and by participating in the wider community.
• Our school empowers all students to embrace learning, achieve their personal best and build their emotional, social and physical well-being.

Our vision is to empower students to acquire, demonstrate, articulate and value knowledge and skills that will support them, as life-long learners, to participate in and contribute to the global world and practise the core values of the school : respect, tolerance & inclusion, and excellence.

• We believe that education should take place in a fully inclusive environment with equal opportunities for all and that all children should learn to value religious and cultural differences. Our school strives to be at the centre of the local community with positive and effective links to the wider and global communities.
• Our statement “DREAM, BELIEVE, ACHIEVE” reflects our understanding and beliefs. We aim to ensure that the children at our school are provided with high-quality learning experiences based on a broad and balanced curriculum.

Related Post: Childcare Mission Statement Examples

Best High School Mission & Vision Statements

• Our vision is to forge strong, positive connections with students so they can achieve independence, build confidence, and gain academic knowledge.
• We aim to develop well-rounded and thoughtful students prepared to cope with a changing post-modern and globalized world.

We strive to provide our graduates with an academic foundation that will enable them to gain admission to the colleges or universities of their choice as well as to succeed in those institutions.

• We are committed to recognizing the importance of communication and to encouraging dialogue among all constituencies; to promoting intellectual and social growth and development within the school community; to providing a safe, supportive setting so that students have the opportunity to explore and to clarify their own beliefs and values, to take risks, and to think and speak for themselves; and to recognizing and responding to individual and institutional prejudices, both overt and subtle, based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, and physical and mental ability.
• Our vision is to prepare and motivate our students for a rapidly changing world by instilling in them critical thinking skills , a global perspective, and a respect for core values of honesty, loyalty, perseverance, and compassion. Students will have success for today and be prepared for tomorrow.
• Our mission is to provide a safe haven where everyone is valued and respected. All staff members, in partnership with parents and families are fully committed to students’ college and career readiness. Students are empowered to meet current and future challenges to develop social awareness, civic responsibility, and personal growth.

We are dedicated to a continuing tradition of excellence in an ever-changing world. Within a safe and supportive environment, we provide a relevant, high-quality education and prepare our diverse student body for future endeavors. We honor achievement and promote pride in ourselves, in our school, and in our community.

• We strive to prepare all students to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens ready to meet the challenges of the future. In partnership with families and community, our goal is to create relevant learning opportunities for students — both inside and outside the classroom — that help them develop the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and character necessary to succeed in a technologically advanced world.
• Our High School is a student-centered organization delivering excellence in education. Our team is committed to our students, our communities, and each other. We believe that our cohesion and morale help us to achieve excellence in our school. Our commitment to our students and our dedication to impacting their education through innovative methods makes us unique.
• Graduates will be motivated life-long learners and productive global citizens.

Cultivating excellence in every student.

• Our school’s vision is to provide student-centered educational programs that challenge all students to perform at their highest potential.
• Our school prepares students for success in the 21st century by engaging them in rigorous and relevant learning opportunities that promote academic, physical, and emotional growth.
• Our school creates a pathway to assist students in achieving their educational and personal goals leading to a fulfilling future within the greater community.

Our school will continue to create a safe, effective learning environment that enables each individual to reach his or her greatest potential through ample opportunities to excel.

• Our school will foster an environment to nurture individuals academically, socially, and emotionally so that they are equipped to tackle academic challenges and become productive members of society.

Related Post: Library Mission Statement Examples

Best Christian School Vision & Mission Statements

• Our Christian School believes that each child is a treasure, bearing God’s image. We seek to partner with Christian families who are committed to our vision and mission.
• Vision is the insight God provides to instruct and direct the path of an organization. Our Vision Statement is as follows: Our school will be known as a diverse Christian community which, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, provides families with Christ-centred education through dynamic programming, dedicated professional staff, in facilities most conducive to learning, in order to develop responsible servants in God’s world.
• Our Mission is as follows: To provide a Christ-centered, high quality education and to work in unison with the home and local church to nurture our students’ intellectual, spiritual, social, emotional, and physical growth to prepare them for responsible service in the kingdom of God.

It is the vision of Our Christian Academy to engage students in a quality Christ-centered education that equips and challenges them to reach their unique potential spiritually, academically, socially, and physically.

• We endeavor to foster a nurturing, mutually supportive school community of students who enthusiastically pursue learning and Christian character, parents who wholeheartedly support the school’s mission, Bible believing churches who actively reinforce a biblical worldview, and qualified, caring Christian faculty and staff who sacrificially invest in the lives of students.
• To engage and educate young people to know Christ and be equipped to impact the world for God’s Kingdom.
• To capture and equip the hearts, minds and energies of young people for the sake of knowing Christ, and unleash them to engage the world they live in and make an impact in it according to God’s principles and power.

The mission of our Christian School is to transform this generation through sound academic education with a distinct Christian worldview. We are committed to transferring our passion for serving Christ to our students for their benefit and for the glory of God.

• The vision of our Christian School is to provide a comprehensive educational facility that will accommodate a life-developing curriculum and graduate students who express a passionate faith, a biblical world view philosophy and are practitioners of true Christianity.
• Our Christian School seeks to provide an excellent educational experience from a biblical worldview in order to produce the next generation of well-rounded servant leaders.
• Our Christian School will be a compassionate community where knowledge is pursued with excellence, where faith is rooted in Christ, and where character is exemplified through service. We are dedicated to creating a caring and nurturing environment, producing life-long learners, creating disciples of Christ, and enriching students’ lives.

Our Christian School is a loving community that spiritually and academically equips, challenges, and inspires students to impact their world for Christ.

• Our Christian School will be grounded in God’s Word and challenged to achieve academic excellence as they prepare to use their gifts and abilities effectively to follow God’s plan for their lives.
• Our Christian Academy works together with parents and their local church to provide a Christ-centered spiritual, academic, and physical foundation. Our goal is a nurturing environment that produces godly citizens who will be a transforming influence in the world.
• To form a partnership with believing parents in order to establish their children with a total biblical worldview.

To help train up a generation of godly leaders who love learning and are sought after for their wisdom.

• To prepare students spiritually, academically, and in accordance with their God-given potential, enabling them to handle the rigors of life with courage.
• Our mission is to build a Christ-centered school to equip students to be Christ-honoring critical thinkers, clear communicators, and compassionate leaders, through the pursuit of academic excellence, in the tradition of classical Christian education.
• Our vision is be recognized as the leading Christian School in the Kansas City area, preparing students for a love of learning and service, to the glory of God.

Related Post: Classroom Vision and Mission Statements

Best College and University Vision & Mission Statements

• Our university aspires to be a national leader in developing educated contributors, career-ready learners, and global citizens, and in generating meaningful, high-impact scholarship.
• Pursuing enlightenment and creativity.
• To create a transformative educational experience for students focused on deep disciplinary knowledge; problem solving; leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; and personal health and well-being.

Learning. Discovery. Engagement.

• The university aspires to be known for its excellence in teaching, intensive research, effective public service and community engagement. The university prepares diverse and competitive graduates for success in a global, interdependent society.
• We aspire to be the exemplary comprehensive research university for the 21st century.
• To impact society in a transformative way — regionally, nationally, and globally — by engaging with partners outside the traditional borders of the university campus.

To contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence.

• To educate the citizens and citizen-leaders for our society. We do this through our commitment to the transformative power of a liberal arts and sciences education.
• We will have a transformative impact on society through continual innovation in education, research, creativity, and entrepreneurship
• Educating students to the benefit of all.
• To recruit and develop the world’s most promising students and most outstanding staff and be a truly global university benefiting society as a whole.

The University will become a national leader in collaborative career-focused liberal arts education and will equip its graduates to visualize and achieve excellence in a dynamic global community.

• To be dedicated to the advancement of learning and ennoblement of life.
• To promote learning by engaging with students in advancing scholarly inquiry, cultivating critical and creative thought, and generating knowledge. Our active partnerships with local and global communities contribute to a sustainable common good .
• We will continue to frame and solve the greatest challenges of the future.

Read More University Mission Statement Examples Here.

Vision and mission statements tend to explore themes that are important to a school’s community. They also focus on the age of students. Preschool vision statements tend to explore themes of safety, development and love. High School vision statements are about preparing students for the world. Universities tend to focus on inspiring future leaders.

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Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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3 thoughts on “79 Examples of School Vision and Mission Statements”

Wow, Very interesting and achievable visions and missions.

I am highlighting a few statements and citing your website in my book, The Technology-ready School Administrator, for publication in January, 2024. Thanks for wonderful information.

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School Mission Statements: The 2021 Guide [+ 6 Writing Tips]

Written by Maria Kampen

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• School Leaders
• What a school mission statement is
• How school mission and vision statements work together
• 6 steps for writing your own mission statement

Common problems with school mission statements

Why school mission statements are important.

• How Prodigy can help you support your school mission statement

What drives growth in your school community?

It could be your school’s culture , a focus on teacher professional development , or even prioritizing useful teaching strategies . However, none may be as important as school mission statements , which are essential for student development and effective learning.

School mission statements indicate the priorities and goals of a school community and can have an incredible impact on student achievement.

What are school mission statements?

If your school is a car, then the mission statement is the engine.

School mission statements are documents that define where your school is going and drive decisions accordingly. They layout educational goals, community priorities and the purpose of your school.

Lots of different organizations have mission statements — non-profit organizations, government departments, small businesses, big corporations.

Mission statements guide growth and learning in many different contexts.

School vision and mission statements

If your school is a car and your mission statement is the engine, the school vision statement is the GPS system.

Vision statements aren’t the same as mission statements, but they are closely related. To create a mission statement, you should first have a vision for where you want to see your school in the future.

John C. Gabriel and Paul C. Farmer, authors of How to Help Your School Thrive Without Breaking the Bank , write:

“A vision is your school’s goal — where you hope to see it in the future. The mission provides an overview of the steps planned to achieve that future. A vision is concise and easy to recall, whereas a mission is lengthier and more explanatory in nature.”

The vision statement provides a glimpse at your school’s ideal future .

Everyone — students, faculty and staff — in your school should be able to recite your school vision statement.

How to write a school mission statement

1. gather stakeholders.

To start, consult students, parents, teachers, staff and any other members of the school community with insights to offer.

District 100 teacher leaders met yesterday after school to help craft the new district belief statements. The vision, mission and belief statements will be presented to the BOE at their January regular meeting. Thanks to all stakeholder groups for their input. pic.twitter.com/V9B7eWOrQb — Berwyn South District 100 (@BerwynSouth100) December 20, 2017

Put together a small group that reflects all your stakeholders, and get them brainstorming. Where do they think the school is now? Where do they see it in the future? What part of the school’s identity should be emphasized?

Working with different members from your school community has several benefits:

• It reduces the fear of change —  It’s natural to be apprehensive when school culture starts changing. Opening a dialogue now will help smooth out any tension.
• It improves buy-in —  When teachers are consulted on changes to the school’s mission statement, they’re more likely to support it in the classroom and throughout the day-to-day operations of your building.
• It makes your mission better —  Teachers, parents, staff and students all have unique perspectives. Use their feedback to build a comprehensive school mission statement that recognizes the diversity of opinions found in the school community.

Make sure the group is representative of all your stakeholders, but still small enough to be able to complete meaningful work in a reasonable timeframe. Values can differ widely within a community, so be sure to take enough time to make informed decisions about all your different options.

2. Look at your school

Every school has unique opportunities, challenges, weaknesses and strengths. Luckily, your school is full of data that can help you identify these areas. To gather data, look at:

• Socio-economic status of students
• Urban versus rural schools
• Diversity in the classroom
• ESL or multilingual students
• Graduation rates
• Common discipline problems
• Attendance rates
• Staff turnover
• Staff assessment results
• Special needs students
• Student extracurriculars
• Standardized test results
• Student achievement
• Special communities (military families, immigrant populations, international students)

Every piece of information is an important part of your school’s unique identity. Use the data you have to identify the top issues, strengths and opportunities for growth in your school community.

3. Look at the future

A vision is what you hope the future will be, and a school mission statement is what’s going to get you there. It’s extremely important you write your mission statement with the future in mind.

With your stakeholders, take all the data you’ve collected and ask:

Based on what we know now about our school, what will it look like in five or ten years if we’re completely successful?

There’s your vision.

To develop your school mission statement, ask what steps the school community needs to take to achieve the vision. Questions to ask include:

• What’s already in place to help us move forward?
• How do we envision our school growing?
• What needs to be changed?
• What characteristics should we emphasize?
• What changes do we see happening in the future?

School mission statements shouldn’t need to be changed every year, but they’re not static. They’re going to grow and adapt with your school community.

Achieving a vision is a big task, and it should seem a little challenging. Vision and mission statements push growth and learning in an aspirational direction. You might be surprised at what your school can achieve.

4. Write your first draft

You’ve answered the questions and gathered the data. Now it’s time for the hard part — putting it all down into words.

It might seem like a daunting task to create an articulate, comprehensive and inspiring plan for your school’s future. Just start with a draft -- it doesn’t have to be perfect. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to revise it over the next few steps.

If you’d like, ask stakeholders with a talent for writing to give you a hand, but keep the group limited to two or three people.

Some best practices for writing include:

• Avoid cliches  — Global citizenship, 21st century skills and a nurturing environment are all important aspects of an effective school, but they’ve been overused to the point of meaninglessness.
• Get specific  — Take those cliches and make them fit your school, not the other way around. In your school, global citizenship could be a focus on second language literacy, or learning about other cultures through the lens of different subjects.
• Be authentic  — Keep your school and community in mind at all times as you’re writing, and speak to the real needs they’re seeing.

Consider including the ages and characteristics of your students, teaching strategies or curriculum philosophies used in your school, and one or two other features you feel are important for communicating your school’s mission.

When you have a draft you’re satisfied with, bring it back to the larger group of stakeholders you brainstormed with in the first place. Make sure:

• They’re happy with the priorities you’ve laid out
• They have no major concerns about any of the school characteristics you’ve highlighted
• The school mission statement is a true representation of how they want the school to grow

This could be difficult and may require some compromise, because all groups will have members with conflicting beliefs and priorities. There’s no sure way to solve it, but try to reach a consensus on big issues and focus less on smaller concerns, like specific wording.

At the end of this, you should have a mission statement that reflects the values and priorities of as many stakeholders as possible.

5. Give the school mission statement to the community

Present your school mission statement to the whole community. This could be through a meeting with district leaders, a parent evening, or through the school newsletter.

Invite community members to raise any serious objections with you. If you’ve missed a key issue, this is their opportunity to contribute ideas.

Gather feedback from the community and make sure:

• The concerns of the majority of stakeholders have been met
• The mission statement compliments the vision of the school, as well as any other messaging materials
• Stakeholders agree the school mission statement is an accurate representation of current and future school growth

Use this opportunity to explain why your school mission and vision statement will be important for future growth, and how you see the needs of the community reflected in it.

6. Put your school mission statement into action

Congratulations! You’ve written your school mission statement.

Now for the hardest part — using it!

All the hard work you put into your school mission statement is useless if you put it up on your website and forget about it.

Put the vision and mission statement everywhere: on the wall, in your office, in your weekly newsletter, on your website. Make sure it’s visible to the entire community.

This is also a great opportunity to run a professional development session on how to effectively use school mission statements in the classroom. Go over why it’s important, how it reflects the school’s priorities and how it should be used to guide classroom decisions.

Schools are not defined by the mission statement on the wall; they are defined by what actually goes on in classrooms. — Danny Steele (@SteeleThoughts) November 12, 2017

Make sure parents and students know what the mission statement means, and tell potential students why it’s so important to you school. It’s also a good idea to revisit the mission statement at the beginning and end of every year. Is it still relevant? Has anything major changed? Are you still actively working to achieve your vision? If there are changes, it’s time to re-align your goals and priorities.

It can be difficult to write school mission statements well. Common problems include:

• Insincere, generic language
• No staff or community buy-in

Writing an effective mission statement requires self-reflection as a community, and a lot of consultation with different stakeholders. It’s a process that shouldn’t be rushed.

Guides community growth

Your community should be able to access the mission statement easily. If they don’t already know it, it should make sense to them when they hear it.

School mission statements are a tool used to drive growth within the school community and guide it towards a desired outcome (the achievement of the school vision statement).

Use the school vision and mission statements to guide staff development and build a school improvement plan. Focus on areas of growth not just in the classroom, but for your staff. When school mission statements guide teacher learning, teachers are better equipped to serve students in a way that aligns with the school’s vision and mission.

Guides decision-making and priorities

According to a study  by educators that analyzed the mission statements of K-12 schools in Texas,

“Once written, the mission statement must become a living document that informs all day-to-day practices of the administration, teachers and students. Too often mission statements exist only on paper rather than being a lived philosophy and commitment to the ongoing development of an effective education institution.”

This means school mission statements have serious implications for the priorities and goals of your school, including how money, time, and other resources are allocated. Use your vision and mission to effectively use all available resources.

Gives weight to the learning process

School mission statements are a tool for guiding and shaping the learning process. In some places, school mission statements are even a precursor to accreditation because they have such a large impact on how student learning is prioritized.

Ultimately, school mission statements are classroom tools. If your mission statement places an emphasis on digital skills, it might lead teachers to use a blended learning approach. If curiosity and exploration are a priority, then project-based learning or inquiry- based learning might be useful classroom strategies.

When vision and mission statements align with what’s happening in the classroom, student learning will improve.

After all, isn’t that the ultimate goal?

How Prodigy can help implement school mission statements

It’s almost inevitable your school mission statement will prioritize academic excellence. Math competency is a key component of academic excellence, but it’s also a subject many students struggle with.

Here at Prodigy, our mission is simple: to help every child in the world love learning .

Prodigy encourages math fluency through a daily math practice that keeps students engaged and motivated. Our unique game-based design challenges students to complete quests, explore new worlds and collect points while answering curriculum-aligned math questions.

Unique reporting and alignment features give teachers the tools to deliver a personalized learning experience for each student in an engaging and adaptive environment. A powerful algorithm ensures students receive questions that build on their existing skills to keep them moving forward in the curriculum.

Learn more about how Prodigy can deliver customized learning in your school, and sign up for your free teacher account today:

• How to use Prodigy to reinforce in-class lessons
• How to use Prodigy for formative assessments
• 3 steps to use Prodigy as an RTI tool

The International Encyclopedia of Higher Education Systems and Institutions pp 2057–2062 Cite as

Mission Statement, Higher Education

• Matthew Hartley 3  
• Reference work entry
• First Online: 01 January 2020

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Institutional mission ; Institutional purpose ; Mission statements ; Vision statements

Mission statements are efforts to codify a shared set of institutional beliefs and priorities. A mission statement articulates how an organization defines its purposes: Why does the institution exist? It articulates an organization’s shared values: What is important to us? What draws us together? It may also seek to explain why an organization is unique: What makes us distinctive or special? This shared understanding has the capacity to engender a sense of belonging and shared sense of commitment among people who work at an institution. Mission statements also are a way organizations signal their purposes and priorities to important external constituents.

How Mission Matters and A Brief History of Mission Statements

Anthropologist Clifford Geertz observed that humans are suspended in webs of significance they spin themselves (Geertz 1973 ). In the professional workplace, these webs...

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Hartley, M. (2020). Mission Statement, Higher Education. In: Teixeira, P.N., Shin, J.C. (eds) The International Encyclopedia of Higher Education Systems and Institutions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8905-9_587

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Created by the Great Schools Partnership , the GLOSSARY OF EDUCATION REFORM is a comprehensive online resource that describes widely used school-improvement terms, concepts, and strategies for journalists, parents, and community members. | Learn more »

Mission Statement

A  mission statement , or simply a  mission , is a public declaration that schools or other educational organizations use to describe their founding purpose and major organizational commitments—i.e., what they doe and why they do it. A mission statement may describe a school’s day-to-day operational objectives, its instructional values, or its public commitments to its students and community.

The term mission statement  is often used interchangeably with  vision statement . While some educators and schools may loosely define the two terms, or even blur the traditional lines that have separated them, there appears to be general agreement in the education community on the major distinctions between a “mission” and a “vision.” Generally speaking, a vision statement expresses a hoped-for future reality, while a mission statement declares the practical commitments and actions that a school believes are needed to achieve its vision. While a vision statement describes the end goal—the change sought by a school—a mission statement may describe its broad academic and operational assurances, as well as its commitment to its students and community.

For a more detailed discussion, see mission and vision .

Alphabetical Search

Standard 1. Defining Institutional Purposes and Ensuring Educational Objectives

Main navigation.

The institution defines its purposes and establishes educational objectives aligned with those purposes. The institution has a clear and explicit sense of its essential values and character, its distinctive elements, its place in both the higher education community and society, and its contribution to the public good. It functions with integrity, transparency, and autonomy.

1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8

The institution’s formally approved statements of purpose are appropriate for an institution of higher education and clearly define its essential values and character and ways in which it contributes to the public good.

The Stanford University Founding Grant (1885) outlines the founding principles of the university. (A digitized version of the original copy of the grant is available here .)  The grant describes the “Nature, Object, and Purposes of the Institution” in these terms (p. 4):

Its nature, that of a university with such seminaries of learning as shall make it of the highest grade, including mechanical institutes, museums, galleries of art, laboratories, and conservatories, together with all things necessary for the study of agriculture in all its branches, and for mechanical training, and the studies and exercises directed to the cultivation and enlargement of the mind; Its object, to qualify its students for personal success, and direct usefulness in life; And its purposes, to promote the public welfare by exercising an influence in behalf of humanity and civilization, teaching the blessings of liberty regulated by law, and inculcating love and reverence for the great principles of government as derived from the inalienable rights of man to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Each of Stanford's seven schools has its own mission statement. 

• Doerr School for Sustainability  
• Graduate School of Business
• Graduate School of Education
• School of Humanities and Sciences
• School of Engineering
• School of Medicine
• Stanford Law School

(The Doerr School of Sustainability was founded September 1, 2022 and includes the previous School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences as well as a number of other departments and institutes.)

In addition, many academic programs publish their mission statements in the Bulletin or on departmental websites. Below are a few examples.

• Chemical Engineering
• Human Biology
• Political Science

Stanford has developed a vision for the university based on recommendations that emerged from a campus-wide strategic planning process that ended in May 2019. These recommendations have been distilled and integrated into the Long-Range Vision , which will guide the university’s priorities over the coming years.

The Planning and Policy Board of the Faculty Senate is charged with articulating the academic vision and mission for the university and to opine on broad academic policy issues for consideration by the faculty. The board's charge document can be found in the Senate and Committee Handbook (p. 37).

CFR 1.2  

Educational objectives are widely recognized throughout the institution, are consistent with stated purposes, and are demonstrably achieved. The institution regularly generates, evaluates, and makes public data about student achievement, including measures of retention and graduation, and evidence of student learning outcomes.

The current statement of the university’s educational goals for its undergraduate students, “The Aims of a Stanford Education”, were articulated in the 2012 SUES report (pp. 11-13). These aims draw directly upon the founders’ vision of an education “to qualify its students for personal success, and direct usefulness in life.” As the SUES authors write, “Today, more than a century later, we still subscribe to that goal. But we also hope for more. We want our students not simply to succeed but to flourish; we want them to live not only usefully but also creatively, responsibly, and reflectively.”

This vision of a liberal education at Stanford was recently renewed in the form of two reforms to the First-Year Experience and the Future of the Major which emerged through extensive faculty discussion and debate in the recent Long Range Vision process. The reports of the design teams express an updated vision of the education goals of the core courses that undergird the undergraduate degree and the major where students develop disciplinary depth.

• “All of our graduates should be prepared to think for themselves, question and reform social conventions, and revise their own assumptions when confronted with new evidence. They should recognize that every community, from the smallest club to the largest nation, needs engaged citizens who can distinguish between self-interest and the common good. Accordingly, they need to know how to discover, and how to debate, what is in the common good. Finally, they should have enough experience and knowledge about the world to appreciate that different people live different lives, and that what is good for Palo Alto may not be good for Pittsburgh or Peshawar.” ( First-Year Design Team Report , p. 7).
• “The major should provide students with a depth experience within some field, which supports development of a sophisticated understanding of some problems in the field together with general cognitive and practical skills suitable for work in that field… In addition, the student should develop a field-specific grasp of how to learn in the discipline, suitable to support a “growth mindset” toward the field. It is important, both for the substantive support of the student’s depth understanding and for the development of confidence and a sense of expertise, that the student attain significant mastery in some subfield(s) within the major. Finally, students should gain real experience thinking for themselves with the tools of the discipline, so as to develop independence of thought, problem solving creativity, and active mastery of technique and knowledge within the field.” ( Future of the Major report, pp. 12-13)

The educational goals for each of Stanford’s doctoral degrees are available in the Stanford Bulletin . Additional goals vary according to the discipline and are set locally by faculty in departments and programs.

Public information on student achievement is posted on our accreditation website. These include completion rates for undergraduate, professional and doctoral degree students, samples of reports to assess student learning in the undergraduate majors written by faculty, and students' self-reported learning outcomes from the senior exit survey. 

Undergraduate and graduate student completion rates as well as doctoral time-to-degree statistics are also regularly published on the Data and Findings dashboards page of the IR&DS website. Aggregate data on Ph.D. students' self-reported skill development, part of the Ph.D. Exit Survey, is also published on this page. Additionally, the Common Data Set also provides information to the community about undergraduate student retention and completion.

Faculty in departments and schools develop learning objectives for their degree programs that are shared in the Stanford Bulletin (examples below). The Bulletin also contains degree requirements for each program. Degree requirements for MBA , JD and the MD program in the School of Medicine are also contained in separate school handbooks.

• Physics (BS)
• Philosophy (BA)
• International Policy (MA)
• Computer Science (PhD)

At the course level, feedback through the course evaluation system provides faculty with one mechanism for evaluating learning through student input. Questions on these evaluation forms can be customized by instructors to align with course learning outcomes (see CFR 2.5 ).

CFR 1.3  

The institution publicly states its commitment to academic freedom for faculty, staff, and students, and acts accordingly. This commitment affirms that those in the academy are free to share their convictions and responsible conclusions with their colleagues and students in their teaching and in their writing.

Stanford’s current statement on academic freedom was adopted by the Faculty Senate in 1974 (it is published in the Faculty Handbook and the Research Policy Handbook ). It begins:

“Stanford University's central functions of teaching, learning, research, and scholarship depend upon an atmosphere in which freedom of inquiry, thought, expression, publication and peaceable assembly are given the fullest protection. Expression of the widest range of viewpoints should be encouraged, free from institutional orthodoxy and from internal or external coercion. Further, the holding of appointments at Stanford University should in no way affect the faculty members' rights assured by the Constitution of the United States….” 

The university's commitment to principles of free expression of ideas are reinforced in messages to the campus community made by the president, provost, and others in the senior leadership. Some are linked below. For instance, in a message to campus in November 2017, the president and provost, recognizing the challenges free expression of ideas can bring in a diverse community, reflect on "how we at Stanford can advance both our unwavering commitment to the free expression of ideas and our equally steadfast goal of an inclusive community."

• Advancing free speech and inclusion (November 2017)
• Expression and inclusion, part 2 (February 2018)
• Faculty senate symposium on academic freedom (SenD#7585, November 2018)
• Remarks on our campus climate for discussing divergent views (May 2021)
• Remarks on speech that limits others’ speech (June 2021)
• Statement from Stanford president and Humanities & Sciences dean (November 2021)

Resources for students and staff explaining how various policies affect free speech (including around events and campus protests) are available on Stanford's Free Speech website. The Office of Community Standards publishes information with guidance and policies on student conduct as it relates to speech. In 2021, the university updated its process to respond to harmful identity-based speech to create the Protected Identity Harm (PIH) Reporting process. The PIH Reporting process, intakes information through a reporting mechanism to 1) help students who have been affected by these incidents and 2) collect data. It is not a judicial or investigative process.

CFR 1.4  

Consistent with its purposes and character, the institution demonstrates an appropriate response to the increasing diversity in society through its policies, its educational and co-curricular programs, and its administrative and organizational practices.

The university’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion is articulated in the provost’s diversity statement . As the provost writes, “Institutions that are truly inclusive and embrace and advance diversity everywhere – in every program, every school and every area of operation – will be the most successful.” The statement clearly articulates why these values are important to us and lays out the goals of our vision for a diverse and inclusive Stanford.

• Diversity is critical to our research and educational missions. Our diversity ensures our strength as an intellectual community. In today’s world, diversity represents the key to excellence and achievement.
• The future is diverse. We believe that Stanford’s future preeminence requires that we enthusiastically embrace our diverse future now. .
• Social justice. We must continue to evolve and become a better and more inclusive institution in our pursuit of the values we hold dear. 

Regular updates and newsletters, such as this message in June 2020 by the president following the murder of George Floyd, express continued emphasis on diversity. Other updates can be found on the IDEAL website's news page .

A key component of Stanford's long-range vision, the IDEAL Initiative (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access in a Learning Environment) includes a wide-ranging set of institutional objectives focused on areas of recruitment, research, education and engagement. The IDEAL Initiative is the university’s institution-wide, comprehensive framework for strengthening the diversity of our campus and delivering on our commitment to enable all members of our community to thrive and be able to participate in all the educational opportunities available at Stanford. (Progress on the IDEAL Initiative is the focus of Theme 2 of our 2023 institutional report to WSCUC.) 

To improve transparency and measure progress, in 2019 the IDEAL dashboards were developed. These display detailed information of the demographic composition of faculty, students and staff at Stanford. The data are scheduled to be updated every year at the end of fall quarter. Furthermore, in 2021, the university undertook a campus-wide survey of the community. The 2021 IDEAL DEI Survey received 14,907 responses (36% of the community) and included questions on diversity, inclusion and belonging, microaggressions and experiences with harassing and discriminatory behaviors, and their impact. The findings of the survey were shared with the community in the 2021-22 academic year. 

A number of central offices are responsible for advancing equity and inclusion on campus. 

• The office of Institutional Equity and Access , led by Patrick Dunkley, Vice Provost for Institutional Equity, Access, and Community, is committed to ensuring that Stanford is a safe and just environment. Institutional Equity and Access comprises the office of Diversity and Access , the Ombuds , and the SHARE (Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Education) Title IX office. 
• The Vice Provost for Student Affairs includes the Office of Accessible Education and the Protected Identity Harm Reporting system that are managed by the Dean of Students , and a number of offices under the Associate Vice Provost for Inclusion, Community and Integrative Learning that support student equity, inclusion and belonging (see also CFR 2.11 ).
• The office of Faculty Development, Diversity and Engagement oversees a number of diversity programs and support for recruiting diverse faculty, and many other resources to support faculty and departments to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. 

Theme 2 of our 2023 institutional report to WSCUC discusses many DEIB efforts at length and documents initiatives throughout the campus in table 4 (pages 49-50). There are many programs and efforts to support IDEAL goals across the university. These are collected and periodically updated on the IDEAL website's resources page and the Diversity Works website, including:

• IDEAL Graduate Recruitment Portal (resources for planning for improving diversity; promising practices; and enrollment and admission data dashboard)
• EDGE (Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education) Doctoral Fellowship Program (supports diversity in graduate recruitment and mentoring).
• DARE: (Diversifying Academia, Recruiting Excellence) (awards two-year fellowships to advanced doctoral students who want to prepare for academic careers and whose presence will help diversify the professoriate). 
• Diversity in Graduate Education
• Graduate Admissions - Policy Statements
• Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures Handbook: Section 2.5 Commitment to Graduate Student Diversity
• Anti-Bias Resources for faculty
• CREATEngagement (toolkit for fostering a positive department climate for faculty members)
• Building on Excellence (a guide for inclusive practices for faculty searches)
• IDEAL Learning Journey (an educational program for staff and leadership to promote a more inclusive work culture and environment)
• VPUE Diversity Outreach
• School of Humanities and Sciences Diversity Programs
• School of Engineering Diversity Programs

CFR 1.5  

Even when supported by or affiliated with political, corporate, or religious organizations, the institution has education as its primary purpose and operates as an academic institution with appropriate autonomy.

Stanford University is a trust with corporate powers under the laws of the State of California. The university is a tax-exempt entity under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the provisions of the Founding Grant , the Board of Trustees (with a maximum membership of 38) is custodian of the endowment and all the properties of Stanford University. The board administers the invested funds, sets the annual budget and determines policies for operation and control of the university. Among the powers given to the trustees by the Founding Grant is the power to appoint a president. The board delegates broad authority to the president to operate the university and to the faculty on certain academic matters. The current membership of the board is maintained on the Board of Trustees website . (See also CFR 3.10 .)

Stanford has been non-denominational from its founding as described in the Founding Grant (p. 21). A number of policies related to political activities, conflict of interest and academic integrity are linked below.

• Code of Conduct (Administrative Guide)
• Political, Campaign and Lobbying Activities (Administrative Guide)
• Academic and Business Relationships With Third Parties (Administrative Guide)
• Staff Policy on Conflict of Commitment and Interest (Administrative Guide)
• Unrelated Business Activity (Administrative Guide)
• Conflicts of Commitment and Interest (Research Policy Handbook)
• Academic Integrity and Undue Foreign Interference (Research Policy Handbook)

CFR 1.6  

The institution truthfully represents its academic goals, programs, services, and costs to students and to the larger public. The institution demonstrates that its academic programs can be completed in a timely fashion. The institution treats students fairly and equitably through established policies and procedures addressing student conduct, grievances, human subjects in research, disability, and financial matters, including refunds and financial aid.

The Stanford Bulletin is the most comprehensive source of information on academic programs. The Student Services website houses all policies of relevance to students. Described there are the university’s Honor Code and Fundamental Standard , stating our expectations for student honesty and integrity; the grievance processes, both academic and non-academic ; ADA Section 504 grievance procedures; and conditions under which students can receive full or partial refunds for tuition, housing and other fees, as well as a myriad of other policies. 

The Financial Aid Office provides tools for undergraduate students and their families to determine estimated costs and budgeting for their study. The Graduate Admissions website similarly shares estimated expenses to help graduate degree applicants and admitted students anticipate the costs of their study. (See also CFR 2.12 )

Two offices are responsible for providing support and oversight of disability resources. The Office of Accessible Education is the support arm providing academic resources to students with disabilities. The Office of Diversity and Access provides non-academic services to students, faculty and staff and also manages the appeal process for students who wish to bring concerns forth under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, the Office of Digital Accessibility  oversees compliance with the university's electronic accessibility policy for all university websites and IT systems.

The university’s Research Compliance Office is responsible for oversight of Human Subjects Research at Stanford. This office promulgates policy and manages the IRB process with regard to such activity. Policies related to human subjects in research are published in the Research Policy Handbook.

CFR 1.7  

The institution exhibits integrity and transparency in its operations, as demonstrated by the adoption and implementation of appropriate policies and procedures, sound business practices, timely and fair responses to complaints and grievances, and regular evaluation of its performance in these areas. The institution’s finances are regularly audited by qualified independent auditors.

As noted earlier, all administrative policies are outlined in the university’s Administrative Guide , which includes the university's Code of Conduct . 

The university has grievance policies for students, staff, and faculty linked below.

• Student Academic Grievance Procedure (Student Services)
• Statement on Faculty Appeal Procedures (Faculty Handbook)
• Academic Staff Appeals Procedure (Academic Staff and Other Teaching Staff Handbook)
• Grievance Resolution Procedure for Postdoctoral Scholars (Research Policy Handbook)
• Staff Grievance Policy (Administrative Guide)

The services of the  Ombuds  are available to all members of the Stanford community.

The Office of Ethics and Compliance (within the Office of the Chief Risk Officer ) monitors a confidential hotline where any member of the community can report concerns about conflict of interest, workplace misconduct, financial irregularities, and other issues. The Office is also responsible for monitoring the university’s Code of Conduct and overseeing an institution-wide ethics and compliance program, which is designed to meet the federal government’s expectations for effective compliance programs as articulated in chapter 8 of the U.S. Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The university’s finances are regularly audited by independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, who also serve as independent auditors for many peer institutions. The audited financial statements are submitted to WSCUC in our annual reports. Additionally, the university’s Board of Trustees has a standing committee on Audit, Compliance and Risk (ACR) whose main purpose is to assist the Board in its risk, financial, audit, compliance, and other oversight responsibilities. The ACR Committee reviews the effectiveness of:

• The financial reporting process and integrity of the university’s consolidated financial statements and internal controls;
• The reporting and qualifications, independence, and performance of the university’s independent auditors;
• The university’s internal audit and ethics and compliance functions; and
• The university’s enterprise risk management (ERM) activities.

The university’s Internal Audit Department (within the Office of the Chief Risk Officer) regularly evaluates the university’s adoption and implementation of appropriate policies and procedures, sound business practices, and timely and fair responses to complaints and grievances. 

The university’s Cabinet regularly receives and discusses information about enterprise risks. An ERM, Ethics, and Compliance Steering Committee meets quarterly to provide guidance to the programs mentioned above

CFR 1.8  

The institution is committed to honest and open communication with the Accrediting Commission, to undertaking the accreditation review process with seriousness and candor, to informing the Commission promptly of any matter that could materially affect the accreditation status of the institution, and to abiding by Commission policies and procedures, including all substantive change policies 

We routinely submit our annual report and comply with all WSCUC policies. By making publicly available this review of the standards on our website , we demonstrate our commitment to comply with the WSCUC standards and to openness and transparency in our communications with the commission.

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Mission statements in higher education: Context analysis and research propositions

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the main issues that deal with higher education institutions’ mission statements, from a marketing perspective. It has long been argued in the literature that missions represent the foundation upon which institutions build their strategic plans, and that they should be the first step any institution takes before designing its strategy. Mission statements have also been linked to the institutions’ performance, and to the successful implementation of their strategies. Based on a review of the most recent literature in the field of higher education, the paper explains why missions appear as a relevant tool for the activity of higher education institutions, and provides insights into the way in which these institutions should engage in mission development. The main problems sorrounding the development and implementation of missions are also discussed, with emphasis on their contribution in providing educational institutions with a clear direction when faced with the changing environment. Furthermore, given the fact that some authors argue the ineffectiveness of mission statements, the paper sets to establish whether they should still be given the same importance within higher education institutions, or should they be cast aside. Considering the contribution of higher education to society, we also discuss the topic of universities’ third mission, service to society, which is beginning to be more and more embraced and implemented by higher education institutions. Throughout the paper, we argue that missions hold a significant role, and that is to provide universities with a course of action, and to guide them towards fulfilling their purpose within society. The authors complete the discussion by suggesting a number of research directions in the final sections of the paper, that show a large potential both for helping educational managers to improve their institutions’ activity, and for building richer theories of marketing management.

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This article explores the factors affecting the content of universities' mission statements. We conceptualize missions as identity narratives, a type of symbolic representation of an organization. Based on the literature on organizational identity we argue that universities need to address two major challenges when crafting their mission statements, i) to pursuit legitimacy in spite of multiple and competing expectations, and ii) to properly balance similarity and distinctiveness from other universities. We identify factors that affect this strategic effort and develop hypotheses that we test in the empirical context of the United Kingdom's higher education system. Results show that i) among competing expectations, universities choose claims that are plausible to external constituents and consistent with the values of internal members, and that ii) they adopt claims similar to universities belonging to the same organizational form while differentiating from geographically closer universities in order to reduce competitive overlap.

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The aim of this study is to explore difference in the perception of a university mission among faculty and staff members. The study is conducted in one of the private universities in Egypt. The DePaul Mission and Values (DMV) Inventory questionnaire was used to collect data. Questionnaires were followed by interviews to gain more in-depth analysis of data collected. Three main dimensions were studied including perception of mission, identity, and programs. A 7-point Likert scale was used as a response mode. Some statements were modified as they reflect the Catholic nature of DePaul institution which is not applicable to the current study. Research findings show differences in the perception of institution`s mission by gender and position. This is significantly related to the role of opinion leaders. Difference in the perception of mission statement is highly influenced by the type of communication used by leaders, gender differences in an Arab culture, and the level of concern given to university members. ___ _________________________________________________________________

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Over the last decades, the pressure on the university to facilitate direct application and exploitation of its knowledge and capabilities to contribute to social, cultural, and economic development has steadily increased. As a result, new missions have been recognized to universities, new theoretical frameworks have been developed, and new university models have been proposed, including the “entrepreneurial university”, the “civic university”, the “community-engaged university”, the “transformative university” or the “interconnected university”. Thus, a corresponding advancement of performance metrics and indicators used to assess the impact of university activities is required. Through a bibliometric and then a critical review of the extant literature, this study provides: i) an overall picture of the state-of-art of literature on universities' missions and roles in regional development; ii) a systematisation of the contributions on performance measures and indicators of univer...

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• v.19(1); 2018 Jan

Creating a Vision for Education Leadership

Daniel r. martin.

* The Ohio State University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Columbus, Ohio

Felix Ankel

† Healthpartners Institute, Bloomington, Minnesota

Robin R. Hemphill

‡ National Center for Patient Safety, Veterans Health Administration, Washington DC

Sheryl Heron

§ Emory School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia

Sorabh Khandelwal

Chris merritt.

¶ Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Providence, Rhode Island

Mary Westergaard

|| University of Wisconsin, Department of Emergency Medicine, Madison, Wisconsin

Sally A. Santen

# Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia

Academic emergency physicians are driven to become master clinicians while honing their skills in mission areas such as education, research and administration. Many faculty members try to pursue the triple threat of education, service and research; however, excellence in all three areas is difficult to achieve. The first step to excelling in the education domain is to clearly define one’s goals and articulate a strategy to achieve them. To be successful, you must define your vision, mission and core values (VMCV).

As the field of emergency medicine (EM) matures, its education leaders are increasingly recognizing the importance of defining personal and shared visions, core purpose (mission) and core values. In The Leadership Challenge , Kouzes and Posner explain “you must clarify your own vision of the future before you can expect to enlist others in a shared vision.” 1 , 2 The authors also summarize the benefits of leaders in organizations who are focused on the future, which includes achieving better performance outcomes both individually and as organizations. It comes as no surprise that most academic medical centers, medical schools and some emergency departments have developed shared visions and mission statements and have identified their core values. These statements highlight the core values of the institutions. Leadership experts such as Warren Bennis, Stephen Covey and Peter Senge emphasize the importance of developing your personal vision for life. 3 , 4 , 5

This brief innovative report will provide tools and examples to articulate a vision statement for education leadership and the steps needed for implementation. The objective of this innovation is for the readers to develop their own vision, mission and core values, and to begin to consider how they will develop their strategy and platform for implementation. While these VMCV may be aligned with your organization’s VMCV, it is important to define your own. Examples of VMCV from education leaders will be presented. This concept is based on a workshop from the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) in 2017 that was developed by key education leaders in the field of EM.

This education innovation defines each domain of vision, mission, and core values. The reader is then directed through the steps to define their individual domains. Additionally, nine education leaders worked together to clarify their personalized statements.

• Education leaders will be able to understand the definitions of VMCV and use these tools to create their personal VMCV.
• Education leaders will adjust their VMCV to align with that of their division, department or organization.
• Education leaders will use their VMCV to aid in decision-making and developing their strategic plan and future goals.

CURRICULAR DESIGN

This educational advance leads learners through the process of defining VMCV and then asking participants to determine their own vision, mission, and core values. This is then followed by participants determining their implementation strategy.

Developing Your Vision

Your personal vision should be the future state you hope to achieve. The vision statement should incorporate the future state and should be a positive, aspirational view of how the future will be better. Collins and Porras defined the vision as consisting of a core ideology and an envisioned future where the core values are the guiding principles. 6 , 7 They went on to challenge people to create BHAGs, or “Big Hairy Audacious Goals,” emphasizing that vision statements need to be something to strive for about 10 years in the future.

A stepwise approach can be helpful for developing a vision 8 , 9 starting by contemplating your purpose in the context of a positive future full of possibilities. This theme can be determined by asking yourself to describe your burning passion or what gets you up in the morning, or what do you envision every time you think about the future? Try and align the vision with that of your organization so that one builds on the other. Your vision should go forward several years and be inspirational, bold, exciting and define your burning passion. Transformational leaders are forward thinking, idealistic, possibility-thinkers and dreamers.

Nearly all recommendations for developing one’s vision incorporate consideration and reflection of one’s past, present and future. 1

Review of one’s past should especially include themes, patterns, experiences, and beliefs that have helped contribute to one’s successes. Past experiences and successes also help define your most important core values. Attending to the present permits one to take inventory of hot topics or areas where futuristic change is clearly needed. Noting the specific details as well as the patterns pointing toward the future are keys to attending to the present. 1 The future can be considered by asking yourself what you want to accomplish and why? Dreaming or imagining the limitless possibilities in the future is particularly important in times of rapid change.

The final step is using these reflections, considerations, and ideas to articulate succinctly your one-sentence vision statement and then reviewing this often for direction, motivation and inspiration.

Examples of visions include that of Oprah Winfrey, founder of the Oprah Winfrey Network, who articulated her vision this way: “To be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they thought they could be.” 10 Amanda Steinberg, founder of DailyWorth.com wrote her vision: “To use my gifts of intelligence, charisma, and serial optimism to cultivate the self-worth and net-worth of women around the world.” 10

Developing Your Mission

The mission statement or purpose should be a concise statement that describes how you will get there and your reason for being. This is the path by which you will achieve your vision. The mission statement should describe what you want to be and do in your profession and how you will accomplish your vision. It should answer questions about what you will do, who it is for and how you will do it. The most classic examples of a core purpose can be seen from organizations such as the Walt Disney Company: “To make people happy;” and Merck & Co Inc, “To preserve and improve life.” 2

Developing Your Core Values

Core values help to align your vision and mission and should include the 3–5 values that serve as your guiding principles. Collins and Porras describe organizational core values as the “essential and enduring tenets of an organization.” 6 The core values of Disney are “imagination and wholesomeness.” Kouzes and Posner describe individual core values as the deeply held beliefs – the values, standards, ethics, and ideals – that drive you.” 1 You will use these core values to guide decisions and actions. They are your personal “bottom line.” 1

Developing Your Implementation Strategy

Your strategy is the method by which you will achieve your vision and mission. This is the practical part of the plan where you think about the goals to be achieved and how you will get there. It is focused on the methods that you feel will be important for accomplishing vision and mission. It is your blueprint that will incorporate specific goals for your success. Your platform is the media or milieu in which you function most effectively. For example, for many education leaders, their platform is social media, while for others it is their personal learning network. 11 , 12

IMPACT/EFFECTIVENESS

The table displays the VMCV of several education leaders. Each is unique and approaches education from a different perspective. Some of the education leaders focused more at an organizational level, while others were more narrowly focused. Recent evidence has demonstrated a positive association between well-written mission statements and non-profit healthcare sector performance and firm performance. 12 , 13 The Gallup organization’s research has demonstrated “success-promoting” and “margin-boosting” benefits of focusing on mission. 14 They believe that mission drives loyalty, fosters customer engagement, improves strategic alignment and brings clarity by guiding decision making.

In a study by Berg he described an intense commitment to “making the world a better place” that was “almost spiritual” in an organization when symbiotic visions and goals could drive employees and organizations. 15 Similar recommendations regarding the importance of aligned vision, mission and values have surfaced in healthcare as well. 16 In a publication by pediatric program directors, personal mission statements were recommended to maintain focus and aid in decision-making and strategic planning to empower academicians to make appropriate trade-offs and reach for new opportunities that were well aligned, while eliminating or declining things that were not. 9

This innovation provides a stepwise approach for readers to define their vision, mission, and core values. Several examples are described. In general, following preparation, a 60- to 90-minute session like that of the SAEM can be used to develop an initial draft of these statements. Evaluations of the SAEM session noted that all participants noted increased ability to describe vision, mission, strategy and platform afterward. A similar session was used by first-year medical students during “Mission Statement Day.” 17

First, it is important to remember that the process of creating these statements is not necessarily straightforward. Sometimes it is difficult to identify the key features that belong in the VMCV. Although most references describe the importance of vetting these statements to peers, mentors or supervisors, 9 it can be unsettling to share these intensely personal statements for fear of criticism. It is particularly hard to create a BHAG. The time spent struggling with the VMCV is time well spent. This investment of your time will help you find a direction by which you can influence and lead in your focus area of education.

Second, it is important to remember that the VMCV are not static. While you may choose to stand with an original vision, it is common to have adjustments as the context changes. Therefore, returning to your statements can be helpful especially in times of transition, as well as to reset or reframe your goals. Finally, some leaders choose to keep their VMCV private while others espouse them publicly. Regardless of how open you choose to be with your VMCV, it is most important that your behaviors demonstrate these statements. Moreover, most leaders operate within a social network; therefore, ensuring that the people you work with know your VMCV is key to teamwork and success.

Vision, mission, and core values of selected education leaders.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions by Gary W. Hornseth.

Section Editor: Ed Ullman, MD

Full text available through open access at http://escholarship.org/uc/uciem_westjem

Conflicts of Interest : By the West JEM article submission agreement, all authors are required to disclose all affiliations, funding sources and financial or management relationships that could be perceived as potential sources of bias. Sally A. Santen has received an AMA Grant; Accelerating Change in Medical Education