01
Deepen Trust & Community Confidence
Turn families and community partners into active decision-makers through open forums, transparent reporting, and shared wins.
2026-2027 Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan · 2026–2027
Healing, Innovation & Whole‑Child Development
Stella Maris Special Education & Life Skills Learning Center
Building on rebuilding trust, staff morale, and student-centered excellence — with an expanded focus on therapeutic innovation, national access, student enterprise, and sustainable impact.
6Strategic Priority Areas
3Implementation Phases
24Month Horizon
100%Students Therapy + IEP Aligned
Strategic Priority Areas
Six commitments for 2026–2027
Every priority connects therapy, learning, and opportunity — so progress in one area lifts the whole child.
02
Advance Therapeutic Excellence
Build a national model for Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Sensory Integration under one integrated center.
Signature Initiative03
Strengthen Staff Capacity & Wellness
Protect the people who do the work — wellness programs, specialist certification, emerging leaders, and real recognition.
04
Enhance Student-Centered Learning & Independence
Digitized IEPs, therapy goals woven into academics, and life-skills training built on real-world simulation.
05
Expand Partnerships, National Access & Sustainability
A national referral system, mobile and virtual outreach, structured volunteering, and diversified funding.
06
Launch Student Enterprise & Employment Pathways
A student-run store, entrepreneurship training, and supported employment that carries graduates into real jobs.
New for 2026What Makes Stella Maris Unique
“From Healing to Independence”
Stella Maris will operate as a full-circle development ecosystem — three engines that hand the child forward, one to the next.
Step One
Therapy builds ability
Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Sensory Integration create the physical and regulatory foundation for learning.
Step Two
Education builds knowledge
IEP-aligned instruction and life-skills training convert new ability into everyday competence and confidence.
Step Three
Enterprise builds independence
Student-run business, job coaching, and supported employment turn competence into dignity, income, and a future.
Therapy. Education. Enterprise. One child, one continuous pathway.
The Detailed Strategic Plan
Goals, actions, owners, and how we will know it worked
Seven working sections translate the priorities into accountable steps with named owners, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
1
Restore Trust & Strengthen Community Confidence
| Goal | Action Steps | Responsible | Timeline | Success Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deepen family & community trust | Expand the Parent & Community Advisory Board into an active decision-making body | Principal, Parent Liaison | Ongoing | Increased engagement; quarterly feedback |
| Increase transparency & communication | Launch “Stella Voices” forums plus regular digital updates | Admin Team | Quarterly | Improved parent satisfaction |
| Showcase school transformation | Publish impact reports and student success stories | Communications Team | Ongoing | Increased public confidence |
2
Advance Therapeutic Excellence Signature Initiative
Stella Maris Integrated Therapy & Sensory Center (ITSC)A national model for Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Sensory Integration.
| Goal | Action Steps | Responsible | Timeline | Success Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch the Integrated Therapy Center | Fully operationalize PT, OT, and the sensory room in the restored building | Principal, Therapists, Partners | Phase 1 · 0–6 mo | Fully equipped & functioning |
| Deliver comprehensive therapy services | Provide individualized PT, OT, and sensory programs | Therapy Team | Ongoing | % of students with therapy plans |
| Integrate therapy into education | Align therapy goals with IEPs and classroom instruction | Teachers, Therapists | Ongoing | Improved functional outcomes |
| Train staff in therapeutic practices | Sensory, mobility, and trauma-informed care training | Therapy Team | Ongoing | 100% of staff trained |
| Family therapy engagement | Parent workshops for at-home support | Parent Liaison | Quarterly | Increased participation |
3
National Access & Outreach New Signature Model
Stella Maris Outreach & Access Program (SOAP)Extending specialist therapy beyond our walls so children across the country can reach it.
| Goal | Action Steps | Responsible | Timeline | Success Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Establish a national referral system | Partner with Ministries and the Special Envoy Office | Leadership Team | Phase 1 | Referral system operational |
| Provide regional access | Offer scheduled therapy blocks for external students | Therapy Team | Ongoing | # of external students served |
| Launch therapy camps | Host quarterly PT / OT / sensory camps for districts | Admin, Therapists | Quarterly | # of districts reached |
| Expand mobile & virtual support | Traveling therapy days plus virtual parent coaching | Therapy Team | Phase 2 | Increased national reach |
| Build infrastructure | Create a booking system, transport, and partner support | Admin | Phase 1–2 | Efficient access coordination |
4
Boost Staff Morale, Capacity & Professional Growth
| Goal | Action Steps | Responsible | Timeline | Success Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strengthen staff well-being | Wellness programs — yoga, mental health support, retreats | HR / Leadership | Ongoing | Reduced burnout |
| Build specialized skills | Certification in special education and therapy support | Admin | Ongoing | Increased qualifications |
| Leadership development | “Emerging Leaders” programme | Principal | Phase 2 | Internal leadership growth |
| Recognition culture | Stella Excellence Awards | HR Committee | Ongoing | Improved retention |
5
Enhance Student-Centered Learning & Independence
| Goal | Action Steps | Responsible | Timeline | Success Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strengthen IEP implementation | Digitize and track IEP progress | Special Ed Coordinators | Ongoing | 100% measurable tracking |
| Integrate therapy with learning | Align PT / OT goals with academic outcomes | Teachers, Therapists | Ongoing | Improved independence |
| Expand life skills training | Include real-world simulations — store, kitchen, mobility | Vocational Team | Phase 2 | Increased student independence |
| Student transition pathways | Internship and job placement partnerships | Admin | Phase 3 | % of students placed |
6
Student Enterprise & Employment Pathways New
Stella Maris Student Enterprise InitiativeWhere skills become products, products become income, and income becomes independence.
| Goal | Action Steps | Responsible | Timeline | Success Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch the student store | Establish a small on-site store in the restored building | Admin, Vocational Team | Phase 2 · 6–12 mo | Store operational |
| Develop entrepreneurship training | Teach sales, money management, and customer service | Teachers, Volunteers | Ongoing | Student skill mastery |
| Product development | Sell student-made and locally sourced items | Students, Partners | Ongoing | Product range & revenue |
| Transition to employment | Create supported employment pathways | Admin, Partners | Phase 3 | % of students employed |
Supported Employment Model — graduates employed in
- The school-based store
- Partner businesses
Wrapped with
- Job coaching
- Supervised transition support
7
Expand Partnerships & Ensure Sustainability
| Goal | Action Steps | Responsible | Timeline | Success Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strengthen strategic partnerships | Expand collaborations across sectors | Leadership Team | Ongoing | Active partnerships |
| Secure funding | Sponsorships, grants, and donor engagement | Development Team | Ongoing | Funds raised |
| Increase visibility | Present the model nationally and internationally | Leadership | Phase 2–3 | Recognition & invitations |
| Volunteer programs | Formalize a structured volunteer system | Admin | Phase 1 | Volunteer engagement |
Implementation Phases
Twenty-four months, three deliberate moves
01
Foundation
0–6 Months
- Launch the Integrated Therapy Center
- Establish the national referral system
- Begin staff & parent training
02
Expansion
6–12 Months
- Launch the student enterprise store
- Expand therapy integration
- Introduce mobile outreach
03
National Model
12–24 Months
- National model recognition
- Employment pathways for students
- Sustainable funding expansion
Key Success Indicators
How we will know the plan is working
✓
100% of students supported by therapy and IEP alignment✓
A fully operational PT / OT / Sensory Center✓
Students served from multiple districts✓
Increased student independence and employment outcomes✓
Improved staff satisfaction and retention✓
Recognition as a national leader in therapeutic special educationClosing Vision
Stella Maris is more than a school.
It is a place for healing, new possibilities, and transformation.
In 2026 and 2027, Stella Maris will become a national center of excellence. Here, therapy, education, and opportunity work together so every child gets support, every family feels empowered, and every student is ready for a life of dignity and independence.