About Spence

Strategic Plan

The Spark of Spence is the energy that ignites a lifetime of learning, leadership, and joy. It’s the moment curiosity turns into discovery, when confidence becomes courage, and when connection inspires action. At Spence, every girl finds her spark—an inner light that leads her forward and makes an impact far beyond our walls.

Carrying Forward Clara Spence's Extraordinary Vision and Our Highest Ideals for Our Future

Every generation of leadership at Spence has set ambitious goals for the School, ensuring that we remain vital and forward-thinking leaders in educating young girls and women, preparing them for a lifetime of intellectual curiosity and courageous leadership.
Since October of 2023, we’ve engaged in a thoughtful and inclusive process, bringing our community of students, parents, faculty and staff, and alumnae together in town halls, and focus groups, and enlisting their input through surveys. All together, 1,947 touchpoints helped to capture our community’s reflections and aspirations that inspire this plan. 
The Spark of Spence, our new strategic vision, ignites a future where tradition and innovation come together to empower and enrich the lives of our students. We know that the spark is already here, but we're fueling it with renewed energy, purpose and direction.
The Process
Collective Voices: faculty Staff, students, parents, alumnae
Focus groups, survey responses, town halls, working groups
1,947 touch points with community members
14 drafts of the language and ideas
Organizational Values

List of 5 items.

  • Scholarship

    We instill a lifelong love of learning through a rigorous curriculum that ignites curiosity, drives the pursuit of knowledge and sharpens problem-solving abilities.

  • Leadership

    We inspire our students to engage in the world with courage, integrity and purpose.

  • Joy

    Our culture makes Spence a vibrant place for academic and personal growth. We find strength in our work, delight in our discoveries, and power in the journey of learning.

  • Belonging

    We cultivate a community rooted in empathy and kindness, where all members feel cared for, heard and valued.

  • Agility

    In an ever-changing world, Spence leads with strength and an openness to change. We cultivate this same resilience and readiness in our students.
Strategic Priorities

Academic Excellence

Advance Spence's commitment to joyful, rigorous learning for girls and young women.
  • Continuously enhance Spence's curriculum to sustain a world class education grounded in research and innovation.
  • Prepare our students for learning and life beyond Spence.
  • Ensure students, families & faculty experience a seamless, cohesive, K-12 educational program.
  • Enable students to have greater agency and ownership in their learning journey.

Courageous Leadership

Foster confident, compassionate women leaders dedicated to effecting positive change.
  • Equip Spence students with essential life skills to lead effectively and thrive in a dynamic world.
  • Instill the value of responsible citizenship and community contribution at Spence and beyond.
  • Inspire students to lead by creating meaningful opportunities and experiences that underscore the transformative power of female leadership.

Intentional Community

Champion dignity, diversity, belonging, and civil discourse that nurture a healthy school community.
  • Cultivate a community that embraces each individual and our collective strengths.
  • Invest in strategies to support wellness and cultivate thriving and resilient students.
  • Teach and practice productive civil discourse skills to engage as a diverse and connected community.

Thoughtful Operations

Amplify Spence's financial resources to achieve accessibility, sustainability, and alignment with our mission.
  • Enhance Spence's commitment to accessibility for families and an outstanding education for students.
  • Continue to attract outstanding employees who believe deeply in Spence's mission and philosophy by delivering an exceptional workplace culture, competitive compensation and a rich learning environment.
  • Maintain the school's ability to pursue strategic opportunities as they arise.
What is the Spark of Spence?

  • Quote 1

    "The students are the spark at Spence; everyone in their own distinct way lights up a classroom and makes it so that everyone can work together. It’s important that no two people at Spence are the same and that makes the spark even brighter and stronger."

  • Quote 2



    "Kindness is the fuel at Spence. We always have each other's backs."

  • Quote 3



    "Everyone at Spence keeps learning and it never stops."

  • Quote 4



    "The spark of Spence is our intellectual curiosity and collaboration, and our preparation for entering the real world!"

  • Quote 5



    "The Spark of Spence is the teachers and how they teach."

  • Quote 6



    "Girl Power! Girls rule and are amazing."

  • Quote 7


    "When you enter school, you skip, you run up the stairs. You’re so excited for school to begin and the day ahead of you!"

  • Quote 8


    "The spark of Spence is written right within our mission statement, it’s the joy and passion for learning that we all strive to have."

  • Quote 9


    "The spark of Spence is the excitement that all of us feel for discovering new things."
Strategic Planning Committee

List of 8 items.

  • Arielle Nagler Sherrill ’03, P’34

    Trustee, Strategic Planning Co-Chair

  • Elizabeth Causey

    Head of Lower School

  • MarQuis Chappell

    Director of Institutional Equity

  • Bobby Fallon

    Trustee 

  • Rachael Flores

    Head of Upper School

  • Bill Jacob

    Board Chair, Parent

  • Ahrin Mishan

    Trustee, Parent

  • Bruce Orem

    Director of Finance and Operations

List of 7 items.

  • Felicia Wilks

    Head of School, Strategic Planning Co-Chair

  • Emily Speyer ’13

    Trustee

  • Kimberly Kravis ’93

    Trustee

  • Georgia Siampalioti

    Director of Development

  • Lola Ladeinde Temple P’33, ’32

    Trustee

  • Taraneh Rohani

    Director of Communications

  • Eric Zahler

    Director of Teaching and Learning

Middle & Upper School

22 East 91st Street
New York, NY 10128

Lower School

56 East 93rd Street
New York, NY 10128

Athletic & Educational Facility

412 East 90th Street
New York, NY 10128
A K-12 independent school in New York City, The Spence School prepares a diverse community of girls and young women for the demands of academic excellence and responsible citizenship.

212-289-5940


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