In October 2006, Coppell High School began the Strategic Planning process. A team of thirty staff members followed the Cambridge model of strategic planning development, writing a new mission statement for CHS and developing the framework for the campus strategic plan. In the Spring of 2007, over 250 staff members, parents, students, central office administration and community members served on action teams to help write the specific plan. One area we continued to come back to was how we could make a large 5A comprehensive high school seem smaller and develop systems that build positive connections between students, staff and community. With this challenge, a task-force was created to establish thematic "small learning communities" for students in grades 9-12 at Coppell High School.

Building on the existing strength of established programs, the idea to develop Career Academies was formed. Using sound research and proven success in other high schools, the Academies at Coppell High School will begin for freshman and sophomore students in the Fall of 2010. More than any other facet of our Strategic Plan, the Academies at Coppell High School will completely transform our school. It is our goal that through the academies other goals of Strategic Plan can be achieved. As the principal of CHS, I am thrilled to be a part of this exciting opportunity for our students and staff and look forward to the great things that will come from our academies!

In Cowboy Pride,