Governance

Wildcat Canyon is an independent AWSNA-Registered Initiative school; self-managed and collaboratively led by four bodies: the faculty, the administration, the Circle of Trustees, and the community.

Our view is that governance is a framework that should be designed to free up human capacity—allowing a place where we can meet each other as equals, respecting individuality and each one’s higher inspiration—while providing a context for effective decision-making.

These groups work collaboratively to accomplish the full range of the school’s necessary functions in pursuit of our educational Purpose and Path—from the day-to-day and year-to-year operations of a Parent-Child program to 8th grade to the conception and implementation of the school’s strategic plan. This collaborative organization is enabled by organizational design elements such as cross-membership of key groups, faculty committee work, participation in functional meetings and frequent communication.

The Faculty

Holds pedagogical leadership and actualization of the Purpose and Path through:

• Teaching and curriculum development
• Teacher selection and development
• Student selection
• Strategic vision and Purpose and Path renewal

The Administration

Manages and develops resources in service to the school’s Purpose and Path by:

• Implementing policies and plans
• Managing human resources
• Facilitating daily school operations

Circle of Trustees

Has four governance responsibilities:

• Supporting the school’s Purpose and Path and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the school in pursuit of that Purpose and Path
• Providing financial oversight
• Ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and
• Working in collaboration with the school leadership to support the pedagogical goals of the school.

The Community

Cooperatively sustains many of the operational needs of a vibrant and thriving school:

• Through Dynamic Governance, or “Circles”
• Via consensus-based decision making
• Upholding the school’s Purpose and Path
• See our Circle structure (click to enlarge)