Debate the school's core value(s). The mission statement's creators must agree on the primary purpose or values of the school. The statement needs to address the school's ultimate outcome, goal or product for each day of operation. After taking notes on comments, compose one sentence that identifies the school's core purpose. Give the sentence to the writing team who will produce the final statement.
Discuss the educational process. If the school specializes in teaching certain subjects, describe the particular pedagogy employed. Also describe the knowledge and skills graduates should acquire. Assemble the notes from the discussion and compose one sentence that reflects the school's specific objectives and curriculum. Give the sentence to the writing committee who will compose the final statement.
Discuss the students the school hopes to attract. After discussion, compose one sentence that describes the type of student the school serves. Send the sentence to the writing committee.
Task the school's founders with creating a one-sentence vision statement that expresses their dream for the school. Vision statements go beyond the practicality of mission statements to embrace the ultimate intent of the founders. The vision statement should be sent to the writing subcommittee.
Gather the sentences from each subcommittee and give them to the best writers in the school community to compose a one- or two-sentence mission and vision statement. This subcommittee might produce several different drafts and the board of trustees decides which fits the school.