LEGACY FORWARD 2026

In support of Memphis University School’s unwavering commitment to excellence, we embarked on a strategic planning process in February 2020 to identify goals that would propel the school forward over the next five years. Resulting from a yearlong process involving representatives from the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, parents, students, and alumni, the Legacy Forward Strategic Plan received Board approval in February 2021, and the implementation stage launched in August of that year.

List of 6 news stories.

  • Goal 1: Academic Excellence

    Leverage transformative teaching and learning practices that embody MUS’s mission and its rigorous place-based curriculum. Read More
  • Goal 2: Faculty Development

    Deliver and sustain academic excellence and the evolving teaching and learning model through the best faculty. Read more
  • Goal 3: Facilities Enhancement

    Thoughtfully plan and invest in a beautiful campus and physical plant footprint to ensure the school’s academic excellence and student experience. Read more
  • Goal 4: Inclusivity

    Foster a diverse and inclusive community culture in which all students are safe and welcome and that enables them to adopt and practice the MUS core values of honor, intellect, character, and leadership. Read more
  • Goal 5: Visibility and Brand

    Strategically leverage the MUS brand and reputation to expand visibility and understanding of the school in selected markets and position the school for success in internal and external endeavors. Read more
  • Goal 6: Sustainability

    Ensure a sustainable future through diversified revenue streams informed by future trends, realities, and opportunities in key areas of enrollment, advancement, and partnerships. Read more
While led by the Administration, Board, and a Steering Committee, this plan is a product of the entire MUS community – faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and external partners – who provided insights and perspectives through focus groups and other feedback loops during its development.

Collectively, this collaboration along with the dedication of several generations of MUS Owls and the school’s unwavering commitment to excellence have been essential to the plan’s development – and will be central to its future success.

STEERING COMMITTEE

List of 4 items.

  • Co-Chairs

    Jim Barton ’85Trustee/Parent
    Anne McWatersEnglish Instructor/Parent of Alumnus
  • Trustees

    Andy Cates ’89, Trustee/Parent
    Margaret McLeanTrustee/Parent of Alumnus
    Chris SandersTrustee/Parent of Alumnus
     
  • Faculty

    Lin AskewSue Hightower Hyde Chair of English/Parent of Alumni
    Grant BurkeArts Department Chair
    Elizabeth CrosbyEnglish Department Chair/Parent of Alumnus
    Zach HansenDirector of College Counseling/Parent
    Jonathan JonesAnne and Glenn A. Crosby Chair of Christian Ethics/History Department Chair/Parent
    Orlando McKay, History, P.E. Instructor/Parent/Parent of Alumnus
    Pete SandersHeadmaster
    John Simi, Director of Technology
    Joe Tyler, Lower School Assistant Principal/Math Instructor
     
  • Students, Alumni, Parents

    J.D. Huber ’20
    Brandon Arrindell ’04
    Trey Moore ’14
    Saadia Omer, Parent

Overview

List of 5 items.

  • Introduction

    The new Strategic Plan for Memphis University School (MUS) was undertaken and completed during 2020 – a notably transformative year, not only for education but for the globe. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in drastic changes in teaching and learning – with most schools going remote and virtual. 

    It was not simply a time of temporary adjustment. The deep and wide impact of the health crisis resulted in permanent adaptations worldwide, including the acceleration of online consumer behaviors, the injection of new public health practices, the stifling of the economy, the reexamination of such values as personal responsibility and social equity, and the institution of disruptive educational models – along with some “silver linings.”

    Throughout the year, the school remained strategically focused and prepared to face challenges. This time of adjustment coincided with the strategic plan process, providing an opportunity to examine how to continue – and build upon – our longstanding mission.
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  • Process

    The project officially launched on February 10, 2020, with a joint “visioning” session by the Board of Trustees and a project Steering Committee representative of various school constituencies.
    Read More
  • Vision

    Embracing excellence, innovation, tradition, and inclusivity, MUS produces leaders and citizens of character who are dedicated to service in our rapidly changing world.
  • Mission

    Memphis University School is a college-preparatory school dedicated to academic excellence, cultivation of service and leadership, and the development of well-rounded young men of strong moral character, consistent with the school’s Christian tradition.
  • Philosophy

    Memphis University School is committed to high standards of honor and integrity, academic performance, service, leadership, and athletics, and to the transmission of Judeo-Christian values.
    Read More