We are in the process of fostering a community-driven process for drafting Woodward's founding Core Values, Vision, and Mission, the cultural and strategic foundation the school will carry into its Fall 2027 reopening. Rather than inventing this foundation alone, we will be working to bring together the voices of our students, families, staff, and the broader community into language everyone can recognize as their own.

Alignment with MCPS

Woodward's Core Values, Vision, and Mission will align with and support the system-wide foundation set by Montgomery County Public Schools:

Component Description
Core Values

Learning — strong academic foundations built on critical thinking

Relationships — collaboration linking schools, families, and communities

Respect — environments that value dignity, diversity, and trust

Excellence — high expectations and resilience for lifelong success

Equity — removing barriers so every student can access opportunity
Vision: Future Ready Every student graduates ready to thrive in a changing world, with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead, adapt, and make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
Mission: To Unleash Potential Every student builds a strong academic foundation, develops resilience and a lifelong love of learning, grows as a communicator and collaborator, and is prepared to make a positive impact in their community and career.

The process itself is built around this same principle: the Planning Team's role is to lead and facilitate community input and feedback, then bring forward a final recommendation shaped by what the community has shared — not to write these statements in isolation.

Our Process

The Planning Team will draft three connected but distinct documents, completed in this order:

Order Component Definition & Prompting Question
1 Core Values
Who we are		 The fundamental beliefs and principles that guide behavior and decision-making within the school community — relatively stable over time, shaping culture rather than strategy.

Prompting Question: "Think of a moment at school (yours or your child's) when something felt truly right — a decision, an interaction, a way someone was treated. What value was being honored in that moment?"
2 Vision
Where we're going		 A vivid picture of the future the school community is working toward — an aspirational statement of what success looks like years down the road.

Prompting Question: "Imagine it's five years from now and Woodward is everything you hoped it would become. What do you see when you walk through the halls, and what are people saying about the school?"
3 Mission
How we will get there		 A concise statement of the school's core purpose — what it does, for whom, and how — that guides daily action toward the vision.

Prompting Question: "If you had one sentence to tell a new family exactly what Woodward promises to do for every student who walks through its doors, what would that sentence say?"

Values = who we are  ·  Vision = where we're going  ·  Mission = what we do to get there

Sample Core Values

Woodward's Original Motto

When Woodward High School first opened, its founding motto — Rights, Respect, and Responsibility — was articulated by the school's namesake, Judge Charles W. Woodward:

Rights Respect Responsibility
Acknowledging individual freedoms and legal protections. Demanding regard not just for fellow individuals, but also for the rule of law. Emphasizing the continuous duty to act fairly, objectively, and with accountability toward the community.
See how other MCPS high schools have framed their Core Values, Vision & Mission
School Core Values Vision Mission
Walter Johnson   An inclusive, engaging, and inspiring community that strives to prepare all students to reach their fullest potential. To provide a safe, positive learning environment through rigorous instruction, meaningful relationships, and effective communication.
John F. Kennedy   Committed to preparing every student — including those from African-American and Latine communities — to graduate and reach their full potential, through rigorous, inclusive academics and a culture of respect, restorative practices, and culturally responsive teaching. Empowering all students through high-quality, inclusive education that builds a sense of belonging and develops caring, knowledgeable global citizens.
Wheaton   Preparing all students to reach their greatest potential and be college and career ready. Providing every student access to a rigorous, collaborative, and equitable school experience in a caring environment.
Richard Montgomery Equity & Access, Diversity & Differing Perspectives, Quality Education, Capacity, Justice, Relevance, Building Relationships & Community. A world-class professional learning community committed to high expectations and achievement for all students through respectful collaboration. A balanced, varied curriculum that prepares students for a changing world, meeting the academic, cultural, and social needs of a diverse community.
Thomas S. Wootton Belonging & Safety, Equity & Access, Excellence & High Expectations, Voice & Responsibility, Growth & Persistence. A united community where everyone feels safe, seen, valued, and heard — where equity is lived and every student and staff member is empowered to grow and succeed. Fostering a safe, inclusive community where every voice is valued and equity, integrity, and opportunity guide the work, empowering all learners to grow academically, socially, and as future-ready citizens.

Timeline

This work unfolds over the course of the planning year, alternating between Planning Team meetings and community feedback windows:

Date What's Happening
July 2026 – September 18, 2026 An initial community survey gathers input on hopes for the new school and the values that should define its culture, alongside a Meet & Greet event introducing the process and timeline. Complete the survey
August 2026 Planning Team members are selected as the survey closes. Those who have volunteered to serve on the team will be contacted by email with details, and the principal prepares materials for the first Planning Team meeting.
September 24, 2026 Planning Team Meeting #1: the team reviews community survey feedback and drafts the Core Values.
September 25 – October 16, 2026 The community is invited to give feedback on the draft Core Values and share input on the Vision. Survey link coming soon.
October 22, 2026 Planning Team Meeting #2: the team reviews feedback on the Core Values and drafts the Vision.
October 23 – November 8, 2026 The community is invited to give feedback on the draft Vision and share input on the Mission. Survey link coming soon.
November 19, 2026 Planning Team Meeting #3: the team reviews feedback on the Vision and drafts the Mission.
November 2026 – January 8, 2027 The community is invited to give feedback on the full draft Core Values, Vision, and Mission together. Survey link coming soon.
January 14, 2027 Planning Team Meeting #4: the team reviews community feedback and prepares for the upcoming community meeting.
February 4, 2027 Community Meeting: community members share feedback on the Core Values, Vision, and Mission in person.
February 18, 2027 Planning Team Meeting #5: the team incorporates final community feedback and develops the final version.
February 2027 The final Core Values, Vision, and Mission are shared with the Woodward community, and branding begins.