Place the needs of students first. All aspects of the plan for the school are designed to meet students' needs. In order to realize this aim, there must be a committed partnership between and within all sectors: citizens, parents, administrators, teachers and students.

Strive to satisfy a diverse range of needs. Traditionally, the emphasis of education in Margaree has been on the academic stream. The Kitchen Forum process has informed us of the need to present more diversity in education programs and specifically to offer programs that would enable our students to succeed in Margaree and not have to move elsewhere.

Promote the principles of democracy by nurturing creative expression and critical thinking and by facilitating life-long learning. The 'culture of learning' that has been developing within families in Margaree is witnessed by the education advocacy that has occurred in the last decade. The community has expressed the need to further develop this culture, and this need is addressed through the structure of the Community-Operated Public School.

Use technology appropriately. Modern technology offers the opportunity to enrich programs, to present more information and to enable faster communication. These powerful tools promise to help overcome the disadvantages of small populations and remote locations. In addition, it is important that our students learn to use these tools in preparation for future education and employment. Equally important, however, is to maintain a healthy perspective about technology and to recognize that it cannot replace creative and critical thinking.

Build on the strengths of the Margaree Community in order to improve education. Margaree's strengths lie in the community's rich diversity, its history of active involvement in education, and the vitality of its two schools. This strength springs not only from creative leadership, but also, significantly, from the healthy social and physical environment and from the strong community support which the schools enjoy. The rich diversity of our area stems from its people, its environment and its economy. Historically, Margaree has been actively involved in the co-operative movement and in adult education as a means for our forbears to become "masters of their own destiny."