All Resources

Starting With a Deficit and Saving a School: Making Smart, Mission-Based Decisions to Support School Community

As can be the case with leaders who take the helm at independent schools, Robert McGehee confesses he’s “not a finance guy.” As head of school for St. Nicholas School in Chattanooga, TN, McGehee shares that he does, however, love […]

DECEMBER 2024 SIGNALS

Hello there! As we head towards the finish of the fall term, there is no greater time to take a moment to create some margin for your team to reflect on the first half of the year. If you need […]

Taking a Futurist Approach to Strategic Planning: Using Foresight to Plan for Your School’s Future

“Thinking about the far-off future is more than an exercise in intellectual curiosity. It’s a practical skill that new research reveals has a direct neurological link to greater creativity, empathy, and optimism. In other words, futurist thinking gives you the […]

Webinar Recording – Trustee Education Series | Auditing Landscape for Nonprofits

You don’t have permission to view the content

FastStats: Tuition & Affordability in Independent Schools

In this FastStats, I explore the affordability of independent schools, an increasingly pressing issue over the past two decades. With tuition rising, families find it more challenging to access private education without significant financial aid. This analysis uses historical data […]

Reimagining Alumni Engagement: Unlocking New Possibilities

Regardless of the time a graduate spent with their alma mater – be it one year of high school or the entirety of their K-12 independent school experience – the relationship between student and school need not end at commencement. […]

NOVEMBER 2024 SIGNALS

Hello there! Entering a season of gratitude, thank you for your engagement throughout the fall. Whether joining us through webinars, sharing insights during virtual roundtables, or bringing your energy and expertise to the SAIS annual conference, we hope you have […]

BOARD BULLETIN: THE BOARD AS A TEAM

It is a truism that the most talented teams do not always come out on top. Often, the team that “claims the prize” is one whose members support each other, utilize one other’s strengths, and minimize weaknesses. As Michael Jordan […]

ENROLLING DISPLACED STUDENTS TOOLKIT

SAIS encourages schools to adopt a comprehensive approach to ensure a seamless transition for these students. Guided by your school’s mission, vision, and values, we recommend leveraging the Enrolling Displaced Students Toolkit as both a current and future resource. The […]

Developing Core Values That Resonate With Your School Community

Independent school mission statements often stretch beyond student academic gains to focus on developing the whole child. Yet, shaping students’ character, while admirable, is difficult to measure. Dr. Larry McLemore, head of school at the Saint James School in Montgomery, […]