As one school year ends, another quietly begins—with the arrival of new families preparing to join the community. The transition over the summer months is more than a logistical process; it’s a formative experience that shapes how families come to […]
Mission, Maintenance, and the Margin Independent school leaders are navigating an increasingly complex financial terrain where sustainability pressures, program excellence, and facility upkeep converge. In the February SAIS heads pulse survey, 29% of respondents named financial sustainability among the top […]
With a few months left in the school year, a familiar tension has likely settled in —the anticipation of wrapping things up, paired with the fatigue that accumulates after months of deep investment. While feeling stretched, the calendar is packed […]
What’s one program that your school could add that would positively impact all of your students, as well as parents and your surrounding community? A program that would simultaneously support curriculum, leadership development, and after-school and summer offerings, while also […]
Independent schools are rethinking faculty growth and evaluation by moving beyond compliance-driven models toward approaches that foster professional learning, trust, and shared accountability. By uncoupling growth from evaluation, schools can establish clear expectations while also cultivating an environment that supports […]
The process of evaluating educator performance has long been a challenge for both teachers and administrators. Many existing models either impose rigid structures that stifle professional autonomy or create an unwieldy burden that dilutes their effectiveness. In the wake of […]
The board members at your school are hopefully aware of their three major responsibilities: While these three responsibilities may seem relatively straightforward, in reality, many boards struggle, especially with what’s involved in setting the strategic direction of the school. A […]
Heads of schools share that retention and recruitment of qualified staff remains a concern, with 42.9% of respondents to the SAIS pulse survey indicate it as a top challenge. Following are a variety of resources specific to interviewing and hiring. […]
Entering March and approaching the promise of spring break, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work you and your teams have been doing. During my onboarding year, I have witnessed this impact first-hand as I have […]
As schools consider institutional sustainability, the idea of a merger or acquisition may come into play. An acquisition might be a good option for schools looking to expand – offering new grade levels and divisions, acquiring new facilities, or onboarding […]
